Battling Siki Explained

Battling Siki
Birth Date:	16 September 1897
Birth Place:	Saint-Louis, French Senegal
Death Place:	New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation:	Boxer
Nationality:	Senegalese

Louis Mbarick Fall (16 September 1897 - 15 December 1925), known as Battling Siki, was a Senegalese light heavyweight boxer born in Senegal who fought from 1912 to 1925, and briefly reigned as the World light heavyweight champion after knocking out Georges Carpentier.

Early years

He was born in the port city of Saint-Louis, French Senegal. As a teenager, he dived from the top of a cliff to fetch coins thrown by the French from the sea. He was noticed by a Dutch dancer who offered to take him to Europe, where he worked washing dishes. Then at 14 years old, he began his career in boxing. Siki's early years were inauspicious. From 1912 to 1914 he compiled a record of just eight wins, six losses and two draws.

When World War I erupted, Siki joined the French army, serving in the 8th Colonial Infantry Regiment. During the war he was decorated for bravery in battle with the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille Militaire, before being honorably discharged.^[1]

Post-war career

After his discharge from the military, Siki resumed his boxing career. In October and November 1920 Siki boxed two matches in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He was romantically involved with a Dutch woman, Lijntje van Appelteer, who became his common-law wife. On 16 December 1921, she had a son, Louis Junior.^[2] In this period he taught boxing at the amateur boxing club De Jonge Bokser (The Young Boxer).

From 1 November 1919, until he faced Georges Carpentier for the world light heavyweight championship in 1922, Siki compiled the impressive record of 43 wins in 46 bouts (21 KOs), suffering just one loss (on a decision) and two draws. Carpentier, the reigning World and European champion, agreed to fight Siki for the title, and they met in Paris, on 24 September 1922.

Siki claimed that he had agreed to take a dive, but when Carpentier dropped Siki, the outraged Siki decided to get up and fight. Although he had agreed to throw the fight, he did not intend to get beat up doing so.

In the sixth round Siki hit Carpentier with a powerful right uppercut that appeared to put Carpentier down and out for the count. The referee, however, claimed Siki had tripped Carpentier, and awarded the bout to the unconscious champion on a foul. Fearing a riot from the aroused crowd, the three ringside judges overruled the referee, and Siki was eventually declared the champion.

Siki then embarked on a well publicized rampage of partying and carousing. He would walk his pet lion down the Champs-Élysées while wearing his top hat and tuxedo. Siki was known to fire his revolvers in the air in public as a means of prompting his two Great Danes to do tricks. He was constantly reported drinking champagne in night clubs, and spent freely on flashy clothes and partying. He was fond of white women, and both his wives were white.

During this time offers came in from the United States for the colourful Siki to meet the leading heavyweight contender Harry Wills, middleweight champion Johnny Wilson, and the legendary Harry Greb. Attempts were even made to match Siki with the then reigning heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. Instead, Siki signed to defend his title against Irish light heavyweight Mike McTigue on Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin. The bout was controversial and Siki lost on decision, and so lost the title.^[3] This defeat was the first loss in a downward trend of dissipation and poor performances by Siki, which culminated in his death a little over a month after his last fight.

After the world title

After losing his European title on a foul, Siki moved to the United States. His record in the States was poor and he failed to defeat any top-notch fighters. His failure to train properly was evident; his record after winning the title was 11 wins (7 KOS), 17 losses, 1 draw and 2 no contests. It was during this time period that he suffered the only two knockout defeats of his career. On 23 July, he married artist Lillian Werner of Memphis, Tennessee, who was seven years his senior, in a civil marriage. Werner was registered as white, making theirs a rare mixed-race marriage at the time. At the time of his wedding, friends of Siki from France alleged that he was still married to a Dutch woman living in France who had born him a child two years earlier.^[4]

Even in the States Siki continued to carouse and train on booze and street brawls. Often, he would get drunk in speakeasies, refuse to pay the tab, and fight his way out.

Murder and burial

On 15 December 1925, he was stopped by a policeman who saw him staggering drunk on 42nd Street, not far from his apartment in New York City. Siki stated that he was on his way home, and walked off. Later he was found lying face down, shot twice in the back at close range, dead at the age of 28.

The Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, the father of Adam Clayton Powell Jr., presided over his funeral, which was held in Harlem, New York. He was survived by his widow Lillian Werner Phal, whom he had married a year earlier.^[5]

He was initially buried at Flushing Cemetery, in an unmarked grave.^[6] There were brief ceremonies held in the Flushing Cemetery on 46th Ave and was participated in by representatives of the Senegalese government and of the African Boxing Union: a headstone was dedicated here by the International Veterans Boxing Association. Cherif Djigo, first consul at the Senegalese Mission to the United Nations, stated "This stone represents to us a grand symbol that Battling Siki has not been forgotten". His body was repatriated to Senegal in 1993.^[7]

Documentary

In February 2023 the World Boxing Council hosted the Premiere of Ashley Morrison's documentary on Battling Siki's life entitled "Return To Your Corner" at the New York Athletic Club. ^[8]

Trivia

Battling Siki vs. Carpentier was viewed by a young Ernest Hemingway.^[9]
Battling Siki was also the name of one of Che Guevara's commanders.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,^[10] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date
91	Loss	60–24–4	Lee Anderson	PTS	12	Nov 13, 1925
90	Loss	60–23–4	Billy Vidabeck	NWS	10	Aug 18, 1925
89	Loss	60–23–4	Joe Silvani	DQ	8 (12)	Aug 8, 1925
88	Win	60–22–4	Jimmy Francis	KO	2 (8)	Jul 23, 1925
87	Win	59–22–4	Chief Halbran	KO	3 (12)	Jul 10, 1925
86	Loss	58–22–4	Art Weigand	PTS	6	Jun 25, 1925
85	Loss	58–21–4	Paul Berlenbach	TKO	10 (12)	Mar 13, 1925
84	Loss	58–20–4	Jack Burke	PTS	12	Dec 4, 1924
83	Draw	58–19–4	Frank Kearns	PTS	10	Nov 27, 1924
82	Loss	58–19–3	Tony Marullo	PTS	12	Nov 14, 1924
81	Win	58–18–3	Roscoe Hall	TKO	6 (10)	Nov 7, 1924
80	Loss	57–18–3	Mike Conroy	TKO	8 (10)	Aug 20, 1924
79	Loss	57–17–3	Homer Smith	PTS	10	Aug 11, 1924
78	Win	57–16–3	Dixie Kid	RTD	3 (10)	Aug 4, 1924
77	Loss	56–16–3	Sergeant Jack Lynch	PTS	10	Aug 2, 1924
76	Win	56–15–3	Blacksmith Russell	KO	7 (10)	Jul 18, 1924
75	Win	55–15–3	Ray Bennett	NWS	12	Jul 11, 1924
74	Loss	55–15–3	Tut Jackson	PTS	10	Feb 14, 1924
73	Win	55–14–3	Joe White	PTS	10	Feb 8, 1924
72	Loss	54–14–3	Joe Lohman	NWS	10	Jan 31, 1924
71	Loss	54–14–3	Battling Owens	PTS	15	Jan 21, 1924
70	Win	54–13–3	Young Norfolk	PTS	8	Jan 14, 1924
69	Win	53–13–3	Tony Stabenau	KO	2 (10)	Jan 7, 1924
68	Loss	52–13–3	Jack Taylor	PTS	10	Dec 25, 1923
67	Loss	52–12–3	Kid Norfolk	PTS	15	Nov 20, 1923
66	Win	52–11–3	Gaston Marmouget	KO	3 (12)	Aug 5, 1923
65	Win	51–11–3	Marcel Nilles	KO	2 (15)	Jul 8, 1923
64	Loss	50–11–3	Emile Morelle	DQ	6 (20)	Jun 16, 1923
63	Loss	50–10–3	Mike McTigue	PTS	20	Mar 17, 1923
62	Win	50–9–3	Georges Carpentier	KO	6 (20)	Sep 24, 1922
61	Win	49–9–3	Harry Reeve	TKO	6 (15)	Jul 27, 1922
60	Win	48–9–3	Hans Dressler	TKO	5 (6)	Jul 23, 1922
59	Win	47–9–3	Marcel Nilles	PTS	15	Jun 23, 1922
58	Draw	46–9–3	Harry Reeve	PTS	10	May 19, 1922
57	Win	46–9–2	Harry Reeve	PTS	10	May 11, 1922
56	Win	45–9–2	Alfred Baker	PTS	12	Apr 26, 1922
55	Win	44–9–2	Louis Piochelle	PTS	12	Apr 16, 1922
54	Win	43–9–2	Martinus Vige	TKO	6 (10)	Mar 31, 1922
53	Win	42–9–2	Frank Hoche	PTS	10	Mar 23, 1922
52	Win	41–9–2	Alphonse Rogiers	PTS	10	Mar 15, 1922
51	Win	40–9–2	Jules Lenaers	TKO	2 (15)	Mar 3, 1922
50	Win	39–9–2	Iter	TKO	2 (?)	Feb 2, 1922
49	Win	38–9–2	Alphonse Rogiers	PTS	12	Jan 17, 1922
48	Win	37–9–2	Paul Journee	PTS	15	Dec 3, 1921
47	Win	36–9–2	Jean Leroi	KO	2 (20)	Oct 21, 1921
46	Win	35–9–2	Jean Leroi	TKO	2 (20)	Oct 21, 1921
45	Win	34–9–2	Battling Marcot	TKO	5 (15)	Oct 2, 1921
44	Win	33–9–2	Ercole De Balzac	DQ	2 (20)	Sep 21, 1921
43	Win	32–9–2	Constant Barrick	PTS	10	Aug 21, 1921
42	Win	31–9–2	Gabriel Pionnier	TKO	7 (15)	Jul 2, 1921
41	Win	30–9–2	Harry Reeve	PTS	10	Jun 14, 1921
40	Win	29–9–2	Jeff DePaus	PTS	10	Apr 29, 1921
39	Win	28–9–2	Hugo Podzuhn	TKO	10 (15)	Mar 15, 1921
38	Win	27–9–2	Giuseppe Spalla	RTD	9 (15)	Feb 25, 1921
37	Win	26–9–2	Bertus Ahaus	PTS	10	Feb 5, 1921
36	Win	25–9–2	Herman Sjouwerman	PTS	10	Jan 19, 1921
35	Win	24–9–2	Hans Breitenstraeter	PTS	15	Jan 14, 1921
34	Win	23–9–2	Jeff DePaus	PTS	10	Dec 4, 1920
33	Win	22–9–2	Nicol Simpson	KO	1 (15)	Oct 25, 1920
32	Loss	21–9–2	Tom Berry	PTS	15	Aug 30, 1920
31	Win	21–8–2	Tom Berry	PTS	10	Jun 17, 1920
30	Win	20–8–2	Willem Westbroek	TKO	5 (10)	Jun 4, 1920
29	Win	19–8–2	Daan Holtkamp	KO	2 (10)	Jun 27, 1920
28	Win	18–8–2	Bertus Ahaus	PTS	10	June 13, 1920
27	Win	17–8–2	Jimmy Lyggett Sr.	PTS	10	May 29, 1920
26	Win	16–8–2	Willem Westbroek	KO	7 (10)	May 2, 1920
25	Win	15–8–2	Rene De Vos	PTS	10	April 28, 1920
24	Win	14–8–2	Jeff DePaus	PTS	15	Apr 16, 1920
23	Win	13–8–2	Victor Marchand	KO	8 (15)	April 9, 1920
22	Win	12–8–2	Maurice Lefevre	PTS	10	April 2, 1920
21	Win	11–8–2	Leon Derensy	KO	3 (10)	Mar 26, 1920
20	Win	10–8–2	Jean Audouy	TKO	4 (?)	Feb 16, 1920
19	Win	9–8–2	Billy Henrys	PTS	12	Jan 12, 1920
18	Loss	8–8–2	Felix Leonard	PTS	10	Dec 29, 1919
17	Win	8–7–2	Eugene Stuber	TKO	2 (10)	Dec 8, 1919
16	Win	7–7–2	Frank Roose	DQ	9 (10)	May 12, 1918
15	Loss	6–7–2	Eugene Tajan	DQ	7 (?)	July 12, 1914
14	Loss	6–6–2	Jules Perroud	PTS	10	June 20, 1914
13	Win	6–5–2	Jules Perroud	DQ	8 (10)	June 4, 1914
12	Win	5–5–2	Pierre Nicolas	KO	2 (10)	Feb 19, 1914
11	Loss	4–5–2	Jean Audouy	PTS	10	Feb 7, 1914
10	Win	4–4–2	Frank Roose	PTS	10	Jan 8, 1914
9	Win	3–4–2	Frank Roose	PTS	10	Dec 16, 1913
8	Win	2–4–2	Georges Carr	TKO	3 (?)	Nov 29, 1913
7	Win	1–4–2	Georges Bert	TKO	3 (?)	May 18, 1913
6	Loss	0–4–2	Bill Henrys	DQ	3 (?)	May 3, 1913
5	Loss	0–3–2	Francois Servat	PTS	8	Mar 27, 1913
4	Draw	0–2–2	Fernard Pratt	PTS	8	Mar 13, 1912
3	Draw	0–2–1	Mario Gall	PTS	8	Dec 16, 1912
2	Loss	0–2	Jean Chayne	TKO	2 (?)	Oct 20, 1912
1	Loss	0–1	Louis Maria		2 (6)	Oct 13, 1912

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date
91	Loss	61–26–4	Lee Anderson	PTS	12	Nov 13, 1925
90	Loss	61–25–4	Billy Vidabeck	NWS	10	Aug 18, 1925
89	Loss	61–24–4	Joe Silvani	DQ	8 (12)	Aug 8, 1925
88	Win	61–23–4	Jimmy Francis	KO	2 (8)	Jul 23, 1925
87	Win	60–23–4	Chief Halbran	KO	3 (12)	Jul 10, 1925
86	Loss	59–23–4	Art Weigand	PTS	6	Jun 25, 1925
85	Loss	59–22–4	Paul Berlenbach	TKO	10 (12)	Mar 13, 1925
84	Loss	59–21–4	Jack Burke	PTS	12	Dec 4, 1924
83	Draw	59–20–4	Frank Kearns	PTS	10	Nov 27, 1924
82	Loss	59–20–3	Tony Marullo	PTS	12	Nov 14, 1924
81	Win	59–19–3	Roscoe Hall	TKO	6 (10)	Nov 7, 1924
80	Loss	58–19–3	Mike Conroy	TKO	8 (10)	Aug 20, 1924
79	Loss	58–18–3	Homer Smith	PTS	10	Aug 11, 1924
78	Win	58–17–3	Dixie Kid	RTD	3 (10)	Aug 4, 1924
77	Loss	57–17–3	Sergeant Jack Lynch	PTS	10	Aug 2, 1924
76	Win	57–16–3	Blacksmith Russell	KO	7 (10)	Jul 18, 1924
75	Win	56–16–3	Ray Bennett	NWS	12	Jul 11, 1924
74	Loss	55–16–3	Tut Jackson	PTS	10	Feb 14, 1924
73	Win	55–15–3	Joe White	PTS	10	Feb 8, 1924
72	Loss	54–15–3	Joe Lohman	NWS	10	Jan 31, 1924
71	Loss	54–14–3	Battling Owens	PTS	15	Jan 21, 1924
70	Win	54–13–3	Young Norfolk	PTS	8	Jan 14, 1924
69	Win	53–13–3	Tony Stabenau	KO	2 (10)	Jan 7, 1924
68	Loss	52–13–3	Jack Taylor	PTS	10	Dec 25, 1923
67	Loss	52–12–3	Kid Norfolk	PTS	15	Nov 20, 1923
66	Win	52–11–3	Gaston Marmouget	KO	3 (12)	Aug 5, 1923
65	Win	51–11–3	Marcel Nilles	KO	2 (15)	Jul 8, 1923
64	Loss	50–11–3	Emile Morelle	DQ	6 (20)	Jun 16, 1923
63	Loss	50–10–3	Mike McTigue	PTS	20	Mar 17, 1923
62	Win	50–9–3	Georges Carpentier	KO	6 (20)	Sep 24, 1922
61	Win	49–9–3	Harry Reeve	TKO	6 (15)	Jul 27, 1922
60	Win	48–9–3	Hans Dressler	TKO	5 (6)	Jul 23, 1922
59	Win	47–9–3	Marcel Nilles	PTS	15	Jun 23, 1922
58	Draw	46–9–3	Harry Reeve	PTS	10	May 19, 1922
57	Win	46–9–2	Harry Reeve	PTS	10	May 11, 1922
56	Win	45–9–2	Alfred Baker	PTS	12	Apr 26, 1922
55	Win	44–9–2	Louis Piochelle	PTS	12	Apr 16, 1922
54	Win	43–9–2	Martinus Vige	TKO	6 (10)	Mar 31, 1922
53	Win	42–9–2	Frank Hoche	PTS	10	Mar 23, 1922
52	Win	41–9–2	Alphonse Rogiers	PTS	10	Mar 15, 1922
51	Win	40–9–2	Jules Lenaers	TKO	2 (15)	Mar 3, 1922
50	Win	39–9–2	Iter	TKO	2 (?)	Feb 2, 1922
49	Win	38–9–2	Alphonse Rogiers	PTS	12	Jan 17, 1922
48	Win	37–9–2	Paul Journee	PTS	15	Dec 3, 1921
47	Win	36–9–2	Jean Leroi	KO	2 (20)	Oct 21, 1921
46	Win	35–9–2	Jean Leroi	TKO	2 (20)	Oct 21, 1921
45	Win	34–9–2	Battling Marcot	TKO	5 (15)	Oct 2, 1921
44	Win	33–9–2	Ercole De Balzac	DQ	2 (20)	Sep 21, 1921
43	Win	32–9–2	Constant Barrick	PTS	10	Aug 21, 1921
42	Win	31–9–2	Gabriel Pionnier	TKO	7 (15)	Jul 2, 1921
41	Win	30–9–2	Harry Reeve	PTS	10	Jun 14, 1921
40	Win	29–9–2	Jeff DePaus	PTS	10	Apr 29, 1921
39	Win	28–9–2	Hugo Podzuhn	TKO	10 (15)	Mar 15, 1921
38	Win	27–9–2	Giuseppe Spalla	RTD	9 (15)	Feb 25, 1921
37	Win	26–9–2	Bertus Ahaus	PTS	10	Feb 5, 1921
36	Win	25–9–2	Herman Sjouwerman	PTS	10	Jan 19, 1921
35	Win	24–9–2	Hans Breitenstraeter	PTS	15	Jan 14, 1921
34	Win	23–9–2	Jeff DePaus	PTS	10	Dec 4, 1920
33	Win	22–9–2	Nicol Simpson	KO	1 (15)	Oct 25, 1920
32	Loss	21–9–2	Tom Berry	PTS	15	Aug 30, 1920
31	Win	21–8–2	Tom Berry	PTS	10	Jun 17, 1920
30	Win	20–8–2	Willem Westbroek	TKO	5 (10)	Jun 4, 1920
29	Win	19–8–2	Daan Holtkamp	KO	2 (10)	Jun 27, 1920
28	Win	18–8–2	Bertus Ahaus	PTS	10	June 13, 1920
27	Win	17–8–2	Jimmy Lyggett Sr.	PTS	10	May 29, 1920
26	Win	16–8–2	Willem Westbroek	KO	7 (10)	May 2, 1920
25	Win	15–8–2	Rene De Vos	PTS	10	April 28, 1920
24	Win	14–8–2	Jeff DePaus	PTS	15	Apr 16, 1920
23	Win	13–8–2	Victor Marchand	KO	8 (15)	April 9, 1920
22	Win	12–8–2	Maurice Lefevre	PTS	10	April 2, 1920
21	Win	11–8–2	Leon Derensy	KO	3 (10)	Mar 26, 1920
20	Win	10–8–2	Jean Audouy	TKO	4 (?)	Feb 16, 1920
19	Win	9–8–2	Billy Henrys	PTS	12	Jan 12, 1920
18	Loss	8–8–2	Felix Leonard	PTS	10	Dec 29, 1919
17	Win	8–7–2	Eugene Stuber	TKO	2 (10)	Dec 8, 1919
16	Win	7–7–2	Frank Roose	DQ	9 (10)	May 12, 1918
15	Loss	6–7–2	Eugene Tajan	DQ	7 (?)	July 12, 1914
14	Loss	6–6–2	Jules Perroud	PTS	10	June 20, 1914
13	Win	6–5–2	Jules Perroud	DQ	8 (10)	June 4, 1914
12	Win	5–5–2	Pierre Nicolas	KO	2 (10)	Feb 19, 1914
11	Loss	4–5–2	Jean Audouy	PTS	10	Feb 7, 1914
10	Win	4–4–2	Frank Roose	PTS	10	Jan 8, 1914
9	Win	3–4–2	Frank Roose	PTS	10	Dec 16, 1913
8	Win	2–4–2	Georges Carr	TKO	3 (?)	Nov 29, 1913
7	Win	1–4–2	Georges Bert	TKO	3 (?)	May 18, 1913
6	Loss	0–4–2	Bill Henrys	DQ	3 (?)	May 3, 1913
5	Loss	0–3–2	Francois Servat	PTS	8	Mar 27, 1913
4	Draw	0–2–2	Fernard Pratt	PTS	8	Mar 13, 1912
3	Draw	0–2–1	Mario Gall	PTS	8	Dec 16, 1912
2	Loss	0–2	Jean Chayne	TKO	2 (?)	Oct 20, 1912
1	Loss	0–1	Louis Maria		2 (6)	Oct 13, 1912

References

Book: Benson, Peter. 2006. Battling Siki:A Tale of Ring Fixes, Race and Murder in the 1920s. University of Arkansas Press. Fayetteville. 1-55728-888-7 .
Book: Bregstein, Philo. 1999. Herinnering aan Joods Amsterdam. De Bezige Bij. Amsterdam. 90-234-3390-4 .

External links

Notes and References

Lardener, John "Who Shot Battling Siki? The Life And Murder Of A Prizefighter", Deadspin, June 18, 2013.
Benson, Peter, "Battling Siki: A Tale of Ring Fixes, Race, and Murder in the 1920s", p. 140.
https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3295793 ESPN - McTigue a part of St. Patrick's Day folklore - Boxing
"BATTLING SIKI WEDS WHITE WOMAN HERE: Paris Friends of Senegalese Say Prizefighter Is Already Married to Dutch Girl", The New York Times, 24 July 1924.
News: BATTLING SIKI SHOT DEAD IN THE STREET: Negro Pugilist Who Knocked Out Carpentier Murdered From Behind When Intoxicated. TWO BULLETS IN HIS BODY . . May 26, 1925.
News: Oreskes . Michael . A Crown for an Ex-Champ: Dead Fighter Honored After 50 Years . Daily News . August 7, 1976.
News: Anderson . Dave . Sports of The Times; Battling Siki Finally on His Way Back Home . The New York Times . March 28, 1993 .
Web site: Battling Siki, panel about the life and legacy of the first man born in Africa to win a World Title . 2023-04-27 . en-US.
Martine . James J. . Hemingway's "Fifty Grand": The Other Fight(s) . Journal of Modern Literature . September 1971 . 2 . 1 . 123–127 . 30053179 . 18 March 2022. registration.
Web site: BoxRec: Battling Siki.