Joe Erskine (Welsh boxer) facts for kids

Joseph Erskine (born January 26, 1934 – died February 18, 1990) was a talented heavyweight boxer from Butetown, a part of Cardiff, Wales. Before turning professional, he was a champion in amateur boxing, winning titles like the Amateur Boxing Association Champion, Inter-Services Champion, and British Army Champion in 1953. He started his professional boxing journey in 1954 and was trained by Freddie Elvin. Joe Erskine held the British heavyweight title from August 1956 to June 1958. Throughout his career, he won 45 of his 54 professional fights, losing only 8, with one fight ending in a draw. He had impressive wins against famous boxers such as George Chuvalo, Henry Cooper, Dick Richardson, Uli Ritter, Jack Bodell, Johnny Williams, Joe Bygraves, and Willie Pastrano.

Even though Joe Erskine was a smaller heavyweight, he was known for his clever moves and skill rather than just brute strength. Angelo Dundee, a famous boxing trainer, was very impressed by Joe's abilities after Joe defeated his fighter, Willie Pastrano. Dundee even said that if Joe had been a bit bigger, he could have been a world champion!

What Were Joe Erskine's Biggest Fights?

Joe Erskine had many exciting fights during his career. Here are some of the most important ones:

Becoming a Champion

• First Fight Against Henry Cooper: On December 15, 1955, Joe had his first match against Henry Cooper at Harringay Arena. This fight was important because it was an "eliminator" to decide who would get to fight for the British heavyweight title. Joe won the ten-round fight based on points.
• Winning the British Heavyweight Title: On August 27, 1956, Joe Erskine won the British heavyweight title. The title was available because the previous champion, Don Cockell, had retired. Joe beat fellow Welsh boxer Johnny Williams on points in a fifteen-round fight at Maindy Stadium in Cardiff.
• Adding the British Empire Title: On September 17, 1957, Joe also won the British Empire (Commonwealth) heavyweight title. He achieved this by beating Henry Cooper for the second time. This fifteen-round fight also took place at Harringay Arena, and Joe won on points.
• Defending His Commonwealth Title: Joe successfully defended his British Empire (Commonwealth) title against Joe Bygraves, a boxer from Jamaica, on November 25, 1957. He won this fifteen-round fight on points as well.

Challenging for European and Losing Titles

• Fighting for the European Title: On February 21, 1958, Joe tried to win the European heavyweight title against Ingemar Johansson in Gothenburg, Sweden. Unfortunately, he lost this fight by a technical knockout in the thirteenth round.
• Losing His Titles: On June 3, 1958, Joe defended both his British and Commonwealth titles against Brian London from Blackpool. The fight was held at White City Stadium in London, and Joe was knocked out in the eighth round, losing his titles.

Notable Wins and Later Career

• Defeating Willie Pastrano: On February 24, 1959, Joe fought and defeated the very talented American boxer Willie Pastrano. Pastrano later became the World light-heavyweight champion in 1964. Joe won this ten-round fight at Wembley Stadium on points.
• Another Welsh Rival: On June 24, 1959, Joe fought another Welsh boxer, Dick Richardson, in a ten-round fight at Coney Beach Arena in Porthcawl, Wales. Joe won this fight on points.
• More Fights Against Henry Cooper: Henry Cooper later won the British and Commonwealth titles. Joe fought Cooper for these titles again on November 17, 1959, and March 21, 1961. Joe had beaten Cooper twice before, but in these two title fights, Cooper won by technical knockout.
• The George Chuvalo Fight: On October 2, 1961, Joe traveled to Toronto, Canada, to fight George Chuvalo. Chuvalo was disqualified in the fifth round for repeatedly headbutting Joe. Joe claimed he was headbutted eight times!
• Last Fight Against Cooper: Joe fought Henry Cooper for the fifth and final time on April 2, 1962. Cooper kept his titles by winning on a technical knockout in the ninth round.
• Fighting Karl Mildenberger: On October 13, 1963, Joe fought the famous German boxer Karl Mildenberger in Dortmund, Germany, and lost the ten-round fight on points.
• Beating a Future Champion: On March 3, 1964, Joe Erskine defeated Jack Bodell, who would later become a British champion himself. Joe won this ten-round fight on points.
• His Last Professional Fight: Joe's last professional fight was against Billy Walker on October 27, 1964, at the Empire Pool in Wembley. He lost this ten-round fight on points.

In total, Joe Erskine won 45 of his 54 professional fights. He won 13 of these by knockout. He lost 8 fights, with 6 of those being by knockout. One of his fights was a draw.

Who Was Joe Erskine Outside the Ring?

Joe Erskine was related to Johnny Freeman, a well-known rugby player from the 1950s and 1960s. After his boxing career, Joe lived in Newport and often visited the Riverview club in Pillgwenlly. He continued to be involved in boxing and was a big supporter of boxer David Pearce.

Joe Erskine was also one of many people who signed a letter to The Times newspaper on July 17, 1958. This letter spoke out against 'the policy of apartheid' in international sports. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. The letter supported 'the principle of racial equality,' which is a core idea of the Olympic Games.

See also

• List of British heavyweight boxing champions