Eddie Roberts (boxer) explained

Eddie Roberts
Nickname:
    • K.O.
    • Knockout
    • Kayo
    • Tacoma Tagger
    • Tacoma Terror
    • Tacoma Terrier
    • Tacoma Tiger
    • Race Horse
    Weight Class:
      Height:
        • 5 ft 7 in
        • 5 ft 10½ in [1]
        Birth Place:Anacortes, Washington, US
        Birth Name:Edwin Lionel Rowland
        Total:93
        Wins:62
        Ko:24
        Losses:21
        Draws:10
        Boxrec:https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/52068
        Reach:74 in[2]

        Edward Robertson (born as Edwin Lionel Rowland) (January 20, 1903 – March 3, 1968), better known as Eddie Roberts, was an American Welterweight/Middleweight boxer, actor and a World War I, World War II and Korean War veteran who competed from 1922 to 1931. He held the title of Pacific Northwest Welterweight Champion and was a serious contender for the World Welterweight championship in 1926–1927.

        Early life

        Eddie Roberts was born on January 20, 1903, in Anacortes, Washington to father Edwin Luther Rowland of Scotch-Irish parentage, the owner of a Livery and transport business and a City Marshal, and mother Mamie Kreamen of German parentage, a Housewife.[3] [4] [5] The youngest of two brothers, he lived in Anacortes up until at least the age of 7,[6] reportedly he later grew up in Alameda.[7] His father passed away when Roberts was seven years old due to a broken neck in an automobile accident.[8] [9] [10] Roberts attended Whitney Primary School.[11] [12] [13] Roberts filled his draft registration card under a fake name on September 12, 1918, at the age of 15.[14] [15] Roberts was a Fireman on the USS Chicago, USS Milwaukee and the SS Saint Paul.[16] He joined the United States Navy on February 17, 1919 and was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard after which being moved to the battleship USS Arkansas in Guantánamo Bay in 1920 at the latest and gaining the rank of fireman and afterwards water tender. On November 27, 1929, Roberts married Agnes Serene Anderson.[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

        Amateur career

        While serving on the USS Arkansas as a Master-at-arms, Roberts' boxing skills were noticed by his fellow sailors, who often engaged in friendly sparring matches with him. His impressive performance in these matches caught the attention of the ship's athletic director, who saw his potential as a competitive boxer. With the encouragement of his the athletic director, Roberts decided to join the Atlantic Squadron fistic competition. Roberts' decision to join the competition turned out to be a wise one, as he quickly rose through the ranks and eventually won the middleweight championship of the navy.[23]

        Professional career

        Roberts left the Navy and asked Jack Connors in late 1921 if Connors would be his coach (Connors was also the coach of future Welterweight World champion, Freddie Steele and briefly the coach of the future 15th governor of Washington Albert Rosellini),[24] Connors accepted,[25] Roberts left the Navy and had his professional debut on September 2, 1922, at the age of 19 in the Welterweight weight class with a win against Fred Kelly. Roberts' popularity and skill grew quickly, and by 1923, he was participating in main event fights like the one at the now Kaiser Convention Center against Oakland Jimmy Duffy.

        On March 6, 1924, Roberts became the Pacific Northwest Welterweight Champion after winning against Ted Krache in a round six points decision, 19 days later he lost the title to Bobby Harper but later regained it after winning against Harper on November 20, 1924. Roberts lost the title again 19 days later and never regained it.The most notable event of Roberts's career was on December 4, 1926, where he fought against Joe Dundee and won in a first-round knockout after only 4 seconds earning him 400 dollars and a great deal of publicity. However, he lost the rematch in a ten-round unanimous decision a month later in front of over 18,000 spectators in Madison Square Garden. Dundee later became World Welterweight Champion.

        On March 22, 1927, Roberts won a bout against Olympic athlete Jack Zivic with a round twelve-points decision.

        On April 4, 1927, Roberts lost a bout against Olympic athlete Al Mello with a round-one knockout.

        At the end of 1927, Roberts was seventh place in the Welterweight division.[26]

        On March 12, 1928, Roberts lost a bout against future Welterweight and Middleweight champion Young Corbett III with a round-nine knockout.

        On February 7, 1930, Roberts had a draw with Gorilla Jones after fighting for ten rounds.[27]

        Retirement from boxing and acting career

        On August 19, 1931, at the age of 28, Roberts sustained two small fractures of the jaw, this occurred during his bout with Buddy Gorman. This incident was the catalyst that pushed Roberts into his retirement from boxing, aside from a few bouts here and there in the coming years.[28]

        Roberts had started his acting career in 1929 when he starred in the film Follow the Leader where he played a gangster. Roberts later appeared in several movies (see below) and also a series of boxing commercials by Al Christie alongside Buster West and Tom Patricola.[29] In 1934 Roberts became an athletic instructor for Hecht-MacArthur Productions.[30]

        Filmography

        YearTitleRoleSource
        1930Follow the LeaderValet
        1930Roadhouse Nights[31]
        1930Model WomenMover Mike[32]
        1931MasqueradeCafe Customer[33]
        1931The Naggers at the RingsideEddie Robberts[34]
        1933Broadway Brevities #18: World's Champ[35] [36]
        1933HizzonerMayor's chauffeur[37]
        1933Million Dollar MelodyThe Tough Guy
        1933The Good Bad ManKidnapper
        1934The Knife of the PartyBit Role
        1934The Wrong BottleCar salesman[38]
        1934Hotel AnchovySuicidal Hotel Guest
        1934Sea SoreStewart
        1934Hello SailorsSailor[39]
        1934The Expectant FatherExpectant Father In Waiting Room[40]
        1935Mr. WidgetPerson asking for a lighter
        1936The Screen Test[41]
        1937FreshiesChauffeur[42]
        1937On Such a Night[43]
        1937Some Blondes Are DangerousRattler O'Keefe[44] [45] [46]
        1937Submarine D-1https://ok.ru/video/1994295609858Pharmacist's Mate (uncredited)[47]
        1937Love on Toast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQGd64LXTwA&ab_channel=RareSilentsandTalkies

        Additional info and life after boxing career

        In 1932 Roberts was the owner if a Nightclub near San Francisco after his retirement from boxing, in 1935 he sold it.[48] [49] [50] [51]

        In 1933, Roberts was working as a bartender in San Francisco.[52]

        In late 1933, Roberts was a bartender aboard the Dollar Liner SS President Hoover in the Trans-Pacific trade.[53]

        In 1936–1937, Roberts was the owner of a night nlub/cocktail lounge/tavern on Mason Street in San Francisco.[54]

        In 1940, Roberts was working as a bartender in a hotel lounge in Redding.

        Roberts loved to hunt and fish and planned to build an outing resort in California.[55]

        In 1942 at the age of 39, Roberts lived in San Francisco and enlisted in the Navy on July 16, 1942. He was reassigned the rank of water tender and fought in World War II until June 22, 1945, serving first on the USS Bache, USS Houston, starting December 20, 1943 and the USS Mobile starting October 17, 1944.[56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61]

        In 1947, Roberts was a bartender in San Francisco[62]

        In 1950, Roberts was again working as a bartender in Seattle.[63]

        Between 1950 and early 1953, Roberts fought in the Korean War on the USNS David C. Shanks,[64] SS Brazil Victory,[65] SS Otis L. Hall[66] as a watertender, on the American S.S Fairisle as a Deck Engineer[67] and on the SS Royal Oak and SS Mankato Victory as an Oiler.

        On July 19, 1954, Roberts married Colletta M. Johnson in San Francisco.[68]

        In 1955, Roberts was working on the SS Young America as an Oiler.[69]

        In 1957, Roberts was living in Nome, Alaska as a bartender.[70] [71] [72]

        Edward Roberts died on March 3, 1968, in Alameda at the age of 65. and was buried in Willamette National Cemetery under his fake name and birth date.

        Style of play

        Roberts was a counter fighter with a strong short left hook who refused to play aggressively until his opponent was weakened.

        Jack Conners in reference to Roberts's toughness told the Oakland Tribune "He had the toughest skin i ever saw on a fighter. No cauliflower ears, no cut lips or flattened nose"[73]

        Personal life

        Roberts changed his name from Edward Lionel Rowland to Eddie/Edward Roberts for "fighting purposes" based on the character "Kid" Roberts by H. C. Witwer.[74]

        Roberts was married multiple times but had no children.

        Professional boxing record

        All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[75] unless otherwise stated.

        Official record

        External links

        References

        1. Web site: Edwin L Rowland Migration • Oregon Passenger and Crew Lists, 1888-1956 . .
        2. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1924-12-08 . The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, December 08, 1924, Image 18 ]. 17 . 2022-12-30 . 2159-5577.
        3. Web site: Eddie Roberts boxer . 2022-12-30 . www.fightsrec.com.
        4. Web site: Anacortes American 22 January 1903 — Washington Digital Newspapers . 2023-05-07 . washingtondigitalnewspapers.org.
        5. Web site: Department of Health, Delayed Birth Records - Edwin - Rowland - Mamie - Et Al. . 2023-05-09 . Washington State Archives, Digital Archives.
        6. Web site: 1910 United States Federal Census . .
        7. Web site: Oakland Tribune 14 November 1923, page Page 20 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
        8. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1910-08-24 . The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, August 24, 1910, Image 10 ]. 2023-02-20 . 2159-5577.
        9. Web site: Edwin L Rowland in the Washington, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1851-1970 . .
        10. Web site: Edwin L. Rowland Death • Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960 . .
        11. Web site: Anacortes American 3 December 1908 — Washington Digital Newspapers . 2023-02-21 . washingtondigitalnewspapers.org.
        12. Web site: Anacortes American 28 January 1909 — Washington Digital Newspapers . 2023-02-21 . washingtondigitalnewspapers.org.
        13. Web site: Anacortes American 17 June 1909 — Washington Digital Newspapers . 2023-02-21 . washingtondigitalnewspapers.org.
        14. Web site: United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 . .
        15. Web site: United States Census, 1920 . .
        16. News: The Tacoma Daily Ledger 24 Jan 1927, Mon ·Page 6.
        17. Web site: Oakland Tribune 14 Jan 1927, page Page 26 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
        18. Book: Our Navy, the Standard Publication of the U.S. Navy . 1926 . en.
        19. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1942-09-03 . The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, September 03, 1942, Image 15 ]. 15 . 2022-12-30 . 2158-4729.
        20. Web site: Roberts . Edwin Lionel . Edwin Lionel Roberts . ancestry.
        21. Web site: "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch Military and Naval Forces > Washington > Bremerton > USS Arkansas > image 11 of 20; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). . .
        22. Web site: The Tacoma Daily Ledger 24 Jan 1927, page 6 . 2023-03-22 . Newspapers.com . en.
        23. News: The Tacoma Daily Ledger 17 Dec 1922, Sun · Page 51.
        24. Book: ROSELLINI (cl) . University of Washington Press . 978-0-295-80286-2 . en.
        25. Web site: The Waco News-Tribune 31 Dec 1926, page Page 7 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
        26. Book: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1927-12-24: Vol 80 Iss 108 . 1927-12-24 . English.
        27. Book: Ashe, Arthur . A hard road to glory--boxing : the African-American athlete in boxing . 1993 . New York . Amistad . 978-1-56743-036-3.
        28. Web site: The Fresno Morning Republican 22 August 1931, page 9 . 2022-12-29 . Newspapers.com . en.
        29. Web site: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/51054/images/News-TE-AM_GL.1937_10_20-0024?treeid=&personid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=OYM144&_phstart=successSource&pId=491606040&rcstate=News-TE-AM_GL.1937_10_20-0024:624,2579,710,2600;337,1863,396,1888;408,1863,503,1888;226,2292,314,2317;96,2488,162,2513;550,2579,612,2600 . 2023-03-22 . www.ancestry.com.
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        39. Book: Webb, Graham . Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959 . 2020-07-10 . McFarland . 978-1-4766-3926-0 . en.
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        42. Book: Webb, Graham . Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959 . 2020-07-10 . McFarland . 978-1-4766-3926-0 . en.
        43. Book: The Film Daily . The film daily year book of motion pictures (1938) . 1938 . New York . The Film Daily .
        44. Book: Quigley Publishing Co. . Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1937) . 1937 . New York, N.Y. . Quigley Pub. Co..
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        46. Book: The Film Daily . The Film Daily (Jan-Mar 1938) . January 1938 . Wid's Films and Film Folk .
        47. Book: Institute, American Film . The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Film entries, A - L. F. Feature films 3. 1931-1940 . 1993 . University of California Press . 978-0-520-07908-3 . en.
        48. Web site: Reno Gazette-Journal 08 Mar 1932, page Page 9 . 2023-03-23 . Newspapers.com . en.
        49. Web site: Calexico Chronicle 19 February 1935 — California Digital Newspaper Collection . 2023-02-21 . cdnc.ucr.edu.
        50. Web site: The News Tribune 08 Apr 1935, page 6 . 2023-03-23 . Newspapers.com . en.
        51. News: The Butte Daily Post 19 Mar 1932, Sat · Page 6.
        52. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1933-07-24 . The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, July 24, 1933, Image 13 ]. THIRTEEN . 2023-02-04.
        53. Web site: San Pedro News Pilot 26 December 1933 — California Digital Newspaper Collection . 2023-02-21 . cdnc.ucr.edu.
        54. Web site: Oakland Tribune 27 September 1937 — California Digital Newspaper Collection . 2023-02-21 . cdnc.ucr.edu.
        55. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1941-02-19 . The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, February 19, 1941, Image 14 ]. 14 . 2023-02-03 . 2158-4729.
        56. Web site: U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 . 2023-02-11 . www.ancestry.com.
        57. Web site: Join Ancestry®. 2023-03-22 . www.ancestry.com.
        58. Web site: National Cemetery Administration; U.S. Veterans' Gravesites . Ancestry.com.
        59. Web site: Join Ancestry®. 2023-03-22 . www.ancestry.com.
        60. Web site: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1143/images/32859_242832-00102?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=OYM104&_phstart=successSource&pId=30295343 . 2023-03-22 . www.ancestry.com.
        61. Web site: Join Ancestry®. 2023-03-22 . www.ancestry.com.
        62. News: The News Tribune 23 Oct 1947, Thu · Page 22.
        63. Web site: Edwin L Rowland Census • United States 1950 Census . FamilySearch.
        64. Web site: Washington, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1965 . 2023-02-11 . www.ancestry.com.
        65. Web site: Edwin L Rowland Migration • Oregon Passenger and Crew Lists, 1888-1956 . .
        66. Web site: Edwin L Rowland Migration • Oregon Passenger and Crew Lists, 1888-1956 . .
        67. Web site: California, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1959 for Edwin Rowland . Ancestry.com.
        68. Web site: "California, San Francisco County Records, 1824-1997," database with images, FamilySearch Marriages > Marriage Certificate Index (Grooms), Vol. 43, L-Z, 1918 > image 155 of 349; San Francisco Public Library, California. . FamilySearch.
        69. Web site: Oregon, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1888-1963 . 2023-02-11 . www.ancestry.com.
        70. Web site: Eddy Rowland in entry for Gertrude May Rowland, "Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-2005" . .
        71. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1957-03-18 . The Nome nugget. [volume] (Nome, Alaska) 1938-????, March 18, 1957, Image 6 ]. 6 . 2023-05-01 . 0745-9106.
        72. News: Humanities . National Endowment for the . 1957-07-12 . The Nome nugget. [volume] (Nome, Alaska) 1938-????, July 12, 1957, Image 6 ]. 6 . 2023-05-01 . 0745-9106.
        73. Web site: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8049/images/1933_02_05_0033?treeid=&personid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=OYM140&_phstart=successSource&pId=489231393&rcstate=1933_02_05_0033:37,4617,156,4650;67,4650,197,4683;1074,3108,1221,3141;50,4042,172,4075;328,4042,467,4075;71,4354,183,4387 . 2023-03-22 . www.ancestry.com.
        74. Web site: Oakland Tribune 27 September 1937 — California Digital Newspaper Collection . 2023-02-21 . cdnc.ucr.edu.
        75. Web site: BoxRec: Eddie Roberts . 2022-12-29 . boxrec.com.

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