Andre Routis
Encyclopedia
Andre Routis was a French
professional boxer
. He fought 86 times between 1919 and 1929; winning 54 (12 by knockout
), losing 25 and drawing 7. After a victory over Tony Canzoneri
he held the world featherweight title from 1928 to 1929. Earlier in his career Routis competed as a bantamweight
, where he won the French title and fought three times for the EBU
title. Before turning professional Routis won the French amateur bantamweight championship in 1918.
. Like the majority of his early fights, the contest took place in his hometown of Bordeaux
. He fought three times in April of the same year; a victory over Georges Gloria was followed by a draw with Bobby Diamond and his first loss, a ten round decision against Emile Juliard in Paris
. Following this defeat Routis returned to fighting in Bordeaux, remaining undefeated (including two draws) over his next seven bouts. In February 1921 he fought outside France for the first time when he faced Ali Ben Said in Casablanca
, Morocco
, he won the fight by disqualification
. Over the next fourteen months Routis fought eleven times in Morocco, losing twice, including an unsuccessful challenge for Charles Ledoux
's EBU bantamweight title. The two boxers fought a rematch in May 1923, for the EBU and French title, with the result the same as the first fight, a fifteen round decision win for Ledoux. Routis won his first title in January 1924 when he faced Ledoux for a third time. The fight, which Routis won with a twenty round points victory, was for the French bantamweight title. He remained undefeated for the remainder of 1924 before losing to Johnny Brown in London
, and failing in a third attempt at the EBU title, losing a twenty round decision to Henri Scillie in Brussels
. In October Routis lost his French title to Kid Francis in Paris. In 1926 he lost twice to the future world champion Jack Kid Berg
, both bouts took place in Berg's hometown of London.
From August 1926 to August 1927 Routis fought exclusively in the United States
(9 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw). Now competing as a featherweight, Routis made his American debut against Eddie Anderson at Ebbets Field
in Brooklyn
. Routis won the fight with a twelve round points decision, he beat Anderson twice more during his year in the United States. Included in his 5 losses was a defeat to the future world champion Tony Canzoneri
, who beat Routis on points, and a pair of losses to Joe Glick. After his return to France Routis fought another future world champion, Panama Al Brown
, this time winning over ten rounds. After a draw against Johnny Cuthbert in Paris, he returned to the United States and won five fights in a row, which led to his first attempt at a world title.
and NBA
titles were also on the line. The fight took place in front of 10,000 spectators at New York
's Madison Square Garden
. The contest started badly for Routis as he was knocked down
by a right hook
in the first two minutes of the opening round. Routis had to survive a barrage of punches from the champion for the remainder of the round but managed to stay on his feet. Canzoneri continued to outbox Routis over the first half of the fight, resulting in a large lead on the scorecards. The second half of the fight, however, belonged to the challenger, who frequently connected with punches to the head and body that hurt Canzoneri. After fifteen rounds the fight was awarded to Routis via a split decision
. Following this victory Routis lost two 10 round non-title fights to Dick Finnegan and Canzoneri. The first defence of his title came in May 1929 when he fought Buster Brown in Baltimore
. After winning the first two rounds Brown was knocked down three times in the 3rd, causing the corner to throw in the towel, giving Routis a technical knockout victory. Following the bout Police had to surround the ring to prevent a riot after the crowd took exception to the actions of Brown's corner.
From June to August of 1929 Routis lost four fights in a row, all non-title bouts. This was followed, in September, by the 2nd defence of his title, against Battling Battalino
in East Hartford. Routis, who was considered to be past his best, was unable to prevent Battalino from dominating the fifteen rounds to become the new champion. Routis fought for a final time in November 1929, losing a 10 round newspaper decision to Davey Abad in St. Louis
.
, Routis spent two years based in Morocco as a mechanic in the air corps. In July 1969, on the day of his 69th birthday, Routis suffered a heart attack which led to his death.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. He fought 86 times between 1919 and 1929; winning 54 (12 by knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
), losing 25 and drawing 7. After a victory over Tony Canzoneri
Tony Canzoneri
Tony Canzoneri was an American boxer who was born in the town of Slidell, Louisiana.Canzoneri, an Italian American, was one of the members of the exclusive group of boxing world champions who have won titles in three or more divisions.- Early life :When he was a teenager, he and his family moved...
he held the world featherweight title from 1928 to 1929. Earlier in his career Routis competed as a bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
, where he won the French title and fought three times for the EBU
European Boxing Union
The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
title. Before turning professional Routis won the French amateur bantamweight championship in 1918.
Professional career
Routis made his professional debut in February 1919 aged eighteen, he beat Yves Gram by a four round points decisionPoints decision
A points decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking unlike normal decisions where there is three judges that agree on which fighter won the match the fight is scored by the...
. Like the majority of his early fights, the contest took place in his hometown of Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
. He fought three times in April of the same year; a victory over Georges Gloria was followed by a draw with Bobby Diamond and his first loss, a ten round decision against Emile Juliard in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Following this defeat Routis returned to fighting in Bordeaux, remaining undefeated (including two draws) over his next seven bouts. In February 1921 he fought outside France for the first time when he faced Ali Ben Said in Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, he won the fight by disqualification
Disqualification (boxing)
A disqualification is a term used when a bout is stopped short of knockout or judges' decision because, intentionally, one or both contestants have repeatedly or flagrantly fouled an opponent or violated other rules. The disqualified boxer automatically loses the bout to the opponent...
. Over the next fourteen months Routis fought eleven times in Morocco, losing twice, including an unsuccessful challenge for Charles Ledoux
Charles Ledoux
Charles Ledoux was a French bantamweight boxer.-External links:* at BoxRec-References:...
's EBU bantamweight title. The two boxers fought a rematch in May 1923, for the EBU and French title, with the result the same as the first fight, a fifteen round decision win for Ledoux. Routis won his first title in January 1924 when he faced Ledoux for a third time. The fight, which Routis won with a twenty round points victory, was for the French bantamweight title. He remained undefeated for the remainder of 1924 before losing to Johnny Brown in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and failing in a third attempt at the EBU title, losing a twenty round decision to Henri Scillie in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. In October Routis lost his French title to Kid Francis in Paris. In 1926 he lost twice to the future world champion Jack Kid Berg
Jack Kid Berg
Judah Bergman, known as Jack Kid Berg or Jackie Kid Berg , was an English boxer born in the East End of London.-Biography:Judah Bergman was born in Romford Street near Cable Street, St George in the East, Stepney...
, both bouts took place in Berg's hometown of London.
From August 1926 to August 1927 Routis fought exclusively in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(9 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw). Now competing as a featherweight, Routis made his American debut against Eddie Anderson at Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. Routis won the fight with a twelve round points decision, he beat Anderson twice more during his year in the United States. Included in his 5 losses was a defeat to the future world champion Tony Canzoneri
Tony Canzoneri
Tony Canzoneri was an American boxer who was born in the town of Slidell, Louisiana.Canzoneri, an Italian American, was one of the members of the exclusive group of boxing world champions who have won titles in three or more divisions.- Early life :When he was a teenager, he and his family moved...
, who beat Routis on points, and a pair of losses to Joe Glick. After his return to France Routis fought another future world champion, Panama Al Brown
Panama Al Brown
Alfonso Teofilo Brown , better known as Panama Al Brown, was a bantamweight boxer from Panama who made history by becoming boxing's first Hispanic world champion. Brown was a native of the city of Colón....
, this time winning over ten rounds. After a draw against Johnny Cuthbert in Paris, he returned to the United States and won five fights in a row, which led to his first attempt at a world title.
Featherweight world champion
In September 1928 Routis challenged Canzoneri for the world featherweight title, the NYSACNew York State Athletic Commission
The New York State Athletic Commission or NYSAC, also known as the New York Athletic Commission, regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of New York, including licensure and supervision of promoters, boxers, professional wrestlers, seconds, ring officials,...
and NBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
titles were also on the line. The fight took place in front of 10,000 spectators at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. The contest started badly for Routis as he was knocked down
Knockdown
Knockdown may refer to:*"Knockdown" , a song by Alesha Dixon* Knockdown, in full-contact combat sports, when a fighter is down or vulnerable, often preliminary to a knockout...
by a right hook
Hook (boxing)
A hook is a punch in boxing. It is performed by turning the core muscles and back, thereby swinging the arm, which is bent at an angle near or at 90 degrees, in a horizontal arc into the opponent...
in the first two minutes of the opening round. Routis had to survive a barrage of punches from the champion for the remainder of the round but managed to stay on his feet. Canzoneri continued to outbox Routis over the first half of the fight, resulting in a large lead on the scorecards. The second half of the fight, however, belonged to the challenger, who frequently connected with punches to the head and body that hurt Canzoneri. After fifteen rounds the fight was awarded to Routis via a split decision
Split decision
A split decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which two of the three judges score for the same fighter as the winner, while the third judge scores for the other...
. Following this victory Routis lost two 10 round non-title fights to Dick Finnegan and Canzoneri. The first defence of his title came in May 1929 when he fought Buster Brown in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. After winning the first two rounds Brown was knocked down three times in the 3rd, causing the corner to throw in the towel, giving Routis a technical knockout victory. Following the bout Police had to surround the ring to prevent a riot after the crowd took exception to the actions of Brown's corner.
From June to August of 1929 Routis lost four fights in a row, all non-title bouts. This was followed, in September, by the 2nd defence of his title, against Battling Battalino
Battling Battalino
Christopher Battaglia better known as Battling Battalino, was an American former world featherweight boxing champion...
in East Hartford. Routis, who was considered to be past his best, was unable to prevent Battalino from dominating the fifteen rounds to become the new champion. Routis fought for a final time in November 1929, losing a 10 round newspaper decision to Davey Abad in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
.
Personal life
A veteran of the French Colonial ArmyFrench Colonial Forces
The French Colonial Forces , commonly called La Coloniale, was a general designation for the military forces that garrisoned in the French colonial empire from the late 17th century until 1960. They were recruited from mainland France or from the French settler and indigenous populations of the...
, Routis spent two years based in Morocco as a mechanic in the air corps. In July 1969, on the day of his 69th birthday, Routis suffered a heart attack which led to his death.