Sandy Ferguson

Sandy Ferguson (July 24, 1879 in Moncton, New Brunswick - February 26, 1919 in Providence, Rhode Island) was a professional boxer. Born in New Brunswick, Canada Ferguson moved to Chelsea, Massachusetts [with his family at age 13], where he began his professional career in 1898. Ferguson won his first three fights with ease, defeating Sid West on points twice and Paul Watson via first-round knockout. Ferguson remained undefeated up until June 1900, racking up a record of 10-0-6. None of Ferguson's first 16 fights, however, were against a top contender. On December 17, 1900, Ferguson suffered his first major setback when he was outpointed in a bout with veteran Dick O'Brien. Two months later he was disqualified in the same round against the same Dick O'Brien. After a lightning knockout of John MacDonald at Gloucester, Massachusetts in April, Ferguson left the USA and headed to England, where he strung together a record of 6-1-2 before returning to America in January 1903. Ferguson's first fight after returning from Britain was against the brilliant boxer George Byers. The match ended in a prearranged draw, as Ferguson was dropped four times by Byers. After this match, however, Ferguson gained popularity by avenging his previous losses to fellow ex-pat Canadian Dick O'Brien by scoring a sixth-round knockout on 25 March 1903. This was followed by a twelve-round decision over George Byers.