Ernie Roderick pugile

Ernie Roderick (25 January 1914 – 5 June 1986) was a British boxer who was British champion at both welterweight and middleweight, and European champion at welterweight.Born in Liverpool. Ernie Roderick took up boxing as a schoolboy and began his professional boxing career in 1931. Defeated only once in his first two years as a pro, Roderick travelled to Australia in 1933, where he drew with Bobby Blay and suffered defeats to Bobby Delaney and Young Pluto. Back in the UK, he lost seven fights in 1934, but he returned to form in 1935, winning seventeen and drawing one fight in an unbeaten run which included victories over Len "Tiger" Smith and Pat Butler. His run of form continued between 1936 and 1938, beating Jake Kilrain twice among many others.In March 1939 he faced Kilrain for the British welterweight title, winning via a seventh-round knockout. He fought Henry Armstrong for the World welterweight title in May 1939, losing on points.He defended the British title successfully in July 1940 against Norman Snow. In September 1940 Roderick joined the Royal Air Force. The following year beat Jack Kid Berg on points at the Royal Albert Hall. He made his second successful defence of his British title in September 1941 against Arthur Danahar.