Ratner, Augie

A middleweight contender in the early 1920s, Ratner fought Hall of Famers Harry Greb, Ted "Kid" Lewis, and Mike Gibbons during his career.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. May 20, 1894 - d. May 1979

Career Highlights:
Ratner began his professional career in 1916, the year after winning the first World's national welterweight championship in San Francisco. The New York-born Ratner then returned to his hometown and fought future middleweight champion Mike McTigue. The March 1916 bout ended in a 10-round no decision and so did a rematch the following year. In January 1918, Ratner battled the great Harry Greb but lost a 20-round decision to the Hall of Famer. The following year, he fought middleweight champ Mike O'Dowd in September with the bout ending in a no decision.

By 1920, Ratner was one of the top contenders for the middleweight title and he had another strong showing in a rematch with O'Dowd in March 1920. The bout took place in O'Dowd's hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota and was a no decision (O'Dowd became world champ in his next fight). In April 1921, he then defeated Hall of Famer Ted "Kid" Lewis in a 15-round decision. Although he lost twice to contender (and Hall of Famer) Mike Gibbons later that year (both decisions), Ratner travelled to England in 1923 and defeated Lewis again on his own turf. Returning to the U.S., he then fought Johnny Brown to a 20-round draw.

By the mid-1920s, Ratner remained a contender, but it was becoming increasingly apparent that he would not get a title shot. He lost to Dave Slade in 1924 and lost a rematch with world champion Harry Greb in January 1925 in a non-title fight. Two months after losing to Greb, Augie was knocked out in the second-round by future world light-heavyweight champion Jimmy Slattery. Ratner fought three more bouts before retiring in 1926.

Origin:
New York City

Physical description:
5'8", 154-160 pounds

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins : 16 (5 by knockout)
Losses: 16
Draws: 5
No decisions: 25

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