[1][19][20][21][22][23] While serving on the USS Arkansas as a Master-at-arms, Roberts' boxing skills were noticed by his fellow sailors, who often engaged in friendly sparring matches with him.

His impressive performance in these matches caught the attention of the ship's athletic director, who saw his potential as a competitive boxer.

Roberts' decision to join the competition turned out to be a wise one, as he quickly rose through the ranks and eventually won the middleweight championship of the navy.

Roberts' popularity and skill grew quickly, and by 1923, he was participating in main event fights like the one at the now Kaiser Convention Center against Oakland Jimmy Duffy.

[27] The most notable event of Roberts's career was on December 4, 1926, where he fought against Joe Dundee and won in a first-round knockout after only 4 seconds earning him 400 dollars and a great deal of publicity.

However, he lost the rematch in a ten-round unanimous decision a month later in front of over 18,000 spectators in Madison Square Garden.

[28] On March 12, 1928, Roberts lost a bout against future Welterweight and Middleweight champion Young Corbett III with a round-nine knockout.

Roberts later appeared in several movies (see below) and also a series of boxing commercials by Al Christie alongside Buster West and Tom Patricola.

[75][76][77] Edward Roberts died on March 3, 1968, in Alameda at the age of 65. and was buried in Willamette National Cemetery under his fake name and birth date.

[63] Roberts was a counter fighter with a strong short left hook[26] who refused to play aggressively until his opponent was weakened.