Edward "Denver Ed" Martin (September 10, 1881, or 1877 – May 11, 1937) was an American boxer who was the World Colored Heavyweight Champion from February 24, 1902, when he beat Frank Childs, until February 5, 1903, when he lost his title to Jack Johnson, the only Colored Heavyweight Champion (and first African American) to win the world's heavyweight championship.

Denver Ed Martin
Born
Edward Martin

(1881-09-10)September 10, 1881 or 1877[1]
Died(1937-05-11)May 11, 1937 (aged 56 or 59)
Other namesThe Colorado Giant
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3+12 in (1.92 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights42
Wins26
Wins by KO17
Losses10
Draws4
No contests2

Known as "Denver Ed Martin" and "The Colorado Giant", Martin was born in Denver, Colorado, on September 10, 1881 (or 1877).[1][2] His father was born in Alabama and his mother in Georgia.[3] His height was listed as 6 ft 3+12 in (1.918 m), while some sources report that he was 6' 6" or 6' 6½" tall.[4] Martin was a strong boxer with renowned footwork who was a strong puncher.

World Colored Heavyweight Champ

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Martin made his debut against former colored heavyweight champ Bob Armstrong on June 6, 1899, at the Lenox Athletic Club in New York City and was knocked out in the second round. He became the colored heavyweight champ when he beat title-holder Frank Childs in a bout in Chicago on February 25, 1902, out-pointing the champ in a six-round contest.

He defended the colored heavyweight title against rival Bob Armstrong at the Crystal Palace in London on July 25, 1902. According to the Associated Press coverage of the fight:

"Martin proved the cleverer and never gave his opponent a chance, being declared an easy winner on points at the close of the fifteenth round; Martin, it is announced, will challenge the winner of the Jeffries-Fitzsimmons fight in San Francsico."

World heavyweight champ James J. Jeffries, who had fought Armstrong and other African American boxers on the way up through the ranks, maintained the color bar erected by bare-knuckles champ John L. Sullivan, though Martin was not given a title shot. Instead, he met Armstrong for a rematch in Philadelphia on December 10. According to the Daily Gazette and Bulletin:

"The bout was fast from the start and both men narrowly escaped a knockout. The bell saved Armstrong in the third and fifth and Martin was floored six times in the fourth round."

The six-round bout ended in a no decision. In his next fight, Martin lost his title to Jack Johnson in a decision after 20 rounds. The two fighters treated each other cautiously in the first 10 rounds, but Johnson dropped Martin in the 11th with a right hand to the neck. It was the first of five times he hit the canvas in that round. With his footwork, Martin managed to go the distance, but lost the title.[5]

Martin met Johnson in a rematch for the colored heavyweight title match in Los Angeles on October 18, 1904, and was knocked out in the second round. In addition to the colored heavyweight title, he shared the distinction with Johnson of having beaten future Oscar winner Victor McLaglen in the ring, before the pugilist turned to acting. Johnson beat McLaglen in a six-round exhibition in 1909, while Martin knocked out McLaglen in the third round of a scheduled 20-round bout in Aberdeen, Washington the year before.

Johnson broke the color bar in 1908 when he beat Canadian Tommy Burns and became the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. As the heavyweight champ, Johnson dodged African American heavyweights too, though it was on the basis that a fight between two black boxers would prove a bust at the box office. Just like Jeffries, he did not give Martin a shot at the world heavyweight title, either.

Retirement and comeback

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Martin retired in 1914, after a loss to Englishman Tom Cowler, "The Cumberland Giant", who knocked him out in the second round. He moved to the Portland, Oregon area, where he kept his hand in the fight game and refereed fights. He staged a comeback in Oregon in 1921, winning three fights, all by knock-outs. None of the fights went more than four rounds.

Martin's last fight was similar to his first in that it involved a fellow colored heavyweight champ. On November 18, 1921, he met colored heavyweight champ Harry Wills in a ten-round bout in Milwaukie, Oregon. Wills knocked Martin down six times before knocking him out in the first round. He retired with a record of 23 wins (17 by KO), nine losses (eight by KO) and three + draws. He also won two newspaper decisions.[6]

In 1933, Martin was living in Oakland, California where he ran a cigar shop.[7][1] He died on May 11, 1937, in Oakland and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in that same city.[8][2]


Professional boxing record

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All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[9] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

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42 fights 23 wins 10 losses
By knockout 17 9
By decision 4 1
By disqualification 2 0
Draws 3
No contests 2
Newspaper decisions/draws 4

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
42 Loss 23–10–3 (6) Harry Wills KO 1 (10), 2:05 Nov 18, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US For world colored heavyweight title
41 Win 23–9–3 (6) 'Sergeant' Ray Smith KO 3 (10) Oct 19, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US
40 Win 22–9–3 (6) Tiny Jim Herman KO 4 (10) Sep 21, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US
39 Win 21–9–3 (6) Young Hector KO 2 (10) Sep 7, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US
38 Win 20–9–3 (6) 'Young' Sam McVey TKO 3 (8) Jan 31, 1916 Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
37 Loss 19–9–3 (6) Tom Cowler KO 2 (15) Mar 7, 1914 Steveston, British Columbia, Canada
36 Draw 19–8–3 (6) Ed Hagen PTS 6 Jul 3, 1913 Armory, Centralia, Washington, US
35 Draw 19–8–2 (6) White Hope PTS 4 Mar 3, 1912 Location unknown
34 NC 19–8–1 (6) Tommy Ryan NC 6 Nov 29, 1911 Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
33 ND 19–8–1 (5) Ed Hagen ND 6 Feb 22, 1911 Elks Club, Everett, Washington, US
32 Win 19–8–1 (4) Ed Hagen DQ 3 (4) Jan 20, 1911 Empire Theatre, Seattle, Washington, US Hagen DQ'd for headbutting
31 Win 18–8–1 (4) Gunboat Smith NWS 4 Jul 16, 1909 Arena, Seattle, Washington, US
30 Draw 18–8–1 (3) Benjamin Roller PTS 6 Jan 19, 1909 Seattle Theater, Seattle, Washington, US
29 Win 18–8 (3) Cupid Stupid TKO 3 (?) Jan 2, 1909 Pastime A.C., Tacoma, Washington, US
28 Win 17–8 (3) Victor McLaglen KO 3 (20) Aug 10, 1908 Grand Theater, Aberdeen, Washington, US
27 Win 16–8 (3) Spike Kennedy TKO 6 (10) Nov 2, 1907 Coffroth's Arena, San Francisco, California, US
26 Loss 15–8 (3) Sam McVey KO 16 (20) Feb 28, 1907 Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US
25 Loss 15–7 (3) Tom Costello KO 2 (4) Jan 23, 1907 Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US
24 Loss 15–6 (3) Sam McVey KO 4 (20) Jan 25, 1906 National A.C., San Diego, California, US
23 Win 15–5 (3) Frank Childs PTS 6 Nov 1, 1904 Exact location unknown Exact date unknown
22 Loss 14–5 (3) Jack Johnson KO 2 (20) Oct 18, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US For world colored heavyweight title
21 Win 14–4 (3) Sam McVey PTS 10 Aug 12, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
20 Loss 13–4 (3) Sam McVey KO 1 (20) Sep 15, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
19 Loss 13–3 (3) Bob Armstrong KO 3 (12) Jun 10, 1903 Tammany A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
18 Loss 13–2 (3) Jack Johnson PTS 20 Feb 5, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US Lost world colored heavyweight title
17 Win 13–1 (3) Bob Armstrong NWS 6 Dec 10, 1902 Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
16 Win 13–1 (2) Frank Craig KO 4 (10) Aug 30, 1902 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK Retained world colored heavyweight title
15 Win 12–1 (2) Frank Craig TKO 3 (10) Aug 16, 1902 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK Retained world colored heavyweight title
14 Win 11–1 (2) Bob Armstrong PTS 15 Jul 25, 1902 Crystal Palace, Sydenham, London, England, UK Retained world colored heavyweight title
13 Win 10–1 (2) Sandy Ferguson TKO 5 (15), 1:30 Jun 25, 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
12 Win 9–1 (2) Frank Childs PTS 6 Feb 24, 1902 American A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US Won world colored heavyweight title;
Both fighters claimed the title
11 Win 8–1 (2) Hank Griffin TKO 7 (20) Oct 2, 1901 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
10 Win 7–1 (2) Fred Russell DQ 10 (20) Aug 12, 1901 Grand Opera House, Seattle, Washington, US Russell DQ'd for kneeing Martin in the groin
after being knocked down
9 Win 6–1 (2) Denis Ike Hayes TKO 2 (4) Jul 17, 1901 Opera House, Butte, Montana, US
8 Win 5–1 (2) Yank Kenny KO 1 (25), 1:30 Aug 31, 1900 Hercules A.C., New York City, New York, US
7 Win 4–1 (2) Jim Galvin TKO 1 (25) Aug 20, 1900 Hercules A.C., New York City, New York, US
6 Win 3–1 (2) Frank Skelley KO 1 (10) Jul 7, 1900 Sampson A.C., New York City, New York, US
5 Draw 2–1 (2) Bob Armstrong NWS 6 Mar 23, 1900 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
4 Win 2–1 (1) Klondike Haynes NWS 6 Jan 27, 1900 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3 Win 2–1 Walter Johnson TKO 7 (20), 2:41 Aug 25, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, US
2 Win 1–1 Charley Stevenson TKO 14 (15), 2:41 Jul 24, 1899 Coney Island A.C., New York City, New York, US
1 Loss 0–1 Bob Armstrong KO 2 (20) Jun 6, 1899 Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, US

Unofficial record

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41 fights 23 wins 13 losses
By knockout 17 12
By decision 4 1
By disqualification 2 0
Draws 3
No contests 2

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
42 Loss 26–10–4 (2) Harry Wills KO 1 (10), 2:05 Nov 18, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US For world colored heavyweight title
41 Win 26–9–4 (2) 'Sergeant' Ray Smith KO 3 (10) Oct 19, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US
40 Win 25–9–4 (2) Tiny Jim Herman KO 4 (10) Sep 21, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US
39 Win 24–9–4 (2) Young Hector KO 2 (10) Sep 7, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, US
38 Win 23–9–4 (2) 'Young' Sam McVey TKO 3 (8) Jan 31, 1916 Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
37 Loss 22–9–4 (2) Tom Cowler KO 2 (15) Mar 7, 1914 Steveston, British Columbia, Canada
36 Draw 22–8–4 (2) Ed Hagen PTS 6 Jul 3, 1913 Armory, Centralia, Washington, US
35 Draw 22–8–3 (2) White Hope PTS 4 Mar 3, 1912 Location unknown
34 NC 22–8–2 (2) Tommy Ryan NC 6 Nov 29, 1911 Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
33 ND 22–8–2 (1) Ed Hagen ND 6 Feb 22, 1911 Elks Club, Everett, Washington, US
32 Win 22–8–2 Ed Hagen DQ 3 (4) Jan 20, 1911 Empire Theatre, Seattle, Washington, US Hagen DQ'd for headbutting
31 Win 21–8–2 Gunboat Smith NWS 4 Jul 16, 1909 Arena, Seattle, Washington, US
30 Draw 20–8–2 Benjamin Roller PTS 6 Jan 19, 1909 Seattle Theater, Seattle, Washington, US
29 Win 20–8–1 Cupid Stupid TKO 3 (?) Jan 2, 1909 Pastime A.C., Tacoma, Washington, US
28 Win 19–8–1 Victor McLaglen KO 3 (20) Aug 10, 1908 Grand Theater, Aberdeen, Washington, US
27 Win 18–8–1 Spike Kennedy TKO 6 (10) Nov 2, 1907 Coffroth's Arena, San Francisco, California, US
26 Loss 17–8–1 Sam McVey KO 16 (20) Feb 28, 1907 Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US
25 Loss 17–7–1 Tom Costello KO 2 (4) Jan 23, 1907 Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US
24 Loss 17–6–1 Sam McVey KO 4 (20) Jan 25, 1906 National A.C., San Diego, California, US
23 Win 17–5–1 Frank Childs PTS 6 Nov 1, 1904 Exact location unknown Exact date unknown
22 Loss 16–5–1 Jack Johnson KO 2 (20) Oct 18, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US For world colored heavyweight title
21 Win 16–4–1 Sam McVey PTS 10 Aug 12, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
20 Loss 15–4–1 Sam McVey KO 1 (20) Sep 15, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
19 Loss 15–3–1 Bob Armstrong KO 3 (12) Jun 10, 1903 Tammany A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
18 Loss 15–2–1 Jack Johnson PTS 20 Feb 5, 1903 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US Lost world colored heavyweight title
17 Win 15–1–1 Bob Armstrong NWS 6 Dec 10, 1902 Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
16 Win 14–1–1 Frank Craig KO 4 (10) Aug 30, 1902 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK Retained world colored heavyweight title
15 Win 13–1–1 Frank Craig TKO 3 (10) Aug 16, 1902 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK Retained world colored heavyweight title
14 Win 12–1–1 Bob Armstrong PTS 15 Jul 25, 1902 Crystal Palace, Sydenham, London, England, UK Retained world colored heavyweight title
13 Win 11–1–1 Sandy Ferguson TKO 5 (15), 1:30 Jun 25, 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
12 Win 10–1–1 Frank Childs PTS 6 Feb 24, 1902 American A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US Won world colored heavyweight title;
Both fighters claimed the title
11 Win 9–1–1 Hank Griffin TKO 7 (20) Oct 2, 1901 Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US
10 Win 8–1–1 Fred Russell DQ 10 (20) Aug 12, 1901 Grand Opera House, Seattle, Washington, US Russell DQ'd for kneeing Martin in the groin
after being knocked down
9 Win 7–1–1 Denis Ike Hayes TKO 2 (4) Jul 17, 1901 Opera House, Butte, Montana, US
8 Win 6–1–1 Yank Kenny KO 1 (25), 1:30 Aug 31, 1900 Hercules A.C., New York City, New York, US
7 Win 5–1–1 Jim Galvin TKO 1 (25) Aug 20, 1900 Hercules A.C., New York City, New York, US
6 Win 4–1–1 Frank Skelley KO 1 (10) Jul 7, 1900 Sampson A.C., New York City, New York, US
5 Draw 3–1–1 Bob Armstrong NWS 6 Mar 23, 1900 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
4 Win 3–1 Klondike Haynes NWS 6 Jan 27, 1900 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3 Win 2–1 Walter Johnson TKO 7 (20), 2:41 Aug 25, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, US
2 Win 1–1 Charley Stevenson TKO 14 (15), 2:41 Jul 24, 1899 Coney Island A.C., New York City, New York, US
1 Loss 0–1 Bob Armstrong KO 2 (20) Jun 6, 1899 Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, US

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ward, Alan (January 13, 1933). "'Denver' Martin Raps Fighters Of Today". Oakland Tribune. p. 27. Retrieved December 13, 2021.  
  2. ^ a b "California, Oakland, Mountain View Cemetery Records, 1857-1973," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WW1Y-FV6Z : September 16, 2019), Edward Martin, May 15, 1937; citing Burial, Oakland, Alameda, California, United States, Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland; FHL microfilm 008266240.
  3. ^ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCXX-TN3 : accessed 13 December 2021), Edward Martin in household of Sam Sewell, Emeryville, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 332, sheet 1B, line 79, family 29, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 110; FHL microfilm 2,339,845.
  4. ^ ""Denver" Ed Martin (the "Colorado Giant")". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  5. ^ Cox, Monte D. "Jack Johnson, The Galveston Giant..."Master of Ring Science"". Cox's Corner Profiles. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  6. ^ "Denver Ed Martin: Record". BoxRec. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  7. ^ Ward, Alan (Pinky) (July 23, 1933). "The Neutral Corner". Oakland Tribune. p. 7. Retrieved December 13, 2021.  
  8. ^ "Deaths". Oakland Tribune. May 13, 1937. p. 39. Retrieved December 13, 2021.  
  9. ^ "BoxRec: Denver Ed Martin".
Awards and achievements
Preceded by World Colored Heavyweight Champion
February 24, 1902 – February 5, 1903
Succeeded by