Boxer. After winning the Amateur Boxing Association, British Army and Inter-Services Championships he turned professional in 1954. In 1956 he defeated Don Cockell to become British Heavyweight champion and in 1957 added the Empire (Commonwealth) title by defeating Henry Cooper in one of five contests between the pair. In 1958 he fought unsuccessfully for the European title against Ingemar Johansson before losing his British and Empire titles to Brian London later that year. During his professional career he achieved notable victories over George Chuvalo (who later twice went the distance with Muhammed Ali), Dick Richardson, Jack Bodell, Johnny Williams, Joe Bygraves and the future World Light Heavyweight Champion, Willie Pastrano. He was a skilful and clever boxer, however his lack of a big punch restricted his success. Angelo Dundee, Willie Pastrano's trainer, expressed the view that had he been a bigger man with a heavier punch, he would have been a world beater. Between 1958 and 1960 Ring Magazine listed Erskine as one of the world's ten best Heavyweights. He retired from boxing in 1964 with a fight record of 45 wins (13 on knock-outs) and 8 defeats (6 on knock-outs). One of his bouts was drawn.
Boxer. After winning the Amateur Boxing Association, British Army and Inter-Services Championships he turned professional in 1954. In 1956 he defeated Don Cockell to become British Heavyweight champion and in 1957 added the Empire (Commonwealth) title by defeating Henry Cooper in one of five contests between the pair. In 1958 he fought unsuccessfully for the European title against Ingemar Johansson before losing his British and Empire titles to Brian London later that year. During his professional career he achieved notable victories over George Chuvalo (who later twice went the distance with Muhammed Ali), Dick Richardson, Jack Bodell, Johnny Williams, Joe Bygraves and the future World Light Heavyweight Champion, Willie Pastrano. He was a skilful and clever boxer, however his lack of a big punch restricted his success. Angelo Dundee, Willie Pastrano's trainer, expressed the view that had he been a bigger man with a heavier punch, he would have been a world beater. Between 1958 and 1960 Ring Magazine listed Erskine as one of the world's ten best Heavyweights. He retired from boxing in 1964 with a fight record of 45 wins (13 on knock-outs) and 8 defeats (6 on knock-outs). One of his bouts was drawn.
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