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Sailor Burke: 1911

New York, 1911. "Sailor Burke." The Brooklyn-born welterweight champion known to his mother as Charles Presser, and someone you wouldn't want to meet in a well-lit alley. 5x7 glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size.

New York, 1911. "Sailor Burke." The Brooklyn-born welterweight champion known to his mother as Charles Presser, and someone you wouldn't want to meet in a well-lit alley. 5x7 glass negative, Bain News Service. View full size.

 

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The Great White Nope

He must have been a heckuva fighter because he battled the future heavyweight champ, African-American puncher Jack Johnson, in 1907, despite giving away 20 pounds to his bigger foe. It didn't go well for the Sailor. From the L.A. Herald:

JACK JOHNSON BEATS SAILOR BURKE BEFORE 5000

In Six Rounds Negro Floors Opponent Several Times In Fierce Battle

BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Sept. 12.— Jack Johnson, the colored heavyweight, outfought Sailor Burke before the Liberty Athletic club tonight before 5000 spectators. The flght was of six rounds, and the colored man, who outweighed the sailor, landed some terrific blows, flooring his man several times. Burke weighed 165 and Johnson 185.

Gobsmacked

Well someone should tell "Cholly" to buy a dance belt before getting his picture took. The Sailor demonstrates that his fleet is in harbor and at anchor.

Watch out Lois!

Keep some kryptonite handy. He seems to be in the Superman position ready to take the flying leap necessary to become airborne. He even has the (slightly different) curl on his forehead and he doesn't need a cape, leotards or tights. Pretty intimidating.

Another twilight zone picture.

Something is wrong in this picture, I plainly see an Ipad someone forgot to move out of the picture. (right side resting against the barn.)

You can even see the home button.

[That's the photographer's plate holder. - Dave]

Feel the Pressure of Presser

Judging by his muscle tone, he is definitely not one to mess with in any alley.

I remember my dad's boxing days in the RAF when I was growing up and he had a similar stance when we got naughty.

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