Harris Martin


Harris Martin was an American boxer known as "The Black Pearl". He declared himself the first colored middleweight champion of the world after a fight with "Black Frank" Taylor in Minneapolis in 1887. Harris' legacy is that of being one of the first African-American boxing celebrities in the United States, with public acclaim during his time extending throughout the Midwest region. Over a century after his death, Harris was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.

Early life

Harris Martin was born in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 1865. There is little historic record of his pre-boxing career life.

Career

Harris' boxing acumen was discovered while he worked as a waiter at a hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As Harris began boxing in backrooms and outside saloons, he gained a reputation for his "sledgehammer" punches and came to be known as "The Black Pearl". At just tall and weighing 150 pounds, Martin was a muscular and compact fighter. Charles Hadley and George Phillips, two other prominent African American boxers, served as his trainers.
Martin declared himself the world colored middleweight champion after beating "Black Frank" Taylor in Minneapolis on May 2, 1887, when he knocked out Taylor in the 38th or 40th round of their bout. Harris and Taylor had fought six times between December 22, 1886, and the title bout; Martin lost their first fight, won the second, then drew the next four contests.
After beating Taylor, Martin declared himself the World Colored Middleweight Champion. Harris lost his title to Ed Binney on November 30, 1891, in San Francisco, California. On February 29, 1892, he was defeated by Charley Turner, "The Stockton Cyclone", who claimed the title but never defended it. Binney was considered the lineal champ.
Martin racked up a career record of 53 wins against 11 losses and 15 draws. He lost one newspaper decision.

Personal life and death

Harris was married, but later divorced. Drinking and socializing dominated the later part of his boxing career and post-career life. After several arrests, he was banned from being in the City of Minneapolis. In 1900, after he retired from his 15-year boxing career, he moved to Seattle, Washington. He later moved back to Minnesota and resided in Saint Paul.
Harris died from heart failure on April 26, 1903, in Saint Paul at the age of 38. His funeral was a major event in the Twin Cities. He was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Maplewood.

Legacy

Harris is considered a pioneer in the sport of boxing around the turn of the 20th century alongside Oscar Gardner, Danny Needham, Patrick Killen, and others. He was one of the first notable African American athletes in the Midwestern United States. Harris was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.

Professional boxing record

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

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted to the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
83Win54–11–15 Mr. ThomasTKO4 Dec 15, 1900Clark and Langes Clubroom, Salt Lake City, Utah, US
82Loss53–11–15 Young Peter JacksonKO2 Dec 20, 1899Germania Hall, Seattle, Washington, US
81Draw53–10–15 Jim SellarsPTS8Oct 20, 1899Sioux City A.C., Sioux City, Iowa, US
80Loss53–10–14 Con JacobusTKO4 Sep 18, 1899Woodland Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US
79Draw53–9–14 Jim SellarsPTS10Sep 13, 1899Opera House, Sioux City, Iowa, US
78Loss53–9–13 Charley HolcombeNWS6Feb 6, 1897Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
77Loss53–9–13 Andy WatsonPTS4Jan 16, 1897Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
76Draw53–8–13 Jack RamseyPTS20Mar 3, 1894Fort Collins, Colorado, US
75Loss53–8–12 Bobby DobbsKO19 Jan 30, 1893Armory, San Francisco, California, USA fight to the finish
74Loss53–7–12 Joe KingKO36 Oct 21, 1892California A.C., San Francisco, California, US
73Win53–6–12 Tom HarringtonKO2 May 31, 1892Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, USExact date uncertain
72Draw52–6–12 Jimmy LawlerPTS10Apr 18, 1892California A.C., San Francisco, California, USExact date uncertain
71Win52–6–11 Ed MoehlerKO2 Apr 7, 1892San Francisco, California, USExact date uncertain
70Loss51–6–11 Hank GriffinKO4 Apr 1, 1892Location unknownDate uncertain
69Loss51–5–11 Charles TurnerKO19Feb 29, 1892Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, USA fight to the finish
68Loss51–4–11 Ed BinneyRTD25 Nov 30, 1891California A.C., San Francisco, California, USLost world colored middleweight title
67Win51–3–11 Paddy GormanKO4 Oct 26, 1891Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US
66ND50–3–11 Spike TrainorND4Sep 5, 1891Arion Hall, Great Falls, Montana, US
65Win50–3–11 George GannonKO3 Aug 23, 1891Falke's Garden, Butte, Montana, US
64Win49–3–11 Joe EllingsworthKO5 Jul 21, 1891Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
63Win48–3–11 Tom MurrayKO7 May 29, 1891Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
62Win47–3–11 Mike SullivanKO1 May 16, 1891Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
61Loss46–3–11 Jerry HeggertyPTS5May 12, 1891Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
60Win46–2–11 Frank LewisTKO5 May 7, 1891Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
5945–2–11 Bob FitzsimmonsND4May 1, 1891Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
58Draw45–2–11Denny KelliherPTS10Feb 10, 1891Newmarket Theatre, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USRetained Northwest middleweight title
57Win45–2–10Jim HightowerKO3 Nov 20, 1890Omaha, Nebraska, US
56Win44–2–10Denny KelliherPTS20Nov 3, 1890Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Missouri, USRetained Northwest middleweight title
55Win43–2–10Jim HightowerPTS8Sep 9, 1890Saint Joseph, Missouri, US
54Draw42–2–10Frank LewisPTS8Jun 27, 1890Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
53Win42–2–9Dick MooreTKO4 May 23, 1890Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USRetained Northwest middleweight title
52Win41–2–9Dick MooreKO7 Feb 3, 1890Minneapolis, Minnesota, USWon vacant Northwest middleweight title
51Win40–2–9Ed MoehlerKO8 Dec 9, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
50Win39–2–9James AsterKO1 Oct 5, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
49Draw38–2–9Charles HadleyPTS8Aug 10, 1888Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
48Draw38–2–8James LeggerPTS10Aug 3, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
47Win38–2–7J.P. SmithKO4 Jul 14, 1888Lake City, Minnesota, US
46Win37–2–7Dick HaleyPTS4Jun 15, 1888Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
45Win36–2–7J.P. DonnerPTS10Jun 1, 1888Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
44Win35–2–7John DwyerKO2 May 25, 1888Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
43Win34–2–7Charles GleasonPTS6May 18, 1888Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
42Win33–2–7Ed HarrisPTS4Apr 8, 1888Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
41Win32–2–7Hunter BriscoeKO6 Mar 2, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
40Win31–2–7Ed MoehlerPTS8Dec 30, 1887Gary, Indiana, US
39Draw30–2–7Frank TaylorPTS10Dec 10, 1887Ashland, Wisconsin, US
38Win30–2–6James LeggerDQ13 Nov 11, 1887Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
37Win29–2–6James LeggerTKO5 Nov 1, 1887Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
36Win28–2–6Paddy NortonKO3 Sep 6, 1887Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
35Win27–2–6OH SmithPTS4Aug 5, 1887Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
34Win26–2–6Tom JacksonKO5 Jul 15, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
33Win25–2–6Frank TaylorKO38 May 2, 1887Woods outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USWon inaugural world colored middleweight title
32Win24–2–6Desperate CoonTKO3 Apr 22, 1887Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
31Win23–2–6Charles HadleyPTS8Apr 15, 1887Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
30Draw22–2–6Frank TaylorPTS12Apr 1, 1887Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
29Win22–2–5Charles HadleyPTS8Mar 25, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
28Draw21–2–5Frank TaylorPTS10Mar 18, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
27Win21–2–4Dan SommersKO4 Mar 11, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
26Win20–2–4Tom DevineKO5 Mar 3, 1887Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
25Win19–2–4Will YoungKO2 Feb 27, 1887Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
24Win18–2–4Black StrapKO4 Feb 18, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
23Win17–2–4Jim O'BrienKO4 Feb 7, 1887Exposition Hall, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
22Draw16–2–4Dan ManningPTS10Jan 28, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
21Win16–2–3Frank TaylorPTS15Jan 21, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
20Win15–2–3Dan SommersKO3 Jan 7, 1887Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
19Win14–2–3George GannonKO11 Jan 3, 1887Cribbe Club Room, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
18Loss13–2–3Frank TaylorPTS10Dec 22, 1886Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
17Win13–1–3Young McKayKO4 Dec 21, 1886Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
16Win12–1–3Dan SommersTKO7 Dec 5, 1886Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
15Win11–1–3Black StrapPTS4Dec 3, 1886Clarks Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
14Draw10–1–3Jim O'BrienPTS4Dec 2, 1886Exposition Rink, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
13Win10–1–2Cass BrownPTS8Nov 14, 1886Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
12Win9–1–2Billy YoungKO9 Sep 27, 1886Pennsylvania, US
11Win8–1–2Jack MurphyKO3 Sep 7, 1886Pennsylvania, US
10Win7–1–2Billy YoungKO9 Sep 6, 1886Pennsylvania, US
9Loss6–1–2Joe ButlerPTS4Aug 7, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
8Win6–0–2Tom HendersonKO3 Jul 3, 1886Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
7Draw5–0–2Mike HighlandPTS4Jun 22, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
6Win5–0–1Charles JohnsonKO3 Jun 16, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
5Win4–0–1Bill BoughblyKO3 Jun 11, 1886Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
4Win3–0–1Bill TraversKO1 Jun 4, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3Win2–0–1Bill DavisKO3 May 18, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
2Win1–0–1Tom HendersonKO5 May 8, 1886Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
1Draw0–0–1Jack BurkePTS4Mar 19, 1886Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
83Win54–12–15 Mr. ThomasTKO4 Dec 15, 1900Clark and Langes Clubroom, Salt Lake City, Utah, US
82Loss53–12–15 Young Peter JacksonKO2 Dec 20, 1899Germania Hall, Seattle, Washington, US
81Draw53–11–15 Jim SellarsPTS8Oct 20, 1899Sioux City A.C., Sioux City, Iowa, US
80Loss53–11–14 Con JacobusTKO4 Sep 18, 1899Woodland Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US
79Draw53–10–14 Jim SellarsPTS10Sep 13, 1899Opera House, Sioux City, Iowa, US
78Loss53–10–13 Charley HolcombeNWS6Feb 6, 1897Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
77Loss53–9–13 Andy WatsonPTS4Jan 16, 1897Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
76Draw53–8–13 Jack RamseyPTS20Mar 3, 1894Fort Collins, Colorado, US
75Loss53–8–12 Bobby DobbsKO19 Jan 30, 1893Armory, San Francisco, California, USA fight to the finish
74Loss53–7–12 Joe KingKO36 Oct 21, 1892California A.C., San Francisco, California, US
73Win53–6–12 Tom HarringtonKO2 May 31, 1892Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, USExact date uncertain
72Draw52–6–12 Jimmy LawlerPTS10Apr 18, 1892California A.C., San Francisco, California, USExact date uncertain
71Win52–6–11 Ed MoehlerKO2 Apr 7, 1892San Francisco, California, USExact date uncertain
70Loss51–6–11 Hank GriffinKO4 Apr 1, 1892Location unknownDate uncertain
69Loss51–5–11 Charles TurnerKO19Feb 29, 1892Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, USA fight to the finish
68Loss51–4–11 Ed BinneyRTD25 Nov 30, 1891California A.C., San Francisco, California, USLost world colored middleweight title
67Win51–3–11 Paddy GormanKO4 Oct 26, 1891Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US
66ND50–3–11 Spike TrainorND4Sep 5, 1891Arion Hall, Great Falls, Montana, US
65Win50–3–11 George GannonKO3 Aug 23, 1891Falke's Garden, Butte, Montana, US
64Win49–3–11 Joe EllingsworthKO5 Jul 21, 1891Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
63Win48–3–11 Tom MurrayKO7 May 29, 1891Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
62Win47–3–11 Mike SullivanKO1 May 16, 1891Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
61Loss46–3–11 Jerry HeggertyPTS5May 12, 1891Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
60Win46–2–11 Frank LewisTKO5 May 7, 1891Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
5945–2–11 Bob FitzsimmonsND4May 1, 1891Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
58Draw45–2–11Denny KelliherPTS10Feb 10, 1891Newmarket Theatre, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USRetained Northwest middleweight title
57Win45–2–10Jim HightowerKO3 Nov 20, 1890Omaha, Nebraska, US
56Win44–2–10Denny KelliherPTS20Nov 3, 1890Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Missouri, USRetained Northwest middleweight title
55Win43–2–10Jim HightowerPTS8Sep 9, 1890Saint Joseph, Missouri, US
54Draw42–2–10Frank LewisPTS8Jun 27, 1890Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
53Win42–2–9Dick MooreTKO4 May 23, 1890Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USRetained Northwest middleweight title
52Win41–2–9Dick MooreKO7 Feb 3, 1890Minneapolis, Minnesota, USWon vacant Northwest middleweight title
51Win40–2–9Ed MoehlerKO8 Dec 9, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
50Win39–2–9James AsterKO1 Oct 5, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
49Draw38–2–9Charles HadleyPTS8Aug 10, 1888Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
48Draw38–2–8James LeggerPTS10Aug 3, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
47Win38–2–7J.P. SmithKO4 Jul 14, 1888Lake City, Minnesota, US
46Win37–2–7Dick HaleyPTS4Jun 15, 1888Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
45Win36–2–7J.P. DonnerPTS10Jun 1, 1888Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
44Win35–2–7John DwyerKO2 May 25, 1888Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
43Win34–2–7Charles GleasonPTS6May 18, 1888Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
42Win33–2–7Ed HarrisPTS4Apr 8, 1888Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
41Win32–2–7Hunter BriscoeKO6 Mar 2, 1888Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
40Win31–2–7Ed MoehlerPTS8Dec 30, 1887Gary, Indiana, US
39Draw30–2–7Frank TaylorPTS10Dec 10, 1887Ashland, Wisconsin, US
38Win30–2–6James LeggerDQ13 Nov 11, 1887Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
37Win29–2–6James LeggerTKO5 Nov 1, 1887Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
36Win28–2–6Paddy NortonKO3 Sep 6, 1887Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
35Win27–2–6OH SmithPTS4Aug 5, 1887Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
34Win26–2–6Tom JacksonKO5 Jul 15, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
33Win25–2–6Frank TaylorKO38 May 2, 1887Woods outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USWon inaugural world colored middleweight title
32Win24–2–6Desperate CoonTKO3 Apr 22, 1887Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
31Win23–2–6Charles HadleyPTS8Apr 15, 1887Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
30Draw22–2–6Frank TaylorPTS12Apr 1, 1887Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
29Win22–2–5Charles HadleyPTS8Mar 25, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
28Draw21–2–5Frank TaylorPTS10Mar 18, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
27Win21–2–4Dan SommersKO4 Mar 11, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
26Win20–2–4Tom DevineKO5 Mar 3, 1887Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
25Win19–2–4Will YoungKO2 Feb 27, 1887Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
24Win18–2–4Black StrapKO4 Feb 18, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
23Win17–2–4Jim O'BrienKO4 Feb 7, 1887Exposition Hall, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
22Draw16–2–4Dan ManningPTS10Jan 28, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
21Win16–2–3Frank TaylorPTS15Jan 21, 1887Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
20Win15–2–3Dan SommersKO3 Jan 7, 1887Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
19Win14–2–3George GannonKO11 Jan 3, 1887Cribbe Club Room, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
18Loss13–2–3Frank TaylorPTS10Dec 22, 1886Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
17Win13–1–3Young McKayKO4 Dec 21, 1886Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
16Win12–1–3Dan SommersTKO7 Dec 5, 1886Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
15Win11–1–3Black StrapPTS4Dec 3, 1886Clarks Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
14Draw10–1–3Jim O'BrienPTS4Dec 2, 1886Exposition Rink, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
13Win10–1–2Cass BrownPTS8Nov 14, 1886Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
12Win9–1–2Billy YoungKO9 Sep 27, 1886Pennsylvania, US
11Win8–1–2Jack MurphyKO3 Sep 7, 1886Pennsylvania, US
10Win7–1–2Billy YoungKO9 Sep 6, 1886Pennsylvania, US
9Loss6–1–2Joe ButlerPTS4Aug 7, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
8Win6–0–2Tom HendersonKO3 Jul 3, 1886Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
7Draw5–0–2Mike HighlandPTS4Jun 22, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
6Win5–0–1Charles JohnsonKO3 Jun 16, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
5Win4–0–1Bill BoughblyKO3 Jun 11, 1886Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
4Win3–0–1Bill TraversKO1 Jun 4, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3Win2–0–1Bill DavisKO3 May 18, 1886Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
2Win1–0–1Tom HendersonKO5 May 8, 1886Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
1Draw0–0–1Jack BurkePTS4Mar 19, 1886Cincinnati, Ohio, US