Kid Lavigne
| Kid Lavigne | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | George Henry Lavigne |
| Nickname(s) | The Saginaw Kid |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | December 6, 1869 Michigan |
| Died | March 9, 1928 (aged 58) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 55 |
| Wins | 36 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Draws | 9 |
| No contests | 2 |
George Henry "Kid" Lavigne (December 6, 1869 - March 9, 1928) was an American boxer from Michigan. He was the second American boxer to hold the lightweight champion, winning the title on June 1, 1896.
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[edit] Pro career
Kid Lavigne became a professional boxer in 1886 and was undefeated going 31-0-6-2 in his first 40 fights.
He fought Andy Bowen in 1894 and beat him by knockout. The next morning Andy Bowen never woke up and was pronounced dead. The injuries sustained during the fight was from when Lavigne hit Bowen and knocked him down. Bowen's head hit the "canvas" which was made out of wood at the time. At first Lavigne was arrested for the death of Bowen but was found to be innocent of any wrongdoing. [1]
In 1896 Lavigne won the lightweight championship in London against Dick Burge by a technical knockout. He successfully defended his title six times, including against Joe Walcott in 1897, a fight he won by technical knockout. He lost the title to Frank Erne in 1899.
Before he lost his title, however, he fought Mysterious Billy Smith for the welterweight title but lost due to his brother entering the ring during the match.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.
[edit] Death
Lavigne died in Detroit, Michigan, of heart disease in 1928.
[edit] In other media
Writer Robert E. Howard wrote a poem eulogizing Kid Lavigne called "Kid Lavigne is Dead".
[edit] External links
- Professional boxing record for Kid Lavigne from BoxRec
- International Boxing Hall of Fame Site
- Cyber Boxing Zone Bio
[edit] References
- ^ ""PUT TO SLEEP" FOR ALL TIME; ANDY BOWEN KILLED IN THE RING BY "KID" LAVIGNE. The Knock-Out Blow Probably Not Responsible for the Death -- Other Fights Declared Off.". New York Times: pp. 16. December 16, 1894. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=940DE0D81730E033A25755C1A9649D94659ED7CF. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
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