Rube Ferns

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Rube Ferns
RubeFerns.jpg
Statistics
Real nameJames Ferns
Nickname(s)The Kansas Rube
Weight(s)Welterweight
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
NationalityAmerican United States
Born(1873-10-30)October 30, 1873
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DiedJune 11, 1952(1952-06-11) (aged 78)
Scammon, Kansas
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights74
Wins46
Wins by KO33
Losses19
Draws9

Rube Ferns (born James Ferns; October 30, 1873 – June 11, 1952) was an American boxer of the early 20th century. Nicknamed "The Kansas Rube", he held the World Welterweight Championship in 1900 and 1901.[1] He was formidable and scrappy with a good punch.

He defeated such men as "Mysterious" Billy Smith, Eddie Connolly, Bobby Dobbs, William "Matty" Matthews, Frank Erne, Owen Zeigler, "Scaldy" Bill Quinn, Harry Pigeon, Frank "Dutch" Neal, Paddy Purtell and Shorty Ahearn. He lost his title to Barbados Joe Walcott in December 1901. He was known as a powerful hitter with an impressive knockout record.[2][3]

Early career[]

One reporter described Ferns as "one of the queerest and most eccentric practitioners in a profession that has attracted many freaks". He was born into a coal-mining family in Pennsylvania. In 1880 they moved to Central Illinois and finally settled in Scammon, Kansas in 1886. Many of his early bouts took place in nearby Pittsburg, Kansas thus creating confusion about his early years. He always dressed like a stage farmer in go-to-meeting clothes...Ferns was tall and angular and did not look like a fighter.[4] According to BoxRec, Ferns began his career by 1896 with six straight knockouts of boxers Jack Dougherty, Tom Mackey, Harry Pigeon, Cass Whitman, Ed Doyle, and Fred Ross. Half of these fights were known to have been in the Southeast Kansas area, in Cherokee and Crawford counties. In 1897, Ferns fought in some larger cities and New England venues, meeting Kid Gardner in a draw in Chicago in February, and Izzy Straus and Lou Demonge in Brooklyn Clubs in June. In July, he lost to Bobby Dobbs in Hartford, Connecticut.

Taking the World Welterweight Title[]

Mysterious Billy Smith

On January 15, 1900, Ferns fought his first bout billed as a World Welterweight Title, defeating "Mysterious" Billy Smith at the Hawthorne Athletic Club in Buffalo, New York. According to BoxRec, Smith knocked Ferns down fifteen times before fouling him and losing the fight in the twenty first of twenty-five rounds, indicating Fern's claim to the title was not firmly established by this bout. Ferns' second defeat of Smith on August 30 gave him a more authoritative claim to the title as he won a more decisive victory and had defeated several important contenders prior to the fight.

Smith was legendary for his dirty fighting tactics. Eddie McBride, referee for the January 15, 1900 bout in Buffalo bout between Smith and Ferns wrote, "The nastiest fight I ever refereed was between Rube Ferns and Mysterious Billy Smith, the toughest mortal that ever entered a ring. Smith was exceptionally dirty that night and repeated warnings for hitting in clinches having no effect. I disqualified him...in the 23rd. Smith had deliberately leaned over Fern's shoulder and expectorated in my face". McBride had actually disqualified Smith in the 21st round, and it was an important bout, marking the assumption of the World Welterweight Title by Ferns according to many sources.[5][6]

On August 13, 1900, Ferns defended his World Welterweight Championship against contender Eddie Connolly, before a crowd of 1800 at the Olympic Club in Buffalo in a fifteenth-round technical knockout of a planned twenty-five. In the final round, Connolly through up his hands after three light shots to the ribs, indicating he could not continue the bout, and his seconds threw in the towel. [7]

Ferns fought three more bouts in 1900 that increased his recognition as the primary World Welterweight Title contender, and helped him to gain full recognition as the champion. In February, he defeated Mike Donovan again at the Hawthorne Athletic Club in Baltimore in a 20-round points decision listed as the 145 pound championship of the world. He knocked out Jack Hanley on March 20, 1900, in a non-title bout in six rounds in Fort Erie, Ontario. More significantly, Ferns convincingly knocked out Jack Bennett in the first of twenty rounds in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The BBBC recognized this title as both the American and World Welterweight boxing title in their 2004 Boxing Yearbook.

Historic bouts with Matty Matthews[]

Matty Matthews

Continuing to establish his legacy as the Welterweight Championship, Ferns defeated Matty Matthews on August 30, 1900, at the Lightguard Armory in Detroit, Michigan in a fifteen-round points decision. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Rube Ferns demonstrated that he is a hard hitting, game and dangerous man and clearly entitled to the honor which he now holds, that of welterweight champion."[6][8]

In two rematches with Matthews for the World Title, Ferns lost on October 16, 1900, in a full fifteen round points decision losing the title though suffering from open sores. Ferns re-took the title on May 24, 1901, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in a tenth-round knockout which may have been a close bout prior to the final blow. The Bridgeport Herald wrote "that in the tenth round Ferns landed a stomach blow, followed by a punch to the head that knocked out Matthews.[9] The Pittsburgh Press further authenticated the passing of the title from Matty Matthews to Ferns, when it wrote of the May 24, 1901 bout, "Matty Matthews, the New Yorker, who held the title stacked up against Rube Ferns, of Kansas, and was laid low in ten rounds."[10] Showing there was some flex among boxing reporters as to when Ferns first took the title, the Milwaukee-Journal recognized that Ferns first took the title in his defeat of Mysterious Smith, passing the title to Ferns in the process as early as January 1900, but Fern's assumption of the title is also widely recognized with his October 16, 1900 defeat of Matty Matthews.[6][11]

Ferns had two more important defenses of the Welterweight title, first on September 23, 1901, against the lightweight champion Frank Erne in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 4,500 at the International Athletic Club in Ft. Erie, Ontario, Canada in a ninth-round knockout.

In another bout which was very likely a title defense, Ferns defeated Charles Dutch Thurston on November 28, 1901, at the Light Guard Armory in Detroit, Michigan in a full fifteen round points decision.

Losing the Welterweight World Championship[]

Joe Walcott

On December 18, 1901, Ferns lost the Welterweight Championship of the World to the great Barbados Joe Walcott, one of the greatest lightweights in boxing history. Walcott defeated Ferns in a fifth-round TKO at the International Athletic Club in Fort Erie, Ontario. The Toronto Star wrote "Walcott battered down Ferns with terrific body blows, and right and left swings to the head. To save Ferns from being completely knocked out, Referee McBride stopped the bout." The Richmond Dispatch, running the same story, continued, "In the fifth and last round Walcott sent Ferns to the boards on two occasions, and Rube twice took the count. When he rose the second time, he was in a weakened condition." The bout was described as "the fastest and fiercest ever fought in the new club-house."[6] [12]


Boxing achievements[]

When Ferns first took the welterweight title may be in minor dispute, as many sources recognize Fern's claim to the title as early as his defeat of Mysterious Billy Smith on January 15, 1900, though Smith did not as he claimed he was winning the fight before his disqualification, and the claim had some validity. Ferns defeat of Matty Matthew's on August 30, 1900, is probably the welterweight title bout that gained the widest publicity of the title passing, though Ferns won title bouts earlier in the year. Fern's loss of the title on December 18, 1901, to Joe Walcott was widely recognized as the date the welterweight title passed to Walcott from Ferns, as the bout garnered a great deal of publicity and Ferns lost decisively by knockout to a well known opponent.


Ferns continued boxing until around 1910 and took on some high-profile contenders, including three more bouts with Matty Matthews, and two each with Martin Duffy and Charley Sieger. One of his last bouts was a loss to Wildcat Ferns on April 5, 1910, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Retirement from boxing and work as referee[]

Ferns worked as a referee from his early days in boxing, throughout his career, and into his retirement. He refereed at least fourteen bouts between November 1899 and December 1922, including bouts with Wildcat Ferns, Kid Stein, Otto Knopp, Joe Leonard, and brothers Art and Dennis Magirl. He refereed primarily in the New York area, and out west after his retirement from boxing.[13]

Ferns died on June 11, 1952.

Official Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary
74 fights 43 wins 18 losses
By knockout 32 9
By decision 10 8
By disqualification 1 1
Draws 10
Newspaper decisions/draws 3

All Newspaper decisions are regarded as “no decision” bouts as they have “resulted in neither boxer winning or losing, and would therefore not count as part of their official fight record."

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
74 Loss 43–18–10 (3) Wildcat Ferns TKO 4 (15) Apr 5, 1910 Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
73 Loss 43–17–10 (3) Kid Farmer TKO 5 (10) Sep 27, 1907 Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
72 Draw 43–16–10 (3) John Dukelow PTS 10 Dec 19, 1906 Rochester, New York, U.S.
71 Draw 43–16–9 (3) Charley Sieger PTS 20 Jun 20, 1906 Lock City A.C., Lockport, New York, U.S.
70 Win 43–16–8 (3) Art Mason PTS 15 Jun 1, 1906 Ortner's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
69 Win 42–16–8 (3) Charlie Conkle DQ 3 (10) May 15, 1906 Lyceum Theater, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
68 Loss 41–16–8 (3) Charley Hitte DQ 7 (20) Apr 18, 1906 Albany, New York, U.S.
67 Draw 41–15–8 (3) Charley Sieger PTS 15 Mar 21, 1906 Miller's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
66 Draw 41–15–7 (3) Mike Donovan NWS 6 Mar 17, 1906 18th Regiment Armory, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65 Win 41–15–7 (2) Matty Matthews KO 9 (15) Mar 16, 1906 International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
64 Win 40–15–7 (2) Billy Delaney KO 4 (15) Feb 22, 1906 Godfroy's Pavilion, Reed's Lake, Michigan, U.S.
63 Win 39–15–7 (2) Gus Gardner NWS 15 Feb 12, 1906 International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
62 Loss 39–15–7 (1) Billy Rhodes TKO 3 (20) Sep 24, 1905 Island Park, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
61 Draw 39–14–7 (1) Jack Dunleavy PTS 17 Aug 20, 1905 Island Park, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
60 Win 39–14–6 (1) Eugene Bezenah NWS 20 Mar 28, 1904 Weir, Kansas, U.S.
59 Loss 39–14–6 Martin Duffy PTS 20 Feb 26, 1904 Whittington Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
58 Draw 39–13–6 Dick O'Brien PTS 10 Dec 19, 1903 Edwards Theater, Parsons, Kansas, U.S.
57 Loss 39–13–5 Martin Duffy KO 13 (20) May 28, 1903 Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Lost world white welterweight title claim
56 Win 39–12–5 Matty Matthews TKO 19 (20) Apr 27, 1903 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Won world white welterweight title claim
55 Loss 38–12–5 Matty Matthews PTS 10 Dec 22, 1902 Kenyon's Hall, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S. For vacant world white welterweight title claim
54 Loss 38–11–5 Hugo Kelly PTS 10 Nov 27, 1902 Delaware Club, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
53 Win 38–10–5 Billy Emerson PTS 10 Jul 18, 1902 Eureka Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
52 Win 37–10–5 Owen Ziegler KO 3 (20) May 29, 1902 Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
51 Loss 36–10–5 Al Neill KO 12 (20) Mar 21, 1902 Exposition Building, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
50 Loss 36–9–5 Tom Tracey PTS 20 Feb 26, 1902 Exposition Building, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
49 Win 36–8–5 Tim Draffin Murphy PTS 6 Jan 27, 1902 American A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
48 Win 35–8–5 Jack Bennett KO 2 (6) Jan 3, 1902 Industrial A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47 Loss 34–8–5 Barbados Joe Walcott TKO 5 (20) Dec 18, 1901 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Lost world welterweight title
46 Win 34–7–5 Charles Dutch Thurston PTS 15 Nov 28, 1901 Light Guard Armory, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained world welterweight title
45 Win 33–7–5 Frank Erne KO 9 (20) Sep 23, 1901 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Retained world welterweight title
44 Win 32–7–5 Matty Matthews KO 10 (20) May 24, 1901 Mutual Street Rink, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Won world welterweight title
43 Loss 31–7–5 Matty Matthews PTS 15 Oct 16, 1900 Light Guard Armory, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Lost world welterweight title
42 Win 31–6–5 Matty Matthews PTS 15 Aug 30, 1900 Light Guard Armory, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained world welterweight title
41 Win 30–6–5 Eddie Connolly TKO 15 (20) Aug 13, 1900 Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Won world welterweight title;
Retained world welterweight title claim
40 Win 29–6–5 Joe Reptie TKO 2 (10) Jul 19, 1900 Ortner's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
39 Win 28–6–5 Otto Knop KO 4 (10) Jul 19, 1900 Ortner's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
38 Win 27–6–5 Jack Bennett KO 1 (20) May 24, 1900 Mutual Street Rink, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
37 Win 26–6–5 Jack Hanley KO 7 (20) Mar 20, 1900 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
36 Win 25–6–5 Mike Donovan PTS 20 Feb 22, 1900 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Retained world welterweight title claim
35 Win 24–6–5 Mysterious Billy Smith DQ 21 (25) Jan 15, 1900 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Claimed world welterweight title;
Ferns claims Smith's title and Smith continues to claim the title also.
Smith knocked Ferns down 15 times before fouling him
34 Win 23–6–5 Walter Burgo KO 2 (15) Dec 28, 1899 Lake City A.C., Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33 Win 22–6–5 Sammy Callahan KO 1 (20) Nov 30, 1899 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
32 Win 21–6–5 Bobby Dobbs PTS 20 Sep 29, 1899 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
31 Loss 20–6–5 Bert Young TKO 9 (20) Jul 18, 1899 Aylor's Hall, Webb City, Missouri, U.S.
30 Win 20–5–5 Shorty Ahearn KO 6 (?) Jun 22, 1899 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
29 Win 19–5–5 Shorty Ahearn PTS 6 May 27, 1899 Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
28 Win 18–5–5 Otto Mauke KO 7 (30) Apr 11, 1899 Scammon, Kansas, U.S.
27 Draw 17–5–5 Shorty Ahearn PTS 6 Feb 9, 1899 Calhoun Madison AC, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
26 Loss 17–5–4 Charlie McKeever PTS 6 Feb 7, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
25 Win 17–4–4 Walter Montgomery KO 9 (15) Dec 23, 1898 Chicopee, Kansas, U.S.
24 Win 16–4–4 Spot Robinson KO 2 (?) Dec 23, 1898 U.S. Exact location unknown
23 Win 15–4–4 Paddy Purtell KO 5 (20) Nov 30, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
22 Draw 14–4–4 Ben Smith PTS 12 Oct 6, 1898 Carnival AC, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
21 Win 14–4–3 George Fitzgerald KO 3 (?) Jul 11, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
20 Win 13–4–3 Frank 'Dutch' Neal KO 8 (20) Jun 8, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
19 Loss 12–4–3 George Fitzgerald KO 2 (?) May 2, 1898 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
18 Win 12–3–3 Frank 'Dutch' Neal KO 6 (?) Apr 1, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
17 Win 11–3–3 Billy Emerson PTS 10 Mar 17, 1898 Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
16 Win 10–3–3 Hugh McManus KO 23 (25) Dec 13, 1897 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
15 Draw 9–3–3 Walter Montgomery PTS 10 Oct 25, 1897 Weir, Kansas, U.S.
14 Loss 9–3–2 Bobby Dobbs PTS 8 Jul 2, 1897 Charter Oak A.C., Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
13 Win 9–2–2 Lou DeMonge KO 8 (10) Jun 7, 1897 Greenpoint S.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Loss 8–2–2 Izzy Strauss DQ 1 (10) Jun 4, 1897 Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Draw 8–1–2 Oscar Gardner PTS 6 May 10, 1897 Chicopee, Kansas, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 Bill Mahan KO 6 (?) Mar 22, 1897 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
9 Draw 7–1–1 Scaldy Bill Quinn PTS 6 Mar 8, 1897 Frontenac, Kansas, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Bill Mahan TKO 6 (20) Dec 31, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Caswell Whitman TKO 3 (10) Dec 22, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
6 Loss 5–1 Paddy Purtell KO 3 (10) Nov 9, 1896 Galena, Kansas, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Ed Doyle TKO 13 (20) Sep 25, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Fred Ross TKO 13 (?) Aug 28, 1896 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Harry Pigeon KO 19 (?) Jul 29, 1896 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Jack Dougherty KO 2 (?) Jul 15, 1896 Mineral City, Kansas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Tom Mackey TKO 10 (25) Jun 29, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.

Unofficial Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary
71 fights 43 wins 18 losses
By knockout 32 9
By decision 10 8
By disqualification 1 1
Draws 10

Record with the inclusion of Newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
74 Loss 45–18–11 Wildcat Ferns TKO 4 (15) Apr 5, 1910 Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
73 Loss 45–17–11 Kid Farmer TKO 5 (10) Sep 27, 1907 Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
72 Draw 45–16–11 John Dukelow PTS 10 Dec 19, 1906 Rochester, New York, U.S.
71 Draw 45–16–10 Charley Sieger PTS 20 Jun 20, 1906 Lock City A.C., Lockport, New York, U.S.
70 Win 45–16–9 Art Mason PTS 15 Jun 1, 1906 Ortner's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
69 Win 44–16–9 Charlie Conkle DQ 3 (10) May 15, 1906 Lyceum Theater, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
68 Loss 43–16–9 Charley Hitte DQ 7 (20) Apr 18, 1906 Albany, New York, U.S.
67 Draw 43–15–9 Charley Sieger PTS 15 Mar 21, 1906 Miller's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
66 Draw 43–15–8 Mike Donovan NWS 6 Mar 17, 1906 18th Regiment Armory, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65 Win 43–15–7 Matty Matthews KO 9 (15) Mar 16, 1906 International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
64 Win 42–15–7 Billy Delaney KO 4 (15) Feb 22, 1906 Godfroy's Pavilion, Reed's Lake, Michigan, U.S.
63 Win 41–15–7 Gus Gardner NWS 15 Feb 12, 1906 International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
62 Loss 40–15–7 Billy Rhodes TKO 3 (20) Sep 24, 1905 Island Park, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
61 Draw 40–14–7 Jack Dunleavy PTS 17 Aug 20, 1905 Island Park, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
60 Win 40–14–6 Eugene Bezenah NWS 20 Mar 28, 1904 Weir, Kansas, U.S.
59 Loss 39–14–6 Martin Duffy PTS 20 Feb 26, 1904 Whittington Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
58 Draw 39–13–6 Dick O'Brien PTS 10 Dec 19, 1903 Edwards Theater, Parsons, Kansas, U.S.
57 Loss 39–13–5 Martin Duffy KO 13 (20) May 28, 1903 Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Lost world white welterweight title claim
56 Win 39–12–5 Matty Matthews TKO 19 (20) Apr 27, 1903 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Won world white welterweight title claim
55 Loss 38–12–5 Matty Matthews PTS 10 Dec 22, 1902 Kenyon's Hall, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S. For vacant world white welterweight title claim
54 Loss 38–11–5 Hugo Kelly PTS 10 Nov 27, 1902 Delaware Club, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
53 Win 38–10–5 Billy Emerson PTS 10 Jul 18, 1902 Eureka Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
52 Win 37–10–5 Owen Ziegler KO 3 (20) May 29, 1902 Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
51 Loss 36–10–5 Al Neill KO 12 (20) Mar 21, 1902 Exposition Building, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
50 Loss 36–9–5 Tom Tracey PTS 20 Feb 26, 1902 Exposition Building, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
49 Win 36–8–5 Tim Draffin Murphy PTS 6 Jan 27, 1902 American A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
48 Win 35–8–5 Jack Bennett KO 2 (6) Jan 3, 1902 Industrial A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47 Loss 34–8–5 Barbados Joe Walcott TKO 5 (20) Dec 18, 1901 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Lost world welterweight title
46 Win 34–7–5 Charles Dutch Thurston PTS 15 Nov 28, 1901 Light Guard Armory, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained world welterweight title
45 Win 33–7–5 Frank Erne KO 9 (20) Sep 23, 1901 International A.C., Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada Retained world welterweight title
44 Win 32–7–5 Matty Matthews KO 10 (20) May 24, 1901 Mutual Street Rink, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Won world welterweight title
43 Loss 31–7–5 Matty Matthews PTS 15 Oct 16, 1900 Light Guard Armory, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Lost world welterweight title
42 Win 31–6–5 Matty Matthews PTS 15 Aug 30, 1900 Light Guard Armory, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained world welterweight title
41 Win 30–6–5 Eddie Connolly TKO 15 (20) Aug 13, 1900 Olympic A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Won world welterweight title;
Retained world welterweight title claim
40 Win 29–6–5 Joe Reptie TKO 2 (10) Jul 19, 1900 Ortner's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
39 Win 28–6–5 Otto Knop KO 4 (10) Jul 19, 1900 Ortner's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
38 Win 27–6–5 Jack Bennett KO 1 (20) May 24, 1900 Mutual Street Rink, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
37 Win 26–6–5 Jack Hanley KO 7 (20) Mar 20, 1900 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
36 Win 25–6–5 Mike Donovan PTS 20 Feb 22, 1900 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Retained world welterweight title claim
35 Win 24–6–5 Mysterious Billy Smith DQ 21 (25) Jan 15, 1900 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. Claimed world welterweight title;
Ferns claims Smith's title and Smith continues to claim the title also.
Smith knocked Ferns down 15 times before fouling him
34 Win 23–6–5 Walter Burgo KO 2 (15) Dec 28, 1899 Lake City A.C., Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33 Win 22–6–5 Sammy Callahan KO 1 (20) Nov 30, 1899 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
32 Win 21–6–5 Bobby Dobbs PTS 20 Sep 29, 1899 Hawthorne A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
31 Loss 20–6–5 Bert Young TKO 9 (20) Jul 18, 1899 Aylor's Hall, Webb City, Missouri, U.S.
30 Win 20–5–5 Shorty Ahearn KO 6 (?) Jun 22, 1899 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
29 Win 19–5–5 Shorty Ahearn PTS 6 May 27, 1899 Howard Theater, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
28 Win 18–5–5 Otto Mauke KO 7 (30) Apr 11, 1899 Scammon, Kansas, U.S.
27 Draw 17–5–5 Shorty Ahearn PTS 6 Feb 9, 1899 Calhoun Madison AC, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
26 Loss 17–5–4 Charlie McKeever PTS 6 Feb 7, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
25 Win 17–4–4 Walter Montgomery KO 9 (15) Dec 23, 1898 Chicopee, Kansas, U.S.
24 Win 16–4–4 Spot Robinson KO 2 (?) Dec 23, 1898 U.S. Exact location unknown
23 Win 15–4–4 Paddy Purtell KO 5 (20) Nov 30, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
22 Draw 14–4–4 Ben Smith PTS 12 Oct 6, 1898 Carnival AC, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
21 Win 14–4–3 George Fitzgerald KO 3 (?) Jul 11, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
20 Win 13–4–3 Frank 'Dutch' Neal KO 8 (20) Jun 8, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
19 Loss 12–4–3 George Fitzgerald KO 2 (?) May 2, 1898 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
18 Win 12–3–3 Frank 'Dutch' Neal KO 6 (?) Apr 1, 1898 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
17 Win 11–3–3 Billy Emerson PTS 10 Mar 17, 1898 Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
16 Win 10–3–3 Hugh McManus KO 23 (25) Dec 13, 1897 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
15 Draw 9–3–3 Walter Montgomery PTS 10 Oct 25, 1897 Weir, Kansas, U.S.
14 Loss 9–3–2 Bobby Dobbs PTS 8 Jul 2, 1897 Charter Oak A.C., Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
13 Win 9–2–2 Lou DeMonge KO 8 (10) Jun 7, 1897 Greenpoint S.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Loss 8–2–2 Izzy Strauss DQ 1 (10) Jun 4, 1897 Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Draw 8–1–2 Oscar Gardner PTS 6 May 10, 1897 Chicopee, Kansas, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 Bill Mahan KO 6 (?) Mar 22, 1897 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
9 Draw 7–1–1 Scaldy Bill Quinn PTS 6 Mar 8, 1897 Frontenac, Kansas, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Bill Mahan TKO 6 (20) Dec 31, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Caswell Whitman TKO 3 (10) Dec 22, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
6 Loss 5–1 Paddy Purtell KO 3 (10) Nov 9, 1896 Galena, Kansas, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Ed Doyle TKO 13 (20) Sep 25, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Fred Ross TKO 13 (?) Aug 28, 1896 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Harry Pigeon KO 19 (?) Jul 29, 1896 Sapp's Opera House, Galena, Kansas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Jack Dougherty KO 2 (?) Jul 15, 1896 Mineral City, Kansas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Tom Mackey TKO 10 (25) Jun 29, 1896 Opera House, Weir, Kansas, U.S.


Achievements
Preceded by World Welterweight Championship
August 13, 1900 – October 16, 1900 		Succeeded by
Preceded by World Welterweight Championship
May 24, 1901 – December 18, 1901 		Succeeded by

See also[]


References[]

  1. ^ "Welterweight Champions of the World". Boxinghalloffame.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  2. ^ "Jack O'Brien is after Tom Ryan". The Pittsburg Press (Evening edition): 18. April 30, 1903. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  3. ^ "Matthews gave up". The Scranton Republican: 1. April 28, 1903. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  4. ^ "Rube Ferns Born 39 Years Ago Today", The Bridgeport Evening Farmer, p. 7, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 20 January 1913
  5. ^ Andrews, Tom, "McBride Saw Vision of Cell When Weining was Knocked Out", The Day Book", p. 20, Chicago, Illinois, 28 February 1912
  6. ^ a b c d "Rube Ferns Professional Boxing Record". BoxRec. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Threw Up the Sponge", The Wilkes-Barre News, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 2, 14 August 1900
  8. ^ Bo Needham, Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, 2 September 1900
  9. ^ "Bout Between Harry Lewis and Mike Twin Sullivan Will Establish Legitimate Welterweight Champion", Bridgeport Herald, p. 2, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 14 February 1909
  10. ^ "Bad Year for Champs of the Prize Ring,", The Pittsburgh Press, p.8, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 26 December 1901
  11. ^ "Smith First Champ",Milwaukee-Journal, p. 12, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 28 May 1935
  12. ^ "Rube Ferns Defeated by Joe Walcott", Richmond Dispatch, p.2, Richmond, Virginia, 19 December 1901
  13. ^ "Rube Ferns Record as Referee". BoxRec. Retrieved 15 July 2015.

External links[]

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