Lee Anderson (boxer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lee Anderson |
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|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Rated at | Light heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | July 17, 1889 Dearing, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | June 1970 (aged 80) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 88 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 15 |
| Losses | 36 |
| Draws | 14 |
Lee Anderson (born July 17, 1889 – died June 1970) was an American boxer. He competed in the sport from 1914 to 1929. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, Anderson fought as a light heavyweight. He was known for being the first person to hold the World Colored Light Heavyweight title.
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Lee Anderson: A Boxing Champion
Lee Anderson was a strong boxer from Oakland, California. He made history by becoming the first champion in the World Colored Light Heavyweight division. This was a special title for African American boxers during that time.
Early Career and First Title
On May 30, 1921, Lee Anderson fought Kid Norfolk in Phoenix, Arizona. This fight was for the brand new colored light heavyweight title. The match was planned for 10 rounds. Anderson won the fight by a T.K.O.. This happened when Kid Norfolk could not continue fighting in the ninth round.
After this, Anderson and Norfolk fought three more times. These were not title fights. Kid Norfolk won each of those later matches.
Defending the Championship
Lee Anderson defended his new title on July 4, 1921. He fought Rough House Ware in Phoenix, Arizona. Anderson won this 10-round fight based on points. This meant the judges decided he had won more rounds.
Later that year, Kid Norfolk claimed the world colored light heavyweight title. He beat The Jamaica Kid in an eight-round fight. Norfolk also fought Tiger Flowers in 1922. Tiger Flowers later became the first African American world middleweight champion. Norfolk knocked out Flowers in the third round.
Winning the Title Again
On May 9, 1922, Lee Anderson had another important fight. He faced Tiger Flowers in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This fight was to decide the colored light heavyweight champion. Anderson won his second colored title in a big way. He knocked out Flowers in the seventh round.
After this, Anderson seemed to give up the title. Kid Norfolk then won the title for a second time. He knocked out Tiger Flowers in the first round on May 8, 1923. After this, the title was not actively held by anyone for a while.
Life After Boxing
Lee Anderson eventually retired from boxing. By 1942, he was living in Harlem, New York. He worked as a stevedore, which means he loaded and unloaded ships. He worked along the Hudson River waterfront.
Years later, in 1935, John Henry Lewis became the first black world light heavyweight champion.
Career Highlights
Throughout his boxing career, Lee Anderson had many fights. He won 36 matches, with 15 of those wins coming by K.O.. He lost 32 fights and was knocked out four times. He also had 12 draws, where neither boxer won. In addition, he had eight "newspaper decisions." These were unofficial results reported by newspapers. In these, he won two, lost two, and had two draws.
