William Elroy Parker (born January 20, 1877), better known as Kid Parker, was an American professional boxer, physical culturist and promoter of vegetarianism. He was the first vegetarian boxer.[1][2]
William Elroy Parker | |
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| Born | January 20, 1877 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Other names |
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| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 49 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Wins by KO | 26 |
| Losses | 11 |
| Draws | 9 |
Biography
editParker was born on January 20, 1877, in Boston.[3][4] Parker was considered the best boxer in Denver.[5] He had an 18-match undefeated streak.[6] In 1900, he fought a ten-round draw with Matty Matthews.[3] Parker became a vegetarian in 1901.[7] He stated that a strict vegetarian diet increased his physical endurance and increased his mental power.[8] He was the first vegetarian boxer.[3][1]
In April 1902, The Vegetarian Magazine published a letter describing Parker's conversion to vegetarianism.[9] He became known as the "vegetarian champion" and "vegetarian pugilist".[1][9][10][11] Parker's vegetarian diet consisted of cereals, fruit, milk, nuts, vegetables and a liberal amount of eggs.[12][13] In April, 1903 Parker authored an article on physical culture in the San Francisco Call, advocating a vegetarian diet for health reasons.[13] He declared he would still be boxing at 35 and live to be 100 years old because he is vegetarian.[13] In 1905, Parker was described as "one of the most gentlemanly fighters in the prize ring today".[14] Parker's wife was also a boxer.[15][16]
Parker's last ring appearance was in 1906.[3] After his boxing career ended Parker was institutionalized in an asylum at Norfolk, Nebraska as he suffered from hallucinations.[17][18] Parker would repeatedly punch the wall in his padded cell so was given boxing gloves to protect his hands.[19]
Selected publications
edit- The Conversion of a Noted Pugilist (1902)
- Exercises for Women (1903)
References
edit- ^ a b c "Freddie Welsh Not the First Vegetarian in Ring History". The Bridgeport Evening Farmer. January 20, 1915. p. 8.
- ^ "Vegetarian Boxers". Evening Dispatch. July 24, 1916. p. 4. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d Original Vegetarian Was Champ Kid Parker. Charleston Mail (January 26, 1915).
- ^ Andrews, Thomas Stora. (1924). Ring Battles of Centuries. Tom Andrews Record Book Company. p. 114
- ^ Lang, Arne K. (2012). The Nelson-Wolgast Fight and the San Francisco Boxing Scene, 1900-1914. McFarland. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7864-7003-7
- ^ Puskar-Pasewicz, Margaret. (2010). Cultural Encyclopedia of Vegetarianism. ABC-CLIO. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-313-37556-9
- ^ Parker Turns Vegetarian. The Topeka State Journal (February 05, 1902).
- ^ Shprintzen, Adam D. (2013). The Vegetarian Crusade: The Rise of an American Reform Movement, 1817-1921. University of North Carolina Press. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-4696-0891-4
- ^ a b "The Conversion of a Noted Pugilist". The Vegetarian Magazine. 6 (7): 147. 1902.
- ^ "A Vegetarian Pugilist". The Dietetic & Hygienic Gazette. 18: 408. 1902.
- ^ Rube Ferns, Former Walter Champion, Had Brief Reign at the Top. The Bridgeport Evening Farmer (January 20, 1917).
- ^ Rice Earned the Decision Over Callahan. The St. Louis Republic (February 16, 1902).
- ^ a b c Exercises for Women. The San Francisco Call (April 5, 1903).
- ^ "Kid" Parker Hits Town. The Evening Statesman (September 13, 1905).
- ^ Mrs. Parker Will Box. The Salt Lake Herald (August 27, 1901).
- ^ Rouse, Wendy L. (2017). Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women’s Self-Defense Movement. New York University Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-1479828531
- ^ Kid Parker in Asylum. Honolulu Star-Bulletin (October 19, 1912).
- ^ Baker, Mark Allen. (2017). Battling Nelson, the Durable Dane: World Lightweight Champion, 1882-1954. McFarland. p. 209. ISBN 978-1-4766-6372-2
- ^ Kid Parker, Once Great Fighter, Is Now Insane. Barton County Democrat (June 21, 1912).
External links
edit- Boxing record for Kid Parker from BoxRec (registration required)