Battling Siki (September 16, 1897 – December 15, 1925) was a Sengalese light heavyweight boxer who fought from 1912-1925. Siki was one of the more colorful figures in boxing history. September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Events January 1 - Brooklyn, New York merges with New York City. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January-May January 3 - Benito Mussolini announces he is taking dictatorial powers over Italy. ... In boxing, the division between heavyweight over 175 pounds (79. ... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... Events January-May January 3 - Benito Mussolini announces he is taking dictatorial powers over Italy. ...

He was born Baye Phal in the port city of Saint Louis, Senegal. While still a teenager, Siki changed his name, and moved to France, where, by the age of 15, he began his professional boxing career. Siki's early years were inauspicious. From 1912 to 1914 he compliled a record of just 8 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws. The Republic of Senegal is a country south of the Senegal River in West Africa. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

When World War I erupted, Siki joined the French army. During the war he was decorated for bravery in battle, and honorably discharged. Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ...

After his discharge from the military, Siki resumed his boxing career. From November 1, 1919, until he faced Georges Carpentier for the world's light heavyweight championship in 1922, Siki compiled the impressive record of 43 wins in 46 bouts (21 KOS), suffering just 1 loss (on a decision) and 2 draws. Carpentier, the reigning World and European champion, agreed to fight Siki for the title, and they met in Paris, France on September 24, 1922. November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Georges Carpentier (January 12, 1894 - October 28, 1975) was a French boxer. ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... The French Republic or France (French: République française or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years). ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Siki claimed that he had agreed to take a dive, but when he saw and heard the 50,000 cheering spectators suffered a change of heart and fought all out to win. Carpentier, who was also a World War I hero, dropped Siki twice during the first 3 rounds of the fight. In the third round, Siki took control of the fight when he caught Carpentier and knocked him down.

In the sixth round Siki hit Carpentier with a powerful right uppercut that appeared to put Carpentier down and out for the count. The referee, however, claimed Siki had tripped Carpentier, and awarded the bout to the unconcious champion on a foul. Fearing a riot from the aroused crowd, the three ringside judges overruled the referee, and Siki was eventually declared the champion.

Siki then embarked on a well publicized rampage of partying and carousing. He would walk his pet lion down the Champs Elysee while wearing his top hat and tuxedo. Siki was known to fire his revolvers in the air in public as a means of prompting his two great danes to do tricks. He was constantly reported drinking champagne in night clubs, and spent freely on flashy clothes and partying. He was fond of white women, and both his wives were white. Avenue des Champs-Élysées from Place de la Concorde Looking east along the Champs_Élysées from the top of the Arc de Triomphe The Champs-Élysées (pronounced /ʃɑ̃zelize/, IPA; /SA~ ze. ...

During this time offers poured in from the United States for the colorful Siki to meet the leading heavyweight contender Harry Wills, middleweight champion Johnny Wilson, and the legendary Harry Greb. Attempts were even made to match Siki with the then reigning heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. ... Harry The Black Panther Wills (b. ... Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. ... Harry Greb (June 6, 1894 - October 22, 1926) was a light-heavyweight and middleweight boxing champion who fought 5 times against the future heavyweight champion, Gene Tunney. ... This article is about the boxer named Jack Dempsey. ...

Instead, Siki signed to defend his title against Irish light heavyweight Mike McTigue on Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin. Predictably, Siki was outpointed and lost the title. This defeat was the first loss in a downward skein of dissapation and poor ring performances suffered by Siki, which culminated in his death a little over a month after his last fight. St. ... Dublins Hapenny Bridge. ...

After losing his European title, on a foul, Siki moved to the United States. His record in the States was poor and he failed to defeat any top notch fighters. His failure to train properly was evident, his record after winning the title was a dismal 11 wins (7 KOS), 17 losses, 1 draw and 2 No Contests. It was during this time period that he suffered the only two knockout defeats of his career.

Even in the States Siki continued to carouse and train on booze and street brawls. Often, he would get drunk in speak easies, refuse to pay the tab, and fight his way out. On December 15, 1925, his reckless lifestyle caught up with him. He was stopped by a policeman who saw him staggering drunk on 42nd Street, not far from his apartment in New York City. Siki stated that he was on his way home, and walked off. Later he was found laying face down, shot twice in the back at close range, dead at the age of 28. The killer was never found. For the film of this name, see 42nd Street (film). ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ...

The Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, the father of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., presided over his funeral, which was held in Harlem New York. Adam Clayton Powell (left) with Martin Luther King: both were prominent civil rights leaders. ... This article is about the Harlem neighborhood in New York City. ...