Ed Martin (boxer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Denver Ed Martin
Statistics
Real name	Edward Martin
Nickname(s)	The Colorado Giant
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m)
Born	(1881-09-10)September 10, 1881 or 1877 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Died	(1937-05-11)May 11, 1937 (aged 56 or 59) Oakland, California, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	42
Wins	26
Wins by KO	17
Losses	10
Draws	4
No contests	2

Edward "Denver Ed" Martin (born in 1881 or 1877, died 1937) was an American boxer. He was known as "Denver Ed Martin" and "The Colorado Giant." He was the World Colored Heavyweight Champion from 1902 to 1903. He won this title by beating Frank Childs. He later lost it to Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson was the first African American to win the world's heavyweight boxing championship.

Denver Ed Martin was born in Denver, Colorado. His father was from Alabama and his mother from Georgia. He was a very tall boxer, listed as 6 feet 3.5 inches, though some said he was even taller. Martin was a strong boxer. He was known for his good footwork and powerful punches.

Becoming a Champion

Martin started his boxing career on June 6, 1899. His first fight was against Bob Armstrong. Armstrong was a former colored heavyweight champion. Martin lost this first fight in the second round.

He became the colored heavyweight champion on February 25, 1902. He beat the current champion, Frank Childs, in Chicago. Martin won the six-round fight by getting more points.

Defending the Title

Martin defended his title against Bob Armstrong on July 25, 1902. This fight took place in London, England. Martin showed he was very skilled. He won the fight easily on points after 15 rounds. After this win, people thought Martin might challenge the world heavyweight champion.

However, the world heavyweight champion, James J. Jeffries, did not fight African American boxers. This was because of a "color bar" in boxing. It meant that Black boxers were not allowed to compete for the main world heavyweight title. So, Martin did not get a chance to fight for that title.

Instead, Martin fought Armstrong again in Philadelphia on December 10, 1902. This fight was very exciting. Both boxers almost got knocked out. Martin lost his colored heavyweight title in his next fight. He lost to Jack Johnson after 20 rounds. Johnson knocked Martin down several times, but Martin kept fighting until the end.

Martin fought Johnson again on October 18, 1904. Johnson knocked him out in the second round. Martin also had a special connection with Johnson. Both of them had beaten Victor McLaglen in the ring. McLaglen later became a famous actor and won an Oscar. Martin knocked out McLaglen in 1908.

In 1908, Jack Johnson broke the "color bar." He became the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. Even after Johnson became champion, he did not fight other Black heavyweights like Martin. He said it was because fights between two Black boxers would not make enough money.

Later Life and Retirement

Martin stopped boxing in 1914. His last fight before retiring was a loss to Tom Cowler. After that, he moved to Portland, Oregon. There, he stayed involved in boxing by working as a referee.

In 1921, Martin decided to box again. He won three fights, all by knockout. None of these fights lasted more than four rounds.

His very last fight was on November 18, 1921. He fought another colored heavyweight champion, Harry Wills. Wills knocked Martin down six times. Then, Wills knocked him out in the first round. After this, Martin retired from boxing for good. His final record was 23 wins (17 by knockout), 9 losses (8 by knockout), and 3 draws.

In 1933, Martin lived in Oakland, California. He owned a cigar shop there. He passed away on May 11, 1937, in Oakland. He was buried at Mountain View Cemetery.

Boxing Record Summary

Here is a quick look at Denver Ed Martin's boxing record:

• Note: Some fights were "no decision" bouts. These are not counted in the official win/loss/draw numbers.