Joe Erskine (American boxer)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Harold "Joey" Erskine (October 17, 1930 – January 16, 2009) was an American
athlete who was active as a welterweight boxer
in 1953 and 1954, and as a long distance runner from 1975 to 1980.
, ended in a draw, but he won his next fight against undefeated Paddy Flood, held three days later at the Westchester County Center
in White Plains, New York
.
He lost his next three fights; once to Artie Thelemaque at Madison Square Garden
in New York City
, and twice to Joe Lissy at the Eastern Parkway Arena in Brooklyn, New York, before defeating Paul Kostopoulos at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York City on April 30, 1954. He lost to Lissy once again on May 17th, but two won bouts against O'Dell Hayes and Willie Sydnor in July and August.
Erskine ended his professional boxing career with a loss in a rematch against Hayes on September 3rd, and a loss by knockout from Lissy in his third rematch against him at the Eintracht Oval in Astoria, New York
on September 9, 1954. He failed to regain consciousness in the ring but recovered in the dressing room.
In all, he won 4 of his 11 professional bouts, with one draw.
, became a champion ultramarathon
er participating in such races as the Boston
and New York Marathon
s, the New York Road Runner Club's Metropolitan 50 Miler, as well as the London to Brighton
Ultramarathon.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete who was active as a welterweight boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in 1953 and 1954, and as a long distance runner from 1975 to 1980.
Boxing career
Erskine's first professional fight against Roger Dennis, which took place on November 28, 1953 at the Community Building in Waterville, MaineWaterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
, ended in a draw, but he won his next fight against undefeated Paddy Flood, held three days later at the Westchester County Center
Westchester County Center
Westchester County Center is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in White Plains, New York. It hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area....
in White Plains, New York
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
.
He lost his next three fights; once to Artie Thelemaque at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and twice to Joe Lissy at the Eastern Parkway Arena in Brooklyn, New York, before defeating Paul Kostopoulos at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York City on April 30, 1954. He lost to Lissy once again on May 17th, but two won bouts against O'Dell Hayes and Willie Sydnor in July and August.
Erskine ended his professional boxing career with a loss in a rematch against Hayes on September 3rd, and a loss by knockout from Lissy in his third rematch against him at the Eintracht Oval in Astoria, New York
Astoria, Queens
Astoria is a neighborhood in the northwestern corner of the borough of Queens in New York City. Located in Community Board 1, Astoria is bounded by the East River and is adjacent to three other Queens neighborhoods: Long Island City, Sunnyside , and Woodside...
on September 9, 1954. He failed to regain consciousness in the ring but recovered in the dressing room.
In all, he won 4 of his 11 professional bouts, with one draw.
Long Distance Running Career
In the mid-1970s while in his mid-forties, Erskine, as a member of the Millrose Athletic AssociationMillrose Games
The Millrose Games is an annual indoor athletics meet held on the first Friday in February in New York City. They will be held at the Armory in Washington Heights in 2012, after having taken place in Madison Square Garden from 1914 to 2011...
, became a champion ultramarathon
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
er participating in such races as the Boston
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
and New York Marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
s, the New York Road Runner Club's Metropolitan 50 Miler, as well as the London to Brighton
London to Brighton events
The route along the A23 from London to Brighton in south-east England is popular for races, tours, charity rides and rallies...
Ultramarathon.
External links
- Metropolitan 50 Miler Top Performances by Category 1971-2007 (Joe Erskine finished 6th overall in 1976, 7th overall in 1977, and 3rd overall in 1979)