Rube Ferns

Rube Ferns (born James Ferns; October 30, 1873 – June 11, 1952) was an American boxer of the early 20th century. Nicknamed "The Kansas Rube", he held the world welterweight championship in 1900 and 1901.[1] He was formidable and scrappy with a good punch. He defeated such men as "Mysterious" Billy Smith, Eddie Connolly, Bobby Dobbs, William "Matty" Matthews, Frank Erne, Owen Zeigler, "Scaldy" Bill Quinn, Harry Pigeon, Frank "Dutch" Neal, Paddy Purtell and Shorty Ahearn. He lost his title to Barbados Joe Walcott in December 1901. In 1903, the multiple newspapers used the term "haymaker" to describe a particular type of punch that Ferns used.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "Welterweight Champions of the World". Boxinghalloffame.com. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Jack O'Brien is after Tom Ryan". The Pittsburg Press (Evening edition): p18. April 30, 1903. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Matthews gave up". The Scranton Republican: p1. April 28, 1903. Retrieved July 15, 2014.

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