Boxing was a sport traditionally followed with great interest by the working class. On the Prairies, many neighbourhood gymnasiums had boxing rings, and weekly cards featuring locally known professional and amateur boxers were held in most cities.
This match held Friday, 9 May 1913, in Edmonton's Empire Auditorium was billed as a special fifteen-round bout between the lightweight champion of north Ireland, "Curly" Hume, and local boy, Eddie Franks. The Edmonton Bulletin reported that even though Franks won, the ringside crowd was disappointed. The card had been poorly organized and Hume went down twice before he crumpled "like a leaf" in the tenth round and faded "away to nothing." Hume claimed he had broken a finger.
Courtesy: Glenbow-Alberta Institute (NA 1328-64409)
