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The Danish-born Oscar “Battling” Nelson in an undated photo. He was nicknamed the Durable Dane. His birth name was Oscar Mattheus Nielsen.
Battling Nelson in the early 1900s.
Battling Nelson in the early 1900s.
Oscar Mattheus Nielsen, seen here with his bride, Fay King, in 1913, was better known as Battling Nelson, the fighter. He defeated Joe Gans in 1908 for the lightweight championship. Nelson and his wife would divorce in 1916.
Oscar Mattheus Nielsen, seen here with his bride, Fay King, in 1913, was better known as Battling Nelson, the fighter. He defeated Joe Gans in 1908 for the lightweight championship. Nelson and his wife would divorce in 1916.
Oscar “Battling” Nelson with his wife, Fay King, in an undated photo. The two married in 1913 and were divorced by 1916.
Fighting Dick Hyland, left, and Battling Nelson, circa 1923.
Fighting Dick Hyland, left, and Battling Nelson, circa 1923.
Battling Nelson with his wife, Fay King, in an undated photo.
Battling Nelson with his wife, Fay King, in an undated photo.
Former lightweight champion Oscar “Battling” Nelson tosses mail around on the job in Chicago’s main post office, circa 1947.
Oscar “Battling” Nelson in his room at the Ontario Hotel at 620 N. State St. in Chicago on April 17, 1953.
Former fighters pay their last respects to Battling Nelson at a chapel at 59th Street and South Kenzie Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 10, 1954.
Former fighters pay their last respects to Battling Nelson at a chapel at 59th Street and South Kenzie Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 10, 1954.
People gather to pay their last respects to Battling Nelson during his funeral on Feb. 10, 1954, at a chapel at 59th Street and South Kenzie Avenue in Chicago.
People gather to pay their last respects to Battling Nelson during his funeral on Feb. 10, 1954, at a chapel at 59th Street and South Kenzie Avenue in Chicago.
This is how Battling Nelson looked in 1908 when he won the lightweight boxing championship from Joe Gans. Editor's note: This historic print shows crop markings and early techniques for illustration.
This is how Battling Nelson looked in 1908 when he won the lightweight boxing championship from Joe Gans. Editor’s note: This historic print shows crop markings and early techniques for illustration.