Career
Ferguson eventually moved to Chelsea, Massachusetts, where he began his professional career in 1898. Ferguson remained undefeated up until June 1900, racking up a record of 10-0-6. None of Ferguson"s first 16 fights, however, were against a top contender.
On June 10, 1900, Ferguson suffered his first major setback when he was upset by a rookie fighter named Charlie O"Rourke via fourth-round knockout.
Ferguson bounced back, five months later, by scoring a first-round knockout of the inexperienced Tom Shaw. After the victory over Shaw, Ferguson finally fought an experienced fighter named Dick O"Brien.
Unfortunately, Ferguson squandered his big chance by getting disqualified against O"Brien in December 1900 and again, a month later, in January 1901. After knockout of John MacDonald three months later, Ferguson left the United States of America and headed to England, where he strung together a record of 6-1-2 before returning to America in January 1903.
Ferguson"s first fight after returning from Britain was against George Bayers.
The match ended as a Number Contest (likely a prearranged draw, as Ferguson was dropped four times by Bayers). After this match, however, Ferguson gained popularity by avenging his previous losses to Dick O"Brien by scoring a sixth-round knockout over O"Brien on 25 March 1903. This was followed by a twelve-round decision over George Bayers.
These two significant victories earned Ferguson a date with the legendary Jack Johnson on 16 April 1903.
Johnson came into the fight riding a 14 fight unbeaten streak. Although Ferguson went the distance, he lost a decision to Johnson.
The two would meet in a rematch three months later that was ruled a Number Contest. In 1904, Ferguson and Johnson met yet again, but the match was declared a Number Contest.
Ferguson was given one last chance against the "Galveston Giant" in 1905.
Johnson emerged as the victor in this final match after Ferguson was disqualified in the seventh round for kneeing Johnson in the groin twice. In November 1903 Ferguson took on the World Welterweight Champion Joe Walcott. In 1904, however, Walcott avenged his loss the previous year by winning a ten-round decision of his own over Ferguson.
Ferguson"s career ended in disappointment.
In his final ten fights Ferguson"s record was a dreadful 1-8-1. His competition during these final bouts, however, was some of the best of his career.
