Bloody fights inside the ring have been promoted as entertainment since prehistoric times. In the sport of boxing, or boxing as it is known, perfecting knockdowns, knockouts, jabs and blocks can make you a celebrity if you are good at it. Boxing opponents are paired according to their size and declared as lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight, after which two men face off with gloves or bare hands to show off their best fighting skills to a crowd that has gathered to watch and bet their hard-earned money.
Frederick Louis Jelle was born in Canada in 1889 and eventually immigrated to the United States with his parents, Hormidas and Rosanna (Peter) Jelle, and many siblings. The family lived on Tremont Street in Taunton, Massachusetts, but Fred was a well-known and highly successful lightweight boxer who traveled extensively. Managed by Eddie Moore, who built his boxing career, the 133-pound boxer made his ring debut on September 5, 1910. Throughout his professional career, he had 58 professional bouts, 566 rounds, 51 knockouts, and his devoted fans followed him from city to city and state to state to see him compete. He enjoyed celebrity status even when he wasn't throwing punches.
Frederick was known for his quick movements, getting in and out of his opponent's striking range quickly, delivering very sharp strikes and sharp punches. Fans never knew what to expect from Fred's fights, but they knew it was going to be a great one. In the summer of 1913, in a ten-round bout against boxer Jimmy Jarvis in New York, Fred broke his right hand in the first round. He continued to fight despite the pain and won the bout with his left hand. Later that night, the doctor determined the fracture was severe and canceled his next scheduled bout in Philadelphia, instructing Fred to refrain from boxing until the fall.
Among Fred's nine siblings was his older brother Albert, who was also dedicated to the same dangerous job. Albert never achieved the same fame as Fred, but not for lack of trying. He devoted himself to boxing, drawing large crowds to many of his matches. Unfortunately, many of them were unsuccessful. For example, on December 20, 1911, he was knocked out by Johnny McAuliffe, a boxer from Salem, in a match at Hibernian Hall in Rhode Island.
Fighting under the professional name “Young McGuigan,” Albert was scheduled to fight “Young Richie” from Federal Hill, Providence, at Thornton's clubhouse on the evening of February 10, 1913. Albert entered the boxing ring looking very fit, but by the seventh round it was clear that he was severely weakened. The referee realized that Albert was in no condition to continue and stopped the bout at that point. Albert was dragged from the ring very drowsy and nearly unconscious. He was carried to the dressing room and promptly collapsed. A doctor was quickly called, and upon examination he found that Albert was in a state of extreme exhaustion.
After returning home and taking some time to rest, Albert did not recover as expected. Medical assistance was again called for and doctors examined him periodically, but he died at home on the morning of February 21st. It was later discovered that the 25-year-old had suffered a cerebral blood clot, possibly as a result of a blow from Young Ritchie's fist. Albert was one of Hormidas and Rosanna's four children to die young, and was buried in St. Francis Old Cemetery in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Kelly Sullivan is a Rhode Island columnist, lecturer and author.
