Frank Erne
Born
Erwin Erne

(1875-01-08)January 8, 1875
Döttingen, Switzerland
DiedSeptember 17, 1954(1954-09-17) (aged 79)
New York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other names"The Buffalo Boy"
Statistics
Weight(s)Featherweight
Lightweight
Height5 ft 6.5 in (169 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights53
Wins31
Wins by KO15
Losses6
Draws16

Frank Erne (January 8, 1875 – September 17, 1954) was a Swiss-born American boxer widely credited with taking the World Featherweight Championship on November 27, 1896, from George Dixon in New York City, as well as the World Lightweight Championship from George "Kid" Lavigne on July 3, 1899, in Buffalo, New York.[1] Late in his career he would contend for the World Welterweight Title against Rube Ferns. Erne was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2020.[2]

Early life and boxing career

Erne was born on January 8, 1875, in Döttingen, Switzerland, to a family of Swiss descent. His father once kept a vineyard near Zurich when he was a child, and after gaining success as a boxer in America, Frank purchased one for his father in New York. Not surprisingly, Frank took wine with his meals for much of his life, including the period he reigned as a world feather and lightweight champion.[3]

At the age of seven he emigrated to the United States with his family. According to one source, in the early 1890s he worked setting pins in a bowling alley at the Buffalo Athletic Club where he began his training. During his career as a boxer, he worked as a manager of boxing classes, and physical culture schools.[4]

Erne most prized his skills as a great strategist and "scientific boxer" rather than a strong puncher, and although his BoxRec record impressively shows 14 of 30 of his better publicized fights ending by knockout, few appear to be in early rounds. Apparently he could land a punch against a less skilled opponent when necessary, but he assigned greater value to what was known in his era as "ring generalship." Erne's favorite punch was a right to the chin, similar to an uppercut, after another boxer led with a left.[5] Erne once told the Pittsburgh Press in an interview, "The majority of present day fighters are not ring generals, because they really are never called upon in a ten round bout to show ring generalship. But in the old days a fighter who wasn't a ring general never amounted to much and didn't last very long." Erne went on to note that it was the fighters with brains and not brawn who achieved the most during his boxing career.[6]

Erne began to fight professionally by October 27, 1892, when he defeated John Roy at the Buffalo Athletic Club in New York in a fourth-round knockout, showing that he was not a boxer who lacked punching ability when the opportunity arose. The fight was billed as the Featherweight Championship of Western New York and paid the winner the princely sum of $250 according to the Buffalo Courier. Erne had defeated Roy by TKO one month earlier in Buffalo.[1]

George Dixon Featherweight Champ

Erne first met World Featherweight Champion George Dixon in a ten-round draw on December 5, 1895, at the Manhattan Athletic Club in New York City. Two weeks later he fought well known Australian boxer "Young Griffo", an 1890 Featherweight World Champion, at the Music Hall in Buffalo. According to the New York Sun, Griffo, to the frustration of the crowd, dominated the brief four-round draw from the start and neither boxer put much effort into the fight.[1]

Winning the Featherweight World Title

Erne took the World Featherweight Title from Canadian born American Black boxer George Dixon on November 27, 1896, at the Broadway Athletic Club in New York in a twenty-round points decision, though Dixon was reluctant to acknowledge his loss of the championship. Though outweighing him by nine pounds, he lost the title to Dixon in a twenty-round points decision in Brooklyn on March 24, 1897, having held it only four months.[1]

Winning the Lightweight World Title

Kid Lavigne, Lightweight Champ

Already nearing the featherweight maximum after his loss of the title to George Dixon, Erne began fighting in the lightweight division, meeting George "Kid" Lavigne for his first Lightweight Title bout on September 28, 1898, in Brooklyn. The twenty-round draw would not determine a new champion.[3]

In one of the most important bouts of his career, he took the world lightweight title from Kid Lavigne on July 3, 1899, in a twenty-round points decision before an enthusiastic home crowd in Buffalo. Looking back on Erne's critical win twenty years earlier, the St. Petersburg Times noted that Erne was more known for his speed and scientific skills than power, recalling that Lavigne had lost the title to "lighthitting Frank Erne." This description of Erne was more accurate when he faced his most gifted opponents.[7]

Joe Gans, Lightweight Champ

In a fight that some historians consider a greater show of skill than his two championship title wins, he successfully defended the lightweight title at New York's Broadway Athletic Club in a close bout against the incomparable lightweight Joe Gans on March 23, 1900. According to BoxRec, Gans had asked the fight to be stopped in the ninth round after being injured by an accidental headbutt from Erne. Other sources wrote that Erne had held a decisive edge in the bout, and continuously battered Gans in the face, before Gans finally ended the fight fearing permanent damage to his eye. No headbutt was mentioned in their account.[8]

On July 16, 1900, Erne faced lightweight legend Terry McGovern in Madison Square Garden in New York. Erne had superior reach and height over McGovern, but according to most boxing writers, had not demonstrated the ability to consistently connect with the power of McGovern. Erne's ring generalship with his best opponents, was a slow, and deliberate strategy which took longer to end a fight. As the Bridgeport Herald wrote before the fight, "Erne's fights have been longer than Terry's as his record shows. He is not the finisher that Terry is. He is a point decision fighter more properly speaking and McGovern is a knockerout." Though putting McGovern down in the first round, Erne was down three times in the third before his cornermen ended the fight.[9]

Rib injury in the Gardner bout

In a successful lightweight title defense, Erne met Curley Supples on March 17, 1902, in Ontario, winning by a sixth-round knockout. On March 21, 1902, according to the Pittsburg Press, he met Gus Gardner at the Wabash Club in Chicago. Showing amazing resiliency and determination for a non-title fight, he won a six-round victory on points, after breaking two ribs in the fourth round from a well placed right by Gardner. The article noted that Erne had received this diagnosis from a Doctor who examined him, and that he considered cancelling his bout with Gans. Possibly affecting his ability to move with fluid speed in the ring, his bruised abdomen may have contributed to his losing his title to Gans only two months later.[1][3][10]

Loss of the lightweight title to Gans

On May 12, 1902, he lost the title in his bout with Gans Gans in a stunning first-round knockout, in Ontario. Gans knocked Erne to the mat early in the fight, from a strong blow. The Evening Telegram wrote of the bout, "never did the sporting world get such a shock. Frank Erne--most clever of all fighting men--knocked out in a single punch by a man he had whipped before..." They went on to note that "Many of the spectators didn't even see the blow struck." Gans was twenty-seven, not thirty-five, for he was thirty-five when he died in 1910, because he was born in 1874, only a year before Erne.(Joe Gans by Colleen Aycock and Mark Scott.) .[11] Erne had defended the title against New York Jack O'Brien, a talented contender on December 4, 1899. Tellingly, in the O'Brien fight, Erne had been down in both the third and ninth rounds.[1]

On June 24, 1902, Erne defeated Jim Malone of London, England in the seventh round. The bout was billed as the 138-pound "White" World Championship. Erne had no difficult defeating Malone, and some sources noted he had not trained extensively for the bout. The fight ended when Erne landed one of his favored punches, a solid left to Malone's jaw resulting in a knockout.[1][12]

Contending for the World Welterweight Championship

On September 23, 1901, in Ontario, Ernie lost a shot at the World Welterweight Championship to reigning champion Rube Ferns, in a ninth-round knockout in Ontario, Canada. The Toronto Star estimated that 45,000 fans watched the fight, with the Ontario club at full capacity. In a rare display of competitiveness, Erne had fought as a contender in three separate weight divisions, winning the world title twice.[1]

Late boxing career and legacy

As a skilled strategist, Erne was not accustomed to taking much punishment in his bouts and after receiving a seventh-round knockout from a skilled, 23-year-old firebrand Jimmy Brit on November 26, 1902, at the Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco, he considered retirement at 27. He admitted he had been "knocked completely out," by the "game young fellow," and noted "I would advise no young man to follow the ring for a living. I have quit for good and I am glad to do so."[1][13]

Boxing in Paris

Despite his proclamation, Erne would continue to train intermittently, and did not retire from the ring until accepting a bout with Curley Watson in Paris for what was billed as the "Welterweight Championship of France." Showing his skills, Erne won the bout on February 29, 1908, in a ten-round points decision, but retired not long after at 33.

Death in New York

Erne died on September 17, 1954, in New York, living nearly to eighty. Perhaps his longevity could partially be attributed to his fighting a limited number of fights for a champion and nearly retiring before he reached thirty. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Erne did not fully retire from boxing until 1908, but he may have helped with the training or management of other boxers after that date. The Gazette noted that "he never received a scar or blemish from his many fights", perhaps a result of noteworthy defensive skills.[14] In an interview with Erne at 61, the St. Petersburg Times quoted him as saying, "I didn't fight much after 1904, and I believe this kept me from following in the footsteps of so many boxers who try to hang on after their prime. You see I was only 30 years old when I laid my gloves aside."[5]

In 1997, he was among the first class inducted into Buffalo's Ring No. 44 Boxing Hall of Fame.[1]

Professional boxing record

53 fights 31 wins 6 losses
By knockout 15 4
By decision 15 2
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 16
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
53 Win 31–6–16 Curly Watson PTS 10 Feb 29, 1908 Wonderland, Paris, France Won inaugural French welterweight title
52 Win 30–6–16 Warren Zurbrick DQ 10 (20) May 18, 1903 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
51 Loss 29–6–16 Jimmy Britt KO 7 (20) Nov 26, 1902 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. Lost 'white' lightweight title
50 Win 29–5–16 Jim Maloney KO 7 (15) Jun 24, 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Won vacant 'white' lightweight title
49 Loss 28–5–16 Joe Gans KO 1 (20) May 12, 1902 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Lost world lightweight title
48 Win 28–4–16 Gus Gardner PTS 6 Mar 21, 1902 Wabash A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
47 Win 27–4–16 Curley Supples KO 6 (20) Mar 17, 1902 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Retained world lightweight title
46 Loss 26–4–16 Rube Ferns KO 9 (20) Sep 23, 1901 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada For world welterweight title
45 Draw 26–3–16 Tom Couhig PTS 6 Aug 30, 1900 Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
44 Loss 26–3–15 Terry McGovern TKO 3 (10) Jul 16, 1900 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
43 Win 26–2–15 Joe Gans TKO 12 (25) Mar 23, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world lightweight title;
Gans asked to have the bout stopped
after being cut by an accidental head-butt
42 Win 25–2–15 Chicago Jack Daly PTS 6 Feb 9, 1900 Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
41 Draw 24–2–15 New York Jack O'Brien PTS 25 Dec 4, 1899 Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world lightweight title
40 Win 24–2–14 George Kid Lavigne PTS 20 Jul 3, 1899 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Won world lightweight title
39 Win 23–2–14 George "Elbows" McFadden PTS 25 May 9, 1899 Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
38 Win 22–2–14 Dal Hawkins KO 7 (20) Mar 3, 1899 Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.
37 Draw 21–2–14 George Kid Lavigne PTS 20 Sep 28, 1898 Greater New York A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. For world lightweight title
36 Win 21–2–13 Harry Lemons PTS 20 Apr 25, 1898 Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
35 Draw 20–2–13 Jack Downey PTS 20 Nov 29, 1897 Empire A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
34 Draw 20–2–12 Jim Popp PTS 20 Oct 2, 1897 Toronto A.C., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
33 Win 20–2–11 Larry Becker KO 5 (20) Sep 13, 1897 Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
32 Win 19–2–11 Joe Hopkins TKO 19 (20) Apr 19, 1897 Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
31 Loss 18–2–11 George Dixon PTS 25 Mar 24, 1897 Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost world featherweight title
30 Loss 18–1–11 Martin Flaherty UD 20 Feb 20, 1897 New York A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 18–0–11 George Dixon PTS 20 Nov 27, 1896 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Won world featherweight title
Dixon continued to claim title
28 Draw 17–0–11 Jack Downey PTS 12 Jun 29, 1896 South Brooklyn A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
27 Draw 17–0–10 Jack Downey PTS 8 (10) May 23, 1896 Empire Theater, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. Police stopped the bout in the eighth round
and the bout was declared a draw
26 Win 17–0–9 Larry Burns KO 5 (10) Apr 23, 1896 Empire A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
25 Draw 16–0–9 Jack Downey PTS 10 Mar 30, 1896 Empire A.C., Maspeth, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Draw 16–0–8 Young Griffo PTS 4 Dec 20, 1895 Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
23 Draw 16–0–7 George Dixon PTS 10 Dec 5, 1895 New Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 16–0–6 Jack Skelly TKO 9 (15) Oct 4, 1895 New Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Win 15–0–6 Jack Skelly KO 7 (10) Aug 26, 1895 Maspeth Empire AC, Maspeth, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 14–0–6 Joe Craig TKO 3 (10) Jul 15, 1895 Oakland Avenue Rink, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 13–0–6 Pat Perry PTS 4 Mar 9, 1895 London, England
18 Win 12–0–6 Joe Leonard KO 2 (6) Jan 22, 1895 New Manhattan A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Draw 11–0–6 Solly Smith PTS 10 Oct 2, 1894 Liedertafel Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
16 Win 11–0–5 Alec Sloan PTS 4 Aug 11, 1894 Eldorado beach, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
15 Draw 10–0–5 George Siddons PTS 10 Jun 16, 1894 Academy of Music, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
14 Win 10–0–4 George Siddons PTS 6 May 12, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
13 Win 9–0–4 Dan Maloney TKO 1 (?) May 8, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
12 Win 8–0–4 Pat Schultz PTS 4 Apr 21, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
11 Draw 7–0–4 Tommy Dixon PTS 4 Apr 14, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
10 Win 7–0–3 Hymie Goldstein PTS 4 Apr 7, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
9 Win 6–0–3 Fred Warner PTS 4 Mar 31, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
8 Win 5–0–3 Walter Campbell KO 3 (4) Mar 24, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
7 Draw 4–0–3 Tommy Kennedy PTS 4 Mar 17, 1894 Court Street Theatre, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
6 Draw 4–0–2 John L Sullivan PTS 2 (10) Mar 6, 1894 Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Not to be confused with John L. Sullivan
5 Win 4–0–1 Skip Krieger PTS 3 Nov 27, 1893 Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
4 Draw 3–0–1 Joe Diebold PTS 23 Jan 26, 1893 Buffalo A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 John Roy KO 4 (20) Oct 27, 1892 Buffalo A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 John Roy TKO 4 (6) Sep 29, 1892 Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 James McCarthy PTS 6 Mar 17, 1892 Star Theater, Buffalo, New York, U.S.

See also

World titles won

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Frank Erne". BoxRec. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "International Boxing Hall of Fame announces 'historic' induction class of 2020".
  3. 1 2 3 "Frank Erne". Boxing Biographies. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Frank Erne Sells Fruit to New York's 400", Milwaukee Journal, pg. 7, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1 December 1903
  5. 1 2 "Frank Erne, Former Boxing Champ Says Fitzsimmons, Gans Were Best", St. Petersburg Times, p.6, St. Petersburg, Florida, 21 July 1935
  6. ↑ "Pugilists are On Decline in the Opinion of Frank Erne", The Pittsburgh Press, p. 25, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 19 July 1914
  7. ↑ "Michigan Fans to Mark Grave of Kid Lavigne", St. Petersburg Times, pg. 6, St. Petersburgh, Florida, 25 October 1928
  8. ↑ Roberts, James B; Skutt, Alexander G (1990). "The Boxing Register". International Boxing Hall of Fame. Canastota, Nv: McBooks Press. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Bridgeport Herald, "Sports", p. 2, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 15 July 1900
  10. ↑ "Frank Erne Won Fight After Ribs Were Broken, The Pittsburgh Press, p. 12, 24 March 1902
  11. ↑ "Joe Gans Punch Hardest of All", The Evening Telegram, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, pg. 7, 14 October 1909
  12. ↑ The Deseret News, "Frank Erne Wins", pg. 5, Salt Lake City, Utah, 25 June 1902
  13. ↑ "Frank Erne Advises Boys Not to Enter the Ring", The Pittsburgh Press, pg. 10, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1 December 1902
  14. ↑ "Frank Erne Dies at 79", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. 12, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 18 September 1954
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