Boxing History: The First Professional Bouts in North Carolina

click to enlarge

          The first recorded professional boxing event in the State of North Carolina happened in Charlotte on May 8, 1922, and even back then it was an event in the sport of boxing marred by controversy.

The event was managed by Jimmy Woods, who had announced free access for women. In a Charlotte Observer article dated May 8, 1922, it reads: “Practically all the [American] legion men and their wives and sweethearts will be out to see the affair, and since ladies are free a goodly number are expected to attend. Tickets are on sale at the Tryon drug store and Holbrook’s cigar store.”

The article goes on to indicate how members of the legion in North Carolina developed “an appetite” for the sport while serving in the army, having had a lot more exposure to boxing during what was called The World War, an obvious reference to World War I, years before World War II ever happened.

In the main event that night in Wearn Field ballpark on South Mint Street, following three other bouts that evening promoted by the American Legion, welterweight “Burly Bob” Sullivan of New York was KO’d in the first round by the winless Frankie Lewis of North Carolina. On the following day, Bob Sullivan complained of several “foul blows”, with a crucial foul resulting in the knockout defeat, one that went unnoticed by the referee, Billy Charles. In one statement Sullivan said: “I wish to state that Lewis fouled me once when the referee noticed it and once that the referee did not notice. Lewis struck me far below the belt and in a place and manner that no man can stand.”

The name Frankie Lewis is an alias (AKA) for Jack Turner, whose birth name was actually Melvin Gillikin. The reason for changes of names during his career is unknown. Frankie Lewis was born in Morehead City, North Carolina on April 14, 1899. He retired as a middleweight in 1928 with a record of 22 wins and 14 losses with 17 wins by knockout.

In other bouts that evening:

Jimmy Wood knocked out Whitey Barry in third round.

Kid Gregory knocked out Billie Smith in the third round.

Battling Walsh of Charlotte, North Carolina gets decision win over Kid Penry.

Paco Rivera, GAR1680 Boxing Talk
Twitter: @GAR1680

click any image (article) to enlarge