Charles Presser (1885–1960), who fought under the name Sailor Burke, was an accomplished New York welter and middleweight boxer who often competed against light heavyweights including several contenders and champions.

[1][2][3] On August 22, 1911, Burke defeated world welterweight claimant Billy Papke, at St. Nicholas Arena in New York City, but could not claim the title as both men were fighting over the middleweight limit of 160.

He began his career by 1904, focusing first in Philadelphia, and then primarily the New York City area, featuring many short 3-6 round bouts in well known clubs.

[3] On May 21, 1906, Burke became one of the only men to knock out Philadelphia boxer Joe Grim in the third round of four at Remson Athletic Club in New York.

[7] As expected, the heavier Johnson showed superior strength, but his scientific boxing skills, and hitting accuracy dominated in a bout where Burke was knocked to the floor fourteen times in the six rounds.

The Buffalo Evening News praised Burke for lasting six rounds with such a superior opponent and avoiding a loss by knockout, particularly in the sixth when Johnson worked hardest to achieve one.

[10] Burke fought the outstanding American welterweight contender Willie Lewis three times, though lost each bout in the opinion of most newspapers or by points or knockout.

In their final meeting on March 9, 1911, Burke lost in a ten round newspaper decision of the New York Times to the skilled Lewis who was then boxing as a middleweight.

[3] On December 2, 1910, Burke lost a well-publicized ten round newspaper decision to Frank Mantell, a former world welterweight contender, at the New Amsterdam Opera House in New York.

Burke took a great deal of punishment in the bout from his accomplished opponent, and was fighting as a heavyweight at this late point in his career.

[13][14] Mantell had previously fought welterweight champions Harry Lewis and Honey Mellody in November of 1907 and January of 1908 in bouts billed but not sanctioned as world championships.