Battling Siki - Revision history

John at 23:35, 28 February 2020

2020-02-28T23:35:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 28 February 2020
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	[[File:Battling Siki ~~1922a~~.jpeg\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]		[[File:Battling Siki 1921.jpeg\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]
	<boxer>032085</boxer>		<boxer>032085</boxer>
	*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]		*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]

John at 23:05, 28 February 2020

2020-02-28T23:05:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:05, 28 February 2020
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	<boxer>032085</boxer>		<boxer>032085</boxer>
	*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]		*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]
	*<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)~~<br>~~		*<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[Louis Defremont]] (1923); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)
	*'''Trainer:''' [[Pierre Nicolas]]		*'''Trainer:''' [[Pierre Nicolas]]
	'''Battling Siki''' started his professional career in 1913 but engaged in just 16 bouts before the outbreak of World War I, in which he served courageously with French colonial forces. Siki defeated several prominent European fighters, including Harry Reeve and Marcel Nilles, before challenging Carpentier for the title. ''He was deprived by French authorities of titles he had won from [[Georges Carpentier]].'' (This claim is unsubstantiated.) Carpentier made repeated efforts to obtain a return match to no avail.		'''Battling Siki''' started his professional career in 1913 but engaged in just 16 bouts before the outbreak of World War I, in which he served courageously with French colonial forces. Siki defeated several prominent European fighters, including Harry Reeve and Marcel Nilles, before challenging Carpentier for the title. ''He was deprived by French authorities of titles he had won from [[Georges Carpentier]].'' (This claim is unsubstantiated.) Carpentier made repeated efforts to obtain a return match to no avail.

John at 22:46, 28 February 2020

2020-02-28T22:46:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:46, 28 February 2020
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	[[~~file~~:~~SikiBattling1~~.~~jpg~~\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]		[[File:Battling Siki 1922a.jpeg\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]
	<boxer>032085</boxer>		<boxer>032085</boxer>
	*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]		*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]

John at 22:38, 28 February 2020

2020-02-28T22:38:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 28 February 2020
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	[[file:SikiBattling1.jpg\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]		[[file:SikiBattling1.jpg\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]
	<boxer>032085</boxer>		<boxer>032085</boxer>
			*[[:Category:Battling Siki Gallery\|Battling Siki Gallery]]
	*<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)<br>		*<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)<br>
	*'''Trainer:''' [[Pierre Nicolas]]		*'''Trainer:''' [[Pierre Nicolas]]

John at 22:36, 28 February 2020

2020-02-28T22:36:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:36, 28 February 2020
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	[[file:SikiBattling1.jpg\|left\|~~350px~~\|thumb\|]]		[[file:SikiBattling1.jpg\|left\|250px\|thumb\|]]
	<boxer>032085</boxer>		<boxer>032085</boxer>
	<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)<br>		*<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)<br>
	'''Trainer:''' [[Pierre Nicolas]]		*'''Trainer:''' [[Pierre Nicolas]]

	~~<br clear=all>~~
	'''Battling Siki''' started his professional career in 1913 but engaged in just 16 bouts before the outbreak of World War I, in which he served courageously with French colonial forces. Siki defeated several prominent European fighters, including Harry Reeve and Marcel Nilles, before challenging Carpentier for the title. ''He was deprived by French authorities of titles he had won from [[Georges Carpentier]].'' (This claim is unsubstantiated.) Carpentier made repeated efforts to obtain a return match to no avail.		'''Battling Siki''' started his professional career in 1913 but engaged in just 16 bouts before the outbreak of World War I, in which he served courageously with French colonial forces. Siki defeated several prominent European fighters, including Harry Reeve and Marcel Nilles, before challenging Carpentier for the title. ''He was deprived by French authorities of titles he had won from [[Georges Carpentier]].'' (This claim is unsubstantiated.) Carpentier made repeated efforts to obtain a return match to no avail.

	On July 24, 1925 he married Lillian Werner, an ~~octaroon~~, although he had a Caucasian common law wife in Holland. He soon ran afoul of immigration authorities who sought to have him returned to France, but was given several stays. On November 10, 1925, he made application for American citizenship.		On July 24, 1925 he married Lillian Werner, an octoroon, although he had a Caucasian common law wife in Holland. He soon ran afoul of immigration authorities who sought to have him returned to France, but was given several stays. On November 10, 1925, he made application for American citizenship.

	He often got into trouble with taxicab drivers for taking long trips around Harlem and not bothering to pay the fares. Sometimes he was arrested on disorderly conduct charges for these altercations.		He often got into trouble with taxicab drivers for taking long trips around Harlem and not bothering to pay the fares. Sometimes he was arrested on disorderly conduct charges for these altercations.

Cap: /* Expanded Biography */

2014-12-20T22:06:16Z

Expanded Biography

Cap at 18:54, 31 October 2010

2010-10-31T18:54:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 31 October 2010
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	Baye is a Senegalese name corresponding to Louis, so I am Louis Phal.		Baye is a Senegalese name corresponding to Louis, so I am Louis Phal.

	Entering the ring, I called myself Battling Siki. Siki is a Senegalese word parents apply to their children~~?a ?~~love word? like ?darling? in English, or ?cherie? in French. I adopted it because I thought white men could easily remember such a name.		Entering the ring, I called myself Battling Siki. Siki is a Senegalese word parents apply to their children. A love word, like ?darling? in English, or ?cherie? in French. I adopted it because I thought white men could easily remember such a name.

	I make this clear because recently a professor of languages, living in Paris, wrote one of the papers saying Siki was a title of nobility in Senegalese, and Phal was the name of the former kings of a province of Senegal. If I am descended from kings, I never knew it before.		I make this clear because recently a professor of languages, living in Paris, wrote one of the papers saying Siki was a title of nobility in Senegalese, and Phal was the name of the former kings of a province of Senegal. If I am descended from kings, I never knew it before.

Cap at 18:49, 31 October 2010

2010-10-31T18:49:58Z

Show changes

Ric at 02:13, 30 March 2009

2009-03-30T02:13:54Z

Show changes

Ric: format tweaks

2007-08-12T19:54:12Z

format tweaks

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 12 August 2007
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	[[file:SikiBattling1.jpg\|left\|~~275px~~\|Battling Siki]]		[[file:SikiBattling1.jpg\|left\|350px\|Battling Siki]]
	<boxer>032085</boxer>		<boxer>032085</boxer>
	<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)<br>		<b>Managers:</b> [[Paul Latil]] (1911-1912); [[Honore Bruyere]] (1912); [[Gedeon Gastaud]] (1912-1913); [[M. LaPart]] (1913-1914); [[M. Descombes]] (1919-1921); [[Charlie Hellers]] (1921-1922); [[M. Brouilhet]] (1923); "Papa" [[Bob Levy]] (1923-1925)<br>
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	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>
	Siki started his professional career in 1913 but engaged in just 16 bouts before the outbreak of World War I, in which he served with French colonial forces. He was deprived by French authorities of titles he had won from Georges Carpentier. Carpentier made repeated efforts to obtain a return match to no avail.		'''Battling Siki''' started his professional career in 1913 but engaged in just 16 bouts before the outbreak of World War I, in which he served with French colonial forces. He was deprived by French authorities of titles he had won from [[Georges Carpentier]]. Carpentier made repeated efforts to obtain a return match to no avail.

	On July 24, 1925 he married Lillian Werner, an octaroon, although he had a Caucasian common law wife in Holland. He soon ran afoul of immigration authorities who sought to have him returned to France, but was given several stays. On November 10, 1925, he made application for American citizenship.		On July 24, 1925 he married Lillian Werner, an octaroon, although he had a Caucasian common law wife in Holland. He soon ran afoul of immigration authorities who sought to have him returned to France, but was given several stays. On November 10, 1925, he made application for American citizenship.
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	Battling Siki is buried in Flushing, Queens.		Battling Siki is buried in Flushing, Queens.

	~~----~~
			== Expanded Biography ==

	[[file:Siki Battling 2.jpg\|right\|300px\|Battling Siki]]		[[file:Siki Battling 2.jpg\|right\|300px\|Battling Siki]]
	He was born in 1897 in St.Louis the capital of the French colony of Senegal and his name was Baye Phal. Baye is a Senegalese name corresponding to Louis. He chose the fight name of Battling Siki as it is a Senegalese word parents apply to their children “darling" in English or “cherie" in French. He adopted is as he thought, “White men could easily remember such a name."		Battling Siki was born in 1897 in St.Louis the capital of the French colony of Senegal and his name was Baye Phal. Baye is a Senegalese name corresponding to Louis. He chose the fight name of Battling Siki as it is a Senegalese word parents apply to their children “darling" in English or “cherie" in French. He adopted is as he thought, “White men could easily remember such a name."

	A professor of languages in Paris wrote in one of the papers that Siki was a title of nobility in Senegalese and Phal was the name of the former Kings. Another report was:		A professor of languages in Paris wrote in one of the papers that Siki was a title of nobility in Senegalese and Phal was the name of the former Kings. Another report was:
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	~~----~~		== Autobiography ==

	Battling Siki’s Autobiography, as told to Milton Bronner, NEA Staff Correspondent (as published in the ''Bellingham American'', Bellingham, WA, USA, starting November 10, 1922):		Battling Siki’s Autobiography, as told to Milton Bronner, NEA Staff Correspondent (as published in the ''Bellingham American'', Bellingham, WA, USA, starting November 10, 1922):

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:06, 20 December 2014
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	[[file:Siki Battling 2.jpg\|right\|300px\|Battling Siki]]		[[file:Siki Battling 2.jpg\|right\|300px\|Battling Siki]]
	Battling Siki was born in 1897 in St.Louis the capital of the French colony of Senegal and his name was Baye Phal. Baye is a Senegalese name corresponding to Louis. He chose the fight name of Battling Siki as it is a Senegalese word parents apply to their children ?darling" in English or ?cherie" in French. He adopted is as he thought, ?White men could easily remember such a name."		Battling Siki was born in 1897 in St.Louis the capital of the French colony of Senegal and his name was Baye Phal. Baye is a Senegalese name corresponding to Louis. He chose the fight name of Battling Siki as it is a Senegalese word parents apply to their children "darling" in English or "cherie" in French. He adopted is as he thought, "White men could easily remember such a name."

	A professor of languages in Paris wrote in one of the papers that Siki was a title of nobility in Senegalese and Phal was the name of the former Kings. Another report was:		A professor of languages in Paris wrote in one of the papers that Siki was a title of nobility in Senegalese and Phal was the name of the former Kings. Another report was:

	?What kind of creature is Battling Siki.... Nothing was known of the black Senegalese who leaped into world fame overnight until after his fight with Carpentier, and then came amazing stories. Correspondents cabled over stories that he was intellectually little more than a beast, unable to read or write, conversing mainly in grunts and fighting in a primitive aboriginal style that smacked of wild tribal life in the jungles."		"What kind of creature is Battling Siki.... Nothing was known of the black Senegalese who leaped into world fame overnight until after his fight with Carpentier, and then came amazing stories. Correspondents cabled over stories that he was intellectually little more than a beast, unable to read or write, conversing mainly in grunts and fighting in a primitive aboriginal style that smacked of wild tribal life in the jungles."

	Another called him the ? Fighting Chimpanzee."		Another called him the "Fighting Chimpanzee."

	In fact Siki fought all during the First World War, was wounded and awarded medals. He spoke, wrote and read French quite well. His English was not as good and spoke enough Dutch to make himself understood. How he ended up in France is a remarkable and sad story told in his own words.		In fact Siki fought all during the First World War, was wounded and awarded medals. He spoke, wrote and read French quite well. His English was not as good and spoke enough Dutch to make himself understood. How he ended up in France is a remarkable and sad story told in his own words.
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	?I used to go to the docks and watch the ships. One day a big ship came in en route to Marseilles and as it was to remain some days the passengers came ashore. Among there was a German woman who called herself Mme Farquenberg, a dancer who had lots of money. She saw me a kid of eight and had me show her the city. She asked me if I wanted to go on the ship and sail to France, see other lands and have a good time.		?I used to go to the docks and watch the ships. One day a big ship came in en route to Marseilles and as it was to remain some days the passengers came ashore. Among there was a German woman who called herself Mme Farquenberg, a dancer who had lots of money. She saw me a kid of eight and had me show her the city. She asked me if I wanted to go on the ship and sail to France, see other lands and have a good time.

	I didn?t have time to tell my family goodbye for I feared the dancer would change her mind. In France the dancer got me nice clothes, and daily taught me to read and write. She danced in many European cities and I would go on the stage as her little servant, dressed in red velvet.		I didn't have time to tell my family goodbye for I feared the dancer would change her mind. In France the dancer got me nice clothes, and daily taught me to read and write. She danced in many European cities and I would go on the stage as her little servant, dressed in red velvet.

	The dancer went to Germany, but couldn?t take me without a passport. She left me in Marseilles with money to care for me. I never heard from her again. I tried repeatedly to get in touch with her, and have written since the war, but to no avail. She was kind to a black boy. Only for her I would be slogging away in Senegal?s hot climate."		The dancer went to Germany, but couldn't take me without a passport. She left me in Marseilles with money to care for me. I never heard from her again. I tried repeatedly to get in touch with her, and have written since the war, but to no avail. She was kind to a black boy. Only for her I would be slogging away in Senegal's hot climate."
	[[file:Siki.Battling.jpg\|Battling Siki\|left\|175px]]		[[file:Siki.Battling.jpg\|Battling Siki\|left\|175px]]
	His arrival in the United States was well reported, not least due to the stories of his crazy ? some may say brilliant ? antics at gaining publicity for himself. The turning point was his win over Carpentier in 1922 who it is said did very little training for the fight ? Siki was viewed as a set-up. Siki was in the best of condition and found in the first few rounds that Carpentier couldn?t hurt him. Siki said of the fight that Carpentier would say to him all through the fight to lie down but Siki would only laugh and say ?wait." As light heavyweight champion of the world he attracted more attention for what he did outside the ring.		His arrival in the United States was well reported, not least due to the stories of his crazy ? some may say brilliant ? antics at gaining publicity for himself. The turning point was his win over Carpentier in 1922 who it is said did very little training for the fight ? Siki was viewed as a set-up. Siki was in the best of condition and found in the first few rounds that Carpentier couldn?t hurt him. Siki said of the fight that Carpentier would say to him all through the fight to lie down but Siki would only laugh and say ?wait." As light heavyweight champion of the world he attracted more attention for what he did outside the ring.
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	However Siki soon solved that little problem. He started giving exhibitions in an obscure theatre ?The LaFayette." He neglected to obtain permission for this and was summoned before the magistrate and thus broke into print for the first time in weeks.		However Siki soon solved that little problem. He started giving exhibitions in an obscure theatre ?The LaFayette." He neglected to obtain permission for this and was summoned before the magistrate and thus broke into print for the first time in weeks.


	== Autobiography ==		== Autobiography ==