Harris Martin (April 2, 1865 – April 26, 1903) 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.

Harris Martin
Image of shirtless Harris Martin with his bare fists raised.
Harris Martin in Minneapolis, 1887
BornApril 2,1865
DiedApril 26, 1903
Other namesThe Black Pearl
Statistics
Weight(s)150 lb (68 kg)
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Boxing record
Wins53
Wins by KO39
Losses11 (7 by KO)
Draws15 (1 newspaper loss)

Early life

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Harris Martin was born in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 1865. There is little historic record of his pre-boxing career life.[1]

Career

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Harris' boxing acumen was discovered while he worked as a waiter at a hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[2] As Harris began boxing in backrooms and outside saloons,[1] he gained a reputation for his "sledgehammer" punches and came to be known as "The Black Pearl".[2] At just 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall and weighing 150 pounds, Martin was a muscular and compact fighter.[3] Charles Hadley and George Phillips, two other prominent African American boxers, served as his trainers.[3]

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. (They then fought an exhibition.)[4]

After beating Taylor, Martin declared himself the World Colored Middleweight Champion. (They fought one more time that December, a bout that resulted in a draw.) 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.[5] Binney was considered the lineal champ.

Martin racked up a career record of 53 wins (with 39 K.O.s) against 11 losses (K.O.-ed seven times) and 15 draws. He lost one newspaper decision.[6]

Personal life and death

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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.[1]

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.[1]

Legacy

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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.[1] He was one of the first notable African American athletes in the Midwestern United States.[2] Harris was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.[1]

Professional boxing record

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All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[7] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

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83 fights 54 wins 11 losses
By knockout 40 7
By decision 13 4
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 15
No contests 2
Newspaper decisions/draws 1

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

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
83 Win 54–11–15 (3) Mr. Thomas TKO 4 (?) Dec 15, 1900 Clark and Langes Clubroom, Salt Lake City, Utah, US
82 Loss 53–11–15 (3) Young Peter Jackson KO 2 (?) Dec 20, 1899 Germania Hall, Seattle, Washington, US
81 Draw 53–10–15 (3) Jim Sellars PTS 8 Oct 20, 1899 Sioux City A.C., Sioux City, Iowa, US
80 Loss 53–10–14 (3) Con Jacobus TKO 4 (?) Sep 18, 1899 Woodland Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US
79 Draw 53–9–14 (3) Jim Sellars PTS 10 Sep 13, 1899 Opera House, Sioux City, Iowa, US
78 Loss 53–9–13 (3) Charley Holcombe NWS 6 Feb 6, 1897 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
77 Loss 53–9–13 (2) Andy Watson PTS 4 Jan 16, 1897 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
76 Draw 53–8–13 (2) Jack Ramsey PTS 20 Mar 3, 1894 Fort Collins, Colorado, US
75 Loss 53–8–12 (2) Bobby Dobbs KO 19 (?) Jan 30, 1893 Armory, San Francisco, California, US A fight to the finish
74 Loss 53–7–12 (2) Joe King KO 36 (?) Oct 21, 1892 California A.C., San Francisco, California, US
73 Win 53–6–12 (2) Tom Harrington KO 2 (?) May 31, 1892 Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US Exact date uncertain
72 Draw 52–6–12 (2) Jimmy Lawler PTS 10 Apr 18, 1892 California A.C., San Francisco, California, US Exact date uncertain
71 Win 52–6–11 (2) Ed Moehler KO 2 (?) Apr 7, 1892 San Francisco, California, US Exact date uncertain
70 Loss 51–6–11 (2) Hank Griffin KO 4 (?) Apr 1, 1892 Location unknown Date uncertain
69 Loss 51–5–11 (2) Charles Turner KO 19 Feb 29, 1892 Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, US A fight to the finish
68 Loss 51–4–11 (2) Ed Binney RTD 25 (?) Nov 30, 1891 California A.C., San Francisco, California, US Lost world colored middleweight title
67 Win 51–3–11 (2) Paddy Gorman KO 4 (?) Oct 26, 1891 Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US
66 ND 50–3–11 (2) Spike Trainor ND 4 Sep 5, 1891 Arion Hall, Great Falls, Montana, US
65 Win 50–3–11 (1) George Gannon KO 3 (?) Aug 23, 1891 Falke's Garden, Butte, Montana, US
64 Win 49–3–11 (1) Joe Ellingsworth KO 5 (?) Jul 21, 1891 Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
63 Win 48–3–11 (1) Tom Murray KO 7 (?) May 29, 1891 Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
62 Win 47–3–11 (1) Mike Sullivan KO 1 (?) May 16, 1891 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
61 Loss 46–3–11 (1) Jerry Heggerty PTS 5 May 12, 1891 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
60 Win 46–2–11 (1) Frank Lewis TKO 5 (6) May 7, 1891 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
59 ND 45–2–11 (1) Bob Fitzsimmons ND 4 May 1, 1891 Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
58 Draw 45–2–11 Denny Kelliher PTS 10 Feb 10, 1891 Newmarket Theatre, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US Retained Northwest middleweight title
57 Win 45–2–10 Jim Hightower KO 3 (?) Nov 20, 1890 Omaha, Nebraska, US
56 Win 44–2–10 Denny Kelliher PTS 20 Nov 3, 1890 Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Missouri, US Retained Northwest middleweight title
55 Win 43–2–10 Jim Hightower PTS 8 Sep 9, 1890 Saint Joseph, Missouri, US
54 Draw 42–2–10 Frank Lewis PTS 8 Jun 27, 1890 Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
53 Win 42–2–9 Dick Moore TKO 4 (6) May 23, 1890 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US Retained Northwest middleweight title
52 Win 41–2–9 Dick Moore KO 7 (?) Feb 3, 1890 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US Won vacant Northwest middleweight title
51 Win 40–2–9 Ed Moehler KO 8 (?) Dec 9, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
50 Win 39–2–9 James Aster KO 1 (?) Oct 5, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
49 Draw 38–2–9 Charles Hadley PTS 8 Aug 10, 1888 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
48 Draw 38–2–8 James Legger PTS 10 Aug 3, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
47 Win 38–2–7 J.P. Smith KO 4 (?) Jul 14, 1888 Lake City, Minnesota, US
46 Win 37–2–7 Dick Haley PTS 4 Jun 15, 1888 Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
45 Win 36–2–7 J.P. Donner PTS 10 Jun 1, 1888 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
44 Win 35–2–7 John Dwyer KO 2 (?) May 25, 1888 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
43 Win 34–2–7 Charles Gleason PTS 6 May 18, 1888 Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
42 Win 33–2–7 Ed Harris PTS 4 Apr 8, 1888 Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
41 Win 32–2–7 Hunter Briscoe KO 6 (8) Mar 2, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
40 Win 31–2–7 Ed Moehler PTS 8 Dec 30, 1887 Gary, Indiana, US
39 Draw 30–2–7 Frank Taylor PTS 10 Dec 10, 1887 Ashland, Wisconsin, US
38 Win 30–2–6 James Legger DQ 13 (15) Nov 11, 1887 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
37 Win 29–2–6 James Legger TKO 5 (10) Nov 1, 1887 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
36 Win 28–2–6 Paddy Norton KO 3 (?) Sep 6, 1887 Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
35 Win 27–2–6 OH Smith PTS 4 Aug 5, 1887 Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
34 Win 26–2–6 Tom Jackson KO 5 (?) Jul 15, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
33 Win 25–2–6 Frank Taylor KO 38 (?) May 2, 1887 Woods outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, US Won inaugural world colored middleweight title
32 Win 24–2–6 Desperate Coon TKO 3 (4) Apr 22, 1887 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
31 Win 23–2–6 Charles Hadley PTS 8 Apr 15, 1887 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
30 Draw 22–2–6 Frank Taylor PTS 12 Apr 1, 1887 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
29 Win 22–2–5 Charles Hadley PTS 8 Mar 25, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
28 Draw 21–2–5 Frank Taylor PTS 10 Mar 18, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
27 Win 21–2–4 Dan Sommers KO 4 (?) Mar 11, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
26 Win 20–2–4 Tom Devine KO 5 (5) Mar 3, 1887 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
25 Win 19–2–4 Will Young KO 2 (?) Feb 27, 1887 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
24 Win 18–2–4 Black Strap KO 4 (10) Feb 18, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
23 Win 17–2–4 Jim O'Brien KO 4 (?) Feb 7, 1887 Exposition Hall, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
22 Draw 16–2–4 Dan Manning PTS 10 Jan 28, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
21 Win 16–2–3 Frank Taylor PTS 15 Jan 21, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
20 Win 15–2–3 Dan Sommers KO 3 (?) Jan 7, 1887 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
19 Win 14–2–3 George Gannon KO 11 (?) Jan 3, 1887 Cribbe Club Room, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
18 Loss 13–2–3 Frank Taylor PTS 10 Dec 22, 1886 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
17 Win 13–1–3 Young McKay KO 4 (8) Dec 21, 1886 Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
16 Win 12–1–3 Dan Sommers TKO 7 (?) Dec 5, 1886 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
15 Win 11–1–3 Black Strap PTS 4 Dec 3, 1886 Clarks Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
14 Draw 10–1–3 Jim O'Brien PTS 4 Dec 2, 1886 Exposition Rink, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
13 Win 10–1–2 Cass Brown PTS 8 Nov 14, 1886 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
12 Win 9–1–2 Billy Young KO 9 (?) Sep 27, 1886 Pennsylvania, US
11 Win 8–1–2 Jack Murphy KO 3 (?) Sep 7, 1886 Pennsylvania, US
10 Win 7–1–2 Billy Young KO 9 (?) Sep 6, 1886 Pennsylvania, US
9 Loss 6–1–2 Joe Butler PTS 4 Aug 7, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
8 Win 6–0–2 Tom Henderson KO 3 (?) Jul 3, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
7 Draw 5–0–2 Mike Highland PTS 4 Jun 22, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
6 Win 5–0–1 Charles Johnson KO 3 (4) Jun 16, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Bill Boughbly KO 3 (?) Jun 11, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Bill Travers KO 1 (4) Jun 4, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3 Win 2–0–1 Bill Davis KO 3 (4) May 18, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
2 Win 1–0–1 Tom Henderson KO 5 (?) May 8, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
1 Draw 0–0–1 Jack Burke PTS 4 Mar 19, 1886 Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Unofficial record

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83 fights 54 wins 12 losses
By knockout 40 7
By decision 13 5
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 15
No contests 2

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

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
83 Win 54–12–15 (2) Mr. Thomas TKO 4 (?) Dec 15, 1900 Clark and Langes Clubroom, Salt Lake City, Utah, US
82 Loss 53–12–15 (2) Young Peter Jackson KO 2 (?) Dec 20, 1899 Germania Hall, Seattle, Washington, US
81 Draw 53–11–15 (2) Jim Sellars PTS 8 Oct 20, 1899 Sioux City A.C., Sioux City, Iowa, US
80 Loss 53–11–14 (2) Con Jacobus TKO 4 (?) Sep 18, 1899 Woodland Park, Sioux City, Iowa, US
79 Draw 53–10–14 (2) Jim Sellars PTS 10 Sep 13, 1899 Opera House, Sioux City, Iowa, US
78 Loss 53–10–13 (2) Charley Holcombe NWS 6 Feb 6, 1897 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
77 Loss 53–9–13 (2) Andy Watson PTS 4 Jan 16, 1897 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
76 Draw 53–8–13 (2) Jack Ramsey PTS 20 Mar 3, 1894 Fort Collins, Colorado, US
75 Loss 53–8–12 (2) Bobby Dobbs KO 19 (?) Jan 30, 1893 Armory, San Francisco, California, US A fight to the finish
74 Loss 53–7–12 (2) Joe King KO 36 (?) Oct 21, 1892 California A.C., San Francisco, California, US
73 Win 53–6–12 (2) Tom Harrington KO 2 (?) May 31, 1892 Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US Exact date uncertain
72 Draw 52–6–12 (2) Jimmy Lawler PTS 10 Apr 18, 1892 California A.C., San Francisco, California, US Exact date uncertain
71 Win 52–6–11 (2) Ed Moehler KO 2 (?) Apr 7, 1892 San Francisco, California, US Exact date uncertain
70 Loss 51–6–11 (2) Hank Griffin KO 4 (?) Apr 1, 1892 Location unknown Date uncertain
69 Loss 51–5–11 (2) Charles Turner KO 19 Feb 29, 1892 Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, US A fight to the finish
68 Loss 51–4–11 (2) Ed Binney RTD 25 (?) Nov 30, 1891 California A.C., San Francisco, California, US Lost world colored middleweight title
67 Win 51–3–11 (2) Paddy Gorman KO 4 (?) Oct 26, 1891 Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, US
66 ND 50–3–11 (2) Spike Trainor ND 4 Sep 5, 1891 Arion Hall, Great Falls, Montana, US
65 Win 50–3–11 (1) George Gannon KO 3 (?) Aug 23, 1891 Falke's Garden, Butte, Montana, US
64 Win 49–3–11 (1) Joe Ellingsworth KO 5 (?) Jul 21, 1891 Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
63 Win 48–3–11 (1) Tom Murray KO 7 (?) May 29, 1891 Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
62 Win 47–3–11 (1) Mike Sullivan KO 1 (?) May 16, 1891 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
61 Loss 46–3–11 (1) Jerry Heggerty PTS 5 May 12, 1891 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
60 Win 46–2–11 (1) Frank Lewis TKO 5 (6) May 7, 1891 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
59 ND 45–2–11 (1) Bob Fitzsimmons ND 4 May 1, 1891 Washington Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
58 Draw 45–2–11 Denny Kelliher PTS 10 Feb 10, 1891 Newmarket Theatre, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US Retained Northwest middleweight title
57 Win 45–2–10 Jim Hightower KO 3 (?) Nov 20, 1890 Omaha, Nebraska, US
56 Win 44–2–10 Denny Kelliher PTS 20 Nov 3, 1890 Twin City A.C., Minneapolis, Missouri, US Retained Northwest middleweight title
55 Win 43–2–10 Jim Hightower PTS 8 Sep 9, 1890 Saint Joseph, Missouri, US
54 Draw 42–2–10 Frank Lewis PTS 8 Jun 27, 1890 Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
53 Win 42–2–9 Dick Moore TKO 4 (6) May 23, 1890 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US Retained Northwest middleweight title
52 Win 41–2–9 Dick Moore KO 7 (?) Feb 3, 1890 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US Won vacant Northwest middleweight title
51 Win 40–2–9 Ed Moehler KO 8 (?) Dec 9, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
50 Win 39–2–9 James Aster KO 1 (?) Oct 5, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
49 Draw 38–2–9 Charles Hadley PTS 8 Aug 10, 1888 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
48 Draw 38–2–8 James Legger PTS 10 Aug 3, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
47 Win 38–2–7 J.P. Smith KO 4 (?) Jul 14, 1888 Lake City, Minnesota, US
46 Win 37–2–7 Dick Haley PTS 4 Jun 15, 1888 Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
45 Win 36–2–7 J.P. Donner PTS 10 Jun 1, 1888 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
44 Win 35–2–7 John Dwyer KO 2 (?) May 25, 1888 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
43 Win 34–2–7 Charles Gleason PTS 6 May 18, 1888 Cominique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
42 Win 33–2–7 Ed Harris PTS 4 Apr 8, 1888 Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
41 Win 32–2–7 Hunter Briscoe KO 6 (8) Mar 2, 1888 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
40 Win 31–2–7 Ed Moehler PTS 8 Dec 30, 1887 Gary, Indiana, US
39 Draw 30–2–7 Frank Taylor PTS 10 Dec 10, 1887 Ashland, Wisconsin, US
38 Win 30–2–6 James Legger DQ 13 (15) Nov 11, 1887 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
37 Win 29–2–6 James Legger TKO 5 (10) Nov 1, 1887 Theatre Comique, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
36 Win 28–2–6 Paddy Norton KO 3 (?) Sep 6, 1887 Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
35 Win 27–2–6 OH Smith PTS 4 Aug 5, 1887 Washington Roller Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
34 Win 26–2–6 Tom Jackson KO 5 (?) Jul 15, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
33 Win 25–2–6 Frank Taylor KO 38 (?) May 2, 1887 Woods outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, US Won inaugural world colored middleweight title
32 Win 24–2–6 Desperate Coon TKO 3 (4) Apr 22, 1887 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
31 Win 23–2–6 Charles Hadley PTS 8 Apr 15, 1887 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
30 Draw 22–2–6 Frank Taylor PTS 12 Apr 1, 1887 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
29 Win 22–2–5 Charles Hadley PTS 8 Mar 25, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
28 Draw 21–2–5 Frank Taylor PTS 10 Mar 18, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
27 Win 21–2–4 Dan Sommers KO 4 (?) Mar 11, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
26 Win 20–2–4 Tom Devine KO 5 (5) Mar 3, 1887 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
25 Win 19–2–4 Will Young KO 2 (?) Feb 27, 1887 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
24 Win 18–2–4 Black Strap KO 4 (10) Feb 18, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
23 Win 17–2–4 Jim O'Brien KO 4 (?) Feb 7, 1887 Exposition Hall, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
22 Draw 16–2–4 Dan Manning PTS 10 Jan 28, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
21 Win 16–2–3 Frank Taylor PTS 15 Jan 21, 1887 Comique Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
20 Win 15–2–3 Dan Sommers KO 3 (?) Jan 7, 1887 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
19 Win 14–2–3 George Gannon KO 11 (?) Jan 3, 1887 Cribbe Club Room, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
18 Loss 13–2–3 Frank Taylor PTS 10 Dec 22, 1886 Olympic Theater, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
17 Win 13–1–3 Young McKay KO 4 (8) Dec 21, 1886 Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
16 Win 12–1–3 Dan Sommers TKO 7 (?) Dec 5, 1886 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
15 Win 11–1–3 Black Strap PTS 4 Dec 3, 1886 Clarks Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
14 Draw 10–1–3 Jim O'Brien PTS 4 Dec 2, 1886 Exposition Rink, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
13 Win 10–1–2 Cass Brown PTS 8 Nov 14, 1886 Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
12 Win 9–1–2 Billy Young KO 9 (?) Sep 27, 1886 Pennsylvania, US
11 Win 8–1–2 Jack Murphy KO 3 (?) Sep 7, 1886 Pennsylvania, US
10 Win 7–1–2 Billy Young KO 9 (?) Sep 6, 1886 Pennsylvania, US
9 Loss 6–1–2 Joe Butler PTS 4 Aug 7, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
8 Win 6–0–2 Tom Henderson KO 3 (?) Jul 3, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
7 Draw 5–0–2 Mike Highland PTS 4 Jun 22, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
6 Win 5–0–1 Charles Johnson KO 3 (4) Jun 16, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Bill Boughbly KO 3 (?) Jun 11, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Bill Travers KO 1 (4) Jun 4, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
3 Win 2–0–1 Bill Davis KO 3 (4) May 18, 1886 Clark's Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
2 Win 1–0–1 Tom Henderson KO 5 (?) May 8, 1886 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
1 Draw 0–0–1 Jack Burke PTS 4 Mar 19, 1886 Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
New Title
World Colored Middleweight Champ
May 2, 1887 - November 30, 1891
Succeeded by

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Bell, Jokeda "JoJo" (March 13, 2023). "Harris Martin was a boxing pioneer and early World Champion". MinnPost. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Mazan, Joe (October 23, 2023). "So Minnesota: Boxing legend Harris 'The Black Pearl' Martin". KSTP-TV. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Harris Martin". Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  4. ^ ""Black Frank" Taylor". Cyber Zone Boxing. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  5. ^ "Charley Turner (the "Stockton Cyclone")". Cyber Zone Boxing. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Harris Martin - Record". BoxRec. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  7. ^ "BoxRec: Harris Martin".
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