Kid Parker

Parker was born on January 20, 1877, in Boston.^[3][4] Parker was considered the best boxer in Denver.^[5] He had an 18-match undefeated streak.^[6] In 1900, he fought a ten-round draw with Matty Matthews.^[3] Parker became a vegetarian in 1901.^[7] He stated that a strict vegetarian diet increased his physical endurance and increased his mental power.^[8] He was the first vegetarian boxer.^[3][1]

In April 1902, The Vegetarian Magazine published a letter describing Parker's conversion to vegetarianism.^[9] He became known as the "vegetarian champion" and "vegetarian pugilist".^{[1][9][10][11]} Parker's vegetarian diet consisted of cereals, fruit, milk, nuts, vegetables and a liberal amount of eggs.^[12][13] In April, 1903 Parker authored an article on physical culture in the San Francisco Call, advocating a vegetarian diet for health reasons.^[13] He declared he would still be boxing at 35 and live to be 100 years old because he is vegetarian.^[13] In 1905, Parker was described as "one of the most gentlemanly fighters in the prize ring today".^[14] Parker's wife was also a boxer.^[15][16]

Parker's last ring appearance was in 1906.^[3] After his boxing career ended Parker was institutionalized in an asylum at Norfolk, Nebraska as he suffered from hallucinations.^[17][18] Parker would repeatedly punch the wall in his padded cell so was given boxing gloves to protect his hands.^[19]

• The Conversion of a Noted Pugilist (1902)
• Exercises for Women (1903)