"The Seattle Flash" Tod Morgan
Born: Dec. 25, 1902
Died: AAug. 3, 1953
Bouts: 221
Won: 143
Lost: 44
Drew: 33
NC: 1
KOs: 30
Induction: 2022
Born Albert Morgan Pilkington on December 25, 1902 in Dungeness, WA.
He turned professional at flyweight in 1920. Christened “Tod Morgan” by a ring announcer who misunderstood his name, the 110-pounder steadily added weight and was soon a contender in the 130-pound junior lightweight division. On December 2, 1925 he upset Mike Ballerino via 10th round stoppage to win the title and become the first world champion from Washington state. He reigned for four years and successfully defended the belt 12 times against the likes of Joe Glick (W 15, WDSQ 14), Johnny Dundee (W 10), “Cannonball” Eddie Martin (W 15, W 15) before losing the title to Benny Bass (KO by 2) in 1929. In the early 1930s he relocated to Australia and was extremely popular with fans “Down Under” and eventually began promoting there to great success. Morgan retired from the ring in 1942 with a record of 143-44-33 (30 KOs) that includes wins over Sammy Mandell, Frankie Britt and Steve “Kid” Sullivan.
In 1946 he returned to the United States and refereed matches and worked as bellboy before falling ill and passing away on August 3, 1953 at age 50.