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Kid Parker

1877 – 1912

American boxer

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About Kid Parker

Lived 1877 – 1912 (aged 34–35). Kid Parker was an American boxer.

William Elroy Parker (born January 20, 1877), better known as Kid Parker, was an American professional boxer, physical culturist and promoter of vegetarianism. He was the first vegetarian boxer.

Biography

Parker was born on January 20, 1877, in Boston. Parker was considered the best boxer in Denver. He had an 18-match undefeated streak. In 1900, he fought a ten-round draw with Matty Matthews. He stated that a strict vegetarian diet increased his physical endurance and increased his mental power. He was the first vegetarian boxer. He became known as the "vegetarian champion" and "vegetarian pugilist". Parker's vegetarian diet consisted of cereals, fruit, milk, nuts, vegetables and a liberal amount of eggs. In April, 1903 Parker authored an article on physical culture in the San Francisco Call, advocating a vegetarian diet for health reasons. Parker's wife was also a boxer.

Parker's last ring appearance was in 1906. Parker would repeatedly punch the wall in his padded cell so was given boxing gloves to protect his hands.

Selected publications

The Conversion of a Noted Pugilist (1902) Exercises for Women (1903)

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
1912
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
William Elroy Parker

People in Kid Parker's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Kid Parker's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kid Parker?

American boxer

When was Kid Parker born?

Kid Parker was born on 20 January 1877 in Boston.

When did Kid Parker die?

Kid Parker died in 1912.

What was Kid Parker's occupation?

Kid Parker was a boxer.

What nationality was Kid Parker?

Kid Parker was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Kid Parker

· Wikidata: Q96288224

· DBpedia: Kid Parker

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kid Parker. https://biography.guide/kid-parker/

MLA: "Kid Parker." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kid-parker/.

Chicago: "Kid Parker." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kid-parker/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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