Reed Whittier

From The Great Outdoor Fight

Reed "Twister" Whittier (1841-1871) was the 1871 Fight Champion.

[edit] Early life

Whittier spent most of his youth traveling with his father, Marcus Whittier, a shipping merchant who transported goods across the Atlantic. Whittier was accustomed to the life of a sailor and longshoreman, and to days spent on the road guarding valuable cargo under dangerous circumstances. Fight historians have determined that Whittier began fighting for money while on the road some time before his 17th birthday. When he heard about the Fight while ashore in New York in 1870, he jumped at the chance to increase his reputation and earn a larger purse.

[edit] 1871 Fight

Although Whittier emerged as one of the stronger fighters at the end of Day 1, he was not particularly distinguished among a crowd that still included multiple former Fight champions and well-known competitors. This changed suddenly when he took down former champions Frederic Appleby and Winston Werry. Whittier was known for a great defense that relied on his incredible agility and accuracy, dodging and catching punches with ease. He took down several elite competitors, including Appleby and Werry, with a move that came to be known as the Paris Twist.

According to contemporary accounts, Whittier's high-energy, defense-oriented style made for long but exciting combats. He finished his last opponent, Steven Hosay, on the night of Day 3.

[edit] Aftermath and death

Whittier took a long vacation after his victory, traveling to many of his former haunts across the United States, England, and France, where he was greeted with celebration parties. Unfortunately, Whittier died during one of the last planned celebrations in December 1871. Whittier and several friends were eating and drinking heavily during a party on a boat off the coast of Marseilles. After all had retired to bed, Whittier was nowhere to be found the next morning. Prone to seasickness when drunk and full, Whittier is believed to have fallen over the boat's railing and drowned, although a few Fight historians still suspect foul play.