Cliff Graham

Cliff Graham took up boxing in 1916 and was Canadian champion in the bantamweight division in 1919 and 1920. He almost missed his opportunity to represent his nation at the 1920 Summer Olympics because the selection committee had received incorrect information about his amateur record, but his club, Riverside AC, appealed and Graham was sent to Antwerp. After receiving a bye in the opening round, he defeated Henri Ricard of France and Henri Hébrants of Belgium in the quarter and semifinals respectively, before losing to South African Sal Walker in the final and settling for a silver medal. He continued to compete as an amateur and, four years later, was sent to the 1924 Summer Games, this time in the lightweight category. He defeated Liberto Corney of Uruguay in the first round, but was bested by Ben Rothwell of the United States in round two and eliminated from the tournament.

Graham announced his decision to turn professional in February 1925 and won his first bout, against Canadian George Smith, the following month. In January 1927 he became the Canadian lightweight champion by defeating Tommy Mitchell, but lost the title less than two months later to Chris Newton. Graham had won a close bout against Newton, an Olympic bronze medalist from 1920, three months earlier, but was unable to repeat his victory. Graham retired in 1930 with a record of 21-9-0.