# Ike Williams

Isiah "Ike" Williams (August 2, 1923 – September 5, 1994) was an American professional boxer. He was a lightweight world boxing champion. He took the World Lightweight Championship in April 1945 and made eight successful defenses of the title against six different fighters prior to losing the championship to Jimmy Carter in 1951. Williams was known for his great right hand, and was named to The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time as well as The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year for 1948. Williams was also the Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year for 1948, was inducted into The Ring Boxing Hall of Fame (disbanded in 1987), and was an inaugural 1990 inductee to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

## Early life

Williams was born in Brunswick, Georgia, on August 2, 1923. He did not turn professional until 1940 when he began boxing in Trenton, New Jersey. According to boxing lore, Williams worked as a newsboy after his family's move to Trenton, and first began boxing using his fists to defend the corner where he sold his papers.

## Professional career

During his career, Williams faced and defeated former lightweight champions Sammy Angott, Bob Montgomery, and Beau Jack.

### Taking the NBA World Lightweight Championship, April 1945

Williams was inducted into the U.S. Army after a close non-title win against the great lightweight Sammy Angott by ten-round decision at Shibe Park in Philadelphia on September 6, 1944, though he continued regular professional boxing during his service.
Williams won the NBA World Lightweight Championship before a crowd of 35,000 by a second-round knockout of Juan Zurita in Mexico City on April 18, 1945. Their first planned meeting in Philadelphia had been cancelled by the Pennsylvania Boxing Commission who recognized Bob Montgomery as the lightweight champion. Williams made a two fisted attack to the head of Zurita in the second which Zurita could not hold off, though he had made an effective defense in the first round. It was Zurita's first title defense. Shortly after Zurita was counted out, Williams' corner was crowded by fans, and several policeman were required to clear the ring before Williams could return to his dressing room.

#### World Lightweight Title defense against Bob Montgomery, August 1947

In one of his most important title defenses, he achieved a knockout of black boxer Bob Montgomery, NYSAC Lightweight Champion, at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia in six rounds on August 4, 1947, to become the undisputed World Lightweight Champion. Montgomery was down for a count of nine in the sixth before the bout was stopped. The victory also avenged a twelfth-round knockout loss to Montgomery from January 25, 1944. At least one source had Williams with an edge in three of the rounds, with one to Montgomery, and one too close to call. The blow that sent Montgomery to the mat in the sixth was a right to the chin by the hard punching Williams. Montgomery rose after nine but continued to take punches and was up against the ropes, and sinking to the mat on his knees before the referee stopped the bout.

#### World Lightweight Title defense against Jesse Flores, September 1948

On September 23, 1948, Williams successfully defended his Lightweight title against Jesse Flores winning in a tenth-round technical knockout at Yankee Stadium in New York's Bronx. Flores had been on the mat five times during the fight, down twice in the fifth and twice in the eighth. The final blows were a left hook and then a right that sent Flores to the mat 2:07 into the tenth round.

#### World Lightweight Title defense against Enrique Bolanos, July 1949

On July 21, 1949, Williams defended his title against Enrique Bolanos winning in a fourth-round technical knockout before a crowd of near 19,000 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Bolanos had been sent to the canvas twice before referee Jack Dempsey decided to end the bout 2:40 into the fourth round. Bolanos was knocked to the mat for a count of eight early in the fourth, and then after rising received a series of left and right hooks that sent him to his knees near William's corner. Bolanos' manager George Parnassus threw in the towel and referee Dempsey abruptly ended the bout causing the fight to be recorded as a technical knock out.

#### World Lightweight Title defense against Freddy Dawson, December 1949

On December 5, 1949, Williams defeated Freddy Dawson in a close fifteen-round decision before 10,389 fans at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. He had defeated Dawson twice in previous meetings and led in the early betting. In the post-fight decision, the two judges gave him the decision by only one round, ruling that 8 rounds were won by him and 7 by Dawson. The referee, who was closer to the action, gave him 9 rounds to 6 for Dawson. There were no knockdowns in the bout, and according to one source only one hard solid punch, a hard left to Dawson's head in the fifth. Boxing reporters already were concerned about Williams' ability to make the lightweight limit prior to his bout with Dawson, an issue that would arise again in his bout with Jimmy Carter. There were several newspaper reports that wrote of Williams' fine for informing the press of a potential bribe of the judges he claimed he had heard about in a phone call. He was fined by the boxing commission for informing the press of the possible bribe before he had first informed the commission.
On January 17, 1949, Williams first defeated Johhny Bratton by a comfortable margin in the Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a ten-round decision before a satisfied crowd of 8,000 fans. Williams had taken a two-month lay-off from his fight schedule to help heal a broken hand. The judges scored 6-2 and 7-3 for Bratton, while the referee scored a closer 5-4-1 decision. Bratton put up a defense, and even stunned Williams momentarily in the eighth with a blow to the jaw, but lacked the skills at 21 to defeat Williams. On January 20, 1950, before a crowd of 12,000 at Chicago Stadium, Williams won an eighth-round technical knockout against Bratton who was forced to leave the ring with a broken jaw. Bratton later claimed the injury took place in round three. Williams hammered his opponent particularly hard in the second and seventh rounds, and was comfortably ahead on points, losing only one of the eight rounds fought to Bratton. Bratton ended the bout by turning his back and signalling the referee to end the fight. After returning to boxing, Bratton would briefly take the NBA World Welterweight Championship in March 1951, holding it only two months.

#### Loss of World Lightweight Title against Jimmy Carter, May 1951

He held on to the crown until May 25, 1951, when he was stopped by Jimmy Carter in a fourteenth-round technical knockout at New York's Madison Square Garden. Williams had been sent to the canvas four times before the fight was called. Williams was down for a count of five and eight in the fifth. He was down for a count of four and then six in the fourteenth before the referee ended the fight. Williams believed that his trouble making weight had weakened him for the fight.
Williams, for part of his career, was managed by Frank "Blinky" Palermo, who later was suspected of having ties to organized crime. According to Williams, he was blackballed by the boxing managers guild when he sought to manage himself. Palermo informed him he could resolve his problems with the guild, and Williams agreed to let Palermo manage him. Williams testified before the Kefauver Commission that Palermo did not arrange for him to throw any fights, but that he shorted him his share of his purses. Nevertheless, Williams did claim to have taken a dive against Chuck Davey, a much hyped contender for the welterweight crown.

## Testifying before Congress, 1961

In 1961 Williams testified before Congress on antitrust in boxing. In his testimony, Williams stated that all boxers are asked to take bribes and that he was boycotted as a result of trying to manage himself. He explained that he could not get a fight because he did not use a manager and that he could not book a fight until he found a manager from the manager's guild. He explained that he did not receive his share of his purse in two fights which included Jesse Flores in Yankee Stadium, for the lightweight title on September 23, 1948, and Beau Jack at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, on July 12, 1948, and September 23, 1948. In those fights the money owed him was $32,500 and $32,400. He testified he told the boxing association to temporarily hold on to the money for these two fights for tax purposes. Later when he asked for his money, he discovered that his shares of the profits had been taken by his manager, who claimed to have fallen on hard times and spent it. Williams still had to pay the taxes on his share of the profits, though he never received them.
He further testified that his manager was offered $30,000 for him to throw a championship fight against Freddy Dawson in Philadelphia on December 5, 1949, though he declined. He testified that ten minutes before the fight he heard the judges being told if he did not win by a knock out that the fight would go to Dawson. Williams won the fight and told the media afterwards that he had heard a rumor that the fight would be fixed to go to Dawson by decision of the judges if he did not win by a knockout. Williams believed that the Judges upon hearing that he called the media decided to not fix the fight by giving an unfair decision to Dawson. Nonetheless, Williams was fined $500 for his comments to the media.
Williams also recalled a fight against Kid Gavilán on January 28, 1949, at Madison Square Garden, in which he was offered $100,000 to throw the fight. Again, Ike Williams did not take the money, an action he regretted because he lost the fight even though a plurality of reporters in subsequent news stories that cover the fight believed he had won. This made Williams conclude that the judges may have also been influenced in this fight to vote for his opponent in the case of a points decision.
Williams also believed he lost his lightweight title in a bout with the boxer Jimmy Carter on May 25, 1951, in a bout where the judges were also influenced. He testified he was again offered to throw the fight, for a sum of $50,000. Again, Williams said he regretted not taking the money as he lost the fight in a similar fashion as before.
Williams testified he never took the money offered to him to fix fights because too many people were counting on him and that too many of his friends had bet their hard earned money on him.

## Death

Williams died on September 5, 1994, at his home in the Wilshire District of Los Angeles of natural causes.

## Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

### Official record

| 157 fights | 126 wins | 24 losses |
| By knockout | 61 | 6 |
| By decision | 65 | 18 |
| Draws | 4 | 4 |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 3 | 3 |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 157 | Win | 126–24–4 (3) | Beau Jack | RTD | 8 (10) | Aug 12, 1955 | 32 years, 10 days | Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 156 | Draw | 125–24–4 (3) | Beau Jack | PTS | 10 | Apr 9, 1955 | 31 years, 250 days | Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 155 | Loss | 125–24–3 (3) | Rafael Lastre | UD | 10 | Jul 2, 1954 | 30 years, 334 days | Estadio Tropical, Havana, Cuba | |
| 154 | Loss | 125–23–3 (3) | Jed Black | UD | 10 | Nov 9, 1953 | 30 years, 99 days | Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 153 | Win | 125–22–3 (3) | Dom Zimbardo | TKO | 2 (8) | Sep 17, 1953 | 30 years, 46 days | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 152 | Loss | 124–22–3 (3) | Georgie Johnson | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 8, 1953 | 29 years, 310 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 151 | Win | 124–21–3 (3) | Billy Andy | UD | 10 | May 9, 1953 | 29 years, 280 days | Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 150 | Win | 123–21–3 (3) | Billy Andy | PTS | 10 | Apr 20, 1953 | 29 years, 261 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 149 | Win | 122–21–3 (3) | Vic Cardell | UD | 10 | Mar 28, 1953 | 29 years, 238 days | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 148 | Win | 121–21–3 (3) | Claude Hammond | PTS | 10 | Mar 9, 1953 | 29 years, 219 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 147 | Loss | 120–21–3 (3) | Carmen Basilio | UD | 10 | Jan 12, 1953 | 29 years, 163 days | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S. | |
| 146 | Win | 120–20–3 (3) | Pat Manzi | TKO | 7 (10) | Nov 24, 1952 | 29 years, 114 days | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S. | |
| 145 | Loss | 119–20–3 (3) | Chuck Davey | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 26, 1952 | 28 years, 237 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, U.S. | |
| 144 | Win | 119–19–3 (3) | Johnny Cunningham | KO | 5 (10) | Mar 17, 1952 | 28 years, 228 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 143 | Loss | 118–19–3 (3) | Gil Turner | TKO | 10 (10) | Sep 10, 1951 | 28 years, 39 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 142 | Loss | 118–18–3 (3) | Don Williams | PTS | 10 | Aug 2, 1951 | 28 years, 0 days | Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 141 | Loss | 118–17–3 (3) | Jimmy Carter | TKO | 14 (15) | May 25, 1951 | 27 years, 296 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 140 | Win | 118–16–3 (3) | Fitzie Pruden | UD | 10 | Apr 11, 1951 | 27 years, 252 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 139 | Win | 117–16–3 (3) | Beau Jack | SD | 10 | Mar 5, 1951 | 27 years, 215 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 138 | Loss | 116–16–3 (3) | Joe Miceli | UD | 10 | Feb 19, 1951 | 27 years, 201 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 137 | Win | 116–15–3 (3) | Vic Cardell | RTD | 8 (10) | Jan 31, 1951 | 27 years, 182 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 136 | Win | 115–15–3 (3) | Ralph Zannelli | KO | 5 (10) | Jan 22, 1951 | 27 years, 173 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 135 | Win | 114–15–3 (3) | José María Gatica | KO | 1 (10) | Jan 5, 1951 | 27 years, 156 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 134 | Win | 113–15–3 (3) | Rudy Cruz | UD | 10 | Dec 18, 1950 | 27 years, 138 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 133 | Win | 112–15–3 (3) | Dave Marsh | RTD | 8 (10) | Dec 12, 1950 | 27 years, 132 days | Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 132 | Win | 111–15–3 (3) | Joe Miceli | SD | 10 | Nov 23, 1950 | 27 years, 113 days | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 131 | Loss | 110–15–3 (3) | Joe Miceli | UD | 10 | Oct 2, 1950 | 27 years, 61 days | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 130 | Win | 110–14–3 (3) | Charley Salas | SD | 10 | Sep 26, 1950 | 27 years, 55 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 129 | Loss | 109–14–3 (3) | Charley Salas | UD | 10 | Aug 7, 1950 | 27 years, 5 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 128 | Loss | 109–13–3 (3) | George Costner | UD | 10 | Jul 12, 1950 | 26 years, 344 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 127 | Win | 109–12–3 (3) | Lester Felton | UD | 10 | Jun 2, 1950 | 26 years, 304 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 126 | Win | 108–12–3 (3) | John L Davis | SD | 10 | Feb 27, 1950 | 26 years, 209 days | Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 125 | Win | 107–12–3 (3) | Sonny Boy West | KO | 8 (10) | Feb 17, 1950 | 26 years, 199 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 124 | Win | 106–12–3 (3) | Johnny Bratton | TKO | 8 (10) | Jan 20, 1950 | 26 years, 171 days | Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 123 | Win | 105–12–3 (3) | Jimmy Taylor | UD | 6 | Dec 20, 1949 | 26 years, 140 days | Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 104–12–3 (3) | Freddie Dawson | UD | 15 | Dec 5, 1949 | 26 years, 125 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 121 | Win | 103–12–3 (3) | Jean Walzack | UD | 10 | Nov 14, 1949 | 26 years, 104 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 102–12–3 (3) | Al Mobley | PTS | 10 | Oct 24, 1949 | 26 years, 83 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 119 | Win | 101–12–3 (3) | Doug Ratford | UD | 10 | Sep 30, 1949 | 26 years, 59 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 100–12–3 (3) | Benny Walker | UD | 10 | Aug 3, 1949 | 26 years, 1 day | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 117 | Win | 99–12–3 (3) | Enrique Bolanos | TKO | 4 (15) | Jul 21, 1949 | 25 years, 353 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 116 | Win | 98–12–3 (3) | Irvin Steen | UD | 10 | Jun 21, 1949 | 25 years, 323 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 97–12–3 (3) | Vince Turpin | TKO | 6 (10) | Apr 22, 1949 | 25 years, 263 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 114 | Loss | 96–12–3 (3) | Kid Gavilán | UD | 10 | Apr 1, 1949 | 25 years, 242 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 113 | Loss | 96–11–3 (3) | Kid Gavilán | MD | 10 | Jan 28, 1949 | 25 years, 210 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 96–10–3 (3) | Johnny Bratton | UD | 10 | Jan 17, 1949 | 25 years, 168 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 111 | Win | 95–10–3 (3) | Billy Nixon | TKO | 4 (8) | Nov 18, 1948 | 25 years, 108 days | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 110 | Win | 94–10–3 (3) | Buddy Garcia | TKO | 1 (10) | Nov 8, 1948 | 25 years, 98 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 109 | Win | 93–10–3 (3) | Jesse Flores | TKO | 10 (15) | Sep 23, 1948 | 25 years, 52 days | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 108 | Win | 92–10–3 (3) | Beau Jack | TKO | 6 (15) | Jul 12, 1948 | 24 years, 345 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 107 | Win | 91–10–3 (3) | Enrique Bolanos | SD | 15 | May 25, 1948 | 24 years, 297 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 106 | Win | 90–10–3 (3) | Rudy Cruz | UD | 10 | May 5, 1948 | 24 years, 277 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 105 | Win | 89–10–3 (3) | Kid Gavilán | UD | 10 | Feb 27, 1948 | 24 years, 209 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 104 | Win | 88–10–3 (3) | Livio Minelli | UD | 10 | Feb 9, 1948 | 24 years, 191 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 103 | Win | 87–10–3 (3) | Freddie Dawson | MD | 10 | Jan 26, 1948 | 24 years, 177 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 102 | Win | 86–10–3 (3) | Doug Carter | PTS | 10 | Jan 13, 1948 | 24 years, 164 days | 114th Infantry Armory, Camden, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 101 | Win | 85–10–3 (3) | Tony Pellone | UD | 10 | Dec 12, 1947 | 24 years, 132 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 100 | Win | 84–10–3 (3) | Talmadge Bussey | TKO | 9 (10) | Oct 10, 1947 | 24 years, 69 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 99 | Win | 83–10–3 (3) | Doll Rafferty | KO | 4 (10) | Sep 29, 1947 | 24 years, 58 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 98 | Win | 82–10–3 (3) | Bob Montgomery | TKO | 6 (15) | Aug 4, 1947 | 24 years, 2 days | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NBA lightweight title; Won NYSAC and vacant The Ring lightweight titles |
| 97 | Win | 81–10–3 (3) | Tippy Larkin | KO | 4 (10) | Jun 20, 1947 | 23 years, 322 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 80–10–3 (3) | Juste Fontaine | TKO | 4 (10) | May 26, 1947 | 23 years, 267 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 95 | Win | 79–10–3 (3) | Ralph Zannelli | UD | 10 | May 9, 1947 | 23 years, 280 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 78–10–3 (3) | Willie Russell | UD | 10 | Apr 25, 1947 | 23 years, 266 days | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 77–10–3 (3) | Frankie Conti | TKO | 7 (10) | Apr 14, 1947 | 23 years, 255 days | Little Palestra, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 92 | Loss | 76–10–3 (3) | Gene Burton | UD | 10 | Jan 27, 1947 | 23 years, 178 days | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 76–9–3 (3) | Ronnie James | KO | 9 (15) | Sep 4, 1946 | 23 years, 33 days | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales | Retained NBA lightweight title |
| 90 | Win | 75–9–3 (3) | Ivan Christie | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 6, 1946 | 23 years, 4 days | Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 89 | Win | 74–9–3 (3) | Bobby Ruffin | TKO | 5 (10) | Jun 12, 1946 | 22 years, 314 days | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 73–9–3 (3) | Enrique Bolanos | TKO | 8 (15) | Apr 30, 1946 | 22 years, 271 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NBA lightweight title |
| 87 | Win | 72–9–3 (3) | Eddie Giosa | RTD | 1 (10) | Apr 8, 1946 | 22 years, 249 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 71–9–3 (3) | Eddie Giosa | RTD | 4 (10) | Mar 11, 1946 | 22 years, 221 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 70–9–3 (3) | Ace Miller | UD | 10 | Feb 22, 1946 | 22 years, 204 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 69–9–3 (3) | Cleo Shans | PTS | 10 | Feb 14, 1946 | 22 years, 196 days | Armory, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 83 | Draw | 68–9–3 (3) | Freddie Dawson | MD | 10 | Jan 28, 1946 | 22 years, 179 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 68–9–2 (3) | Johnny Bratton | PTS | 10 | Jan 20, 1946 | 22 years, 171 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 81 | Win | 67–9–2 (3) | Charlie "Petey" Smith | PTS | 10 | Jan 8, 1946 | 22 years, 159 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 80 | Draw | 66–9–2 (3) | Wesley Mouzon | MD | 10 | Nov 26, 1945 | 22 years, 116 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 79 | Loss | 66–9–1 (3) | Sammy Angott | TKO | 6 (10) | Sep 19, 1945 | 22 years, 48 days | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 66–8–1 (3) | Nick Moran | UD | 10 | Sep 7, 1945 | 22 years, 36 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 65–8–1 (3) | Gene Burton | UD | 10 | Aug 28, 1945 | 22 years, 26 days | Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 64–8–1 (3) | Charlie "Petey" Smith | PTS | 10 | Aug 14, 1945 | 22 years, 12 days | Roosevelt Stadium, Union City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 75 | Loss | 63–8–1 (3) | Willie Joyce | SD | 10 | Jun 8, 1945 | 21 years, 310 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 74 | Win | 63–7–1 (3) | Juan Zurita | TKO | 2 (15) | Apr 18, 1945 | 21 years, 259 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | Won NBA lightweight title |
| 73 | Win | 62–7–1 (3) | Dorsey Lay | KO | 3 (10) | Mar 26, 1945 | 21 years, 236 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 72 | Loss | 61–7–1 (3) | Willie Joyce | UD | 12 | Mar 2, 1945 | 21 years, 212 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 61–6–1 (3) | Maxie Berger | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 22, 1945 | 21 years, 173 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 60–6–1 (3) | Willie Joyce | UD | 12 | Jan 8, 1945 | 21 years, 159 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 59–6–1 (3) | Dave Castilloux | TKO | 5 (10) | Dec 11, 1944 | 21 years, 131 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 58–6–1 (3) | Lulu Costantino | UD | 10 | Dec 5, 1944 | 21 years, 125 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 67 | Loss | 57–6–1 (3) | Willie Joyce | SD | 10 | Nov 13, 1944 | 21 years, 103 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 57–5–1 (3) | Ruby Garcia | TKO | 7 (10) | Nov 2, 1944 | 21 years, 92 days | Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 56–5–1 (3) | Johnny Green | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 18, 1944 | 21 years, 77 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 55–5–1 (3) | Freddie Dawson | KO | 4 (10) | Sep 19, 1944 | 21 years, 48 days | Arena, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 54–5–1 (3) | Sammy Angott | SD | 10 | Sep 6, 1944 | 21 years, 35 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 53–5–1 (3) | Jimmy Hatcher | UD | 10 | Aug 29, 1944 | 21 years, 27 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 52–5–1 (3) | Julie Kogon | UD | 10 | Jul 20, 1944 | 20 years, 353 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 51–5–1 (3) | Joey Pirrone | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 10, 1944 | 20 years, 343 days | Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 50–5–1 (3) | Cleo Shans | TKO | 10 (10) | Jun 23, 1944 | 20 years, 326 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 49–5–1 (3) | Sammy Angott | SD | 10 | Jun 6, 1944 | 20 years, 309 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 48–5–1 (3) | Slugger White | UD | 10 | May 16, 1944 | 20 years, 288 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 47–5–1 (3) | Mike Delia | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 17, 1944 | 20 years, 259 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 46–5–1 (3) | Leroy Saunders | KO | 5 (10) | Apr 10, 1944 | 20 years, 282 days | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 45–5–1 (3) | Joey Peralta | TKO | 9 (10) | Mar 27, 1944 | 20 years, 238 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 44–5–1 (3) | Leo Francis | PTS | 8 | Mar 13, 1944 | 20 years, 224 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 43–5–1 (3) | Ellis Phillips | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 28, 1944 | 20 years, 210 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Loss | 42–5–1 (3) | Bob Montgomery | KO | 12 (12) | Jan 25, 1944 | 20 years, 176 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 42–4–1 (3) | Mayon Padlo | UD | 10 | Dec 13, 1943 | 20 years, 133 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 41–4–1 (3) | Willie Cheatum | PTS | 8 | Nov 29, 1943 | 20 years, 119 days | Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 40–4–1 (3) | Johnny Hutchinson | KO | 3 (10) | Nov 8, 1943 | 20 years, 98 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 39–4–1 (3) | Gene Johnson | PTS | 10 | Oct 29, 1943 | 20 years, 88 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 38–4–1 (3) | Eddie Perry | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 22, 1943 | 20 years, 81 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 37–4–1 (3) | Lefty LaChance | KO | 4 (10) | Oct 1, 1943 | 20 years, 60 days | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 36–4–1 (3) | Jerry Moore | PTS | 10 | Sep 13, 1943 | 20 years, 42 days | Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 35–4–1 (3) | Johnny Bellus | PTS | 10 | Aug 31, 1943 | 20 years, 29 days | Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 34–4–1 (3) | Tommy Jessup | TKO | 5 (10) | Aug 24, 1943 | 20 years, 22 days | Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 33–4–1 (3) | Jimmy Hatcher | TKO | 6 (10) | Jul 19, 1943 | 19 years, 351 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 32–4–1 (3) | Ray Brown | PTS | 10 | May 17, 1943 | 19 years, 288 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 31–4–1 (3) | Lefty LaChance | UD | 8 | May 7, 1943 | 19 years, 278 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 30–4–1 (3) | Joe Genovese | TKO | 4 (8) | Apr 21, 1943 | 19 years, 262 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 29–4–1 (3) | Ruby Garcia | UD | 8 | Apr 5, 1943 | 19 years, 246 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 28–4–1 (3) | Rudy Giscombe | TKO | 3 (6) | Apr 2, 1943 | 19 years, 243 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 27–4–1 (3) | Bill Speary | TKO | 2 (10) | Mar 8, 1943 | 19 years, 218 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 26–4–1 (3) | Bobby McQuillar | KO | 3 (6) | Feb 23, 1943 | 19 years, 205 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 25–4–1 (3) | Sammy Daniels | KO | 2 (6) | Feb 22, 1943 | 19 years, 204 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 24–4–1 (3) | Jerry Moore | PTS | 6 | Jan 29, 1943 | 19 years, 180 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 23–4–1 (3) | Sammy Daniels | PTS | 6 | Dec 21, 1942 | 19 years, 141 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 22–4–1 (3) | Bobby Gunther | PTS | 8 | Dec 7, 1942 | 19 years, 127 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 21–4–1 (3) | Gene Burton | KO | 4 (6) | Oct 10, 1942 | 19 years, 69 days | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 20–4–1 (3) | Charley "Dixie" Davis | PTS | 8 | Sep 10, 1942 | 19 years, 39 days | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 19–4–1 (3) | Ruby Garcia | PTS | 8 | Aug 13, 1942 | 19 years, 11 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 18–4–1 (3) | Tony Maglione | KO | 3 (10) | Jul 29, 1942 | 18 years, 361 days | Dunn Field, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 17–4–1 (3) | Ivan Christie | KO | 5 (6) | Jun 29, 1942 | 18 years, 331 days | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 16–4–1 (3) | George "Dusty" Brown | TKO | 3 (6) | Jun 15, 1942 | 18 years, 317 days | St. Ann's Open Air Arena, Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 15–4–1 (3) | Abie Kaufman | PTS | 8 | May 7, 1942 | 18 years, 278 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 14–4–1 (3) | Willie Roache | PTS | 8 | Apr 24, 1942 | 18 years, 265 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 13–4–1 (3) | Angelo Pantellas | TKO | 5 (8) | Apr 9, 1942 | 18 years, 250 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 12–4–1 (3) | Pedro Firpo | PTS | 8 | Mar 26, 1942 | 18 years, 236 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 11–4–1 (3) | Eddie Dowl | PTS | 6 | Jan 16, 1942 | 18 years, 167 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 10–4–1 (3) | Eddie Dowl | PTS | 6 | Dec 16, 1941 | 18 years, 136 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 9–4–1 (3) | Vince Delia | PTS | 6 | Nov 3, 1941 | 18 years, 93 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 16 | Draw | 8–4–1 (3) | Benny Williams | NWS | 6 | Oct 27, 1941 | 18 years, 86 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 8–4–1 (2) | Freddie Archer | PTS | 8 | Oct 1, 1941 | 18 years, 60 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 8–3–1 (2) | Hugh Civatte | TKO | 3 (6) | Apr 14, 1941 | 17 years, 255 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 7–3–1 (2) | Johnny Rudolph | PTS | 6 | Apr 9, 1941 | 17 years, 250 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 6–3–1 (2) | Joe Genovese | PTS | 5 | Mar 19, 1941 | 17 years, 229 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 5–3–1 (2) | Joey Zodda | PTS | 6 | Mar 5, 1941 | 17 years, 215 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 5–2–1 (2) | Carl Zullo | TKO | 2 (6) | Feb 19, 1941 | 17 years, 201 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 4–2–1 (2) | Tommy Fontana | PTS | 8 | Jan 6, 1941 | 17 years, 157 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 8 | Loss | 3–2–1 (2) | Tony Maglione | PTS | 8 | Nov 11, 1940 | 17 years, 101 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 3–1–1 (2) | Pete Kelly | KO | 2 (6) | Sep 30, 1940 | 17 years, 59 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 2–1–1 (2) | Joe Romero | TKO | 2 (8) | Jul 19, 1940 | 16 years, 352 days | Morris County Arena, Mount Freedom, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 1–1–1 (2) | Billy Hildebrand | TKO | 6 (8) | Jun 14, 1940 | 16 years, 317 days | Morris County Arena, Mount Freedom, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 4 | Loss | 0–1–1 (2) | Billy Hildebrand | PTS | 6 | May 10, 1940 | 16 years, 282 days | Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Draw | 0–0–1 (2) | Patsy Gall | PTS | 6 | Apr 1, 1940 | 16 years, 243 days | Feeley Hall, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 0–0 (2) | Leroy Born | NWS | 4 | Mar 29, 1940 | 16 years, 240 days | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 0–0 (1) | Carmine Fotti | NWS | 4 | Mar 15, 1940 | 16 years, 226 days | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S. | |

### Unofficial record

| 156 fights | 128 wins | 24 losses |
| By knockout | 61 | 6 |
| By decision | 67 | 18 |
| Draws | 4 | 4 |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 157 | Win | 128–24–5 | Beau Jack | RTD | 8 (10) | Aug 12, 1955 | 32 years, 10 days | Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 156 | Draw | 127–24–5 | Beau Jack | PTS | 10 | Apr 9, 1955 | 31 years, 250 days | Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 155 | Loss | 127–24–4 | Rafael Lastre | UD | 10 | Jul 2, 1954 | 30 years, 334 days | Estadio Tropical, Havana, Cuba | |
| 154 | Loss | 127–23–4 | Jed Black | UD | 10 | Nov 9, 1953 | 30 years, 99 days | Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 153 | Win | 127–22–4 | Dom Zimbardo | TKO | 2 (8) | Sep 17, 1953 | 30 years, 46 days | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 152 | Loss | 126–22–4 | Georgie Johnson | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 8, 1953 | 29 years, 310 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 151 | Win | 126–21–4 | Billy Andy | UD | 10 | May 9, 1953 | 29 years, 280 days | Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 150 | Win | 125–21–4 | Billy Andy | PTS | 10 | Apr 20, 1953 | 29 years, 261 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 149 | Win | 124–21–4 | Vic Cardell | UD | 10 | Mar 28, 1953 | 29 years, 238 days | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 148 | Win | 123–21–4 | Claude Hammond | PTS | 10 | Mar 9, 1953 | 29 years, 219 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 147 | Loss | 122–21–4 | Carmen Basilio | UD | 10 | Jan 12, 1953 | 29 years, 163 days | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S. | |
| 146 | Win | 122–20–4 | Pat Manzi | TKO | 7 (10) | Nov 24, 1952 | 29 years, 114 days | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S. | |
| 145 | Loss | 121–20–4 | Chuck Davey | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 26, 1952 | 28 years, 237 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, U.S. | |
| 144 | Win | 121–19–4 | Johnny Cunningham | KO | 5 (10) | Mar 17, 1952 | 28 years, 228 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 143 | Loss | 120–19–4 | Gil Turner | TKO | 10 (10) | Sep 10, 1951 | 28 years, 39 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 142 | Loss | 120–18–4 | Don Williams | PTS | 10 | Aug 2, 1951 | 28 years, 0 days | Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 141 | Loss | 120–17–4 | Jimmy Carter | TKO | 14 (15) | May 25, 1951 | 27 years, 296 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 140 | Win | 120–16–4 | Fitzie Pruden | UD | 10 | Apr 11, 1951 | 27 years, 252 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 139 | Win | 119–16–4 | Beau Jack | SD | 10 | Mar 5, 1951 | 27 years, 215 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 138 | Loss | 118–16–4 | Joe Miceli | UD | 10 | Feb 19, 1951 | 27 years, 201 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 137 | Win | 118–15–4 | Vic Cardell | RTD | 8 (10) | Jan 31, 1951 | 27 years, 182 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 136 | Win | 117–15–4 | Ralph Zannelli | KO | 5 (10) | Jan 22, 1951 | 27 years, 173 days | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 135 | Win | 116–15–4 | José María Gatica | KO | 1 (10) | Jan 5, 1951 | 27 years, 156 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 134 | Win | 115–15–4 | Rudy Cruz | UD | 10 | Dec 18, 1950 | 27 years, 138 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 133 | Win | 114–15–4 | Dave Marsh | RTD | 8 (10) | Dec 12, 1950 | 27 years, 132 days | Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 132 | Win | 113–15–4 | Joe Miceli | SD | 10 | Nov 23, 1950 | 27 years, 113 days | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 131 | Loss | 112–15–4 | Joe Miceli | UD | 10 | Oct 2, 1950 | 27 years, 61 days | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 130 | Win | 112–14–4 | Charley Salas | SD | 10 | Sep 26, 1950 | 27 years, 55 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 129 | Loss | 111–14–4 | Charley Salas | UD | 10 | Aug 7, 1950 | 27 years, 5 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 128 | Loss | 111–13–4 | George Costner | UD | 10 | Jul 12, 1950 | 26 years, 344 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 127 | Win | 111–12–4 | Lester Felton | UD | 10 | Jun 2, 1950 | 26 years, 304 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 126 | Win | 110–12–4 | John L Davis | SD | 10 | Feb 27, 1950 | 26 years, 209 days | Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 125 | Win | 109–12–4 | Sonny Boy West | KO | 8 (10) | Feb 17, 1950 | 26 years, 199 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 124 | Win | 108–12–4 | Johnny Bratton | TKO | 8 (10) | Jan 20, 1950 | 26 years, 171 days | Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 123 | Win | 107–12–4 | Jimmy Taylor | UD | 6 | Dec 20, 1949 | 26 years, 140 days | Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 106–12–4 | Freddie Dawson | UD | 15 | Dec 5, 1949 | 26 years, 125 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 121 | Win | 105–12–4 | Jean Walzack | UD | 10 | Nov 14, 1949 | 26 years, 104 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 104–12–4 | Al Mobley | PTS | 10 | Oct 24, 1949 | 26 years, 83 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 119 | Win | 103–12–4 | Doug Ratford | UD | 10 | Sep 30, 1949 | 26 years, 59 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 102–12–4 | Benny Walker | UD | 10 | Aug 3, 1949 | 26 years, 1 day | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 117 | Win | 101–12–4 | Enrique Bolanos | TKO | 4 (15) | Jul 21, 1949 | 25 years, 353 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 116 | Win | 100–12–4 | Irvin Steen | UD | 10 | Jun 21, 1949 | 25 years, 323 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 99–12–4 | Vince Turpin | TKO | 6 (10) | Apr 22, 1949 | 25 years, 263 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 114 | Loss | 98–12–4 | Kid Gavilán | UD | 10 | Apr 1, 1949 | 25 years, 242 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 113 | Loss | 98–11–4 | Kid Gavilán | MD | 10 | Jan 28, 1949 | 25 years, 210 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 98–10–4 | Johnny Bratton | UD | 10 | Jan 17, 1949 | 25 years, 168 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 111 | Win | 97–10–4 | Billy Nixon | TKO | 4 (8) | Nov 18, 1948 | 25 years, 108 days | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 110 | Win | 96–10–4 | Buddy Garcia | TKO | 1 (10) | Nov 8, 1948 | 25 years, 98 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 109 | Win | 95–10–4 | Jesse Flores | TKO | 10 (15) | Sep 23, 1948 | 25 years, 52 days | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 108 | Win | 94–10–4 | Beau Jack | TKO | 6 (15) | Jul 12, 1948 | 24 years, 345 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 107 | Win | 93–10–4 | Enrique Bolanos | SD | 15 | May 25, 1948 | 24 years, 297 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 106 | Win | 92–10–4 | Rudy Cruz | UD | 10 | May 5, 1948 | 24 years, 277 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 105 | Win | 91–10–4 | Kid Gavilán | UD | 10 | Feb 27, 1948 | 24 years, 209 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 104 | Win | 90–10–4 | Livio Minelli | UD | 10 | Feb 9, 1948 | 24 years, 191 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 103 | Win | 89–10–4 | Freddie Dawson | MD | 10 | Jan 26, 1948 | 24 years, 177 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 102 | Win | 88–10–4 | Doug Carter | PTS | 10 | Jan 13, 1948 | 24 years, 164 days | 114th Infantry Armory, Camden, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 101 | Win | 87–10–4 | Tony Pellone | UD | 10 | Dec 12, 1947 | 24 years, 132 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 100 | Win | 86–10–4 | Talmadge Bussey | TKO | 9 (10) | Oct 10, 1947 | 24 years, 69 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 99 | Win | 85–10–4 | Doll Rafferty | KO | 4 (10) | Sep 29, 1947 | 24 years, 58 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 98 | Win | 84–10–4 | Bob Montgomery | TKO | 6 (15) | Aug 4, 1947 | 24 years, 2 days | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained NBA lightweight title; Won NYSAC and vacant The Ring lightweight titles |
| 97 | Win | 83–10–4 | Tippy Larkin | KO | 4 (10) | Jun 20, 1947 | 23 years, 322 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 82–10–4 | Juste Fontaine | TKO | 4 (10) | May 26, 1947 | 23 years, 267 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 95 | Win | 81–10–4 | Ralph Zannelli | UD | 10 | May 9, 1947 | 23 years, 280 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 80–10–4 | Willie Russell | UD | 10 | Apr 25, 1947 | 23 years, 266 days | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 79–10–4 | Frankie Conti | TKO | 7 (10) | Apr 14, 1947 | 23 years, 255 days | Little Palestra, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 92 | Loss | 78–10–4 | Gene Burton | UD | 10 | Jan 27, 1947 | 23 years, 178 days | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 78–9–4 | Ronnie James | KO | 9 (15) | Sep 4, 1946 | 23 years, 33 days | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales | Retained NBA lightweight title |
| 90 | Win | 77–9–4 | Ivan Christie | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 6, 1946 | 23 years, 4 days | Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 89 | Win | 76–9–4 | Bobby Ruffin | TKO | 5 (10) | Jun 12, 1946 | 22 years, 314 days | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 75–9–4 | Enrique Bolanos | TKO | 8 (15) | Apr 30, 1946 | 22 years, 271 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NBA lightweight title |
| 87 | Win | 74–9–4 | Eddie Giosa | RTD | 1 (10) | Apr 8, 1946 | 22 years, 249 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 73–9–4 | Eddie Giosa | RTD | 4 (10) | Mar 11, 1946 | 22 years, 221 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 72–9–4 | Ace Miller | UD | 10 | Feb 22, 1946 | 22 years, 204 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 71–9–4 | Cleo Shans | PTS | 10 | Feb 14, 1946 | 22 years, 196 days | Armory, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 83 | Draw | 70–9–4 | Freddie Dawson | MD | 10 | Jan 28, 1946 | 22 years, 179 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 70–9–3 | Johnny Bratton | PTS | 10 | Jan 20, 1946 | 22 years, 171 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 81 | Win | 69–9–3 | Charlie "Petey" Smith | PTS | 10 | Jan 8, 1946 | 22 years, 159 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 80 | Draw | 68–9–3 | Wesley Mouzon | MD | 10 | Nov 26, 1945 | 22 years, 116 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 79 | Loss | 68–9–2 | Sammy Angott | TKO | 6 (10) | Sep 19, 1945 | 22 years, 48 days | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 68–8–2 | Nick Moran | UD | 10 | Sep 7, 1945 | 22 years, 36 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 67–8–2 | Gene Burton | UD | 10 | Aug 28, 1945 | 22 years, 26 days | Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 66–8–2 | Charlie "Petey" Smith | PTS | 10 | Aug 14, 1945 | 22 years, 12 days | Roosevelt Stadium, Union City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 75 | Loss | 65–8–2 | Willie Joyce | SD | 10 | Jun 8, 1945 | 21 years, 310 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 74 | Win | 65–7–2 | Juan Zurita | TKO | 2 (15) | Apr 18, 1945 | 21 years, 259 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | Won NBA lightweight title |
| 73 | Win | 64–7–2 | Dorsey Lay | KO | 3 (10) | Mar 26, 1945 | 21 years, 236 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 72 | Loss | 63–7–2 | Willie Joyce | UD | 12 | Mar 2, 1945 | 21 years, 212 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 63–6–2 | Maxie Berger | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 22, 1945 | 21 years, 173 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 62–6–2 | Willie Joyce | UD | 12 | Jan 8, 1945 | 21 years, 159 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 61–6–2 | Dave Castilloux | TKO | 5 (10) | Dec 11, 1944 | 21 years, 131 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 60–6–2 | Lulu Costantino | UD | 10 | Dec 5, 1944 | 21 years, 125 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 67 | Loss | 59–6–2 | Willie Joyce | SD | 10 | Nov 13, 1944 | 21 years, 103 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 59–5–2 | Ruby Garcia | TKO | 7 (10) | Nov 2, 1944 | 21 years, 92 days | Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 58–5–2 | Johnny Green | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 18, 1944 | 21 years, 77 days | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 57–5–2 | Freddie Dawson | KO | 4 (10) | Sep 19, 1944 | 21 years, 48 days | Arena, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 56–5–2 | Sammy Angott | SD | 10 | Sep 6, 1944 | 21 years, 35 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 55–5–2 | Jimmy Hatcher | UD | 10 | Aug 29, 1944 | 21 years, 27 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 54–5–2 | Julie Kogon | UD | 10 | Jul 20, 1944 | 20 years, 353 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 53–5–2 | Joey Pirrone | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 10, 1944 | 20 years, 343 days | Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 52–5–2 | Cleo Shans | TKO | 10 (10) | Jun 23, 1944 | 20 years, 326 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 51–5–2 | Sammy Angott | SD | 10 | Jun 6, 1944 | 20 years, 309 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 50–5–2 | Slugger White | UD | 10 | May 16, 1944 | 20 years, 288 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 49–5–2 | Mike Delia | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 17, 1944 | 20 years, 259 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 48–5–2 | Leroy Saunders | KO | 5 (10) | Apr 10, 1944 | 20 years, 282 days | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 47–5–2 | Joey Peralta | TKO | 9 (10) | Mar 27, 1944 | 20 years, 238 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 46–5–2 | Leo Francis | PTS | 8 | Mar 13, 1944 | 20 years, 224 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 45–5–2 | Ellis Phillips | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 28, 1944 | 20 years, 210 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Loss | 44–5–2 | Bob Montgomery | KO | 12 (12) | Jan 25, 1944 | 20 years, 176 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 44–4–2 | Mayon Padlo | UD | 10 | Dec 13, 1943 | 20 years, 133 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 43–4–2 | Willie Cheatum | PTS | 8 | Nov 29, 1943 | 20 years, 119 days | Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 42–4–2 | Johnny Hutchinson | KO | 3 (10) | Nov 8, 1943 | 20 years, 98 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 41–4–2 | Gene Johnson | PTS | 10 | Oct 29, 1943 | 20 years, 88 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 40–4–2 | Eddie Perry | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 22, 1943 | 20 years, 81 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 39–4–2 | Lefty LaChance | KO | 4 (10) | Oct 1, 1943 | 20 years, 60 days | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 38–4–2 | Jerry Moore | PTS | 10 | Sep 13, 1943 | 20 years, 42 days | Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 37–4–2 | Johnny Bellus | PTS | 10 | Aug 31, 1943 | 20 years, 29 days | Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 36–4–2 | Tommy Jessup | TKO | 5 (10) | Aug 24, 1943 | 20 years, 22 days | Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 35–4–2 | Jimmy Hatcher | TKO | 6 (10) | Jul 19, 1943 | 19 years, 351 days | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 34–4–2 | Ray Brown | PTS | 10 | May 17, 1943 | 19 years, 288 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 33–4–2 | Lefty LaChance | UD | 8 | May 7, 1943 | 19 years, 278 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 32–4–2 | Joe Genovese | TKO | 4 (8) | Apr 21, 1943 | 19 years, 262 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 31–4–2 | Ruby Garcia | UD | 8 | Apr 5, 1943 | 19 years, 246 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 30–4–2 | Rudy Giscombe | TKO | 3 (6) | Apr 2, 1943 | 19 years, 243 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 29–4–2 | Bill Speary | TKO | 2 (10) | Mar 8, 1943 | 19 years, 218 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 28–4–2 | Bobby McQuillar | KO | 3 (6) | Feb 23, 1943 | 19 years, 205 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 27–4–2 | Sammy Daniels | KO | 2 (6) | Feb 22, 1943 | 19 years, 204 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 26–4–2 | Jerry Moore | PTS | 6 | Jan 29, 1943 | 19 years, 180 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 25–4–2 | Sammy Daniels | PTS | 6 | Dec 21, 1942 | 19 years, 141 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 24–4–2 | Bobby Gunther | PTS | 8 | Dec 7, 1942 | 19 years, 127 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 23–4–2 | Gene Burton | KO | 4 (6) | Oct 10, 1942 | 19 years, 69 days | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 22–4–2 | Charley "Dixie" Davis | PTS | 8 | Sep 10, 1942 | 19 years, 39 days | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 21–4–2 | Ruby Garcia | PTS | 8 | Aug 13, 1942 | 19 years, 11 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 20–4–2 | Tony Maglione | KO | 3 (10) | Jul 29, 1942 | 18 years, 361 days | Dunn Field, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 19–4–2 | Ivan Christie | KO | 5 (6) | Jun 29, 1942 | 18 years, 331 days | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 18–4–2 | George "Dusty" Brown | TKO | 3 (6) | Jun 15, 1942 | 18 years, 317 days | St. Ann's Open Air Arena, Bristol, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 17–4–2 | Abie Kaufman | PTS | 8 | May 7, 1942 | 18 years, 278 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 16–4–2 | Willie Roache | PTS | 8 | Apr 24, 1942 | 18 years, 265 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 15–4–2 | Angelo Pantellas | TKO | 5 (8) | Apr 9, 1942 | 18 years, 250 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 14–4–2 | Pedro Firpo | PTS | 8 | Mar 26, 1942 | 18 years, 236 days | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 13–4–2 | Eddie Dowl | PTS | 6 | Jan 16, 1942 | 18 years, 167 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 12–4–2 | Eddie Dowl | PTS | 6 | Dec 16, 1941 | 18 years, 136 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 11–4–2 | Vince Delia | PTS | 6 | Nov 3, 1941 | 18 years, 93 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 16 | Draw | 10–4–2 | Benny Williams | NWS | 6 | Oct 27, 1941 | 18 years, 86 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 10–4–1 | Freddie Archer | PTS | 8 | Oct 1, 1941 | 18 years, 60 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 10–3–1 | Hugh Civatte | TKO | 3 (6) | Apr 14, 1941 | 17 years, 255 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 9–3–1 | Johnny Rudolph | PTS | 6 | Apr 9, 1941 | 17 years, 250 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 8–3–1 | Joe Genovese | PTS | 5 | Mar 19, 1941 | 17 years, 229 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 7–3–1 | Joey Zodda | PTS | 6 | Mar 5, 1941 | 17 years, 215 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 7–2–1 | Carl Zullo | TKO | 2 (6) | Feb 19, 1941 | 17 years, 201 days | Raritan Auditorium, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 6–2–1 | Tommy Fontana | PTS | 8 | Jan 6, 1941 | 17 years, 157 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 8 | Loss | 5–2–1 | Tony Maglione | PTS | 8 | Nov 11, 1940 | 17 years, 101 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 5–1–1 | Pete Kelly | KO | 2 (6) | Sep 30, 1940 | 17 years, 59 days | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 4–1–1 | Joe Romero | TKO | 2 (8) | Jul 19, 1940 | 16 years, 352 days | Morris County Arena, Mount Freedom, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 3–1–1 | Billy Hildebrand | TKO | 6 (8) | Jun 14, 1940 | 16 years, 317 days | Morris County Arena, Mount Freedom, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 4 | Loss | 2–1–1 | Billy Hildebrand | PTS | 6 | May 10, 1940 | 16 years, 282 days | Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Draw | 2–0–1 | Patsy Gall | PTS | 6 | Apr 1, 1940 | 16 years, 243 days | Feeley Hall, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Leroy Born | NWS | 4 | Mar 29, 1940 | 16 years, 240 days | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Carmine Fotti | NWS | 4 | Mar 15, 1940 | 16 years, 226 days | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S. | |

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* NYSAC lightweight champion (135 lbs)
* NBA (WBA) lightweight champion (135 lbs)

### The Ring magazine titles

* The Ring lightweight champion (135 lbs)

### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed lightweight champion