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Al Singer

Al "The Bronx Beauty" Singer (September 6, 1909 – April 20, 1961) was an American boxer who won the world lightweight championship in 1930.[1][2]

Al Singer
Born
Abraham Singer

(1909-09-06)September 6, 1909
DiedApril 20, 1961(1961-04-20) (aged 51)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Bronx Beauty
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
Height5 ft 4+12 in (1.638 m)
Boxing record
Total fights73
Wins62
Wins by KO26
Losses9
Draws2

Early life and career edit

Singer was born in a tenement on Broome Street, part of the Jewish section in New York's Lower East Side on September 6, 1909. He was one of four sons and a daughter born to an ambitious ladies' garment entrepreneur who would keep his large family in America's middle class. One of his brothers was screenwriter Ray Singer.[3] Singer, an all round athlete who loved basketball, was discovered by boxing trainers Harry Drucker and Hymie Caplan after his tenth amateur bout which included a great showing in his first outing against the New York State Bantamweight champion, Jimmy Cruze.[1][4] As an amateur boxer, he won the Metropolitan AAU featherweight title.[5] Singer had unsurpassed grace and a studied style in the ring, and he could punch with authority, but unlike the great lightweight Benny Leonard, to whom he was often compared, he could not take a strong punch and was considered to have a "glass jaw". His quick rise to fame, and equally quick demise could be explained by these competing characteristics.[6]

Quick rise to boxing prominence edit

Debuting as a professional in Brooklyn with a knockout of Jim Reilly on July 2, 1927, Singer went undefeated in his first two years as a professional.[2][5] His affectionate New York fans dubbed him "The Bronx Beauty" for both his looks and exceptional grace in the ring. Though Singer was young and had stayed far distant from crime, his exceptional winning record caught the eye of the New York mob, who hoped to bring him to a championship as quickly as possible. Most reference books on Singer noted that in 1928, two men came to his training camp and asked to meet with his manager Harry Drucker. Accepting a ride with the men, Drucker was never heard from again, and Singer came under the influence of the mob, who many believed fixed a few of his early fights.[6] He performed exceptionally well against Lou Moscowitz at Madison Square Garden and Pete Zivic at St. Nicholas in late 1928, knocking them out in five and six rounds respectively. In his first real feature match on September 14, 1928, Singer and the exceptionally skilled Tony Canzoneri, former holder of the featherweight world title, battled to a 10-round draw, satisfying an impressed audience and spotlighting Singer as a potential feather or lightweight contender. In his career, Singer won 61 of 72 pro fights (25 by KO), drawing twice, and losing nine.

In February and March 1929, Singer faced former 1927 world bantamweight champion Bud Taylor at Madison Square Garden, winning in a fourth round disqualification and a ten-round points decision. In Singer's win by disqualification, Taylor landed a low left hook to the body, 52 seconds into the fourth, that caused Singer to drop to his knees in pain. The bout was fast, furious, and close in the opening rounds.[7] In their ten-round bout on March 15, before 20,000 at the Garden, the fighting was close, but Taylor's attempts to end the bout with hooks to the body were not adequate to slow down Singer, who was permitted to land a few rights to the jaw of Taylor, gaining essential points in the closely scored bout.[8]

In a non-title bout on July 24, 1929, before a crowd of around 29,000, Singer defeated Frenchman Andre Routis, reigning NBA world featherweight champion, in an impressive second-round technical knockout at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn.[2] Singer first floored the Frenchman with a count of five from a right to the jaw preceded by a right left combination, that was followed by a count of three with another right after Routis resumed boxing. On his third trip to the canvas, the referee called a technical knockout.[9][10]

Loss to Kid Chocolate, August, 1929 edit

On August 29, 1929, Singer lost an important twelve round bout with Black Cuban boxer Kid Chocolate, at the Polo Grounds in New York with 50,000 in attendance. It was a swift, clean fight that featured no knockdowns, but studied technique and style. In the fifth and the eighth, Chocolate landed two powerful rights to the head of Singer that nearly staggered him, but he stayed on his feet. In the second and eleventh, Singer boxed Chocolate around the ring, but at the end of each round Chocolate answered with a flurry of his own. Singer appeared better in the early rounds, and was the aggressor particularly in the second, fourth and fifth. In the seventh, eighth and ninth, Chocolate rallied, using his right with enough effect to gain a points advantage from which Singer could not recover. Chocolate clearly took the twelfth, conceding the tenth by a hair to Singer.[11] The decision was unpopular with the New York crowd, who may have been aware that Chocolate effectively blocked a large number of the blows that Singer appeared to land. Chocolate let Singer take the lead, slowly wearing him down, and using his best defense against him.[12]

Capturing the world lightweight championship against Sammy Mandell, July 1930 edit

 
Sammy Mandell, lightweight champ

Singer captured the World Lightweight Championship on July 17, 1930, before a crowd of 35,000 at Yankee Stadium, with a first-round knockout (1:46) of champion Sammy Mandell.[1][13][14] Though both boxers started the match boxing cautiously, Singer dropped Mandell with a left hook to the jaw in less than a minute of fighting. Three more times Mandell went down to the mat for short counts, scarcely able to raise his hands in defense. The final knockdown came with a crushing one two punch to the jaw. Mandell had defended his four-year claim to the lightweight crown only a few times, and claimed that the weight loss required to make weight had sapped his strength.[15]

Devastating loss to Jimmy McLarnin, September 1930 edit

Against the better judgement of many, Singer accepted a non-title bout with boxing sensation Jimmy McLarnin before a crowd of around 25,000 on September 2, 1930. McLarnin flattened Singer in the third round with a right to the jaw. Although Singer fought well in the opening round, dropping his opponent for an instant from a right, he foolishly decided to fight toe to toe with the stronger McLarnin in the third round. McLarnin had at least a five-pound advantage, and a small but significant advantage in reach. A lightning right to the jaw dropped Singer for a count of nine. When he arose and went into a brief clinch, McLarnin threw a left hook to the jaw to counter a right from Singer that missed, and Singer went down for the count.[6] A Doctor at the scene, who inspected Singer, said the blow may have affected his upper spine and caused a momentary partial paralysis, not uncharacteristic of a knockout.[16]

Upset loss of the world lightweight championship to Tony Canzoneri, November 1930 edit

He surrendered the title on November 14, 1930 to Tony Canzoneri in a knockout only 1:06 into the first round. Many believe Singer should have taken more than two months to recover from the bruising loss he took from McLarnin the previous September.[1] The upset came as Singer was designated the early betting favorite at 12-5. Coming out of a clinch, Canzoneri threw a left hook to Singer's mouth, and then one to his chin which snapped back his head, and put him down for the count. Singer was unable to come to his feet without collapsing.[17][18][19]

Recovering from his loss of the title on June 18, 1931, Singer defeated Lew Massey before a crowd of 6,395, at Madison Square Garden in a ten-round points decision. Observing how he threw jabs and punches nearly at will, the Associated Press gave Singer eight of ten rounds, allowing Massey only the seventh when he switched to infighting. Singer scored with hard rights in the tenth.[20] Other reporters considered the boxing fairly close, noting that with his reach, height, and weight advantage, Singer should have won more decisively.[21]

Loss to world featherweight champion Battling Battalino, December 1931 edit

 
Bat Battalino and Al Singer at a weigh-in before their December 1931 match

Singer lost decisively to Battling Battalino, reigning New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) world featherweight champion, before a crowd of 17,000 at New York's Madison Square Garden on December 11, 1931. Battalino may have bobbed and weaved away from Singer's early volleys in the first, and was likely shaken by a blow or two, but his counterattack was devastating to Singer.[22] Though Singer started strong very early in the opening round, he was soon put down three times by Battalino, and went down in the second from a series of rights to the chin for a count of seven. After he rose, he was chased around the ring by Battalino who put him down again with a right to the chin for a count of four, just before the referee justifiably called the bout a technical knockout and helped move Singer to his corner. Singer's retreat from Battalino after he was first put down, his inability to defend himself, and his struggle to mount an attack, indicated a boxer who had, at least for the moment, lost most of his physical faculties. Both boxers were above the featherweight limit preventing any chance of the match being a featherweight title match. The match ended any of Singer's championship aspirations.[23]

Attempted comeback, October–November 1935 edit

Four years later, Singer tried a comeback from October–November 1935 under a new manager, Leon See, winning four straight matches, but against strictly second rate opponents. He achieved a fourth-round technical knockout against Buckey Keyes on October 14, flooring his opponent in the second and third rounds.[6] In a final victory, Singer retired after defeating Johnny Toomy on November 11 in a fifth-round technical knockout.[2]

Life after boxing edit

Singer served in WWII, fighting a number of exhibitions for the soldiers. He was stationed at Camp Upton in New York but received a medical discharge due to eye trouble. He married the former show girl, Billy Boze in 1947. Having earned around a quarter million from boxing in his lifetime, Singer tried various businesses in his thirties and forties including sales, restaurants, real estate, and theater, owning several Cabarets.[5] He was appointed to a judgeship by the New York State Boxing Commission in 1955.[6][24]

On April 20, 1961, he died of a heart attack in his New York City apartment at age 51.[5][25] Singer, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.[26]

 
Al Singer in 1930

Professional boxing record edit

73 fights 62 wins 9 losses
By knockout 26 4
By decision 34 5
By disqualification 2 0
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round(s),
time
Date Age Location Notes
73 Win 62–9–2 Johnny Toomey TKO 5 (10) Nov 11, 1935 29 years, 66 days Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
72 Win 61–9–2 Al Dunbar TKO 1 (8), 2:10 Nov 7, 1935 29 years, 62 days Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
71 Win 60–9–2 Frankie Warno PTS 10 Oct 21, 1935 29 years, 45 days Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
70 Win 59–9–2 Bucky Keyes TKO 4 (10) Oct 14, 1935 29 years, 38 days Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
69 Loss 58–9–2 Christopher "Battling" Battalino TKO 2 (10), 0:31 Dec 11, 1931 25 years, 96 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68 Win 58–8–2 Tommy Crowley PTS 8 Dec 1, 1931 25 years, 86 days Columbus Hall, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
67 Win 57–8–2 Johnny Gaito PTS 10 Nov 16, 1931 25 years, 71 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
66 Win 56–8–2 Eddie Martin TKO 2 (10) Aug 28, 1931 24 years, 356 days Coney Island Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
65 Win 55–8–2 Eddie Shapiro PTS 8 Jul 10, 1931 24 years, 307 days Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, U.S.
64 Win 54–8–2 Lew Massey PTS 10 Jun 18, 1931 24 years, 285 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
63 Loss 53–8–2 Tony Canzoneri KO 1 (15) Nov 14, 1930 24 years, 69 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
62 Win 53–7–2 Eddie Mack UD 10 Oct 14, 1930 24 years, 38 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
61 Loss 52–7–2 Jimmy McLarnin KO 3 (10) Sep 11, 1930 24 years, 5 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
60 Win 52–6–2 Sammy Mandell KO 1 (15), 1:46 Jul 17, 1930 23 years, 314 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
59 Win 51–6–2 Ignacio Fernandez PTS 10 May 23, 1930 23 years, 259 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
58 Win 50–6–2 Eddie Wagner TKO 3 (10) Mar 17, 1930 23 years, 192 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
57 Win 49–6–2 Stanislaus Loayza UD 10 Jan 31, 1930 23 years, 147 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
56 Win 48–6–2 Georgie Day TKO 3 (8), 2:08 Jan 13, 1930 23 years, 129 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
55 Win 47–6–2 Pete Nebo TKO 4 (10) Nov 29, 1929 23 years, 84 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
54 Win 46–6–2 Al "Rube" Goldberg TKO 2 (6) Nov 16, 1929 23 years, 71 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Win 45–6–2 Johnny Sheppard TKO 7 (10) Nov 11, 1929 23 years, 66 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
52 Win 44–6–2 Davey Abad PTS 10 Oct 21, 1929 23 years, 45 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 43–6–2 Leonard Zazzarino TKO 6 (10), 1:44 Oct 11, 1929 23 years, 35 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
50 Loss 42–6–2 Kid Chocolate SD 12 Aug 29, 1929 22 years, 357 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.
49 Win 42–5–2 Gaston Charles KO 2 (10) Aug 13, 1929 22 years, 341 days Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
48 Win 41–5–2 André Routis TKO 2 (10) Jul 24, 1929 22 years, 321 days Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S.
47 Win 40–5–2 Carl Duane PTS 10 Jul 8, 1929 22 years, 305 days Starlight Park, New York City, New York, U.S.
46 Win 39–5–2 Dominick Petrone PTS 10 Jun 26, 1929 22 years, 293 days Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 38–5–2 Augie Pisano UD 10 Jun 17, 1929 22 years, 284 days Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
44 Win 37–5–2 Leo "Kid" Roy TKO 1 (10), 2:41 Jun 6, 1929 22 years, 273 days New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.
43 Loss 36–5–2 Ignacio Fernandez KO 3 (10) May 17, 1929 22 years, 253 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
42 Win 36–4–2 Patsy Ruffalo PTS 10 Apr 19, 1929 22 years, 225 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
41 Win 35–4–2 Charles "Bud" Taylor PTS 10 Mar 15, 1929 22 years, 190 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
40 Win 34–4–2 Charles "Bud" Taylor DQ 4 (10), 0:52 Feb 8, 1929 22 years, 155 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
39 Win 33–4–2 Sammy Novia PTS 10 Jan 21, 1929 22 years, 137 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38 Win 32–4–2 Joe Ryder PTS 10 Jan 14, 1929 22 years, 130 days Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
37 Draw 31–4–2 Tony Canzoneri MD 10 Dec 14, 1928 22 years, 99 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 31–4–1 Peter Zivic TKO 6 (10) Dec 3, 1928 22 years, 88 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
35 Win 30–4–1 Lou Moscowitz KO 5 (8), 2:02 Nov 16, 1928 22 years, 71 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 29–4–1 Johnny Lawson TKO 5 (8) Nov 8, 1928 22 years, 63 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
33 Win 28–4–1 Al Tripoli UD 6 Oct 22, 1928 22 years, 46 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 27–4–1 Johnny Lawson DQ 2 (6) Oct 5, 1928 22 years, 29 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
31 Win 26–4–1 Chick Suggs PTS 6 Sep 22, 1928 22 years, 16 days Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
30 Win 25–4–1 Vic Burrone PTS 6 Sep 10, 1928 22 years, 4 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 24–4–1 Smiling Springer TKO 4 (6), 2:21 Aug 21, 1928 21 years, 350 days Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 23–4–1 Tony Pellegrino PTS 6 Aug 13, 1928 21 years, 342 days Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
27 Win 22–4–1 Pancho Dencio TKO 3 (6) Aug 3, 1928 21 years, 332 days Long Beach Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Draw 21–4–1 Petey Mack PTS 6 Jul 24, 1928 21 years, 322 days Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 21–4 Pete Herman PTS 6 Jul 3, 1928 21 years, 301 days Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 20–4 Tommy Gervel TKO 4 (6), 1:55 Jun 21, 1928 21 years, 289 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
23 Win 19–4 Petey Mack PTS 6 Jun 11, 1928 21 years, 279 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 18–4 George Nickfor PTS 6 May 28, 1928 21 years, 265 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Win 17–4 George Nickfor TKO 3 (6) May 14, 1928 21 years, 251 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 16–4 Lew Hurley PTS 6 Apr 18, 1928 21 years, 225 days Manhattan Casino, New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Win 15–4 Sonny Parson KO 2 (6) Apr 11, 1928 21 years, 218 days Manhattan Casino, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 14–4 Joe Barbara PTS 6 Apr 7, 1928 21 years, 214 days Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Win 13–4 George Goldberg PTS 6 Mar 17, 1928 21 years, 193 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
16 Win 12–4 Joey Katkish PTS 6 Mar 3, 1928 21 years, 179 days Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Loss 11–4 Sammy Chernoff PTS 6 Feb 4, 1928 21 years, 151 days Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Win 11–3 Herman Wallace PTS 6 Jan 14, 1928 21 years, 130 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 10–3 Harry Traub KO 2 (6) Dec 31, 1927 21 years, 116 days Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Loss 9–3 George Goldberg PTS 6 Dec 17, 1927 21 years, 102 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Loss 9–2 George Goldberg PTS 6 Nov 12, 1927 21 years, 67 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 9–1 Tommy Brady TKO 3 (6) Nov 9, 1927 21 years, 64 days Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Murray Fuchs PTS 6 Oct 29, 1927 21 years, 53 days Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Guy Mastrion PTS 6 Oct 22, 1927 21 years, 46 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Sammy Chernoff PTS 6 Oct 4, 1927 21 years, 28 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Tommy Rivetti PTS 4 Sep 29, 1927 21 years, 23 days Columbus Hall, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Jim Reilly KO 2 (4) Sep 17, 1927 21 years, 11 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Murray Fuchs PTS 6 Aug 27, 1927 20 years, 355 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Loss 2–1 Joe Barbara PTS 4 Aug 6, 1927 20 years, 334 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Joe Salamone PTS 4 Jul 30, 1927 20 years, 327 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jim Reilly KO 3 (4) Jul 2, 1927 20 years, 299 days Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d The Jewish boxers hall of fame. SP Books. 1988. ISBN 9780933503878. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d "Al Singer Boxing Record". BoxRec. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  3. ^ information entered by family member
  4. ^ Ellis Island to Ebbets Field: Sport and the American Jewish Experience. Oxford University Press. 1993. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-19-505128-5. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d Silver, Mike (2016). Stars of the Ring, Published by Rowman and Littlefield, Los Angeles, pps. 252-254.
  6. ^ a b c d e Blady, Ken, The Jewish Boxer's Hall of Fame, (1988), Shapolsky Publishing, New York, New York, pps.194-199
  7. ^ "Al Singer Wins On Foul From Taylor", The Morning Call, Alantown, Pennsylvania, pg. 18, 9 February 1929
  8. ^ "Al Singer Takes Ten Round Scrap", Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pennsylvania, pg. 18, 16 March 1929
  9. ^ "Al Singer is Sitting High By Ring Kayo", Times Herald, Olean, New York, pg. 12, 25 July 1929
  10. ^ Crowd of 29,000 in "Andre Routis is Kayoed by Al Singer", The Evening News, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 15, 25 July 1929
  11. ^ "Officials Disagree But Ebony Enigma Is Winner", The Wilkes-Barre Record, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 21, 30 August 1929
  12. ^ Trumbell, Walter, "Kid Chocolate Wins in Furious Battle", The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, pg. 25, 30 August 1929
  13. ^ Roberts, James B.; Skutt, Alexander G. (2006). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book. ISBN 9781590131213. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  14. ^ Fleischer, Nat; Andre, Sam; Rafael, Don (2001). An Illustrated History of Boxing. ISBN 9780806522012. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  15. ^ Getty, Frank, "Bronx Boy Wins Over Lightweight Champ", Times Herald, Olean, New York, pg. 17, 18 July 1930
  16. ^ May have been affected by a mild spinal injury in McLemore, Henry, "Al Singer is Much Sadder and Wiser", Republican and Herald, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, pg. 15, 12 September 1930
  17. ^ Wood, Wilbur, "Al Singer is Flattened After Minute of Action", Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pennsylvania, pg. 11, 15 November 1930
  18. ^ Igoe, Hype, The Indianapolis Gazette, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 8, 15 November 1930
  19. ^ "Canzoneri Crowned New Lightweight Champion", The Morning Herald, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, pg. 12, 15 November 1930
  20. ^ "Al Singer Wins Over Lew Massey", "Democrat and Chronicle, New York, New York, pg. 33, 19 June 1931
  21. ^ Singer should have won more decisively in "Al Singer Wins But Shows Little Class", Times-Herald, Olean, New York, pg. 16, 19 June 1931
  22. ^ "Ed Hughes' Column", Brooklyn Daily Eagle Brooklyn, New York, pg. 15, 12 December 1931
  23. ^ "Battalino Kayoes Al Singer in Second", The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pg. 16, 12 December 1931
  24. ^ Earned a quarter million, owned restaurants and married Billy Boze in "Al Singer Dies; 30' Champ", Daily News, New York, New York, pg. 33, 21 April 1961
  25. ^ The Palm Beach Post - Apr 21, 1961
  26. ^ "Al Singer". Jewishsports.net. from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2011.

External links edit

  • Boxing record for Al Singer from BoxRec (registration required)
  • Cyber Boxing Zone bio and record
  • Jewish Sports bio
Achievements
Preceded by World Lightweight Champion
July 17, 1930 – November 14, 1930
Succeeded by

singer, bronx, beauty, singer, september, 1909, april, 1961, american, boxer, world, lightweight, championship, 1930, bornabraham, singer, 1909, september, 1909lower, east, side, york, citydiedapril, 1961, 1961, aged, york, yorknationalityamericanother, namest. Al The Bronx Beauty Singer September 6 1909 April 20 1961 was an American boxer who won the world lightweight championship in 1930 1 2 Al SingerBornAbraham Singer 1909 09 06 September 6 1909Lower East Side New York CityDiedApril 20 1961 1961 04 20 aged 51 New York New YorkNationalityAmericanOther namesThe Bronx BeautyStatisticsWeight s LightweightHeight5 ft 4 1 2 in 1 638 m Boxing recordTotal fights73Wins62Wins by KO26Losses9Draws2 Contents 1 Early life and career 1 1 Quick rise to boxing prominence 1 1 1 Loss to Kid Chocolate August 1929 2 Capturing the world lightweight championship against Sammy Mandell July 1930 2 1 Devastating loss to Jimmy McLarnin September 1930 2 2 Upset loss of the world lightweight championship to Tony Canzoneri November 1930 3 Loss to world featherweight champion Battling Battalino December 1931 3 1 Attempted comeback October November 1935 4 Life after boxing 5 Professional boxing record 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEarly life and career editSinger was born in a tenement on Broome Street part of the Jewish section in New York s Lower East Side on September 6 1909 He was one of four sons and a daughter born to an ambitious ladies garment entrepreneur who would keep his large family in America s middle class One of his brothers was screenwriter Ray Singer 3 Singer an all round athlete who loved basketball was discovered by boxing trainers Harry Drucker and Hymie Caplan after his tenth amateur bout which included a great showing in his first outing against the New York State Bantamweight champion Jimmy Cruze 1 4 As an amateur boxer he won the Metropolitan AAU featherweight title 5 Singer had unsurpassed grace and a studied style in the ring and he could punch with authority but unlike the great lightweight Benny Leonard to whom he was often compared he could not take a strong punch and was considered to have a glass jaw His quick rise to fame and equally quick demise could be explained by these competing characteristics 6 Quick rise to boxing prominence edit Debuting as a professional in Brooklyn with a knockout of Jim Reilly on July 2 1927 Singer went undefeated in his first two years as a professional 2 5 His affectionate New York fans dubbed him The Bronx Beauty for both his looks and exceptional grace in the ring Though Singer was young and had stayed far distant from crime his exceptional winning record caught the eye of the New York mob who hoped to bring him to a championship as quickly as possible Most reference books on Singer noted that in 1928 two men came to his training camp and asked to meet with his manager Harry Drucker Accepting a ride with the men Drucker was never heard from again and Singer came under the influence of the mob who many believed fixed a few of his early fights 6 He performed exceptionally well against Lou Moscowitz at Madison Square Garden and Pete Zivic at St Nicholas in late 1928 knocking them out in five and six rounds respectively In his first real feature match on September 14 1928 Singer and the exceptionally skilled Tony Canzoneri former holder of the featherweight world title battled to a 10 round draw satisfying an impressed audience and spotlighting Singer as a potential feather or lightweight contender In his career Singer won 61 of 72 pro fights 25 by KO drawing twice and losing nine In February and March 1929 Singer faced former 1927 world bantamweight champion Bud Taylor at Madison Square Garden winning in a fourth round disqualification and a ten round points decision In Singer s win by disqualification Taylor landed a low left hook to the body 52 seconds into the fourth that caused Singer to drop to his knees in pain The bout was fast furious and close in the opening rounds 7 In their ten round bout on March 15 before 20 000 at the Garden the fighting was close but Taylor s attempts to end the bout with hooks to the body were not adequate to slow down Singer who was permitted to land a few rights to the jaw of Taylor gaining essential points in the closely scored bout 8 In a non title bout on July 24 1929 before a crowd of around 29 000 Singer defeated Frenchman Andre Routis reigning NBA world featherweight champion in an impressive second round technical knockout at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn 2 Singer first floored the Frenchman with a count of five from a right to the jaw preceded by a right left combination that was followed by a count of three with another right after Routis resumed boxing On his third trip to the canvas the referee called a technical knockout 9 10 Loss to Kid Chocolate August 1929 edit On August 29 1929 Singer lost an important twelve round bout with Black Cuban boxer Kid Chocolate at the Polo Grounds in New York with 50 000 in attendance It was a swift clean fight that featured no knockdowns but studied technique and style In the fifth and the eighth Chocolate landed two powerful rights to the head of Singer that nearly staggered him but he stayed on his feet In the second and eleventh Singer boxed Chocolate around the ring but at the end of each round Chocolate answered with a flurry of his own Singer appeared better in the early rounds and was the aggressor particularly in the second fourth and fifth In the seventh eighth and ninth Chocolate rallied using his right with enough effect to gain a points advantage from which Singer could not recover Chocolate clearly took the twelfth conceding the tenth by a hair to Singer 11 The decision was unpopular with the New York crowd who may have been aware that Chocolate effectively blocked a large number of the blows that Singer appeared to land Chocolate let Singer take the lead slowly wearing him down and using his best defense against him 12 Capturing the world lightweight championship against Sammy Mandell July 1930 edit nbsp Sammy Mandell lightweight champSinger captured the World Lightweight Championship on July 17 1930 before a crowd of 35 000 at Yankee Stadium with a first round knockout 1 46 of champion Sammy Mandell 1 13 14 Though both boxers started the match boxing cautiously Singer dropped Mandell with a left hook to the jaw in less than a minute of fighting Three more times Mandell went down to the mat for short counts scarcely able to raise his hands in defense The final knockdown came with a crushing one two punch to the jaw Mandell had defended his four year claim to the lightweight crown only a few times and claimed that the weight loss required to make weight had sapped his strength 15 Devastating loss to Jimmy McLarnin September 1930 edit Against the better judgement of many Singer accepted a non title bout with boxing sensation Jimmy McLarnin before a crowd of around 25 000 on September 2 1930 McLarnin flattened Singer in the third round with a right to the jaw Although Singer fought well in the opening round dropping his opponent for an instant from a right he foolishly decided to fight toe to toe with the stronger McLarnin in the third round McLarnin had at least a five pound advantage and a small but significant advantage in reach A lightning right to the jaw dropped Singer for a count of nine When he arose and went into a brief clinch McLarnin threw a left hook to the jaw to counter a right from Singer that missed and Singer went down for the count 6 A Doctor at the scene who inspected Singer said the blow may have affected his upper spine and caused a momentary partial paralysis not uncharacteristic of a knockout 16 Upset loss of the world lightweight championship to Tony Canzoneri November 1930 edit He surrendered the title on November 14 1930 to Tony Canzoneri in a knockout only 1 06 into the first round Many believe Singer should have taken more than two months to recover from the bruising loss he took from McLarnin the previous September 1 The upset came as Singer was designated the early betting favorite at 12 5 Coming out of a clinch Canzoneri threw a left hook to Singer s mouth and then one to his chin which snapped back his head and put him down for the count Singer was unable to come to his feet without collapsing 17 18 19 Recovering from his loss of the title on June 18 1931 Singer defeated Lew Massey before a crowd of 6 395 at Madison Square Garden in a ten round points decision Observing how he threw jabs and punches nearly at will the Associated Press gave Singer eight of ten rounds allowing Massey only the seventh when he switched to infighting Singer scored with hard rights in the tenth 20 Other reporters considered the boxing fairly close noting that with his reach height and weight advantage Singer should have won more decisively 21 Loss to world featherweight champion Battling Battalino December 1931 edit nbsp Bat Battalino and Al Singer at a weigh in before their December 1931 matchSinger lost decisively to Battling Battalino reigning New York State Athletic Commission NYSAC world featherweight champion before a crowd of 17 000 at New York s Madison Square Garden on December 11 1931 Battalino may have bobbed and weaved away from Singer s early volleys in the first and was likely shaken by a blow or two but his counterattack was devastating to Singer 22 Though Singer started strong very early in the opening round he was soon put down three times by Battalino and went down in the second from a series of rights to the chin for a count of seven After he rose he was chased around the ring by Battalino who put him down again with a right to the chin for a count of four just before the referee justifiably called the bout a technical knockout and helped move Singer to his corner Singer s retreat from Battalino after he was first put down his inability to defend himself and his struggle to mount an attack indicated a boxer who had at least for the moment lost most of his physical faculties Both boxers were above the featherweight limit preventing any chance of the match being a featherweight title match The match ended any of Singer s championship aspirations 23 Attempted comeback October November 1935 edit Four years later Singer tried a comeback from October November 1935 under a new manager Leon See winning four straight matches but against strictly second rate opponents He achieved a fourth round technical knockout against Buckey Keyes on October 14 flooring his opponent in the second and third rounds 6 In a final victory Singer retired after defeating Johnny Toomy on November 11 in a fifth round technical knockout 2 Life after boxing editSinger served in WWII fighting a number of exhibitions for the soldiers He was stationed at Camp Upton in New York but received a medical discharge due to eye trouble He married the former show girl Billy Boze in 1947 Having earned around a quarter million from boxing in his lifetime Singer tried various businesses in his thirties and forties including sales restaurants real estate and theater owning several Cabarets 5 He was appointed to a judgeship by the New York State Boxing Commission in 1955 6 24 On April 20 1961 he died of a heart attack in his New York City apartment at age 51 5 25 Singer who was Jewish was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 26 nbsp Al Singer in 1930Professional boxing record edit73 fights 62 wins 9 lossesBy knockout 26 4By decision 34 5By disqualification 2 0Draws 2No Result Record Opponent Type Round s time Date Age Location Notes73 Win 62 9 2 Johnny Toomey TKO 5 10 Nov 11 1935 29 years 66 days Laurel Garden Newark New Jersey U S 72 Win 61 9 2 Al Dunbar TKO 1 8 2 10 Nov 7 1935 29 years 62 days Westchester County Center White Plains New York U S 71 Win 60 9 2 Frankie Warno PTS 10 Oct 21 1935 29 years 45 days Arena Trenton New Jersey U S 70 Win 59 9 2 Bucky Keyes TKO 4 10 Oct 14 1935 29 years 38 days Laurel Garden Newark New Jersey U S 69 Loss 58 9 2 Christopher Battling Battalino TKO 2 10 0 31 Dec 11 1931 25 years 96 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 68 Win 58 8 2 Tommy Crowley PTS 8 Dec 1 1931 25 years 86 days Columbus Hall Yonkers New York U S 67 Win 57 8 2 Johnny Gaito PTS 10 Nov 16 1931 25 years 71 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 66 Win 56 8 2 Eddie Martin TKO 2 10 Aug 28 1931 24 years 356 days Coney Island Stadium New York City New York U S 65 Win 55 8 2 Eddie Shapiro PTS 8 Jul 10 1931 24 years 307 days Long Beach Stadium Long Beach New York U S 64 Win 54 8 2 Lew Massey PTS 10 Jun 18 1931 24 years 285 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 63 Loss 53 8 2 Tony Canzoneri KO 1 15 Nov 14 1930 24 years 69 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S Lost NYSAC NBA and The Ring lightweight titles62 Win 53 7 2 Eddie Mack UD 10 Oct 14 1930 24 years 38 days Chicago Stadium Chicago Illinois U S 61 Loss 52 7 2 Jimmy McLarnin KO 3 10 Sep 11 1930 24 years 5 days Yankee Stadium New York City New York U S 60 Win 52 6 2 Sammy Mandell KO 1 15 1 46 Jul 17 1930 23 years 314 days Yankee Stadium New York City New York U S Won NYSAC NBA and The Ring lightweight titles59 Win 51 6 2 Ignacio Fernandez PTS 10 May 23 1930 23 years 259 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 58 Win 50 6 2 Eddie Wagner TKO 3 10 Mar 17 1930 23 years 192 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 57 Win 49 6 2 Stanislaus Loayza UD 10 Jan 31 1930 23 years 147 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 56 Win 48 6 2 Georgie Day TKO 3 8 2 08 Jan 13 1930 23 years 129 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 55 Win 47 6 2 Pete Nebo TKO 4 10 Nov 29 1929 23 years 84 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 54 Win 46 6 2 Al Rube Goldberg TKO 2 6 Nov 16 1929 23 years 71 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 53 Win 45 6 2 Johnny Sheppard TKO 7 10 Nov 11 1929 23 years 66 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 52 Win 44 6 2 Davey Abad PTS 10 Oct 21 1929 23 years 45 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 51 Win 43 6 2 Leonard Zazzarino TKO 6 10 1 44 Oct 11 1929 23 years 35 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 50 Loss 42 6 2 Kid Chocolate SD 12 Aug 29 1929 22 years 357 days Polo Grounds New York City New York U S 49 Win 42 5 2 Gaston Charles KO 2 10 Aug 13 1929 22 years 341 days Queensboro Stadium New York City New York U S 48 Win 41 5 2 Andre Routis TKO 2 10 Jul 24 1929 22 years 321 days Ebbets Field New York City New York U S 47 Win 40 5 2 Carl Duane PTS 10 Jul 8 1929 22 years 305 days Starlight Park New York City New York U S 46 Win 39 5 2 Dominick Petrone PTS 10 Jun 26 1929 22 years 293 days Queensboro Stadium New York City New York U S 45 Win 38 5 2 Augie Pisano UD 10 Jun 17 1929 22 years 284 days Dexter Park Arena New York City New York U S 44 Win 37 5 2 Leo Kid Roy TKO 1 10 2 41 Jun 6 1929 22 years 273 days New York Coliseum New York City New York U S 43 Loss 36 5 2 Ignacio Fernandez KO 3 10 May 17 1929 22 years 253 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 42 Win 36 4 2 Patsy Ruffalo PTS 10 Apr 19 1929 22 years 225 days Olympia Stadium Detroit Michigan U S 41 Win 35 4 2 Charles Bud Taylor PTS 10 Mar 15 1929 22 years 190 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 40 Win 34 4 2 Charles Bud Taylor DQ 4 10 0 52 Feb 8 1929 22 years 155 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 39 Win 33 4 2 Sammy Novia PTS 10 Jan 21 1929 22 years 137 days Arena Philadelphia Pennsylvania U S 38 Win 32 4 2 Joe Ryder PTS 10 Jan 14 1929 22 years 130 days Broadway Arena New York City New York U S 37 Draw 31 4 2 Tony Canzoneri MD 10 Dec 14 1928 22 years 99 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 36 Win 31 4 1 Peter Zivic TKO 6 10 Dec 3 1928 22 years 88 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 35 Win 30 4 1 Lou Moscowitz KO 5 8 2 02 Nov 16 1928 22 years 71 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 34 Win 29 4 1 Johnny Lawson TKO 5 8 Nov 8 1928 22 years 63 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 33 Win 28 4 1 Al Tripoli UD 6 Oct 22 1928 22 years 46 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 32 Win 27 4 1 Johnny Lawson DQ 2 6 Oct 5 1928 22 years 29 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 31 Win 26 4 1 Chick Suggs PTS 6 Sep 22 1928 22 years 16 days Olympia Boxing Club New York City New York U S 30 Win 25 4 1 Vic Burrone PTS 6 Sep 10 1928 22 years 4 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 29 Win 24 4 1 Smiling Springer TKO 4 6 2 21 Aug 21 1928 21 years 350 days Queensboro Stadium New York City New York U S 28 Win 23 4 1 Tony Pellegrino PTS 6 Aug 13 1928 21 years 342 days Dexter Park Arena New York City New York U S 27 Win 22 4 1 Pancho Dencio TKO 3 6 Aug 3 1928 21 years 332 days Long Beach Stadium New York City New York U S 26 Draw 21 4 1 Petey Mack PTS 6 Jul 24 1928 21 years 322 days Queensboro Stadium New York City New York U S 25 Win 21 4 Pete Herman PTS 6 Jul 3 1928 21 years 301 days Queensboro Stadium New York City New York U S 24 Win 20 4 Tommy Gervel TKO 4 6 1 55 Jun 21 1928 21 years 289 days Madison Square Garden New York City New York U S 23 Win 19 4 Petey Mack PTS 6 Jun 11 1928 21 years 279 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 22 Win 18 4 George Nickfor PTS 6 May 28 1928 21 years 265 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 21 Win 17 4 George Nickfor TKO 3 6 May 14 1928 21 years 251 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 20 Win 16 4 Lew Hurley PTS 6 Apr 18 1928 21 years 225 days Manhattan Casino New York City New York U S 19 Win 15 4 Sonny Parson KO 2 6 Apr 11 1928 21 years 218 days Manhattan Casino New York City New York U S 18 Win 14 4 Joe Barbara PTS 6 Apr 7 1928 21 years 214 days Olympia Boxing Club New York City New York U S 17 Win 13 4 George Goldberg PTS 6 Mar 17 1928 21 years 193 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 16 Win 12 4 Joey Katkish PTS 6 Mar 3 1928 21 years 179 days Olympia Boxing Club New York City New York U S 15 Loss 11 4 Sammy Chernoff PTS 6 Feb 4 1928 21 years 151 days Olympia Boxing Club New York City New York U S 14 Win 11 3 Herman Wallace PTS 6 Jan 14 1928 21 years 130 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 13 Win 10 3 Harry Traub KO 2 6 Dec 31 1927 21 years 116 days Olympia Boxing Club New York City New York U S 12 Loss 9 3 George Goldberg PTS 6 Dec 17 1927 21 years 102 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 11 Loss 9 2 George Goldberg PTS 6 Nov 12 1927 21 years 67 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 10 Win 9 1 Tommy Brady TKO 3 6 Nov 9 1927 21 years 64 days Pioneer Sporting Club New York City New York U S 9 Win 8 1 Murray Fuchs PTS 6 Oct 29 1927 21 years 53 days Olympia Boxing Club New York City New York U S 8 Win 7 1 Guy Mastrion PTS 6 Oct 22 1927 21 years 46 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 7 Win 6 1 Sammy Chernoff PTS 6 Oct 4 1927 21 years 28 days St Nicholas Arena New York City New York U S 6 Win 5 1 Tommy Rivetti PTS 4 Sep 29 1927 21 years 23 days Columbus Hall Yonkers New York U S 5 Win 4 1 Jim Reilly KO 2 4 Sep 17 1927 21 years 11 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 4 Win 3 1 Murray Fuchs PTS 6 Aug 27 1927 20 years 355 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 3 Loss 2 1 Joe Barbara PTS 4 Aug 6 1927 20 years 334 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 2 Win 2 0 Joe Salamone PTS 4 Jul 30 1927 20 years 327 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S 1 Win 1 0 Jim Reilly KO 3 4 Jul 2 1927 20 years 299 days Ridgewood Grove New York City New York U S See also editLineal championship List of lightweight boxing champions List of select Jewish boxersReferences edit a b c d The Jewish boxers hall of fame SP Books 1988 ISBN 9780933503878 Retrieved January 20 2011 a b c d Al Singer Boxing Record BoxRec Retrieved 7 March 2016 information entered by family member Ellis Island to Ebbets Field Sport and the American Jewish Experience Oxford University Press 1993 p 145 ISBN 978 0 19 505128 5 Retrieved January 20 2011 a b c d Silver Mike 2016 Stars of the Ring Published by Rowman and Littlefield Los Angeles pps 252 254 a b c d e Blady Ken The Jewish Boxer s Hall of Fame 1988 Shapolsky Publishing New York New York pps 194 199 Al Singer Wins On Foul From Taylor The Morning Call Alantown Pennsylvania pg 18 9 February 1929 Al Singer Takes Ten Round Scrap Altoona Mirror Altoona Pennsylvania pg 18 16 March 1929 Al Singer is Sitting High By Ring Kayo Times Herald Olean New York pg 12 25 July 1929 Crowd of 29 000 in Andre Routis is Kayoed by Al Singer The Evening News Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania pg 15 25 July 1929 Officials Disagree But Ebony Enigma Is Winner The Wilkes Barre Record Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania pg 21 30 August 1929 Trumbell Walter Kid Chocolate Wins in Furious Battle The Boston Globe Boston Massachusetts pg 25 30 August 1929 Roberts James B Skutt Alexander G 2006 The Boxing Register International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book ISBN 9781590131213 Retrieved January 20 2011 Fleischer Nat Andre Sam Rafael Don 2001 An Illustrated History of Boxing ISBN 9780806522012 Retrieved January 20 2011 Getty Frank Bronx Boy Wins Over Lightweight Champ Times Herald Olean New York pg 17 18 July 1930 May have been affected by a mild spinal injury in McLemore Henry Al Singer is Much Sadder and Wiser Republican and Herald Pottsville Pennsylvania pg 15 12 September 1930 Wood Wilbur Al Singer is Flattened After Minute of Action Altoona Mirror Altoona Pennsylvania pg 11 15 November 1930 Igoe Hype The Indianapolis Gazette Indianapolis Indiana pg 8 15 November 1930 Canzoneri Crowned New Lightweight Champion The Morning Herald Uniontown Pennsylvania pg 12 15 November 1930 Al Singer Wins Over Lew Massey Democrat and Chronicle New York New York pg 33 19 June 1931 Singer should have won more decisively in Al Singer Wins But Shows Little Class Times Herald Olean New York pg 16 19 June 1931 Ed Hughes Column Brooklyn Daily Eagle Brooklyn New York pg 15 12 December 1931 Battalino Kayoes Al Singer in Second The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Pennsylvania pg 16 12 December 1931 Earned a quarter million owned restaurants and married Billy Boze in Al Singer Dies 30 Champ Daily News New York New York pg 33 21 April 1961 The Palm Beach Post Apr 21 1961 Al Singer Jewishsports net Archived from the original on 26 December 2010 Retrieved January 20 2011 External links editBoxing record for Al Singer from BoxRec registration required Cyber Boxing Zone bio and record Jewish Sports bioAchievementsPreceded bySammy Mandell World Lightweight ChampionJuly 17 1930 November 14 1930 Succeeded byTony Canzoneri Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Singer amp oldid 1189732899, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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