| 18th 19th Century
Daniel Mendoza Angel Hyams Aaron Mendoza Joe Chynski Sam Elias Barney Aaron Henry Abrahams Abraham "Aby" Belasco Israel Belasco Samuel Belasco John Belasco Isaac Bittoon Elisha Crabbe Abraham da Costa; Barnard Levy Keely Lyons Daniel Martin Isaac Mousha Abraham Robes Solomon Sodicky |
The Gold Star Champs Abe Attell Abe Goldstein Al McCoy Al "The Bronx Beauty" Singer Ben Jeby Barney Ross Battling Levinsky Benny Bass Benny Leonard Bob Olin Charley Rosenberg Harry Lewis Harry Harris Izzy Shwartz Jack Bernstein Jackie Berg Jackie Fields Louis "Kid" Kaplan Max Baer Maxie Rosenbloom Monte Attell Mushy Callahan Pinky Silverberg Solly Kreiger Ted "Kid" Lewis Victor Perez |
American Fighters
Saoul Mamby Al "Bummy" Davis Nat Bor Monte Attell Jacob "Soldier" Bartfield Joe Benjamin Joe Bernstein Harry Blitman Leo Bodner Julie Bort Danny Kapilow Herbie Kronowitz Artie Levine Al Ried Allie Stolz Vic Zimet Charlie Gelman Bernie Friedkin Phil Bloom Newsboy Brown Leach Cross Charlye Goldman Reuben GHOldstein Willie Jackson |
Danny Kramer Ron Ross Ruby Goldstein Sam Mosberg Harry Lewis Ray Miller Young Montreal Young Otto Dave Rosenberg Johnny "Young" Rosner Lew Tendler Sid Terris Charley White Abe Hollandersky Post 30's Champs Alphonse Halimi Robert Cohen Mike Rossman | Around the World Henry Nissen (AU) Victon Zilberman (RM) Shamil Sabyrov (USSR) Gilles Elbilia (FR) Fabrice Benichou (FR) Albert Yvel (FR) Gary "Kid" Jacobs (SC) Anshel Joseph (GB) Matt Wells (GB) Harry Mason (GB) Bob Schneider (CA) Johnny BRown (GB) Al Phillips (GB) Jack Bloomfield Joe Fox Harry Mizler Young Montreal (RU) Al Foreman (GB) Curly Wilshur (GB) Sammy Luftspring (CA) Maxie Berger (CA) Tiger Burns Al James David Katzen (SA) Waldemar Holberg (DM) |
Current Fighters Dmitri Salita Yugi Foreman Leyla Foreman Jill Matthews Zab Judah Igor Vysotsky dana Rosenblatt Roman Greenberg |
Jewhoo!
- Barney Aaron -
Premodern English great known as "the star of The East". 1800-1850. -
Young Barney Aaron -
1836-1907. Son of Barney Aaron (surprise)Lightweight champion of US in 1857. -
Georgie Abrams -
Middleweight contender (1937-1948). Lost 15 round title fight to Zale in 1941. Beat Teddy Yarosz, Billy Soose 3 times (once while Soose held New York version of middle title in 1941), Lou Brouillard and other top middleweights. 48W, 3D, 10L -
Ray Arcel -
The trainer of great fighters. Trained 20 world champs including, Benny Leonard, Roberto Duran and Ezzard Charles. Elected to the New York Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. One of 2 trainers to be elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame. Full biography on following link. Arcel -
Salomo Arouch -
Greek Jew who was middle-weight champion of the Balkans before WWII. He was deported to Auschwitz and forced to box in staged fights for the camp guards. His story is depicted in the film "Triumph of the Spirit", starring William Dafoe. -
Bob Arum -
Major boxing promoter who is still very active. One of the two most important promoters in the game today. -
Monte Atell -
Abe Attell's brother. World Bantamweight champ 1909. KO'd Frankie Neil in Colma, California. Lost title in 1910 to Frankie Conley. While this title was not universally recognized, it was the only time two brothers held world titles. Very little remains of his overall record. One of three fighting Attell brothers (Cesar was the third). -
Abe Attell -
Born in San Francisco in 1884. He learned to fight growing up in an Irish neighborhood. He was featherweight champ for eight years (1901-08). Overall record was 171-9. Full biography on following link (scroll down a bit). Attell -
Buddy Baer -
Brother of Max Baer. Lost heavyweight title fight to Joe Louis. Giant in size, he appeared in over a dozen films including "Quo Vadis". -
Max Baer -
Heavyweight champion 1934-35. Fought with a Star of David on his shorts.There has always some dispute whether he was really Jewish; or whether it was a marketing ploy. During Baer's era, a boxer could get a strong following by claiming to be one ethnicity or another. Claiming to be Jewish helped bring in Jewish fans in the major cities where most fights were held. The consensus of most Jewish boxing mavens is that only Baer's paternal grandfather was Jewish. (Although you will find Baer described as Jewish in countless sources). Father of Max Baer, Jr. who played "Jethro" on "Beverly Hillbillies". One note: Whatever Baer "really was" it was probably a good thing that he fought with a Star of David on his shorts. In the 1930s, Jews needed, perhaps more than ever, the moral support provided by athletic champions. -
Phil Baker -
(1930-1936) Lightweight. Overall record, 92W(41KO), 1D, 23 ND. -
Soldier Bartfield. -
Born Jacob Bartfeld. Tough Austrian born welterweight (1912-1925). Fought the best and fought them often, KO Brennan, Kid Graves, Al McCoy, Jack Britton, Mike O'Dowd, Mike Gibbons, Ted 'Kid' Lewis, Harry Greb, Benny Leonard, Italian Joe Gans (with whom he had a famous rivalry), Mickey Walker, and others. Mostly no decisions. 32W(18KO), 8D, 18L, 111ND. -
Benny Bass -
Featherweight champion, 1927-1928. Won the title vacated by Louis Kaplan. Fought 197 fights, won 140, 59 by KO. -
Willie Beecher -
1909-1917) Lightweight, Overall record 10W(10KO), 3D, 1L 51ND -
Fabrice Benichou -
Spanish bantam/featherweight. (1984-1998). European Bantamweight champ (1988), IBF Jr. Featherweight champ (1989-1990), European Featherweight champ (1991-1992). Record, 45W(23KO), 2D, 17L. -
Jackie Berg -
Known as Jackie "Kid" Berg. Born Judah Bergman in London. Jr. Welterweight Champ, 1931. As a marketing ploy, he would wear a tallis (prayer shawl) into the ring. Madison Square Garden favorite. Lifetime 157-26-9. -
Sam Berger -
Won Olympic gold medal for USA as a boxing heavyweight in 1904. -
Joe Bernstein -
Popular early Jewish featherweight in New York. Fought the likes of Young Griffo , George Dixon (2),Solly Smith (KO'd Smith in 1899), Dave Sullivan (3 20-25 round draws), Terry McGovern (3), Young Corbett (2), all of whom were champions. His overall record is difficult to compile. -
Jack Bernstein -
(1899-1945). Jr. Lightweight champ, 1923. Fought from 1914 to 1931. 65W, 7D, 23L, 12ND. -
Harry Blitman -
Featherweight (1926-1930). 52W(23KO), 2D, 4L, 5ND -
Phil Bloom -
English born lightweight (1912-1923). Fought 175 bouts, 99 of which were No Decision. Overall record 43W(15KO), 11D, 22L, 99ND. -
Nathan Bor -
Won Olympic bronze medal for USA as lightweight in 1932. -
Aaron Braunstein -
Current major boxing promoter who puts on major fights in Madison Square Garden and other venues. His daughter is the well-known actress Natasha Lyonne. -
Belasco Brothers -
For a period of time in the early to mid 18th century, a fair number of Jews successfully engaged as pugilists in Britain. They included the Belasco brothers, Abraham, Israel, Samuel John, as well as, Isaac Bittoon, Elisha Crabbe, Abraham DeCosta, Bernard Levy and others. -
Budini Brown -
Bundini Brown was famous mostly for being Muhammed Ali's close friend, cheerleader, jester, and cornerman. He also had a few bit parts in movies, including the role of a henchman in the blaxploitation classic, "Shaft". In the book, "King of the World: Muhammed Ali and the Rise of an American Hero" by David Remnick, a NY Times bestseller about Ali's early years, it is noted that Bundini is a convert to Judaism and was married to a woman named Rhoda Palestine. He also referred to G-d as Shorty. It doesn't say whether he learned to use this term in his conversion class. -
Newsboy Brown -
Born Dave Montrose. Held controversial flyweight title when he defeated Johnny McCoy in L.A. in 1928. Only recognized in California. Lost it to Johnny Hill in 1929. Brown was undoubtedly one of the best small fighters of his day. He met four (4) Hall of Famers six times. Genera (2W), La Barba (2D), 'Panama' Al Brown (1W), Chalky Wright (1W). In addition he beat flyweight great Midget Wolgast, and met and beat the best of his age. Had one shot for undisputed world title, losing to Izzy Schwartz, whom he had previously beaten. UPDATE March 2002--We stumbled on a very nice account of Newsboy Brown's 1932 fight against "Young Tommy". Brown lost the fight, but it is a good piece with pictures and biographical details about both fighters. The great Jack Dempsey helped provide publicity for the bout. (As an aside, Jack Dempsey had a Jewish grandmother. No, he wasn't Jewish in any meaningful sense. But, Roger Kahn writes in his recent biography of Dempsey, that this ancestry had some influence on Dempsey's life and attitudes). -
Natie Brown -
Heavyweight (1928-1949). 56W(21KO), 9D, 17L, 2ND. -
Mushy Callahan -
A.K.A. Mushy Sheer. Jr. Welterweight champ, 1926-1930. Lost title to Jack 'Kid' Berg. 43W, 4D, 12L, 1 ND. -
Red Chapman -
Born Morris Kaplan. Top featherweight in the 1920's. Declared champion by some organizations when Kid Kaplan vacated the title. Fought legendary title fight in 1928 against fellow Jewish boxer Benny Bass. The fight went the distance and featured double knockdowns. Bass won in a split decision. Chapman is in the New England Boxing Hall of Fame. -
Joe Choyniski -
One of the great fighters of the late 19th, early 20th C. Weighed 160 -170 (employed as a taffy-puller), but mostly fought much bigger heavyweights. Fought Corbett 3 times, apparand the Choynskis (San Franciscans). KO'd Jack Johnson at the beginning of Johnson's career. Both were arrested beacuse boxing was then illegal in Texas. Supposed to have impressed upon Johnson, while sharing a cell, the virtues of defensive boxing. In 1897, fought James Jeffries, who outweighed him by 40 - 50 pounds, to a 20 round draw. Drew with Fitzsimmons in 1894 (police stopped fight). Never had a title shot.ently there was bad family blood between the Corbetts -
Gilbert Cohen -
Won Light-Middleweight championship of Europe in 1978. -
Robert Cohen -
Bantamweight champion, 1954-1955. Algerian Jew. Reminiscent of the Hemingway character of same name. He was in a terrible auto accident and never recovered his form. -
Leach Cross -
His real name was Dr. Louis C. Wallach. Top lightweight (1906-1916, 1921). 43W(25KO), 2D, 14L, 95ND. Outside of boxing he practiced dentistry in Hollywood, CA. -
Al 'Bummy' Davis -
Rough tough middleweight boxer from New York, circa 1948-9. Davis was shot to death while coming to the defense of his friendly barkeep during an armed robbery. He is reputed the have broken one robber's jaw before taking the fatal shot. A tough cookie to say the least. Born Albert Davidoff. -
Herman Davis -
Fought as "Jackie Davis", proudly wore the Star of David on his trunks. Raised in Cleveland's Jewish Orphans Home. Professional 1928-34. Fought Barney Ross for Chicago Golden Gloves Title in '27. Ranked in top 10 of Ring Magazine of '32 and '33 in Welter Weight Division, had over 150 pro fights. Professional referee 1934 to '68 (Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake La Mota, Ezzard Charles and Jimmy Bevins, more); boxing columnist 1955-1968, Cleveland News and Press. Died in ring, December 1968 (while reffing a charity event). Elected to Cleveland, Ohio Sports HOF in '86. -
Davey Day -
Lightweight contender (1930s). 59W(29KO), 4D, 10L -
Harold Devine -
Won Olympic bronze medal for USA as featherwight in 1928. -
Harry Dublinsky -
(1926-1935) Lightweight. Overall record 73W(15KO), 13D, 30L, 5ND. Beat Tony Canzoneri in 1934. -
Lew Feldman -
Scottish(?) Jew. Some sources identify him as American, unless of course there are two Lew Feldmans. Fought as lightweight (1928-1941). 182 fights overall. 115W(8KO), 13D, 54L. -
Jackie Fields -
Born Jacob Finkelstein. World Welterweight champion (1929-1930, 1932-1933) Also, won Olympic gold metal as featherweight in 1924 Olympics. Overall record, 71W(28KO), 2D, 9L, 3ND -
Nathaniel Fleischer -
Nat was the founder of "Ring Magazine", the bible of boxing. Founded in the 1920's, its ranking of boxers was very influential. He also published the Boxing Encyclopedia. He fought for a cleaner game and more physical protections for boxers. Died in 1972. -
Al Foreman -
English lightweight (1920-1933), ranked in 30s. Record 125W(80KO), 10D, 10L. -
Yuri Foreman -
Foreman, originally from Belarus, is a hot young Jewish prospect in American boxing. His career is covered in the linked piece from the April 15, 2002 issue of New York Magazine. A few highlights: Foreman is a junior middleweight who won the 2001 New York Golden Gloves in his division. He is 3-0 with two KOs since turning pro. The piece covers him and Dimitriy Salita, another hot young Jewish boxing prospect. (See Salita's entry). (May 2002) Foreman Profile -
Bernie Friedkin -
Known as "Schoolboy". Highly regarded feather/lightweight (1935-1943). Came from Brownsville section of Brooklynlike "Bummy" Davis, who he lost to in 1938. Fought draws against Kid Chocolate. Mike Belloise (2) and Petey Scalzo. Overall record, 49W(10KO), 15D, 10L. -
Sailor Friedman -
(1916-1924). Lightweight. Overall record, 37W(22KO), 4D, 3L, 38ND. Fits in with Soldier Bartfield and Corporal Izzy Schwartz. -
Danny Frush -
Featherweight, 1917-1926. Overall record 60W(24KO), 10L, 1D, 17ND -
Gyorgy Gedo -
Hungarian. Winner of the Gold medal in the Light Flyweight divison at the 1972 Olympics. As noted elsewhere, confirming that athletes from the former Eastern bloc are Jewish is difficult. Our friends at Jewish Sports Review note that they have a "high confidence" in this listing. -
Lou Gevinson -
Featherweight out of Washington, D.C. Winner of 5 consecutive Golden Glove titles. Named the alternate featherweight on 1936 Olympic team, but refused to accompany the team to Berlin as a "matter of principle,". Fought 3 world champs in a short professional career, losing close fights each time, once by split decision. -
Charlie Goldman -
Bantamweight (1904-1914. Outstanding fighter of the first decade of the 20thC. Overall record: 36W(20KO), 1D, 6l, 84ND. -
Ruby Goldstein -
Famed referee who was born on the lower East Side. He was a pro boxer in the '20's, nicknamed "the Jewel of the Ghetto". Started referring while in the Army during WWII. Referred many impt. fights incl. Louis/Walcott, Zale/Graziano. Columnist for "Ring". Died in '84. -
Abe Goldstein -
Bantamweight champion, 1924-1925. 85W, 5D, 14L, 26ND -
Harold Green -
(1942-1953) Middleweight. Beat Rocky Graziano twice in 1944, and KO'ed Joey Giardello in 1950. Overall record, 70W(23KO), 3D, 14L. -
Alphonse Halimi -
World bantamweight champ (1957-1959). Algerian Jew like Robert Cohen. Also twice won European bantam title. 40W(21KO), 1D, 8L -
Willie Harmon -
Willie Harmon. Welterweight contender. (1920s). Overall record, 50W(24KO), 6D, 15L, 15ND. Worked as bouncer/greeter in Red Hook bar in 40s. Thought he was part owner. -
Harry Harris -
First modern Jewish bantamweight champ. Know as the "human scissors" won the title in 1901, then fought as featherwight. 40W, 7D, 2L, 5ND. -
Marvin Hart -
Marvin Hart. (1876-1931) Fern Creek, Kentucky. Heavyweight champion 1905. Found seemingly reliable reference to his being Jewish, but have been unable to confirm. Any information one way or the other would be appreciated. -
Montgomery Herscovitz -
AKA Moe Herscovitch. Won Olympic bronze medal for Canada as middleweight in 1920. -
Joe Hertzberg -
Deaf mute lightweight, fought under the name "Dummy Jordan." Number one contender for several years during the 1910's. Hometown: Chicago, Illinois. -
Waldemar Holdberg -
Danish welterweight (1883-1927). Competed in 1908 Olympics as a lightweight. Won World Welterweight title in 1914, then lost it same month on a 6th round disqualification. 31W, 4D, 23L. -
Abe Hollandersky -
Known as "Newsboy". Possibly most prolific fighter of all time. Reputed to have fought some 1,309 bouts. -
Keith Holmes -
Current world middleweight champion. This entry is for informational purposes only. Holmes is a member of a "black Hebrew" group. As noted elsewhere, there are many African-Americans, and other peoples of "color", who are Jews and accepted as such by all other Jews. However, Holmes' group is not accepted as Jewish by any mainstream Jewish group and, in fact, contains strong elements of Christianity. A small number of the group Holmes is associated with settled in Israel in 1969. (They came on tourist visas and stayed) To make a long story short, a confusing and politically charged situation was finally resolved by allowing them to stay as temporary permanent residents. After 30 years they have become part of the mosaic of Israeli society. Only time will tell whether they will formally join mainstream Judaism through conversion or assimilation. The links take you to a quasi-official statement on the history of the group and an article on Holmes in the Jewish press. (Addition--to end the same questions--based on what we know--which isn't complete--welterweight champ Zab Judah also appears to belong to a group that calls itself Jewish, but whose theology is not recognizably Jewish by even the most "liberal" standards. We take a very liberal view on Jewhoo on listing people. If they have a Jewish parent we usually list them. If they have a Jewish grandparent and practice Judaism, we list them. We do try to tell the visitor how the person identifies. However, with all due respect to Zab Judah, a great fighter, we have to draw some lines. And one of those lines is that we unequivocally maintain that someone is not Jewish, by religion, if that person practices a religion (whatever it is called) that includes strong elements of Christianity. Granted, Jewhoo does list some persons who do practice Christianity. However, these persons have an "ethnically" Jewish parent. Listing persons with one Jewish parent who practice Christianity was a difficult editorial decision. It is based on the odd status of "Jewishness" as both a religion and an ethnicity. If Zab Judah practiced something recognized as mainstream Jewish practice, we would give him an entry. If he was "ethnically" Jewish, i.e., if he had a parent who was generally accepted as Jewish by most Jews,--again we would list him. However, he does not appear to fall into either of these categories. If anyone has information on Judah that contradicts what we have gathered from several sources--please inform us right away. Thank you.) Status in Israel Holmes Profile -
Harry Isaacs -
Won Olympic bronze medal for South Africa as bantamweight in 1928. -
Julius Issacson -
Julius "Big Julie" Issacson managed heavyweight fighter Ernie Terrell and other prominent boxers. -
Willie Jackson -
Real name was Oscar Tobler. Top feather/lightweight (1913-1922). Fought Hall of Famer Johnny Dundee 11 times 2W(1KO), 4D, 5ND . Overall record 25W(17KO), 8D, 9L, 115ND. -
Jimmy Jacobs -
Manager and film historian. Outstanding amateur athlete and six time natl. handball champ.With Bill Cayton assembled a major collection of old fight films starting in the early '60's--his company, Big Fights, produced 1000 boxing films. Managed Wilfred Benitz, Edwin Rosario, Mike Tyson. Died in '88. -
Gary Jacobs -
Scottish welterweight (1985-1997). European Welterweight champ (1993-1994), Great Britain welterweight champ (1992), Commonwealth (1988-1989). Overall record, 45W(26KO), 8L. -
Mike Jacobs -
Major boxing promoter of the '20's and '30's. Began as a ticket scalper. Signed Joe Louis to an exclusive contract in '35. Put on major fights in the Garden. Died in '53. -
Ben Jeby -
(Morris Jebaltowski) Held the New York version of the middleweight title from 1932 to 1933. 54W(22KO), 4D, 14L, 1NC -
Robert Kahn -
Who is he? He is the real-life model for Robert Cohn, the Princeton boxing champion in Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises". In the book, Cohn is criticized for fighting for "the wrong reason". The right reason being the joy of athletic competition or some other mystical Hemingway macho stuff. The real Robert Cohn never made it to Paris and, in later years, hardly anyone remembered him from his Princeton days. He was a quiet young man who didn't want to have to take an insult from anyone. Therefore, he studied boxing and became Princeton middleweight champ in the 1920's. He apparently never had a college fight outside the gym. -
Jackie Kallen -
Quite a novelty story and that's why they are making her life into a major feature film. Jackie Kallen, 55, was a young, divorced mother of two and had to support her herself and her kids. First, she got into sports writing. Then public relations for many leading sports professionals. In the 1980s, she established herself as virtually the only important woman manager of professional boxers. Her stable of champions has included Joseph Kiwanuka, super middle weight champ. She has been named "Manager of the Year" and is Commissioner of Female Boxing. In 1998, she wrote her bio under the title "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." In 2003, her story will be released under the movie title, "Against the Ropes." Meg Ryan will play Jackie. Feature piece from 1998 on 1st link. Recent picture and other info on 2nd link. (Added November 2002) Profile Recent Picture/More -
Louis (Kid) Kaplan -
Featherweight champion from 1925- 1927, when he outgrew the class and gave up his title. 102W, 10D, 13L, 9ND. -
Phil Kaplan -
Known as "K.O.".(1919-1929) Middleweight. Overall record, 69W(34K), 1D, 14L, 11ND. -
Julie Kogon -
Julie (Julius) Kogon. (1937-1949 ) Very respectable lightweight. Overall record to 1949, 74W(34KO), 15D, 36L. -
Danny Kramer -
Featherweight contender, 1919-1928. 52W(25KO), 22L, 3D, 13ND. Lost to Louis (Kid) Kaplan for vacant Featherweight title in 1925. -
Solly Krieger -
NBA Middleweight Champion 1938-1939. Fighting 111 fights he had a higher percentage of KOs (53/111) than every middleweight champion before him except Stanley Ketchell and Les Darcy. Only Mickey Walker (60) and Lou Brouillard (66) had more KOs. -
Herb Kronowitz -
Herb Kronowitz. Middleweight (1941-1950). 54W(9KO), 5D, 24L. In Coast Guard in WWII. Two brothers served overseas. His younger brother was killed in Battle of Bulge. -
Art Lasky -
Heavyweight (1930-1939) Overall record 42W(34KO), 4D, 7L, 5ND. -
Benny Leonard -
Great Lightweight champ (1917-1925). Hall of Fame. Lost 3 fights first 3 years, then was undefeated over the next 11 years except for a disqualification loss to Jack Britton for Welterweight title in 1922. Leonard was beating Britton when he inexplicably fouled him in the 13th round. After his retirement in 1925 he returned to the ring in 1931 and won 18 out of his next 19 fights (1 draw) until he was knocked out by Jimmy McLarnin October 7, 1932. Overall record, 89W(71KO), 1D, 5L, 115ND. -
Artie Levine -
Middleweight (1941-1949). Most famous fight was with Sugar Ray Robinson (11/6/46) in which he almost KO'ed Robinson in the 5th round. A long count might have saved Robinson. Robinson managed to rebound and knock out Levine in the 10th round, but he never could remember the fight after the 5th round. It has been claimed that Robinson said no one ever hit him harder than Levine did in the 5th round of that fight. Levine never got a title shot. His overall record was 50W(36KO), 6D, 15L. -
King Levinsky -
Heavyweight (1928-1939). 79W(41KO), 7D, 33L. During his career he beat the likes of Jimmy Slattery, Tommy Loughran, Primo Carnera, Jack Sharkey, Leo Lomski. -
Battling Levinsky -
One of the few guys known mostly known just by his nickname. He was light heavyweight champion between 1917 and 1925. Born Barney Lebrowitz. Levinsky, who originally fought under the name Williams, is believed to have fought over 400 professional fights, although his early years' engagements are not recorded. The guy loved to fight. -
Ted Lewis -
Known as Ted "Kid" Lewis. World Welterweight Champ, 1915-16; 1917-1919. Born Gershon Mendelhoff in England. Tough, hard-hitting fighter from London's East End. Held many British and European titles. Lifetime: 170-30-14. There is an interesting story about Lewis on the following link. But it is too good not to share the heart of it here--even though the excerpt is a little longer than we normally use. In 1929, Lewis accepted a position as a bodyguard and physical trainer for British politician Oswald Mosley and his "New Party". Mosley's party began as a "populist", but anti-Communist party that was non-racist. However, by 1932, Mosley became a follower of anti-Semitic fascism. Lewis came to Mosley to find out if the rumors of Mosley adopting anti-Semitism were true. Mosley said that they they were true and outlined his plans to Lewis (TK). The account reads: "Mosley almost smiled at TK's naivety. 'Yes' [He was anti-Jewish]. Then he rose from his chair and told TK in measured tones ...his full plans and began to explain there aims. TK's face was dead white. Boxing fans who had seen him fight would have intrepreted the danger signs. ...Mosley kept on talking and then eyed TK as if to gauge the effect of his words on TK. Until then TK had not moved. Then, like lightning, he struck with an open hand across Mosley's face, sending him and his chair crashing against the wall. The two brown-shirted men came round the desk and grappled with TK. He ducked under the man's arms and shot a short right hand to his jaw, sending him to the floor, out to the world. ...TK hit him (the second man) with a left hook and dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes. ...TK took my hand and we walked down the stairs past the two guards at the front door. About twenty yards up the street, TK told me to wait a minute. ...he walked back to the entrance, mounted the steps and postitioned himself between the two guards. He eyed them for two or three seconds, and then, like lightning, swung a left hook at one, spun around with a right hook to the other, and calmly stepped over both. He walked down the steps and joined me, grinning from ear to ear." Postscript: Oswald Mosley was jailed as a security risk during WWII and spent the war in jail. His union of British Fascists never acquired much of a following. But, he does show up in a number of historical/literary references because he was married to one of the famous Mitford sisters. Two were fascists; one was a communist for a time (Jessica); and the fourth--novelist Nancy, mostly steered clear of extreme politics. Full story with Pictures -
Harry Lewis -
Born Henry Besterman. 1886-1956. Claimant to Welterweight title in 1908, after KO'ing Frank Mantell and Honey Melody. One of the best welterweights of his day. 80W, 11D, 16L, 56ND. -
Sammy Luftspring -
Canadian amateur welterweight champion, 1930's. Was supposed to represent Canada at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. However, he joined the boycott of the games by Jewish (and some other athletes). Mr. Luftspring has been active in the Jewish sports community and has written his autobiography. -
Jill Matthews -
Billed as Jill "The Zion Lion" Matthews. One of the top female professional fighters around today. IFBA and IWBF Junior Flyweight Champ. -
Al McCoy -
(Alexander Rudolph). Middleweight champion 1914-1917. McCoy won the world championship when he defeated George Chip, then champion, who was standing in for a fight scheduled with his brother Joe Chip. He Ko'd George Chip in the first round. He was thereafter derogatorily referred to as the "cheese champion" for being a light hitter who lucked into the championship, and for fighting many No Decision bouts (like most fighters of the day). Actually, he may have fought as many as 137 fights before losing for the first time in 1917 in a championship fight with Mike O'Dowd. Not too shabby, cheesy or no. -
Daniel Mendoza -
(1764-1836)Sephardic Jew who became a famous boxing champion of England in the 18th Century. He did for English Jews what Jackie Robinson did for African-Americans two centuries later. Mendoza gave them pride in a champion who represented his people. Mendoza is credited with introducing "scientific boxing" to the sport (called, believe it or not, "the Jewish School of Boxing." during this period). A Mendoza descendant was actor Peter Sellers. Sellers' mother, whose name was Mendoza, was Jewish. Sellers's son wrote that Peter was somewhat fascinated by his ancestor and by the "yellowing" prints of the champion that had been passed down in the Mendoza family. Sellers and his ancestor, his son wrote, bore a striking physical resemblance to one and other. There is a short biography of Mendoza on the following link. (Note August 2003--We have replaced the link that no longer works with a link to a bio that is likely to be up for a long time. There is a picture of Mendoza, too. But it may not be a true representation of what he really looked like] Mendoza -
M. Jacob Michaelsen -
Won Olympic bronze medal for Denmark as heavyweight in 1928. -
Ray Miller -
Lightweight contender (1924-1933). Of note though, he was only man to ever knock out Jimmy McLarnin, who made an issue out of knocking out Jewish fighters. Miller was never himself KO'ed in 111 fights. Overall record, 77W(31KO), 4D, 25L. -
Pedro Montanez -
Puerto Rican Jew. Outstanding lightweight. (1931-1940) Between 1932 and his loss to Lou Ambers (who he'd previously beaten) in September of 1937; Montanez had 57 wins and 4 draws. Overall record 87W(51KO), 5D, 7L. -
Young Montreal -
Born Morris Billinghoff)Claimant to American Flyweight title, 1919, then competed as a bantamweight. Fought from 1916 to 1929. 56W, 6D, 19L, 22ND. -
Sam Mosberg -
Won Olympic gold medal for USA as lightweight in 1920. -
Johnny Murray -
Born Herman Sloves 1899-1957. Featherweight. Nickname "The Bronx bone-crusher". Overall record, 1916-1921, 42W(38KO), 4L, 66ND. Fought at least 87 fights before losing his first bout in 1920. After retiring was active in Democratic party politics in the Bronx. -
Artie O'Leary -
(Arthur Lieberman). Claimant to Junior lightweight title (1917-1919). -
Bob Olin -
Light-heavyweight champion from 1934-1935. Owned a restaurant for a short while. -
Young Otto -
Born Arthur Suskind. Very active lightweight (1903-1923). Fought 196 recorded fights. 93W(70KO), 4D, 10L, 93ND. After his retirement was an instructor, judge and referee for New York State Athletic Commission. -
Bob Pastor -
Heavyweight (1935-1942). Fought Louis for title in 1939, lost by KO in 11. Previously had lost 10 round decision to Louis. Clearly a top contender prior to 1942. 53W (17KO), 5D, 7L. Note: This fighter may be half-Jewish, but we don't have more information. If you know, contact us. which side. -
Davey Pearl -
Referee. Pearl worked over 3,000 bouts. He was based in Las Vegas and worked such famous matches at Marvin Hagler/Tommy Hearns and Ali/Leon Spinks. He is in the boxing hall of fame. -
Victor Perez -
Known as Victor(Young) Perez. World Flyweight champ (1931-1932) Tunisian Jew. Believed to have died in German prison camp in 1942. 89W(26KO), 16D, 26L. -
Augie Ratner -
Top ranked middleweght boxer in l920's. -
Dave Rosenberg -
World Middleweight claimant, held New York Title for awhile in 1922 until losing it to O'Dowd on a disqualification in the 8th round. Never KO'd in 57 or 65 fights, depending on which record you trust. -
Charley Phil Rosenberg -
Another bantamweight champ, 1925-1927 (real name Charles Green). Won the title from the guy who defeated Abe Goldstein. Apparently started out by taking a fight for a friend named Rosenberg. Continued to use the name. Lost title by suspension for making an unauthorized agreement with Bushy Graham. -
Dana Rosenblatt -
Rosenblatt is the best Jewish boxer fighting today. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, he has held several middleweight and super middleweight titles. Rather than summarize his career and 'how perfect' he is as a 'role model'--we urge you to visit the following links. He is 37-1 with 23 knockouts as of August, 2001. However, given the nature of boxing, he probably will never hold a unified crown, even if (a 'big' if) he had the talent to beat everyone in his class. Bio with Picture Speaks to Jewish Students -
Maxie Rosenbloom -
Known as "Slapsie Maxie". Light Heavyweight champion from 1930-34. Later appeared as comic actor in Hollywood "B" movies. Maxie fought 289 professional fights of which he won 210. That makes him the winningest lightheavy ever. -
Johnny Rosner -
Johnny (Young) Rosner. Claimant to American Flyweight title, 1917, by KO over Young Zulu Kid. Lost claim in 1919 against Young Montreal. -
Barney Ross -
World lightweight champ from '33-35; welterweight '34;'35-38. Grew up in an Orthodox home in Chicago, and his father opposed him going into the ring--wanted him to be a Hebrew teacher. After his father's death, Ross became the family's support. He was a war hero and becamed addicted to morphine for his wounds. Sucessful fight back from addiction was made into the movie "Monkey On My Back". Born Barnet Rashofsky. -
Mike Rossman -
Won WBA Light Heavyweight title in 1978 and wore a Star of David on his trunks. Rossman's mother was 'probably' Jewish. Different reports have surfaced over the years. We will checking with our boxing mavens and get the definitive answer. (Updated: 2/02). -
Shamil Sabyrov -
Won Olympic gold medal for USSR as light-flyweight in 1980. -
Dmitriy Salita -
Salita, a lightweight, has emerged as one of the best Jewish prospects in American boxing in a long time. Salita's career is covered very well in the linked piece from the April 15, 2002 issue of "New York Magazine'. A few highlights: He is a 20 year old emigre from Odessa, Russia. He won the 2001 NYC "Golden Gloves" in his division. Salita is 6-0 since turning professional, with five knockouts. Salita is an Orthodox Jew and does not fight on the Sabbath. Quoting the linked piece, "You won't, however, find Salita in the ring on a Friday night: He's Orthodox and hangs with the Lubavitcher Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn. That means he doesn't fight from Friday night till dusk on Saturday. It's in his contract. 'If anyone wants a whupping from me,' says Salita, 'they got to wait until after sundown.'" (May 2002) Salita Profile -
Dutch Sam -
(Samuel Elias) 1775-1816. International Boxing Hall of Fame. The second great Jewish fighter, after Mendoza, though in his weight class probably more dominant (135pounds). He fought from 1801-1810, was known (I kid you not) as a 'legendary' puncher, and is reputed to have invented the uppercut. Came from same town as two other Hall of Fame Jewish fighters from England, Jackie 'Kid' Berg and Ted 'Kid' Lewis. -
Albert Schneider -
Won Olympic gold medal for Canada as welterweight in 1920. -
Cpl Izzy Schwartz -
Flyweight Champion 1927-1929. -
Eric Seelig -
German middleweight (1931-1940) Record through 1938, 43W, 3D, 5L. KO'ed Mickey Walker in Walker's last fight. Also beat Ken Overlin. -
Maxie Shapiro -
Lightweight contender (1938-1948). Never had a title shot. Beat NBA titleholders Jackie Callura (1W), Phil Terranova (1W,1L) and Sol Bartolo (3W,1D,2L), and World Light champ Bob Montgomery (1W,1L). Overall record 87W(26KO), 6D, 30L. -
Abe Simon -
Known as "The Ape". Fought Joe Louis twice. First meeting in 1941, he lasted until the 13th round before being knocked out. Simon KO'ed Jersey Joe Walcott in 1940 in their only meeting. Overall 38W(27KO), 1D, 10L. Simon has a small role in the film "On the Waterfront". -
Al Singer -
(1909-1961) Lightweight champ 1930. KO'd Sammy Mandell (not Jewish) in first round for title, then lost the title when Tony Canzoneri KO'd Singer in 1st round later that year. 60W, 2D, 8L. -
Barney Snyder -
Born Barney Schneider, he was the National Amateur Flyweght Champion of the United States in 1913. Barney was born on March 4, 1892 in London, England and died in February l987 in Boston. -
Jack Solomons -
The most impt. promoter in the history of British boxing. His family were fish marketers, he changed jobs and ended up promoting 26 title fights and brought scores of American boxers to Britain. His heyday was the 40's-60's, but was working until he died in 1979. -
Allie Stoltz -
Lightweight contender (1937-1946) Lost controversial title fight with Sammy Angott on May 15, 1942. Split decision, referee gave Stolz 11 of 15 rounds. To most observers Stolz won the fight. 73W, 2D, 10L. -
Lew Tendler -
Hall of Famer, who unfortunately had to beat Benny Leonard for the World Light title, and didn't quite make it. Had Leonard dazed and on the ropes (figuratively speaking), but Benny outsmarted him (1923). Then barely lost 15 round decision for World Welterweight title to a heavier Mickey Walker in 1924. Considered by some the best southpaw fighter of his day in any division. -
Sid Terris -
Outstanding amateur who went on to be a lightweight contender (1922-1931). In 1925 beat Jimmy Goodrich, Rocky Kansas, Johnny Dundee (2), Ace Hudkins and Jack Bernstein (2). Overall record, 85W(12KO), 4D, 13L, 6ND. -
Benny Valgar -
Benny Valgar. Outstanding lightweight (1916-1929). Overall record 77W(19KO), 3D, 15L, 97ND (total of 191 fights). -
Joey Varoff -
Classy Lightweight (1939-1950) Overall record 55W(5KO), 7D, 5L. -
Matt Wells -
(1886-1953). Held British Lightweight and British Empire titles. Won British title from Freddie Welsh in 1911. British amateur champ from 1904-1907, turned professional at the relatively old age of 25. -
Charley White -
Hardhitting British lightweight (career 1906 to 1923, 1930). Fought between 145 and 172 fights (depending on sources), 80W (51 KOs), 8D, 16L (including KO in 1930 at age 39), 40 ND. Defeated for Lightweight title twice, Freddie Welsh and Benny Leonard. Otherwise fought and beat many of the best of his day. -
Benny Yanger -
Lightweight (1899-1909) usually identified as Italian (Frank Angone), but listed as Jewish in a very reputable source. KO'ed Abe Attell in 1902. Overall record 51W(25KO), 20D, 10L, 3ND.