Jack "Kid" Wolfe, (June 11, 1895 – April 22, 1975) was an American professional boxer. He was the first World Champion in the junior-featherweight division. During his career he had newspaper-decision victories over reigning bantamweight champions Johnny Ertle, Joe Lynch, Kid Williams, and Pete Herman, and fought future lightweight champion Sammie Mandell. Wolfe also fought the talented boxers Frankie Jerome, 1918 world bantamweight champion Memphis Pal Moore, Young Montreal, Pete Zivic, Dick Loadman, Al Shubert, John "K.O." Eggers, Terry Martin, Danny Frush, and Eddie O'Dowd.Silver, Mike (2016). Stars of the Ring, Published by Rowman and Littlefield, Los Angeles, pps. 88-89.
Early life and career
Wolfe was born in Russia on June 11, 1895, according to his hometown paper, The Cleveland Leader. As a sideline, in his youth and early boxing days, Wolfe worked selling newspapers, like many great boxers of the era. Turning professional in 1911, the 5' 2" Wolfe, who was managed by Tommy McGinty and the very capable Jimmy Dunn, fought mostly as a bantamweight in the Cleveland area. One of his local rivals was Cal Delaney, whom he met three times in close fights early in his career.
By 1913, Wolfe started venturing out to New York City and other cities, to take on more nationally known battlers. A few of the men he met in New York City were Kid Herman, Willie Doyle, and Eddie O'Keefe. By late 1916, he was back fighting mostly in Cleveland and averaging one fight per month. Local promoters did not hesitate to put him on a card, as he was an active fighter who "gave it his all.
On December 11, 1915, Wolfe defeated talented southpaw Johnny Eggers, in a five-round disqualification at the Fairmont Athletic Club in the Bronx. Wolfe had previously beaten Eggers in a newspaper decision of February 8, 1913, in New York City.
Early career bouts with Al Shubert and Dick Loadman, 1917-18
In a well publicized match on January 22, 1917, Wolfe defeated Al Shubert in Baltimore in a fifteen-round points decision. In a close, but exciting match, many in the crowd believed Shubert, future holder of the New England Featherweight title, should have won by a shade. From the eleventh through the fifteenth, Wolfe had the cleaner punches, and they were sufficient to tip the judges' decision in his favor. Wolfe's switch from uppercuts to head shots with his right in the later rounds, opened Shubert to blows from his left and subsequent combinations. Wolfe succeeded best in the twelfth through fifteenth, where he secured his tight margin of victory. He was an underdog against the more aggressive Shubert and made a showing that extended his reputation West of the Buckeye State."Wolfe Given Decision", The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, pg. 10, 23 January 1917"Western Bantam Beats Al Shubert", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 10, 23 January 1917
On March 2, 1917, Wolfe defeated Dick Loadman in an important fifteen round points decision at the Monumental Theatre in Baltimore. Wolfe had the better of ten rounds, one was even, and Loadman led in only four. Jack boxed with great science, and the match was a speedy one throughout. Loadman was the harder hitter, but Wolfe used ducking and side-stepping to effectively dodge his blows, usually causing them to fall wide of their mark. In the first six rounds, Wolfe suffered a consistent body attack, but in the remaining rounds, showing greater endurance, he grew stronger, and more effectively took the fighting to Loadman. Jack used his right cross to counter many of Loadman's advances, and was particularly effective with his left jab. Loadman fought many of the best bantams of the era, but had a poor record against them. Many reporters ringside felt Wolfe had the skills to soon face Pete Herman, bantam champion, but it would be weeks before a match could be arranged. Loadman would lose to Wolfe again in both 1918 and 1919. In their October 7, 1918, bout in Cleveland, Wolfe won in a ten-round newspaper decision of the Pittsburgh Post. Showing versatility, Wolfe used uppercuts and short arm jolts to repel the infighting of Loadman, who had expected a long range attack by Wolfe. Wolfe was credited with six rounds.Loadman expected long range attack in "Dick Loadman Loses Bout to Jack Wolfe", The Gazette Times, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 12, 8 October 1918Jaffe, Lewis, "Wolfe Might Win Title on Points", Evening Public Ledger, pg. 11, 6 February 1917"Wofe Beats Loadman", Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 14, 6 February 1917 In their January 6, 1919, bout, Wolfe defeated Loadman in a ten-round newspaper decision in Detroit. One reporter wrote, "it was Wolfe's fight all the way", though both boxers remained on their feet throughout. One source wrote that Loadman landed three blows to Dickman's one."Wolfe Beats Loadman", New Castle News, New Castle, Pennsylvania, pg. 10, 8 January 1919Three blows to one in "Wolfe outpoints Dick Loadman, Detroit", Lansing State Journal, Lansing, Michigan, pg. 10, 7 January 1919
On March 12, 1917, Wolfe defeated Italian featherweight Terry Martin in Baltimore in a fifteen-round bout. The fighting was fierce and described as "sensational". Martin was said to have given a valiant showing in the ring."Has Tough Luck Against Wolf", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 11, 13 March 1917 On May 30, 1921, Martin would win a close twelve round bout on a judge's decision in Rhode Island against Wolfe. Wolfe would lose to Martin again in a twelve-round newspaper decision in Jersey City on February 5, 1923. Martin took the lead from the opening rounds. In an awkward bout, Wolfe was wary of Martin and unable or unwilling to attack his defenses, while Martin scored far more punches than his opponent.Newman, Harry, "Terry Martin Defeats Wolfe", Daily News, New York, New York, pg. 44, 6 February 1923 Martin would fight top talent in his career. Martin's skill and two inch height advantage was a concern to Wolfe, who was particularly wary and sometimes awkward against taller boxers with longer reach.
Two victories over a bantamweight champion, Johnny Ertle, 1918
On January 5, 1918, Wolfe scored a ten-round win by newspaper decision over reigning World Bantamweight champion Johnny Ertle in Cleveland, Ohio. Wolfe was the aggressor throughout the bout and most newspapers gave Wolfe six or seven of the ten rounds.Seven of ten in "Jack Wolfe Wins", The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, pg. 6, 26 January 1918 If the bout had been judged on points, as they are today, Wolfe would have taken the world bantamweight championship."Wolfe Wins Fast Bout", The Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, pg. 12, 26 Jan 1918 On December 7, 1917, Wolfe had previously defeated Ertle while he was reigning World Bantamweight Champion in a ten-round newspaper decision for a Soldier's benefit on December 7, 1917, in Wolfe's hometown of Cleveland. Ertle, who was content to fight from long range, was overcome by the short range attack of Wolfe, who in this rare instance had a three-inch reach advantage over his 4' 11" opponent."Kewpie Lost", The Buffalo Enquirer, Buffalo, New York, pg. 10, 8 December 1917Wolfe's reach was an advantage in Wolfe Wins From Ertle, The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, pg. 6, 8 December 1917
Leonard fought Gussie Lewis to a draw on March 18, 1918, in a semi-final six-round newspaper decision in Philadelphia, according to the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Three notable early career wins
Wolfe defeated British born featherweight Danny Frush at the Albaugh Theatre in Baltimore on March 27, 1918, in a fifteen-round points decision. Despite Frush's five inch advantage in height, and considerable reach advantage, Wolfe persevered and won the match.
On January 20, 1919, Wolfe defeated fellow Russian-born Cincinnati-based Jewish boxer Sammy Sandow in a ten-round newspaper decision that was the main event at a boxing club in Cleveland. In a well publicized bout, the boxing was close."Jack Wolfe Shades Sammy Sandow", The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, pg. 7, 21 January 1919
Early in his career on February 6, 1919, Wolfe defefated Artie Root at Grey's armory in Cleveland in a ten-round newspaper decision. The crowd of 10,000, was one of the largest ever jammed into the Armory. Wolfe managed to dodge Root's strong right, and took the lead in the last six rounds, building a slight margin. The win was a stepping stone for Wolfe's recognition as a bantam to watch."Wolfe is Winner", The Marion Star, Marion, Ohio, pg. 20, 7 February 1919
Victory over reigning bantamweight champion Pete Herman, March, 1919
Wolfe defeated reigning bantamweight champion Pete Herman, on the evening of March 4, 1919, in a no decision non-title fight in Cleveland, Ohio, before a home audience. Hundreds were turned away at the door of the packed house at Grey's Armory. The Barre Daily Times gave Wolfe seven of the ten rounds, in a convincing victory. Wolfe was considered the aggressor throughout the bout, with Herman given only two rounds by a slight margin."Champion Pete Herman Was Much Outpointed", The Barre Daily Times, Barre, Vermont, pg. 2, 5 March 1919 The going was fast and furious, and a record breaking crowd attended the match."Wolfe Outpoints Champion Herman", The Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, pg. 11, 5 March 1919
Victory over world bantamweight claimant Jackie Sharkey, March, 1919
Wolfe beat 5' 3" Italian bantam Jackie Sharkey in a ten-round newspaper decision on March 24, 1919, at the Grand Theatre in Cleveland. According to the most newspapers, the bout was close, and Sharkey put up a valiant effort."Jack Wolfe Shades Sharkey", Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York, pg. 10, 25 March 1919 Sharkey was a well known boxer who fought many great bantams of the era, but did not frequently win against them, and once unsuccessfully competed for the Jr. Lightweight Title in July 1922 against Johnny Dundee. Sharkey claimed the World Bantamweight Title on August 15, 1919, in his bout with Pete Herman, though at the time there was some dispute over his claim, as boxing titles were not well regulated until years later.
Wolfe defeated Oklahoman Earl Puryear on December 29, 1919, in a ten-round newspaper decision in Cleveland. Wolfe had defeated Puryear earlier that year on April 8, in a no decision ten round bout ruled a draw by the Warren Evening Mirror. Puryear was a bantam with a good record who fought many great opponents including Johnny Buff, and champions Pete Herman and Kid Williams.
On April 20, 1920, Wolfe lost a newspaper decision to Charlie Beecher at the Arena in Syracuse, New York. Wolfe attempted to score at close range, as was his habit, but Beecher clinched frequently preventing him easy access. Few clean blows were scored by either boxer. Wolfe's few clean blows were left jabs to the face of Beecher. Beecher scored best to the body. The final four rounds presented most of the action. Some newspapers considered the bout a draw."Last Night's Boxing Bouts", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 8, 21 April 1920