Battling Siki

Amadou Louis M'barick Fall (16 September 1897 – 15 December 1925), known as Battling Siki, was the first African born boxing world champion. Born in French-Senegal. He won the world World Light-Heavyweight Championship after knocking out Georges Carpentier in 1922.

Born in the port city of Saint-Louis, French Senegal. His father died when he was young. At age 10 he was brought to Europe and abandoned.

Lijntje van Appelteer (1902-1983), a Dutch woman, became his common-law wife. On 16 December 1921, she had a son. In 1923 Siki left France and never returned. In 1924 he married Lillian Werner of Memphis, Tennessee. A rare mixed-race marriage at the time. A scandal both due to race, and because he had abandoned van Appelteer and her child in France.

To the whole world I am a savage. I sometimes let them believe that. But gentlemen, it’s not true.

— Battling Siki,

He started boxing at age 14. From 1912 to 1914 he compiled a modest record of eight wins, six losses and two draws.

When World War I erupted, Siki joined the French army, serving in the 8th Colonial Infantry Regiment. During the war he was decorated for bravery in battle with the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille Militaire, before being honorably discharged.

After the war Siki compiled the impressive stretch of 44 wins in 47 bouts (22 KOs), suffering just one loss (on a decision) and two draws. He defeated French middleweight champion Ercole de Balzac. No weigh in occurred, so the title was not on the line. Balzac was stripped of the title after defeat. Siki also defeated French heavyweight champion Marcel Nilles, again without the title on the line.