Nelson, Battling
[Oscar Nielson]

Boxing

b. June 5 1882, Copenhagen, Denmark
d. Feb. 7, 1954

Career Record

Other Resources

"The Durable Dane" was an unscientific attacker who took punishment in order to give it out. In his first fight, he knocked out Wallace's Kid in Hammond, IN, on September 3, 1896. He followed that with a number of early-round knockouts, but also suffered some losses during the next ten years.

Nelson faced Joe Gans for the lightweight championship on September 3, 1906. It was the first fight promoted by the legendary Tex Rickard. Nelson was guaranteed $23,000, Gans $11,000. The fight went 42 rounds before Nelson was disqualified after Gans doubled over and fell to the canvas because of a low blow.

The two met again in San Francisco on July 4, 1908. This time, Nelson won the championship on a knockout in the 17th round. He also knocked out Gans in the 21st round in a rematch on September 9.

Nelson and Ad Wolgast fought a bitter, bloody 10-round no-decision contest in a non-title fight in 1909. They agreed to meet in a 45-round grudge match for the championship. No fouls were to be called, and the referee wasn't supposed to stop the fight unless a boxer was completely unable to carry on.

It took place on February 22, 1910, at Point Richmond, CA. Nelson was helpless and bleeding badly from the mouth in the 40th round, when the fight was stopped.

Nelson fought on through 1915. He was inactive in 1916 but had one fight the following year. He returned for two exhibitions in 1923 before retiring for good. He won 59 fights, 38 by knockout; lost 19, 2 by knockout; and fought 19 draws and 35 no-decisions.

International Boxing Hall of Fame