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Klondike Haynes
Photograph of Klondike Haynes before the Black Heavyweight Championship against Frank Childs in 1899.
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Klondike Haynes
Statistics
Nickname(s) The Black Hercules
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Nationality American
Born (1878-01-01)January 1, 1878
Died (1949-02-03)February 3, 1949
Boxing record
Total fights 38
Wins 24
Wins by KO 14
Losses 11
Draws 3

Klondike Haynes (1 January 1878 – 3 February 1949) was an African American boxer billed as "The Black Hercules" who declared himself the black heavyweight champion (not to be confused with the World Colored Heavyweight Championship, which he officially fought for just once and unofficially another time). Born John Haines or John W. Haynes, the 6-foot (1.8 m) tall Klondike fought out of Chicago as a heavyweight at a weight of 190–200 pounds (86–91 kg) from 1898 to 1911. He took the nickname because he was supposed to be a great find (evoking the Klondike Gold Rush).

He made his professional boxing debut against future two-time colored heavyweight champ Frank Childs on 8 January 1898 at Chicago's 2nd Regiment Armory (a fight erroneously credited to lightweight Frank Young Haines). He was knocked out by Childs. Later that month, on 29 January, Childs won the world colored heavyweight title from Bob Armstrong and his first defense of the title was against Klondike on February 26. Childs won by a technical knockout when the referee stopped the fight in the fourth round of the scheduled six-round bout.

They fought again four times, as African American boxers were forced to fight one another often due to the color bar. Childs won every fight.

Klondike fought many of the top black heavyweights of his generation, including Johnson, the first black man to win the world heavyweight championship. Klondike first declared himself the black heavyweight champion after beating Johnson in the future world heavyweight champ's third pro fight at Chicago's Howard Theater on 8 May 1899. It was Klondike's eighth professional bout.

According to the Chicago Tribune, "...Johnson knocked Haines down in Round one with an uppercut, and only the bell saved Klondyke..."

Klondike and Johnson fought again twice, with one bout ending as a draw and the third with Johnson winning by a technical knockout.

Black Heavyweight Championship

On 4 September 1898, Frank Childs lost his world colored heavyweight title to George Byers. Regardless of losing the title, Childs fought Bob Armstrong again on 4 March 1899 in Cincinnati, Ohio in a fight announced as a title bought, despite Byers being the legitimate champion. He defeated Armstrong via a TKO in the sixth round of a 10-round bout.

On 11 August 1899, Childs challenged Klondike for his "Black Heavyweight Championship". In a six-round contest in Chicago, Childs prevailed by outpointing the "Black Hercules". On October 28 of that year, they met in a rematch in Chicago in which Childs retained the black heavyweight title by K.O.-ing Klondike in the third round of a six-round contest.

On 16 March 1900, Childs put his black heavyweight title on the line and Bryers put up his colored heavyweight crown in a six-round bout that ended in a draw. He fought Joe Butler on 15 December 1900 for the black heavyweight title, dispatching Butler via K.O. in the sixth. Finally, he took back the Colored World Heavyweight Championship legitimately from Bryers on 16 March 1901 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, K.O.-ing him in the 17th round of a 20-round fight. (He did not put up his black heavyweight title, which he never claimed again.)

Many years, later, when Sam Langford was denied a shot at the world heavyweight title by Jack Johnson, Langford claimed himself the colored heavyweight championship, much as Klondike had done a decade earlier when he declared himself the black heavyweight champ by beating the young Johnson. The problem with Langford's pretension was that the colored heavyweight title (which had been Johnson's from 1903 to 1908, when he vacated it upon winning the world heavyweight title) was held by Joe Jeanette.

On 13 July 1909, in Pittsburgh's Bijou Theater, Langford "claimed" the title by facing and defeating Klondike, the erstwhile black heavyweight champ, with a newspaper decision in a six-rounder. After defeating the Dixie Kid in a defense of his proclaimed title on September 29, Langford faced Klondike at the Armory in Boston in his second "title defense". He K.O.'ed Klondike in the second round of a 12-round fight. Langford eventually became undisputed champ when he beat Jeanette on 6 September 1910.

Klondike racked up an official record of 24 wins (14 by K.O.) against eleven losses (K.O.-ed six times) and three draws. He won five newspaper decisions, lost three and drew two.

Official Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
51 fights 24 wins 11 losses
By knockout 14 8
By decision 9 1
By disqualification 1 2
Draws 3
No contests 3
Newspaper decisions/draws 10

All Newspaper decisions are regarded as “no decision” bouts as they have “resulted in neither boxer winning or losing, and would therefore not count as part of their official fight record."

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
51 NC 24–11–3 (13) United States George Kid Cotton NC 5 (6) Jan 16, 1911 United States Labor Temple, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Loss 24–11–3 (12) Canada Sam Langford KO 2 (12) Nov 2, 1909 United States Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For world colored heavyweight title claim
49 Loss 24–10–3 (12) Canada Sam Langford NWS 6 Jul 13, 1909 United States Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Langford claimed the world colored heavyweight title
48 Loss 24–10–3 (11) United States Black Bill NWS 6 Jun 14, 1906 United States Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47 Draw 24–10–3 (10) Canada Tom Foley PTS 10 Sep 15, 1904 United States Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
46 Loss 24–10–2 (10) United States Frank Childs KO 8 (?) Jul 6, 1904 United States Houghton, Michigan, U.S.
45 Loss 24–9–2 (10) United States George Lawler DQ 5 (10) Apr 16, 1904 United States Houghton, Michigan, U.S.
44 Win 24–8–2 (10) United States Frank Mayo KO 6 (?) Feb 24, 1904 United States Oelwein, Iowa, U.S.
43 Loss 23–8–2 (10) Canada Sandy Ferguson TKO 6 (6) Dec 26, 1903 United States 9th Ward A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
42 Win 23–7–2 (10) United States Frank Mayo KO 12 (?) Oct 1, 1903 United States Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
41 Win 22–7–2 (10) United States Tim Hurley PTS 4 May 25, 1903 United States Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
40 Win 21–7–2 (10) United States Frank Mayo TKO 4 (4) May 25, 1903 United States Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
39 Win 20–7–2 (10) United States Frank Mayo TKO 4 (8) May 8, 1903 United States Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
38 Draw 19–7–2 (10) United States Walter Johnson PTS 6 Mar 15, 1902 United States Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
37 Loss 19–7–1 (10) United States Fred Russell KO 3 (6) Mar 1, 1902 United States Wabash A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
36 Win 19–6–1 (10) United States Billy Clark PTS 6 Feb 16, 1902 United States Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
35 Win 18–6–1 (10) United States Billy Clark PTS 6 Dec 21, 1901 United States Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
34 Loss 17–6–1 (10) United States Jack Johnson TKO 14 (20) Dec 27, 1900 United States Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
33 Win 17–5–1 (10) United States Jim Brady TKO 4 (6) Nov 13, 1900 United States Tattersall's, Chicago, Pennsylvania, U.S.
32 Draw 16–5–1 (10) Australia Joe Goddard NWS 6 Nov 6, 1900 United States Star Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31 Win 16–5–1 (9) United States Jim Brady PTS 6 Oct 30, 1900 United States Star A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
30 Win 15–5–1 (9) United States Jim Barnes KO 4 (6) Oct 16, 1900 United States Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
29 Loss 14–5–1 (9) Ireland Peter Maher DQ 5 (20) Aug 20, 1900 United States Trenton A.C., Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Draw 14–4–1 (9) United States Ed Denfass NWS 6 Jul 17, 1900 United States National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27 Draw 14–4–1 (8) United States Jack Johnson PTS 20 Jun 25, 1900 United States Galveston A.C., Galveston, Texas, U.S. Pre-arranged draw if lasting the distance
26 Win 14–4 (8) United States Rufus Graham NWS 6 May 21, 1900 United States Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25 Win 14–4 (7) United States Charley Stevenson NWS 6 May 12, 1900 United States National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24 Win 14–4 (6) United States Henry Brum KO 2 (6) May 7, 1900 United States Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23 Win 13–4 (6) United States Rufus Graham NWS 6 Apr 28, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
22 Win 13–4 (5) United States Charley Stevenson NWS 6 Apr 7, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
21 Win 13–4 (4) United States John Morley KO 3 (6) Feb 24, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20 Win 12–4 (4) United States Henry Brum TKO 2 (6) Feb 17, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
19 Win 11–4 (4) United States Thunderbolt Ed Smith NWS 6 Feb 5, 1900 United States Industrial A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18 NC 11–4 (3) United States Harry Peppers NC 2 (6) Feb 2, 1900 United States Pelican A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Both fighters obviously weren't trying, the referee stopped the fight
17 Loss 11–4 (2) United States Ed Martin NWS 6 Jan 27, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 11–4 (1) United States George Lawler PTS 6 Dec 8, 1899 United States Milwaukee A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
15 Loss 10–4 (1) United States Frank Childs KO 3 (6) Oct 28, 1899 United States Chicago A.A., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For black heavyweight title
14 ND 10–3 (1) United States Frank Scott ND 4 Oct 5, 1899 United States Ben Harbour, Illinois, U.S.
13 Loss 10–3 United States Frank Childs PTS 6 Aug 11, 1899 United States Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Lost black heavyweight title
12 Win 10–2 Australia Joe Goddard DQ 4 (6) Jun 21, 1899 United States Adelphi Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11 Win 9–2 United States Scaldy Bill Quinn TKO 2 (6) May 27, 1899 United States Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
10 Win 8–2 United States Bill Stone KO 8 (?) May 19, 1899 United States Ben Harbour, Illinois, U.S.
9 Win 7–2 United States George Grant PTS 6 May 12, 1899 United States Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
8 Win 6–2 United States Jack Johnson TKO 5 (6) May 6, 1899 United States Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Won inaugural black heavyweight title
7 Win 5–2 United States Jim Fordy KO 2 (6) Apr 29, 1899 United States Lyceum Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
6 Win 4–2 United States Henry Baker PTS 6 Mar 31, 1899 United States Fort Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
5 Win 3–2 United States Dick Woods KO 2 (6) Feb 24, 1899 United States Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4 Win 2–2 United States Dan Bayliff PTS 6 Jan 30, 1899 United States Seventh Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
3 Win 1–2 United States George Grant PTS 6 Nov 15, 1898 United States Madison Hall, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
2 Loss 0–2 United States Frank Childs TKO 4 (6) Feb 26, 1898 United States Chicago A.A., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 United States Frank Childs KO 6 (6) Jan 8, 1898 United States 2nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Unofficial Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
51 fights 32 wins 11 losses
By knockout 14 8
By decision 17 1
By disqualification 1 2
Draws 5
No contests 3

Record with the inclusion of Newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
51 NC 29–14–5 (3) United States George Kid Cotton NC 5 (6) Jan 16, 1911 United States Labor Temple, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Loss 29–14–5 (2) Canada Sam Langford KO 2 (12) Nov 2, 1909 United States Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For world colored heavyweight title claim
49 Loss 29–13–5 (2) Canada Sam Langford NWS 6 Jul 13, 1909 United States Bijou Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Langford claimed the world colored heavyweight title
48 Loss 29–12–5 (2) United States Black Bill NWS 6 Jun 14, 1906 United States Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47 Draw 29–11–5 (2) Canada Tom Foley PTS 10 Sep 15, 1904 United States Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
46 Loss 29–11–4 (2) United States Frank Childs KO 8 (?) Jul 6, 1904 United States Houghton, Michigan, U.S.
45 Loss 29–10–4 (2) United States George Lawler DQ 5 (10) Apr 16, 1904 United States Houghton, Michigan, U.S.
44 Win 29–9–4 (2) United States Frank Mayo KO 6 (?) Feb 24, 1904 United States Oelwein, Iowa, U.S.
43 Loss 28–9–4 (2) Canada Sandy Ferguson TKO 6 (6) Dec 26, 1903 United States 9th Ward A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
42 Win 28–8–4 (2) United States Frank Mayo KO 12 (?) Oct 1, 1903 United States Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
41 Win 27–8–4 (2) United States Tim Hurley PTS 4 May 25, 1903 United States Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
40 Win 26–8–4 (2) United States Frank Mayo TKO 4 (4) May 25, 1903 United States Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
39 Win 25–8–4 (2) United States Frank Mayo TKO 4 (8) May 8, 1903 United States Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
38 Draw 24–8–4 (2) United States Walter Johnson PTS 6 Mar 15, 1902 United States Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
37 Loss 24–8–3 (2) United States Fred Russell KO 3 (6) Mar 1, 1902 United States Wabash A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
36 Win 24–7–3 (2) United States Billy Clark PTS 6 Feb 16, 1902 United States Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
35 Win 23–7–3 (2) United States Billy Clark PTS 6 Dec 21, 1901 United States Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
34 Loss 22–7–3 (2) United States Jack Johnson TKO 14 (20) Dec 27, 1900 United States Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
33 Win 22–6–3 (2) United States Jim Brady TKO 4 (6) Nov 13, 1900 United States Tattersall's, Chicago, Pennsylvania, U.S.
32 Draw 21–6–3 (2) Australia Joe Goddard NWS 6 Nov 6, 1900 United States Star Theater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31 Win 21–6–2 (2) United States Jim Brady PTS 6 Oct 30, 1900 United States Star A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
30 Win 20–6–2 (2) United States Jim Barnes KO 4 (6) Oct 16, 1900 United States Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
29 Loss 19–6–2 (2) Ireland Peter Maher DQ 5 (20) Aug 20, 1900 United States Trenton A.C., Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Draw 19–5–2 (2) United States Ed Denfass NWS 6 Jul 17, 1900 United States National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27 Draw 19–5–1 (2) United States Jack Johnson PTS 20 Jun 25, 1900 United States Galveston A.C., Galveston, Texas, U.S. Pre-arranged draw if lasting the distance
26 Win 19–5 (2) United States Rufus Graham NWS 6 May 21, 1900 United States Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25 Win 18–5 (2) United States Charley Stevenson NWS 6 May 12, 1900 United States National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24 Win 17–5 (2) United States Henry Brum KO 2 (6) May 7, 1900 United States Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23 Win 16–5 (2) United States Rufus Graham NWS 6 Apr 28, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
22 Win 15–5 (2) United States Charley Stevenson NWS 6 Apr 7, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
21 Win 14–5 (2) United States John Morley KO 3 (6) Feb 24, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20 Win 13–5 (2) United States Henry Brum TKO 2 (6) Feb 17, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
19 Win 12–5 (2) United States Thunderbolt Ed Smith NWS 6 Feb 5, 1900 United States Industrial A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18 NC 11–5 (2) United States Harry Peppers NC 2 (6) Feb 2, 1900 United States Pelican A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Both fighters obviously weren't trying, the referee stopped the fight
17 Loss 11–5 (1) United States Ed Martin NWS 6 Jan 27, 1900 United States Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 11–4 (1) United States George Lawler PTS 6 Dec 8, 1899 United States Milwaukee A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
15 Loss 10–4 (1) United States Frank Childs KO 3 (6) Oct 28, 1899 United States Chicago A.A., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For black heavyweight title
14 ND 10–3 (1) United States Frank Scott ND 4 Oct 5, 1899 United States Ben Harbour, Illinois, U.S.
13 Loss 10–3 United States Frank Childs PTS 6 Aug 11, 1899 United States Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Lost black heavyweight title
12 Win 10–2 Australia Joe Goddard DQ 4 (6) Jun 21, 1899 United States Adelphi Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11 Win 9–2 United States Scaldy Bill Quinn TKO 2 (6) May 27, 1899 United States Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
10 Win 8–2 United States Bill Stone KO 8 (?) May 19, 1899 United States Ben Harbour, Illinois, U.S.
9 Win 7–2 United States George Grant PTS 6 May 12, 1899 United States Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
8 Win 6–2 United States Jack Johnson TKO 5 (6) May 6, 1899 United States Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Won inaugural black heavyweight title
7 Win 5–2 United States Jim Fordy KO 2 (6) Apr 29, 1899 United States Lyceum Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
6 Win 4–2 United States Henry Baker PTS 6 Mar 31, 1899 United States Fort Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
5 Win 3–2 United States Dick Woods KO 2 (6) Feb 24, 1899 United States Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4 Win 2–2 United States Dan Bayliff PTS 6 Jan 30, 1899 United States Seventh Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
3 Win 1–2 United States George Grant PTS 6 Nov 15, 1898 United States Madison Hall, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
2 Loss 0–2 United States Frank Childs TKO 4 (6) Feb 26, 1898 United States Chicago A.A., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 United States Frank Childs KO 6 (6) Jan 8, 1898 United States 2nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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