Sandy Ferguson
Encyclopedia
Sandy Ferguson was a professional boxer. Ferguson eventually moved to Chelsea, Massachusetts
, where he began his professional career in 1898. Ferguson won his first three fights with ease, defeating Sid West on points twice and Paul Watson via first-round knockout. Ferguson remained undefeated up until June 1900, racking up a record of 10-0-6. None of Ferguson's first 16 fights, however, were against a top contender. On June 10, 1900, Ferguson suffered his first major setback when he was upset by a rookie fighter named Charlie O'Rourke via fourth-round knockout. Ferguson bounced back, five months later, by scoring a first-round knockout of the inexperienced Tom Shaw. After the victory over Shaw, Ferguson finally fought an experienced fighter named Dick O'Brien. Unfortunately, Ferguson squandered his big chance by getting disqualified against O'Brien in December 1900 and again, a month later, in January 1901. After knockout of John MacDonald three months later, Ferguson left the USA and headed to England, where he strung together a record of 6-1-2 before returning to America in January 1903. Ferguson's first fight after returning from Britain was against George Bayers. The match ended as a No Contest (likely a prearranged draw, as Ferguson was dropped four times by Bayers). After this match, however, Ferguson gained popularity by avenging his previous losses to Dick O'Brien by scoring a sixth-round knockout over O'Brien on 25 March 1903. This was followed by a twelve-round decision over George Bayers.
on 16 April 1903. Johnson came into the fight riding a 14 fight unbeaten streak. Johnson was also the World 'Colored' Heavyweight Champion at the time. Although Ferguson went the distance, he lost a decision to Johnson. The two would meet in a rematch three months later that was ruled a No Contest. Later that year, on the 11th of December, Ferguson and Johnson fought once again, this time in a grueling twenty-round war, that Johnson won by decision. In 1904, Ferguson and Johnson met yet again, but the match was declared a No Contest. Ferguson was given one last chance against the "Galveston Giant" in 1905. Johnson emerged as the victor in this final match after Ferguson was disqualified in the seventh round for kneeing Johnson in the groin twice.
and the holder of the World Colored Heavyweight Championship
, Sam McVey
.
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. It is the smallest city in Massachusetts in land area, and the 26th most densely populated incorporated place in the country.-History:...
, where he began his professional career in 1898. Ferguson won his first three fights with ease, defeating Sid West on points twice and Paul Watson via first-round knockout. Ferguson remained undefeated up until June 1900, racking up a record of 10-0-6. None of Ferguson's first 16 fights, however, were against a top contender. On June 10, 1900, Ferguson suffered his first major setback when he was upset by a rookie fighter named Charlie O'Rourke via fourth-round knockout. Ferguson bounced back, five months later, by scoring a first-round knockout of the inexperienced Tom Shaw. After the victory over Shaw, Ferguson finally fought an experienced fighter named Dick O'Brien. Unfortunately, Ferguson squandered his big chance by getting disqualified against O'Brien in December 1900 and again, a month later, in January 1901. After knockout of John MacDonald three months later, Ferguson left the USA and headed to England, where he strung together a record of 6-1-2 before returning to America in January 1903. Ferguson's first fight after returning from Britain was against George Bayers. The match ended as a No Contest (likely a prearranged draw, as Ferguson was dropped four times by Bayers). After this match, however, Ferguson gained popularity by avenging his previous losses to Dick O'Brien by scoring a sixth-round knockout over O'Brien on 25 March 1903. This was followed by a twelve-round decision over George Bayers.
Ferguson vs. Johnson
These two significant victories earned Ferguson a date with the legendary Jack JohnsonJack Johnson (boxer)
John Arthur Johnson , nicknamed the “Galveston Giant,” was an American boxer. At the height of the Jim Crow era, Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion...
on 16 April 1903. Johnson came into the fight riding a 14 fight unbeaten streak. Johnson was also the World 'Colored' Heavyweight Champion at the time. Although Ferguson went the distance, he lost a decision to Johnson. The two would meet in a rematch three months later that was ruled a No Contest. Later that year, on the 11th of December, Ferguson and Johnson fought once again, this time in a grueling twenty-round war, that Johnson won by decision. In 1904, Ferguson and Johnson met yet again, but the match was declared a No Contest. Ferguson was given one last chance against the "Galveston Giant" in 1905. Johnson emerged as the victor in this final match after Ferguson was disqualified in the seventh round for kneeing Johnson in the groin twice.
Ferguson vs. Walcott
In November 1903 Ferguson took on the World Welterweight Champion Joe Walcott. Ferguson managed to win the bout via decision. In 1904, however, Walcott avenged his loss the previous year by winning a ten-round decision of his own over Ferguson.The last ten fights
Ferguson's career ended in disappointment. In his final ten fights Ferguson's record was a dreadful 1-8-1. His competition during these final bouts, however, was some of the best of his career. These fighters included the future Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, Battling LevinskyBattling Levinsky
Barney Williams , was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1916 to 1920.-Boxing career:...
and the holder of the World Colored Heavyweight Championship
World Colored Heavyweight Championship
The World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a belt issued to black boxers in the early twentieth century. This was the only heavyweight championship available to blacks prior to Jack Johnson being crowned World Heavyweight Champion...
, Sam McVey
Sam McVey
Sam McVey or Sam McVea was a Hall of Fame heavyweight boxer during the early 20th century. He fought out of Oxnard, California. McVey ranked alongside Sam Langford and Joe Jeanette as one of the top black fighters during a famed career that took him across the globe...
.