Johnny Ertel

Johnny Ertel (sometimes spelled Johnne) was a Hungarian born American boxer. Nicknamed “Kewpie” and “Little Dynamo”, he was the disputed bantamweight world boxing champion from 1915 until 1918, when he justly lost the title to Memphis Pal Moore. Trained and managed from his 16th year of age in 1913 by Mike McNulty, Ertel’s body punches were particularly devastating of his opponents, because of the extraordinary leverage with which his diminutive stature allowed them to be applied. With McNulty in his corner and his second, “Kewpie” took the bantamweight title from Kid Williams on September 10, 1915 in St. Paul, Minnesota while still just 18 years of age. Williams was disqualified in the 5th round after being repeatedly warned about throwing elbows, one of which blows then severely hurt Ertel. Minnesota law allowed an official decision only in event of knockouts and disqualifications, and Johnny Ertel was there awarded the World Bantamweight Boxing title. While many other state commissions recognized Ertel’s title, some states (in particular large New York state) having divergent rules did not recognize his title.