# Harris Martin

Harris Martin (April 2, 1865 – April 26, 1903) was an American boxer known as "The Black Pearl". He declared himself the first colored middleweight champion of the world after a fight with "Black Frank" Taylor in Minneapolis in 1887. Harris' legacy is that of being one of the first African-American boxing celebrities in the United States, with public acclaim during his time extending throughout the Midwest region. Over a century after his death, Harris was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.

## Early life

Harris Martin was born in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 1865. There is little historic record of his pre-boxing career life.

## Career

Harris' boxing acumen was discovered while he worked as a waiter at a hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As Harris began boxing in backrooms and outside saloons, he gained a reputation for his "sledgehammer" punches and came to be known as "The Black Pearl". At just 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall and weighing 150 pounds, Martin was a muscular and compact fighter. Charles Hadley and George Phillips, two other prominent African American boxers, served as his trainers.
Martin declared himself the world colored middleweight champion after beating "Black Frank" Taylor in Minneapolis on May 2, 1887, when he knocked out Taylor in the 38th or 40th round of their bout. Harris and Taylor had fought six times between December 22, 1886, and the title bout; Martin lost their first fight, won the second, then drew the next four contests. (They then fought an exhibition.)
After beating Taylor, Martin declared himself the World Colored Middleweight Champion. (They fought one more time that December, a bout that resulted in a draw.) Harris lost his title to Ed Binney on November 30, 1891, in San Francisco, California. On February 29, 1892, he was defeated by Charley Turner, "The Stockton Cyclone", who claimed the title but never defended it. Binney was considered the lineal champ.
Martin racked up a career record of 53 wins (with 39 K.O.s) against 11 losses (K.O.-ed seven times) and 15 draws. He lost one newspaper decision.

## Personal life and death

Harris was married, but later divorced. Drinking and socializing dominated the later part of his boxing career and post-career life. After several arrests, he was banned from being in the City of Minneapolis. In 1900, after he retired from his 15-year boxing career, he moved to Seattle, Washington. He later moved back to Minnesota and resided in Saint Paul.
Harris died from heart failure on April 26, 1903, in Saint Paul at the age of 38. His funeral was a major event in the Twin Cities. He was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood.

## Legacy

Harris is considered a pioneer in the sport of boxing around the turn of the 20th century alongside Oscar Gardner, Danny Needham, Patrick Killen, and others. He was one of the first notable African American athletes in the Midwestern United States. Harris was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.

## Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

### Official record

| 83 fights | 54 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 40 | 7 |
| By decision | 13 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 15 | 15 |
| No contests | 2 | 2 |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 1 | 1 |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted to the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 83 | Win | 54–11–15 (3) | Mr. Thomas | TKO | 4 (?) | Dec 15, 1900 | Clark and Langes Clubroom, Salt Lake City, Utah, US | |
| 82 | Loss | 53–11–15 (3) | Young Peter Jackson | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 20, 1899 | Germania Hall, Seattle, Washington, US | |
| 81 | Draw | 53–10–15 (3) | Jim Sellars | PTS | 8 | Oct 20, 1899 | Sioux City A.C., Sioux City, Iowa, US | |
| 80 | Loss | 53–10–14 (3) | Con Jacobus | TKO | 4 (?) | Sep 18, 1899 | Woodland Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US | |
| 79 | Draw | 53–9–14 (3) | Jim Sellars | PTS | 10 | Sep 13, 1899 | Opera House, Sioux City, Iowa, US | |
| 78 | Loss | 53–9–13 (3) | Charley Holcombe | NWS | 6 | Feb 6, 1897 | Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 77 | Loss | 53–9–13 (2) | Andy Watson | PTS | 4 | Jan 16, 1897 | Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 76 | Draw | 53–8–13 (2) | Jack Ramsey | PTS | 20 | Mar 3, 1894 | Fort Collins, Colorado, US | |
| 75 | Loss | 53–8–12 (2) | Bobby Dobbs | KO | 19 (?) | Jan 30, 1893 | Armory, San Francisco, California, US | A fight to the finish |
| 74 | Loss | 53–7–12 (2) | Joe King | KO | 36 (?) | Oct 21, 1892 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, US | |
| 73 | Win | 53–6–12 (2) | Tom Harrington | KO | 2 (?) | May 31, 1892 | Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US | Exact date uncertain |
| 72 | Draw | 52–6–12 (2) | Jimmy Lawler | PTS | 10 | Apr 18, 1892 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, US | Exact date uncertain |
| 71 | Win | 52–6–11 (2) | Ed Moehler | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 7, 1892 | San Francisco, California, US | Exact date uncertain |
| 70 | Loss | 51–6–11 (2) | Hank Griffin | KO | 4 (?) | Apr 1, 1892 | Location unknown | Date uncertain |
| 69 | Loss | 51–5–11 (2) | Charles Turner | KO | 19 | Feb 29, 1892 | Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, US | A fight to the finish |
| 68 | Loss | 51–4–11 (2) | Ed Binney | RTD | 25 (?) | Nov 30, 1891 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, US | Lost world colored middleweight title |
| 67 | Win | 51–3–11 (2) | Paddy Gorman | KO | 4 (?) | Oct 26, 1891 | Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US | |
| 66 | ND | 50–3–11 (2) | Spike Trainor | ND | 4 | Sep 5, 1891 | Arion Hall, Great Falls, Montana, US | |
| 65 | Win | 50–3–11 (1) | George Gannon | KO | 3 (?) | Aug 23, 1891 | Falke's Garden, Butte, Montana, US | |
| 64 | Win | 49–3–11 (1) | Joe Ellingsworth | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 21, 1891 | Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 63 | Win | 48–3–11 (1) | Tom Murray | KO | 7 (?) | May 29, 1891 | Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 62 | Win | 47–3–11 (1) | Mike Sullivan | KO | 1 (?) | May 16, 1891 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 61 | Loss | 46–3–11 (1) | Jerry Heggerty | PTS | 5 | May 12, 1891 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 60 | Win | 46–2–11 (1) | Frank Lewis | TKO | 5 (6) | May 7, 1891 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 59 | ND | 45–2–11 (1) | Bob Fitzsimmons | ND | 4 | May 1, 1891 | Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 58 | Draw | 45–2–11 | Denny Kelliher | PTS | 10 | Feb 10, 1891 | Newmarket Theatre, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | Retained Northwest middleweight title |
| 57 | Win | 45–2–10 | Jim Hightower | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 20, 1890 | Omaha, Nebraska, US | |
| 56 | Win | 44–2–10 | Denny Kelliher | PTS | 20 | Nov 3, 1890 | Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Missouri, US | Retained Northwest middleweight title |
| 55 | Win | 43–2–10 | Jim Hightower | PTS | 8 | Sep 9, 1890 | Saint Joseph, Missouri, US | |
| 54 | Draw | 42–2–10 | Frank Lewis | PTS | 8 | Jun 27, 1890 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 53 | Win | 42–2–9 | Dick Moore | TKO | 4 (6) | May 23, 1890 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | Retained Northwest middleweight title |
| 52 | Win | 41–2–9 | Dick Moore | KO | 7 (?) | Feb 3, 1890 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | Won vacant Northwest middleweight title |
| 51 | Win | 40–2–9 | Ed Moehler | KO | 8 (?) | Dec 9, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 50 | Win | 39–2–9 | James Aster | KO | 1 (?) | Oct 5, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 49 | Draw | 38–2–9 | Charles Hadley | PTS | 8 | Aug 10, 1888 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 48 | Draw | 38–2–8 | James Legger | PTS | 10 | Aug 3, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 47 | Win | 38–2–7 | J.P. Smith | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 14, 1888 | Lake City, Minnesota, US | |
| 46 | Win | 37–2–7 | Dick Haley | PTS | 4 | Jun 15, 1888 | Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 45 | Win | 36–2–7 | J.P. Donner | PTS | 10 | Jun 1, 1888 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 44 | Win | 35–2–7 | John Dwyer | KO | 2 (?) | May 25, 1888 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 43 | Win | 34–2–7 | Charles Gleason | PTS | 6 | May 18, 1888 | Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 42 | Win | 33–2–7 | Ed Harris | PTS | 4 | Apr 8, 1888 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 41 | Win | 32–2–7 | Hunter Briscoe | KO | 6 (8) | Mar 2, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 40 | Win | 31–2–7 | Ed Moehler | PTS | 8 | Dec 30, 1887 | Gary, Indiana, US | |
| 39 | Draw | 30–2–7 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 10 | Dec 10, 1887 | Ashland, Wisconsin, US | |
| 38 | Win | 30–2–6 | James Legger | DQ | 13 (15) | Nov 11, 1887 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 37 | Win | 29–2–6 | James Legger | TKO | 5 (10) | Nov 1, 1887 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 36 | Win | 28–2–6 | Paddy Norton | KO | 3 (?) | Sep 6, 1887 | Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 35 | Win | 27–2–6 | OH Smith | PTS | 4 | Aug 5, 1887 | Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 34 | Win | 26–2–6 | Tom Jackson | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 15, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 33 | Win | 25–2–6 | Frank Taylor | KO | 38 (?) | May 2, 1887 | Woods outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | Won inaugural world colored middleweight title |
| 32 | Win | 24–2–6 | Desperate Coon | TKO | 3 (4) | Apr 22, 1887 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 31 | Win | 23–2–6 | Charles Hadley | PTS | 8 | Apr 15, 1887 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 30 | Draw | 22–2–6 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 12 | Apr 1, 1887 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 29 | Win | 22–2–5 | Charles Hadley | PTS | 8 | Mar 25, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 28 | Draw | 21–2–5 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 27 | Win | 21–2–4 | Dan Sommers | KO | 4 (?) | Mar 11, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 26 | Win | 20–2–4 | Tom Devine | KO | 5 (5) | Mar 3, 1887 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 25 | Win | 19–2–4 | Will Young | KO | 2 (?) | Feb 27, 1887 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 24 | Win | 18–2–4 | Black Strap | KO | 4 (10) | Feb 18, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 23 | Win | 17–2–4 | Jim O'Brien | KO | 4 (?) | Feb 7, 1887 | Exposition Hall, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 22 | Draw | 16–2–4 | Dan Manning | PTS | 10 | Jan 28, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 21 | Win | 16–2–3 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 15 | Jan 21, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 20 | Win | 15–2–3 | Dan Sommers | KO | 3 (?) | Jan 7, 1887 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 19 | Win | 14–2–3 | George Gannon | KO | 11 (?) | Jan 3, 1887 | Cribbe Club Room, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 18 | Loss | 13–2–3 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 10 | Dec 22, 1886 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 17 | Win | 13–1–3 | Young McKay | KO | 4 (8) | Dec 21, 1886 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 16 | Win | 12–1–3 | Dan Sommers | TKO | 7 (?) | Dec 5, 1886 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 15 | Win | 11–1–3 | Black Strap | PTS | 4 | Dec 3, 1886 | Clarks Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 14 | Draw | 10–1–3 | Jim O'Brien | PTS | 4 | Dec 2, 1886 | Exposition Rink, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 13 | Win | 10–1–2 | Cass Brown | PTS | 8 | Nov 14, 1886 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 12 | Win | 9–1–2 | Billy Young | KO | 9 (?) | Sep 27, 1886 | Pennsylvania, US | |
| 11 | Win | 8–1–2 | Jack Murphy | KO | 3 (?) | Sep 7, 1886 | Pennsylvania, US | |
| 10 | Win | 7–1–2 | Billy Young | KO | 9 (?) | Sep 6, 1886 | Pennsylvania, US | |
| 9 | Loss | 6–1–2 | Joe Butler | PTS | 4 | Aug 7, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 8 | Win | 6–0–2 | Tom Henderson | KO | 3 (?) | Jul 3, 1886 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 7 | Draw | 5–0–2 | Mike Highland | PTS | 4 | Jun 22, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Charles Johnson | KO | 3 (4) | Jun 16, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Bill Boughbly | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 11, 1886 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 4 | Win | 3–0–1 | Bill Travers | KO | 1 (4) | Jun 4, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 3 | Win | 2–0–1 | Bill Davis | KO | 3 (4) | May 18, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Tom Henderson | KO | 5 (?) | May 8, 1886 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Jack Burke | PTS | 4 | Mar 19, 1886 | Cincinnati, Ohio, US | |

### Unofficial record

| 83 fights | 54 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 40 | 7 |
| By decision | 13 | 5 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 15 | 15 |
| No contests | 2 | 2 |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 83 | Win | 54–12–15 (2) | Mr. Thomas | TKO | 4 (?) | Dec 15, 1900 | Clark and Langes Clubroom, Salt Lake City, Utah, US | |
| 82 | Loss | 53–12–15 (2) | Young Peter Jackson | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 20, 1899 | Germania Hall, Seattle, Washington, US | |
| 81 | Draw | 53–11–15 (2) | Jim Sellars | PTS | 8 | Oct 20, 1899 | Sioux City A.C., Sioux City, Iowa, US | |
| 80 | Loss | 53–11–14 (2) | Con Jacobus | TKO | 4 (?) | Sep 18, 1899 | Woodland Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US | |
| 79 | Draw | 53–10–14 (2) | Jim Sellars | PTS | 10 | Sep 13, 1899 | Opera House, Sioux City, Iowa, US | |
| 78 | Loss | 53–10–13 (2) | Charley Holcombe | NWS | 6 | Feb 6, 1897 | Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 77 | Loss | 53–9–13 (2) | Andy Watson | PTS | 4 | Jan 16, 1897 | Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 76 | Draw | 53–8–13 (2) | Jack Ramsey | PTS | 20 | Mar 3, 1894 | Fort Collins, Colorado, US | |
| 75 | Loss | 53–8–12 (2) | Bobby Dobbs | KO | 19 (?) | Jan 30, 1893 | Armory, San Francisco, California, US | A fight to the finish |
| 74 | Loss | 53–7–12 (2) | Joe King | KO | 36 (?) | Oct 21, 1892 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, US | |
| 73 | Win | 53–6–12 (2) | Tom Harrington | KO | 2 (?) | May 31, 1892 | Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US | Exact date uncertain |
| 72 | Draw | 52–6–12 (2) | Jimmy Lawler | PTS | 10 | Apr 18, 1892 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, US | Exact date uncertain |
| 71 | Win | 52–6–11 (2) | Ed Moehler | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 7, 1892 | San Francisco, California, US | Exact date uncertain |
| 70 | Loss | 51–6–11 (2) | Hank Griffin | KO | 4 (?) | Apr 1, 1892 | Location unknown | Date uncertain |
| 69 | Loss | 51–5–11 (2) | Charles Turner | KO | 19 | Feb 29, 1892 | Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, US | A fight to the finish |
| 68 | Loss | 51–4–11 (2) | Ed Binney | RTD | 25 (?) | Nov 30, 1891 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, US | Lost world colored middleweight title |
| 67 | Win | 51–3–11 (2) | Paddy Gorman | KO | 4 (?) | Oct 26, 1891 | Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US | |
| 66 | ND | 50–3–11 (2) | Spike Trainor | ND | 4 | Sep 5, 1891 | Arion Hall, Great Falls, Montana, US | |
| 65 | Win | 50–3–11 (1) | George Gannon | KO | 3 (?) | Aug 23, 1891 | Falke's Garden, Butte, Montana, US | |
| 64 | Win | 49–3–11 (1) | Joe Ellingsworth | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 21, 1891 | Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 63 | Win | 48–3–11 (1) | Tom Murray | KO | 7 (?) | May 29, 1891 | Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 62 | Win | 47–3–11 (1) | Mike Sullivan | KO | 1 (?) | May 16, 1891 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 61 | Loss | 46–3–11 (1) | Jerry Heggerty | PTS | 5 | May 12, 1891 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 60 | Win | 46–2–11 (1) | Frank Lewis | TKO | 5 (6) | May 7, 1891 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 59 | ND | 45–2–11 (1) | Bob Fitzsimmons | ND | 4 | May 1, 1891 | Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 58 | Draw | 45–2–11 | Denny Kelliher | PTS | 10 | Feb 10, 1891 | Newmarket Theatre, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | Retained Northwest middleweight title |
| 57 | Win | 45–2–10 | Jim Hightower | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 20, 1890 | Omaha, Nebraska, US | |
| 56 | Win | 44–2–10 | Denny Kelliher | PTS | 20 | Nov 3, 1890 | Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Missouri, US | Retained Northwest middleweight title |
| 55 | Win | 43–2–10 | Jim Hightower | PTS | 8 | Sep 9, 1890 | Saint Joseph, Missouri, US | |
| 54 | Draw | 42–2–10 | Frank Lewis | PTS | 8 | Jun 27, 1890 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 53 | Win | 42–2–9 | Dick Moore | TKO | 4 (6) | May 23, 1890 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | Retained Northwest middleweight title |
| 52 | Win | 41–2–9 | Dick Moore | KO | 7 (?) | Feb 3, 1890 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | Won vacant Northwest middleweight title |
| 51 | Win | 40–2–9 | Ed Moehler | KO | 8 (?) | Dec 9, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 50 | Win | 39–2–9 | James Aster | KO | 1 (?) | Oct 5, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 49 | Draw | 38–2–9 | Charles Hadley | PTS | 8 | Aug 10, 1888 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 48 | Draw | 38–2–8 | James Legger | PTS | 10 | Aug 3, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 47 | Win | 38–2–7 | J.P. Smith | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 14, 1888 | Lake City, Minnesota, US | |
| 46 | Win | 37–2–7 | Dick Haley | PTS | 4 | Jun 15, 1888 | Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 45 | Win | 36–2–7 | J.P. Donner | PTS | 10 | Jun 1, 1888 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 44 | Win | 35–2–7 | John Dwyer | KO | 2 (?) | May 25, 1888 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 43 | Win | 34–2–7 | Charles Gleason | PTS | 6 | May 18, 1888 | Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 42 | Win | 33–2–7 | Ed Harris | PTS | 4 | Apr 8, 1888 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 41 | Win | 32–2–7 | Hunter Briscoe | KO | 6 (8) | Mar 2, 1888 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 40 | Win | 31–2–7 | Ed Moehler | PTS | 8 | Dec 30, 1887 | Gary, Indiana, US | |
| 39 | Draw | 30–2–7 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 10 | Dec 10, 1887 | Ashland, Wisconsin, US | |
| 38 | Win | 30–2–6 | James Legger | DQ | 13 (15) | Nov 11, 1887 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 37 | Win | 29–2–6 | James Legger | TKO | 5 (10) | Nov 1, 1887 | Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 36 | Win | 28–2–6 | Paddy Norton | KO | 3 (?) | Sep 6, 1887 | Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 35 | Win | 27–2–6 | OH Smith | PTS | 4 | Aug 5, 1887 | Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 34 | Win | 26–2–6 | Tom Jackson | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 15, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 33 | Win | 25–2–6 | Frank Taylor | KO | 38 (?) | May 2, 1887 | Woods outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | Won inaugural world colored middleweight title |
| 32 | Win | 24–2–6 | Desperate Coon | TKO | 3 (4) | Apr 22, 1887 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 31 | Win | 23–2–6 | Charles Hadley | PTS | 8 | Apr 15, 1887 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 30 | Draw | 22–2–6 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 12 | Apr 1, 1887 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 29 | Win | 22–2–5 | Charles Hadley | PTS | 8 | Mar 25, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 28 | Draw | 21–2–5 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 27 | Win | 21–2–4 | Dan Sommers | KO | 4 (?) | Mar 11, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 26 | Win | 20–2–4 | Tom Devine | KO | 5 (5) | Mar 3, 1887 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 25 | Win | 19–2–4 | Will Young | KO | 2 (?) | Feb 27, 1887 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 24 | Win | 18–2–4 | Black Strap | KO | 4 (10) | Feb 18, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 23 | Win | 17–2–4 | Jim O'Brien | KO | 4 (?) | Feb 7, 1887 | Exposition Hall, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 22 | Draw | 16–2–4 | Dan Manning | PTS | 10 | Jan 28, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 21 | Win | 16–2–3 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 15 | Jan 21, 1887 | Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 20 | Win | 15–2–3 | Dan Sommers | KO | 3 (?) | Jan 7, 1887 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 19 | Win | 14–2–3 | George Gannon | KO | 11 (?) | Jan 3, 1887 | Cribbe Club Room, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 18 | Loss | 13–2–3 | Frank Taylor | PTS | 10 | Dec 22, 1886 | Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 17 | Win | 13–1–3 | Young McKay | KO | 4 (8) | Dec 21, 1886 | Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 16 | Win | 12–1–3 | Dan Sommers | TKO | 7 (?) | Dec 5, 1886 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 15 | Win | 11–1–3 | Black Strap | PTS | 4 | Dec 3, 1886 | Clarks Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 14 | Draw | 10–1–3 | Jim O'Brien | PTS | 4 | Dec 2, 1886 | Exposition Rink, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | |
| 13 | Win | 10–1–2 | Cass Brown | PTS | 8 | Nov 14, 1886 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 12 | Win | 9–1–2 | Billy Young | KO | 9 (?) | Sep 27, 1886 | Pennsylvania, US | |
| 11 | Win | 8–1–2 | Jack Murphy | KO | 3 (?) | Sep 7, 1886 | Pennsylvania, US | |
| 10 | Win | 7–1–2 | Billy Young | KO | 9 (?) | Sep 6, 1886 | Pennsylvania, US | |
| 9 | Loss | 6–1–2 | Joe Butler | PTS | 4 | Aug 7, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 8 | Win | 6–0–2 | Tom Henderson | KO | 3 (?) | Jul 3, 1886 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 7 | Draw | 5–0–2 | Mike Highland | PTS | 4 | Jun 22, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Charles Johnson | KO | 3 (4) | Jun 16, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Bill Boughbly | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 11, 1886 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 4 | Win | 3–0–1 | Bill Travers | KO | 1 (4) | Jun 4, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 3 | Win | 2–0–1 | Bill Davis | KO | 3 (4) | May 18, 1886 | Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Tom Henderson | KO | 5 (?) | May 8, 1886 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Jack Burke | PTS | 4 | Mar 19, 1886 | Cincinnati, Ohio, US | |
Awards and achievements :
| Preceded byNew Title | World Colored Middleweight Champ May 2, 1887 - November 30, 1891 | Succeeded byEd Binney |