# Izzy Jannazzo

Isadoro Anthony "Izzy" Jannazzo (January 31, 1915 – June 18, 1995) was an American professional boxer who challenged Barney Ross for the NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring magazine world welterweight championship in November 1936, and took the Maryland version of the World Welterweight Championship in October 1940. In 1937, he fought national welterweight champions before large crowds in Australia and Germany. In 1940, he was listed as the world's top welterweight contender by some sources. His managers were Guy Anselmi and Chris Dundee.

## Early life and career

Isadoro Jannazzo was born on January 31, 1915, in Ensley, Alabama to poor Sicilian Italian parents Francesca and Anthony Jannazzo. He would become part of a family of six, which included a sister Bernice and brothers Vincent and Sam and would live in his hometown until roughly the age of seventeen. He may have boxed in as many as one hundred amateur bouts, and once contended for a state bantamweight championship around the age of fourteen. After his family's move to New York around 1932, his mother died, causing him to shoulder additional financial responsibility for the support of his family. In 1941, Izzy married Francesca "Frances" Tombrello, who was five years his junior. Francesca's family, who had also lived in Ensley, Alabama, where she was born, had been friends of his family for many years. Francesca and her family moved to New York shortly after his. Izzy and his wife would settle on Troutman Street in Brooklyn, New York, in attached buildings near other family members.
Fighting in the New York City area, primarily Brooklyn or the Bronx between December 6, 1932, and January 13, 1934, he won nine of nineteen fights, losing six and drawing three times. He was not considered a power hitter yet won 65 of 126 bouts, though scoring only 8 knockouts.

### Important early career wins

On April 21, 1934, he defeated Murray Brandt in a six-round points decision at Ridgewood Grove in Brooklyn. He had formerly lost to Brandt in a six-round decision.
On May 31, 1934, he defeated Stanislaus Loayza in a six-round points decision at Fort Hamilton Arena in Brooklyn, New York. Stanislaus would contend for the NYSE World Lightweight Title in July 1935 against Jimmy Goodrich and was well known in his native Chile.
On November 17, 1934, he defeated Joe Rossi at the Ridgewood Grove in Brooklyn, New York in a six-round points decision. Rossi was another well rated New York welterweight who had previously beaten Jannazzo in six rounds on September 30, 1933, in Brooklyn. He would draw with Rossi in a six-round Brooklyn bout shortly after.
On January 7, 1935, he defeated Tony Falco at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York in a ten-round points decision. Jannazzo, with a reach advantage landed effective rights in the first, had an even second, and fought fiercely and evenly in the third and fourth. Jannazzo took the fifth with clean rights to the body and face while eluding Falco. Falco took the sixth using both hands, but Jannazzo may have taken the eighth with two stiff rights to the head of Falco near the end of the round. Jannazzo may have taken the ninth with lefts to the face of Falco, though the tenth was even with both boxers too exhausted to land stiff blows.
At 145 pounds, Jannazzo fought Jackie Davis twice on January 26, and February 16, in eight round points decisions at Ridgewood Grove in Brooklyn, losing the first, but winning the second. Jannazzo had roughly a four-pound weight advantage in each bout.

### Defeating Kid Azteca and Steve Halaiko

On March 2, 1935, he lost to Kid Azteca at the Arena Nacional in Mexico City in a ten-round points decision. In 1936, Azteca, Mexico City born, would take and hold the Mexican Welterweight title and fight in five separate decades in his native land.
On May 4, 1936, Jannazzo, at 145 1/2, scored a small upset defeating top NYSE welterweight contender Billy Celebron at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York in a ten-round points decision. According to the United Press, Celebron won only three rounds with the fourth and seventh even.
On July 6, 1936, fighting at 145 1/2, he knocked out Steve Halaiko in the fourth of six rounds at the Dexter Park arena in Queens.

## Win over former Light Welterweight Champion Johnny Jadick, draw with Ceferino Garcia

At 145 1/4 pounds, on July 22, 1936, he defeated former champion Johnny Jadick, in a ten-round points decision at the Dykman Oval in Manhattan. In a decisive win, Jannazzo put Jadick on the canvas in the first, fourth and sixth rounds. The fight was a benefit for the United Palestine Appeal. Jadick had previously taken the World Light Welterweight Championship on March 18, 1932, against Tony Canzoneri.
On October 30, 1936, he fought an important fifteen-round draw with Ceferino Garcia before a crowd of 5640 at New York's Madison Square Garden. In a fairly close bout, the Associated Press gave eight rounds to Garcia, six to Jannazzo, and one even. Jannazzo, a powerful hitter who had once floored Barney Ross, was thrown off in his attack by the scientific defense of Jannazzo, who was able to throw Garcia off balance from his attacks with his jabbing. Garcia scored the fight's only knockdown in the eighth for a count of one with a strong right. In the seventh through the fifteenth, both boxers changed the pace from the more cautious early rounds, and unleashed continuous punches. Garcia lost two of the first three rounds from penalties for low punches, and narrowly lost the other, but won most all of the remaining rounds through the ninth with a more aggressive display. The tenth through the twelfth went to Jannazzo who effectively used jabs to Garcia's head, interfering with his punching. Garcia would take the World Middleweight Championship in 1939.

## Undisputed Welterweight Title bout against Barney Ross, November 1936

On November 27, 1936, he faced the incomparable triple division champion Barney Ross before 8,484 spectators in a NYSAC, NBA, and Ring Magazine recognized World Welterweight Championship at Madison Square Garden, losing in a fifteen-round unanimous decision. There were few serious knockdowns in the bout, a credit to Jannazzo, though Ross may have taken as many as nine rounds, clearly starting out with an edge in the first two. Jannazzo was knocked down only briefly in the second and the fifth, for counts of one, and two, both from rights from Ross, though he likely slipped backing away in the fifth. The Associated Press had Ross with ten of the fifteen rounds, with four to Janazzo and one even. Janazzo showed pluck lasting fifteen rounds with Ross, even scoring with hard right crosses in the seventh, eighth, and tenth, though the outcome of the bout was never strongly in doubt.
On June 18, 1937, he defeated Phoenix welterweight Freddie Dixon in a ten-round points decision at the Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.

## Boxing in Sydney, Australia, and Hamburg, Germany, December 1937–38

On December 21, 1937, and January 25, 1938, he fought Jack Carroll and Dick Humphries in Sydney, Australia, losing both bouts in ten round points decisions. The bout with Carroll, Australian Welterweight Champion, brought an enthused capacity crowd of 30,000, likely the largest crowd of Jannazzo's career. Jannazzo was badly pummeled by Carroll's blows to both body and head, but never tired in the bout, and attempted to return counterpunches after each encounter. The bout was described as one of Carroll's best. "Jack Carroll Wins from Izzy Jannazzo", The Winnipeg Tribune gave Carroll nine of the ten rounds.
On October 15, 1938, he fought a fifteen-round draw with Gustav Eder, German Welterweight Champion, at Hanseaten Hall in Hamburg, Germany. The bout was close, with Jannazzo scoring with fast lefts through the first seven rounds, but Eder scoring with rights to the head and body in the subsequent rounds. The decision was unpopular with the enthusiastic home crowd of 10,000, among whom may felt Jannazzo had shown more science in the boxing and landed the more telling blows. In a previous match in New York in September 1936 with Eder, Jannazzo had won a fifteen-round points decision.
On February 7, 1940, he defeated Jackie Burke in a ten-round points decision at the Watres Armory in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Jannazzo battered Burke with both hands throughout the bout.
On April 10, 1940, he defeated Steve Mamakos at Riverside Stadium in Washington, D. C., in a ten-round split decision.
On September 4, 1940, he defeated Holman Williams in a ten-round points decision at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. In that year, Holman was rated seventh in the world among welterweights. He would become a boxer of some renown, taking the World Colored Middleweight Championship on October 16, 1942, against Charley Burley in New Orleans, Louisiana. Holman would lose the title to the "Cocoa Kid". Williams had previously beaten Jannazzo on March 27, 1940, in Scranton, Pennsylvania in a ten-round points decision. Williams, fighting at 150 in their March meeting, won from clever infighting in the later rounds, when Jannazzo may have tired from his strong opening rounds.

## Taking the Welterweight Championship of the World (Maryland version), October 1940

He won the Welterweight Championship of the World (as recognized by Maryland state), fighting at 147 pounds against the Puerto Rican boxer "Cocoa Kid" on October 14, 1940, in a close fifteen round split decision before 3,000 fans at Carlin's Park in Baltimore, Maryland. Jannazzo took the bout using a strong left jab, and effective footwork that left him out of the range of his Puerto Rican challenger. The "Kid", who fought with a four-pound disadvantage, repeatedly tried to take the fight to Jannazzo but was stopped by Jannazzo's ever present left jab. Jack Dempsey refereed the bout.

## Loss to future middleweight champion Georgie Abrams, December 1940

On December 12, 1940, Jannazzo lost to Georgie Abrams in a ten-round split decision at Carlin's Park in Baltimore. Though leading in the first two rounds, Jannazzo lost the third, being called for a low blow. In the late rounds, a strong attack by Abrams gave him the decision. Abrams dominated the infighting, but Jannazzo put on a more scientific and cautious defense.
Fighting at 145 1/2, on April 14, 1941, he defended the Maryland version of the World Welterweight Championship against Jimmy Leto in a fifteen-round split decision at the Coliseum in Baltimore, Maryland. Leto was a rated welterweight, and the victory was a significant one. Jannazzo once again used his strong left to win the bout, though the decision was somewhat disputed as the referee voted against Jannazzo, while both judges voted in his favor.
On September 21, 1942, in a lead-up to his fight with Sugar Ray Robinson, Jannazzo defeated Portuguese born Freddie Cabral in a ten-round points decision at the Valley Arena, in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

## Bouts with Sugar Ray Robinson, October 1942 and March 1946

On October 19, 1942, he lost to the great Sugar Ray Robinson for the first time at the arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a ten-round unanimous decision. Immediately after on December 1, 1942, he fought a return bout with Robinson at the Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, losing in an eighth round Technical Knockout.
He defeated "Wild" Bill McDowell of Dallas on June 17, 1943, in a ten-round points decision at Moers Field in Richmond, Virginia. McDowell was unable to use his left hand for seven rounds, after injuring his right in the third. McDowell had a ten-pound advantage over Jannazzo who weighed in at 149 1/2 pounds. It was a noteworthy win considering the disadvantages with which Jannazzo fought.
On May 9, 1944, he defeated Johnny Green at Memorial Auditorium before 3,893 fans in Buffalo, New York in a ten-round unanimous decision. Jannazzo, fighting at 152, won the bout with a well placed left, which he was unable to use to equal advantage in previous bouts with Green. Green had defeated and drawn with Jannazzo the previous February at the same venue in Buffalo. Green was a black boxer from Buffalo who fought several of the same opponents as Jannazzo.
He defeated Charley Parham twice in July and September 1945 at the Auditorium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jannazzo took the September bout by a unanimous decision with Parham winning only one round, but their July bout was somewhat closer. Jannuzzo had "little trouble", however, in scoring the decision in their second meeting.
On November 16, 1945, he defeated Frankie Abrams before 3000 fans in a ten-round unanimous decision at Olympia Stadium in Detroit. Jannazzo took every round but the last, when Abrams made a late rally. Abrams scored four knockdowns in the second round, showing his dominance.
On March 14, 1946, he fought champion Sugar Ray Robinson for the last time in Baltimore, Maryland, losing in a ten-round unanimous decision before a somewhat disappointing crowd of 4100. All three judges voted for Robinson. Jannazzo at 154, was outboxed by Robinson throughout the fight, and Robinson won every round. He had formerly fought Robinson on October 13, 1944, in Boston Garden before a crowd of 7,347, losing in a second-round technical knockout. Robinson had returned to the ring after fourteen months in the army, but had no trouble dropping Jannazzo twice in the second with well placed lefts and rights to the head, before asking the referee to end the fight.
On June 17, 1946, fighting at 151 3/4, he defeated Ralph Zannelli at the Rhode Island Auditorium in a ten-round points decision.
Fighting at 155 pounds on June 5, 1946, he defeated Joe Governale in a ten-round split decision at McArthur Stadium in Brooklyn, New York. He would lose to Governale at the same location in a ten-round decision one month later.
On January 28, 1947, he fought his last fight against Steve Belloise at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Belloise scored a technical knockout in 2:20 of the third round, and his manager, Chris Dundee, announced Jannazzo's retirement after seventeen years in the ring.

## Life after boxing

During WWII, Jannazzo worked as an air raid warden. After retiring from boxing in 1947, Jannazzo eventually worked for the city managing an incinerator for the department of sanitation. He retired at sixty-five to spend time with his children and grandchildren.
Around 1991, shortly after he moved to Columbus, Ohio, his family placed him in a nursing home, due primarily to the progressive boxing induced dementia from which he was suffering.
On June 18, 1995, Jannazzo died in Columbus, Ohio. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus, where his wife had been buried three months earlier.

## Professional boxing record

| 126 fights | 65 wins | 46 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 6 |
| By decision | 57 | 40 |
| Draws | 15 | 15 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 126 | Loss | 65–46–15 | Steve Belloise | TKO | 3 (10) | Jan 28, 1947 | 31 years, 362 days | Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 125 | Loss | 65–45–15 | Henry Jordan | UD | 10 | Oct 28, 1946 | 31 years, 270 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 124 | Loss | 65–44–15 | Joe Governale | UD | 10 | Jul 2, 1946 | 31 years, 152 days | MacArthur Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 123 | Win | 65–43–15 | Ralph Zannelli | UD | 10 | Jun 17, 1946 | 31 years, 137 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 64–43–15 | Joe Governale | SD | 10 | Jun 5, 1946 | 31 years, 125 days | MacArthur Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 121 | Loss | 63–43–15 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Mar 14, 1946 | 31 years, 42 days | 5th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 120 | Loss | 63–42–15 | Joe Legon | PTS | 10 | Feb 16, 1946 | 31 years, 16 days | Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba | |
| 119 | Loss | 63–41–15 | Joe Blackwood | PTS | 10 | Jan 25, 1946 | 30 years, 359 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 63–40–15 | Frankie Abrams | UD | 10 | Nov 16, 1945 | 30 years, 284 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 117 | Loss | 62–40–15 | Jimmy Sherrer | UD | 10 | Sep 27, 1945 | 30 years, 239 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 116 | Win | 62–39–15 | Charley Parham | UD | 10 | Sep 6, 1945 | 30 years, 218 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 61–39–15 | Tony Riccio | PTS | 10 | Jul 30, 1945 | 30 years, 180 days | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 114 | Win | 60–39–15 | Charley Parham | PTS | 10 | Jul 19, 1945 | 30 years, 169 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 113 | Loss | 59–39–15 | Dave Clark | PTS | 10 | Jun 27, 1945 | 30 years, 147 days | Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 59–38–15 | Van McNutt | UD | 10 | Mar 5, 1945 | 30 years, 33 days | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 111 | Loss | 58–38–15 | Prentiss Hall | SD | 8 | Feb 27, 1945 | 30 years, 27 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 110 | Loss | 58–37–15 | Ralph Zannelli | SD | 10 | Dec 22, 1944 | 29 years, 326 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 109 | Loss | 58–36–15 | Sugar Ray Robinson | TKO | 2 (10) | Oct 13, 1944 | 29 years, 256 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 108 | Win | 58–35–15 | Larney Moore | TKO | 5 (10) | Sep 5, 1944 | 29 years, 218 days | Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 107 | Loss | 57–35–15 | Bee Bee Wright | MD | 10 | Jun 12, 1944 | 29 years, 133 days | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, U.S. | |
| 106 | Win | 57–34–15 | Johnny Green | UD | 10 | May 9, 1944 | 29 years, 99 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 105 | Win | 56–34–15 | Larry Anzalone | UD | 10 | Apr 14, 1944 | 29 years, 74 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 104 | Win | 55–34–15 | Phil Enzenga | UD | 10 | Apr 6, 1944 | 29 years, 66 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 103 | Win | 54–34–15 | Phil Enzenga | TKO | 7 (10) | Mar 10, 1944 | 29 years, 39 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 102 | Loss | 53–34–15 | Johnny Green | PTS | 10 | Feb 29, 1944 | 29 years, 29 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 101 | Draw | 53–33–15 | Johnny Green | PTS | 10 | Feb 8, 1944 | 29 years, 8 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 100 | Loss | 53–33–14 | Ralph Zannelli | SD | 10 | Jan 27, 1944 | 28 years, 361 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 53–32–14 | Ralph Zannelli | SD | 10 | Dec 2, 1943 | 28 years, 305 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 98 | Win | 53–31–14 | Ralph Zannelli | UD | 10 | Nov 22, 1943 | 28 years, 295 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 97 | Win | 52–31–14 | Ernest 'Cat' Robinson | PTS | 8 | Nov 16, 1943 | 28 years, 289 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 96 | Draw | 51–31–14 | Vinnie Vines | PTS | 10 | Nov 12, 1943 | 28 years, 285 days | Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 95 | Win | 51–31–13 | Al Gilbert | TKO | 7 (10) | Sep 30, 1943 | 28 years, 242 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 94 | Loss | 50–31–13 | Reuben Shank | PTS | 10 | Sep 24, 1943 | 28 years, 236 days | Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 93 | Loss | 50–30–13 | Cecil Hudson | PTS | 6 | Aug 27, 1943 | 28 years, 208 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 50–29–13 | Bill McDowell | PTS | 10 | Jun 17, 1943 | 28 years, 137 days | Mooers Field, Richmond, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 49–29–13 | Sammy Secreet | TKO | 8 (10) | Mar 31, 1943 | 28 years, 59 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 90 | Win | 48–29–13 | Bobby Richardson | PTS | 10 | Feb 23, 1943 | 28 years, 23 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 89 | Loss | 47–29–13 | Jackie Cooper | PTS | 10 | Feb 9, 1943 | 28 years, 9 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 47–28–13 | Andres Gomez | PTS | 10 | Jan 19, 1943 | 27 years, 353 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 87 | Loss | 46–28–13 | Sugar Ray Robinson | TKO | 8 (10) | Dec 1, 1942 | 27 years, 304 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 86 | Loss | 46–27–13 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Oct 19, 1942 | 27 years, 261 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 46–26–13 | Freddie Cabral | RTD | 6 (10) | Sep 21, 1942 | 27 years, 233 days | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 84 | Loss | 45–26–13 | Eddie Booker | PTS | 10 | Aug 24, 1942 | 27 years, 205 days | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 45–25–13 | Johnny Walker | PTS | 8 | Jul 7, 1942 | 27 years, 157 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 44–25–13 | Joey Spangler | PTS | 10 | Jun 18, 1942 | 27 years, 138 days | Mooers Field, Richmond, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 81 | Loss | 43–25–13 | Johnny Jackson | SD | 10 | Jun 8, 1942 | 27 years, 128 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 80 | Win | 43–24–13 | Jackie Cooper | PTS | 10 | May 5, 1942 | 27 years, 94 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 79 | Loss | 42–24–13 | Saverio Turiello | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1942 | 27 years, 83 days | City Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | |
| 78 | Loss | 42–23–13 | Fritzie Zivic | RTD | 4 (10) | Mar 9, 1942 | 27 years, 37 days | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 42–22–13 | Ossie Harris | UD | 10 | Feb 9, 1942 | 27 years, 9 days | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 76 | Loss | 41–22–13 | Coley Welch | KO | 7 (8) | Nov 14, 1941 | 26 years, 287 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 41–21–13 | Lou Schwartz | PTS | 10 | Oct 7, 1941 | 26 years, 249 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 74 | Win | 40–21–13 | Herbert Lewis Hardwick | PTS | 10 | Aug 5, 1941 | 26 years, 186 days | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 39–21–13 | Frank Velez | PTS | 10 | Jul 10, 1941 | 26 years, 160 days | Stack Arena, Norwalk, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 38–21–13 | Jimmy Leto | SD | 15 | Apr 14, 1941 | 26 years, 73 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | Retained Maryland world welterweight title |
| 71 | Loss | 37–21–13 | Georgie Abrams | SD | 10 | Dec 12, 1940 | 25 years, 316 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 37–20–13 | Augie Arellano | PTS | 8 | Nov 9, 1940 | 25 years, 283 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 36–20–13 | Herbert Lewis Hardwick | SD | 15 | Oct 14, 1940 | 25 years, 257 days | Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | Won vacant Maryland world welterweight title |
| 68 | Win | 35–20–13 | Holman Williams | PTS | 10 | Sep 4, 1940 | 25 years, 217 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 34–20–13 | Steve Mamakos | UD | 10 | Apr 10, 1940 | 25 years, 70 days | Riverside Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 66 | Loss | 33–20–13 | Holman Williams | UD | 10 | Mar 27, 1940 | 25 years, 56 days | Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 33–19–13 | Jackie Burke | UD | 10 | Feb 7, 1940 | 25 years, 7 days | Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 64 | Draw | 32–19–13 | Holman Williams | PTS | 10 | Dec 13, 1939 | 24 years, 316 days | Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 32–19–12 | Milo Theodorescu | PTS | 8 | Sep 9, 1939 | 24 years, 221 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 31–19–12 | Andre Jessurun | PTS | 10 | Jul 20, 1939 | 24 years, 170 days | Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 30–19–12 | Vince Pimpinella | PTS | 8 | Apr 24, 1939 | 24 years, 83 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 60 | Draw | 29–19–12 | Gustav Eder | PTS | 15 | Oct 15, 1938 | 23 years, 257 days | Hanseatenhalle, Hamburg, Nazi Germany | |
| 59 | Loss | 29–19–11 | Solly Krieger | TKO | 11 (12) | Apr 6, 1938 | 23 years, 65 days | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Loss | 29–18–11 | Dick Humphries | PTS | 10 | Jan 25, 1938 | 22 years, 359 days | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 57 | Loss | 29–17–11 | Jack Carroll | PTS | 10 | Dec 21, 1937 | 22 years, 324 days | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 56 | Win | 29–16–11 | Freddie Dixon | PTS | 10 | Jun 18, 1937 | 22 years, 138 days | Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 55 | Loss | 28–16–11 | Glen Lee | PTS | 10 | May 28, 1937 | 22 years, 117 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 54 | Loss | 28–15–11 | Barney Ross | UD | 15 | Nov 27, 1936 | 21 years, 301 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 53 | Draw | 28–14–11 | Ceferino Garcia | PTS | 15 | Oct 30, 1936 | 21 years, 273 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 28–14–10 | Gustav Eder | PTS | 15 | Sep 21, 1936 | 21 years, 234 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 27–14–10 | Johnny Jadick | PTS | 10 | Jul 22, 1936 | 21 years, 173 days | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 26–14–10 | Steve Halaiko | KO | 4 (10) | Jul 6, 1936 | 21 years, 157 days | Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 25–14–10 | Billy Celebron | PTS | 10 | May 4, 1936 | 21 years, 94 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 48 | Loss | 24–14–10 | Cleto Locatelli | PTS | 10 | Feb 21, 1936 | 21 years, 21 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 47 | Loss | 24–13–10 | Cleto Locatelli | PTS | 10 | Dec 9, 1935 | 20 years, 312 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 46 | Draw | 24–12–10 | Harry Dublinsky | PTS | 10 | Oct 21, 1935 | 20 years, 263 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 45 | Draw | 24–12–9 | Harry Dublinsky | PTS | 10 | Sep 16, 1935 | 20 years, 228 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 44 | Loss | 24–12–8 | Jimmy Leto | PTS | 10 | Aug 19, 1935 | 20 years, 200 days | Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 24–11–8 | Babe Marino | PTS | 8 | Jul 15, 1935 | 20 years, 165 days | Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 23–11–8 | Mickey Serrian | PTS | 8 | Jul 1, 1935 | 20 years, 151 days | Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 41 | Loss | 22–11–8 | Mickey Serrian | PTS | 8 | Apr 20, 1935 | 20 years, 79 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 22–10–8 | Phil Furr | UD | 10 | Apr 15, 1935 | 20 years, 74 days | Auditorium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 39 | Loss | 21–10–8 | Kid Azteca | PTS | 10 | Mar 2, 1935 | 20 years, 30 days | Arena Nacional, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | |
| 38 | Win | 21–9–8 | Jackie Davis | PTS | 8 | Feb 16, 1935 | 20 years, 16 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 37 | Loss | 20–9–8 | Jackie Davis | PTS | 8 | Jan 26, 1935 | 19 years, 360 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 20–8–8 | Tony Falco | PTS | 10 | Jan 7, 1935 | 19 years, 341 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 19–8–8 | Steve Halaiko | PTS | 8 | Dec 8, 1934 | 19 years, 311 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 18–8–8 | Al Casimini | PTS | 8 | Nov 26, 1934 | 19 years, 299 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 17–8–8 | Joe Rossi | PTS | 6 | Nov 17, 1934 | 19 years, 290 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | Draw | 16–8–8 | Morrie Sherman | PTS | 8 | Oct 29, 1934 | 19 years, 271 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 16–8–7 | Joe Mulli | TKO | 3 (8) | Sep 20, 1934 | 19 years, 232 days | Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 15–8–7 | Danny Levine | PTS | 6 | Aug 14, 1934 | 19 years, 195 days | Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 29 | Loss | 14–8–7 | Kenny LaSalle | PTS | 6 | Jul 17, 1934 | 19 years, 167 days | Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 14–7–7 | Mickey Paul | PTS | 6 | Jul 10, 1934 | 19 years, 160 days | Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 13–7–7 | Stanislaus Loayza | PTS | 6 | May 31, 1934 | 19 years, 120 days | Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Loss | 12–7–7 | Jack Lowery | PTS | 6 | May 5, 1934 | 19 years, 94 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 12–6–7 | Murray Brandt | PTS | 6 | Apr 21, 1934 | 19 years, 80 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Draw | 11–6–7 | Joe Rossi | PTS | 6 | Apr 4, 1934 | 19 years, 63 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 11–6–6 | Sal Canata | PTS | 6 | Mar 5, 1934 | 19 years, 33 days | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 22 | Draw | 10–6–6 | Teddy Loder | PTS | 6 | Mar 3, 1934 | 19 years, 31 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 21 | Draw | 10–6–5 | Jack Lowery | PTS | 6 | Feb 17, 1934 | 19 years, 17 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 20 | Draw | 10–6–4 | Teddy Loder | PTS | 6 | Jan 31, 1934 | 19 years, 0 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 10–6–3 | Sammy Kanter | PTS | 6 | Jan 13, 1934 | 18 years, 347 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 9–6–3 | Joe Pennino | PTS | 6 | Dec 12, 1933 | 18 years, 315 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Loss | 8–6–3 | Joe Rossi | PTS | 6 | Sep 30, 1933 | 18 years, 242 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Loss | 8–5–3 | Meyer Rowan | PTS | 6 | Sep 23, 1933 | 18 years, 235 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 8–4–3 | Pedro Nieves | PTS | 6 | Sep 11, 1933 | 18 years, 223 days | Fugazy Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 7–4–3 | Joey Delmaschio | PTS | 6 | Aug 17, 1933 | 18 years, 198 days | Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 6–4–3 | Jimmy Sherlaw | PTS | 4 | Jul 28, 1933 | 18 years, 178 days | Clarkston County Club, Nyack, New York, U.S. | |
| 12 | Loss | 5–4–3 | Murray Brandt | PTS | 6 | Jul 24, 1933 | 18 years, 174 days | Starlight Park, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 5–3–3 | Sammy Kanter | PTS | 5 | Jul 5, 1933 | 18 years, 155 days | Starlight Park, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 4–3–3 | Johnny Williams | PTS | 4 | Jun 19, 1933 | 18 years, 139 days | Starlight Park, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Draw | 3–3–3 | Sid Silas | PTS | 6 | Jun 3, 1933 | 18 years, 123 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Draw | 3–3–2 | Willie Lewis | PTS | 4 | May 22, 1933 | 18 years, 111 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Draw | 3–3–1 | Marty Silvers | PTS | 4 | Apr 15, 1933 | 18 years, 74 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 6 | Loss | 3–3 | Sammy Kanter | PTS | 4 | Apr 1, 1933 | 18 years, 60 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 3–2 | Mickey O'Connor | PTS | 4 | Mar 13, 1933 | 18 years, 41 days | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 4 | Loss | 2–2 | Al Haslem | PTS | 5 | Feb 6, 1933 | 18 years, 6 days | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Ralph Esposito | TKO | 1 (4) | Jan 30, 1933 | 17 years, 365 days | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Joe Melletti | PTS | 4 | Jan 17, 1933 | 17 years, 352 days | New Lenox S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Willie Miller | PTS | 4 | Dec 6, 1932 | 17 years, 310 days | New Lenox S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |