SSHoF logoErnest "Ossie" Herlen

Athlete (1987)

Boxing

Ernest Ossie Herlen Born in Star City, Saskatchewan in 1918, Ossie Herlen was an outstanding sportsman but excelled in boxing. He started to box at the age of 15. All told he had 33 fights and won 27 of them, 12 via the knockout route. Of the six fights he lost, five were by decision. In his nine years of boxing, Herlen was never knocked out.

In 1937, Ossie was the Saskatchewan lightweight champion. The following year he was Saskatchewan champion again, this time in the welterweight division. That same year he was a finalist in the Canadian welterweight class. For most of his career, Herlen was trained by the great Bobby Reid. In the 1937-38 year, Ossie was vice-president of the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing club. In 1940, as a member of the RCAF, Ossie continued boxing and won the Toronto Garrison championship.

He was named to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.

** Deceased