Despite only taking up boxing upon emigrating to the United States of America at the age of 20, Jim rapidly rose through the rankings to become an acknowledged contender for the World title during the so-called "Great White Hope" era of the sport.

[2] The fifth of 10 children born to John Coffey and his wife Ann née Quinn), as a youth his main sporting interest lay in the game of gaelic handball.

His career progressed with victories over established heavyweight contenders of the day, such as Fireman Jim Flynn, Alfred "Soldier" Kearns, Arthur Pelkey and Ed "Gunboat" Smith.

Between October 1915 and January 1916, he twice fought Frank Moran in Madison Square Garden, with the second bout being an eliminator for who would go on to challenge new Heavyweight World Champion Jess Willard.

Following his losses to Moran, Coffey continued to box, taking on other famous names from the time, including Carl Morris, Battling Levinsky, Joe Jeanette and Harry Greb.

On 16 April 2017, the community of Loughglynn and Gorthaganny unveiled a monument to Jim Coffey adjacent to his place of birth in the townland of Tully.