Philly Boxing History

FEBRUARY 29, 1944

FORMER PRIZE FIGHTER DEAD

Hugh Frank Clavin, known in the boxing ring as "Young Erne" and "Yi Yi Erne", died on this day in 1944. He was 59 years old. Clavin had suffered a heart attack the week before and passed away at his home in Philadelphia. Clavin was born in the city and lived there his whole life. Although his complete ring record is not clear, Erne apparently fought between 300 and 400 bouts between 1900 and 1917, which was during the so called "No Decision" era.

He faced numerous world champions and other prominent foes including Abe Attell, Packey McFarland, Knockout Brown, Harry Lewis, Leach Cross, Ray Bronson, Willie Ritchie,  Mike Gibbons, Sammy Smith, Billy Willis, Tommy O'Keefe, Leo Houck, Jack Britton, Harlem Tommy Murphy, Kid Locke, and Freddie Welsh.

Although he took newspaper decisions against some of the champs he fought, these were non-title contests, and thus he never became a champion himself.