He was known as the best counter-punching heavyweight of his era, but known even more for his devastating one-punch power, winning most often by knockout.
Some at the time felt he may have had greater one-punch power than even boxers John L. Sullivan or Peter Maher.
However, he was less tough, durable, and was not as aggressive or tenacious as Sullivan, the reigning champion at that time.
He died of Erysipelas in Chicago, while on the run from the authorities from his home state of Minnesota, where he had been arrested for assault and battery of two different people, both within two days; both during drunken stupors.
He was rated as the seventh all-time greatest Minnesota heavyweight by boxing historian George Blair.