# Paddy DeMarco

Paddy DeMarco, (February 10, 1928 – December 13, 1997) was a lightweight professional boxer from Brooklyn, New York, who took the Undisputed Lightweight World Championship on March 5, 1954, against Jimmy Carter. His managers included Jimmy Dixon and Cy Crespi. His trainer was Dan Florio.

## Early life and career

DeMarco was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 10, 1928. He was raised there and considered it his hometown.
DeMarco won his first five professional fights in 1945, losing for the first time against Butch Charles in October of the same year. It was on the 10th of that month that DeMarco fought the legendary Willie Pep, whose record was an unbelievable 131-1-1 at the time. DeMarco lost the unanimous ten round decision, one of very few early setbacks.
On March 4, 1949, he defeated 1989 Boxing Hall of Famer Billy Graham in a somewhat close, rather uneventful ten round unanimous decision before 8,493 at New York's Madison Square Garden. DeMarco piled up a big lead in points in the early rounds in a match that the Associated Press scored six to four for DeMarco.

## Three bouts with Featherweight Champ Sandy Saddler, 1949–1951

Many consider his bouts with Sandy Saddler his best. They met three times, with DeMarco impressively winning two of the three bouts. On August 27, 1951, DeMarco beat Saddler, the reigning World Featherweight Champion, in a ten round split decision at the Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though he left the ring with his nose bleeding, DeMarco was the clear winner, firing with both hands, and pushing his opponent into the ropes. The bout saw no knockdowns.
DeMarco also beat Saddler on December 7, 1951, before 5,635, in another ten round split decision, this time at Madison Square Garden, boxing's New York cathedral. The United Press, believing he dominated gave DeMarco seven rounds with only three for Saddler. In the fifth, DeMarco clearly showed his superiority over his opponent, who was making a return to the ring after a two-month suspension. The bout saw a great deal of clinching and had both participants warned more than once for using tactics more common to wrestling than boxing matches. Saddler complained bitterly after the bout, believing he was the clear winner.
In his first meeting with Saddler before 13,071 on October 28, 1949, DeMarco lost at Madison Square Garden on a ninth round TKO. Saddler lost the first three rounds on points, and then bored in and demolished his opponent. In the fourth round, Saddler made a mess of DeMarco's face, and continued to gain on points throughout the end of the eighth, when DeMarco's handlers signaled to the referee to end the bout.

### Important early career bouts

On December 22, 1949, DeMarco defeated Teddy Davis before 2,500 at the Broadway Arena in Brooklyn in an eight round unanimous decision. DeMarco lost to Davis on August 2, 1950, in a ten round points decision at the Crystal Arena in Norwolk, Connecticut. In a close bout the referee gave Davis three rounds, Demarco two, with five even.
On February 1, 1950, DeMarco defeated Cuban lightweight contender Orlando Zulueta for the only time in a ten round unanimous decision at St. Nicholas Arena in New York. He lost to Zulueta on two other occasions in close ten round decisions at Eastern Parkway Arena in Brooklyn, first on October 27, 1952, and again on September 21, 1953.
On September 24, 1951, DeMarco defeated Enrique Bolanos at the Coliseum in Chicago in a ten round unanimous decision. In a decisive victory, one judge gave DeMarco every round, and one round was the most any of the decision makers gave Bolanos in a bout where DeMarco took the offensive from the opening round. There were no knockdowns in the bout.
DeMarco first defeated Henry Davis comfortably in a ten round unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 1952. The AP gave seven rounds to DeMarco with only three to Davis. The crowd of 3,418 was not thrilled with the match as the only knockdown came in the third from Davis, and it may have been an accidental slip. DeMarco beat Davis again on March 14, 1953, at Boston Garden in another ten round unanimous decision. In a decisive win, both of Davis's eyes were nearly closed from swelling by the end of the bout.

## Taking the World Lightweight Championship, March 1954

In 1954, DeMarco twice challenged Black boxer and reigning World Lightweight Champion Jimmy Carter for the Lightweight Championship of the World. He won the first meeting on March 5, 1954, in a fifteen round unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden. In a major upset, that saw him as a 4-1 underdog in the early betting, DeMarco won the bout decisively on points and took the world title. In the first two rounds, DeMarco gained a lead on points with close range jabs, hooks, and body punching. Though losing the fourteenth round, DeMarco dominated on points particularly from the sixth and subsequent rounds where he clearly looked the winner.

## Losing the World Lightweight Championship, November 1954

In his first defense of the World Lightweight Championship, DeMarco lost the title November 17, 1954, to Jimmy Carter in a fifteen round TKO in Daley, California before 11,000 frantic fans. In the brutal and savage bout, the referee stopped the fighting in the final round, with DeMarco virtually out on his feet, his left eye nearly swollen shut, and his cheek rapidly turning a dark blue. Carter had DeMarco down on the mat twice, once for a four count from a left hook to the chin in the ninth and once in the fourteenth.
On October 3, 1955, though an underdog in the early betting, DeMarco defeated lightweight contender Kenny Lane in a ten-round split decision at the St. Nicholas Arena in New York. DeMarco hit and held repeatedly in the bout, where clutching was common, and even threw in a few headbutts for good measure. There was little in decisive punching as Lane's southpaw stance and DeMarco's constant clutching threw off the timing of both boxers.
DeMarco's last fight was in November 1959. He retired with a career record of 75 wins (8 by knockout, 26 losses, and 3 draws). DeMarco died in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 13, 1997.

## Professional boxing record

| 104 fights | 75 wins | 26 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 7 |
| By decision | 67 | 19 |
| Draws | 3 | 3 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 104 | Loss | 75–26–3 | Benny Medina | TKO | 7 (10) | Nov 3, 1959 | Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| 103 | Loss | 75–25–3 | Stan Harrington | UD | 10 | Oct 20, 1959 | Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | |
| 102 | Loss | 75–24–3 | David Cervantes | MD | 10 | Sep 14, 1959 | Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico | |
| 101 | Loss | 75–23–3 | Denny Moyer | TKO | 10 (10) | Sep 3, 1959 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
| 100 | Win | 75–22–3 | Tommy Garrow | MD | 10 | Aug 11, 1959 | Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 74–22–3 | Tony Dupas | UD | 10 | Jul 25, 1959 | Bringhurst Field, Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 98 | Loss | 74–21–3 | Florentino Fernández | TKO | 4 (10) | May 9, 1959 | Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba | |
| 97 | Loss | 74–20–3 | Johnny Gonsalves | UD | 10 | Feb 10, 1959 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 74–19–3 | Lionel Butler | TKO | 10 (10) | Dec 29, 1958 | Arcadia Ballroom, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 95 | Loss | 73–19–3 | Mickey Crawford | UD | 10 | Mar 28, 1957 | Auditorium, Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 94 | Loss | 73–18–3 | Stefan Redl | UD | 10 | Feb 18, 1957 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 93 | Loss | 73–17–3 | Larry Boardman | UD | 10 | Nov 12, 1956 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 73–16–3 | Jimmy Ford | MD | 10 | Aug 21, 1956 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 91 | Draw | 72–16–3 | Pat Mallane | PTS | 10 | Jul 17, 1956 | Hedges Stadium, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 90 | Loss | 72–16–2 | Don Jordan | TKO | 5 (10) | Feb 2, 1956 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 89 | Win | 72–15–2 | Jackie Blair | UD | 10 | Jan 9, 1956 | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 88 | Loss | 71–15–2 | Frankie Ryff | UD | 10 | Nov 2, 1955 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 87 | Win | 71–14–2 | Kenny Lane | SD | 10 | Oct 3, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 86 | Loss | 70–14–2 | Ralph Dupas | UD | 10 | Jul 11, 1955 | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 70–13–2 | Libby Manzo | SD | 10 | May 16, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 69–13–2 | Libby Manzo | MD | 10 | Mar 28, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 83 | Loss | 68–13–2 | Seraphin Ferrer | KO | 5 (10) | Jan 31, 1955 | Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 82 | Loss | 68–12–2 | Jimmy Carter | TKO | 15 (15) | Nov 17, 1954 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S. | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 81 | Win | 68–11–2 | Jimmy Carter | UD | 15 | Mar 5, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won NYSAC, NBA, The Ring lightweight titles |
| 80 | Win | 67–11–2 | Ralph Dupas | SD | 10 | Jan 1, 1954 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 66–11–2 | Carlos Chavez | UD | 10 | Dec 7, 1953 | Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 78 | Loss | 65–11–2 | Tony DeMarco | SD | 10 | Oct 10, 1953 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 77 | Loss | 65–10–2 | Orlando Zulueta | SD | 10 | Sep 21, 1953 | Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 76 | Loss | 65–9–2 | Johnny Gonsalves | SD | 10 | May 16, 1953 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 65–8–2 | Armand Savoie | UD | 10 | Apr 27, 1953 | Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| 74 | Win | 64–8–2 | Henry Davis | UD | 10 | Mar 14, 1953 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 73 | Loss | 63–8–2 | George Araujo | SD | 10 | Feb 10, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 63–7–2 | Henry Davis | UD | 10 | Nov 11, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 71 | Loss | 62–7–2 | Orlando Zulueta | MD | 10 | Oct 27, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 62–6–2 | Arthur King | UD | 10 | May 26, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 62–5–2 | Johnny Gonsalves | UD | 10 | Apr 21, 1952 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 68 | Draw | 61–5–2 | Eddie Chavez | TD | 4 (10) | Jan 1, 1952 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S. | DeMarco ahead on points / Chavez cut by head butt |
| 67 | Win | 61–5–1 | Sandy Saddler | SD | 10 | Dec 7, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 60–5–1 | Eddie Chavez | UD | 10 | Nov 16, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 59–5–1 | Enrique Bolanos | UD | 10 | Sep 24, 1951 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 58–5–1 | Sandy Saddler | SD | 10 | Aug 27, 1951 | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 57–5–1 | Arthur King | UD | 10 | Jun 25, 1951 | Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 56–5–1 | Eddie Giosa | UD | 10 | Jun 1, 1951 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 55–5–1 | Jimmy Richmond | TKO | 3 (10) | May 10, 1951 | Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 54–5–1 | Harry LaSane | UD | 10 | Apr 9, 1951 | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 53–5–1 | Joey Scarlotta | UD | 10 | Oct 11, 1950 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 52–5–1 | Doug Medley | PTS | 8 | Sep 30, 1950 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 51–5–1 | Young Junior | UD | 8 | Aug 28, 1950 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 50–5–1 | Kid Dussart | UD | 10 | Aug 18, 1950 | Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, California, U.S. | |
| 55 | Loss | 49–5–1 | Teddy Davis | PTS | 10 | Aug 2, 1950 | Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 49–4–1 | Ray Edwards | UD | 8 | Jun 22, 1950 | Dexter Park Arena, Woodhaven, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 48–4–1 | Reuben Davis | UD | 8 | Jun 5, 1950 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 47–4–1 | Dennis Pat Brady | SD | 10 | Apr 28, 1950 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 46–4–1 | Eduardo Carrasco | PTS | 8 | Apr 15, 1950 | Mara's Arena, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 45–4–1 | Charley Cabey Lewis | PTS | 8 | Apr 3, 1950 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 44–4–1 | Orlando Zulueta | UD | 10 | Feb 1, 1950 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 43–4–1 | Teddy Davis | UD | 8 | Dec 22, 1949 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 47 | Loss | 42–4–1 | Sandy Saddler | RTD | 9 (10) | Oct 28, 1949 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 42–3–1 | Jackie Weber | UD | 10 | Oct 3, 1949 | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 41–3–1 | Humberto Sierra | UD | 10 | Sep 21, 1949 | Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 40–3–1 | Clem Custer | UD | 8 | Jun 6, 1949 | Coney Island Velodrome, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 43 | Draw | 39–3–1 | Clem Custer | PTS | 10 | May 17, 1949 | Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 39–3 | Chuck Burton | PTS | 10 | Apr 11, 1949 | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 38–3 | Jimmy Collins | UD | 10 | Mar 14, 1949 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 37–3 | Billy Graham | UD | 10 | Mar 4, 1949 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 36–3 | Chuck Burton | PTS | 8 | Feb 21, 1949 | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 35–3 | Humberto Sierra | UD | 10 | Feb 2, 1949 | Manhattan Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 34–3 | Bernie Bernard | UD | 8 | Nov 1, 1948 | Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 33–3 | Paulie Jackson | UD | 8 | Oct 14, 1948 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Loss | 32–3 | Willie Pep | UD | 10 | Sep 10, 1948 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 32–2 | Paulie Jackson | PTS | 10 | Jun 21, 1948 | Coney Island Velodrome, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 31–2 | Terry Young | SD | 10 | Apr 2, 1948 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 30–2 | Terry Young | SD | 8 | Jan 30, 1948 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 29–2 | Roy Andrews | UD | 8 | Jan 20, 1948 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 28–2 | Joey Carkido | TKO | 7 (8) | Dec 8, 1947 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 27–2 | Johnny Dell | SD | 8 | Nov 11, 1947 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 26–2 | Danny Bartfield | UD | 10 | Oct 17, 1947 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 25–2 | Tommy Mills | PTS | 8 | Oct 1, 1947 | Jamaica Arena, Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 24–2 | Humberto Zavala | UD | 8 | Aug 19, 1947 | MacArthur Stadium, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 23–2 | Jimmy Warren | TKO | 6 (8) | Jul 24, 1947 | Fort Hamilton Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 22–2 | Billy Strauss | UD | 8 | Jun 16, 1947 | Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 21–2 | Bobby Williams | UD | 8 | May 20, 1947 | Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 20–2 | Patsy Giovanelli | PTS | 8 | Apr 29, 1947 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 19–2 | Joe Carney | PTS | 8 | Apr 8, 1947 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 18–2 | Mike Konnors | PTS | 8 | Mar 4, 1957 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Pedro Biesca | PTS | 8 | Feb 18, 1947 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 16–2 | Joe Holmes | PTS | 6 | Jan 17, 1947 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Danny Randy | PTS | 6 | Dec 23, 1946 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Davey Cohen | PTS | 6 | Dec 3, 1946 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Donald Murray | PTS | 6 | Sep 30, 1946 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Donald Murray | PTS | 4 | Jun 28, 1946 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Loss | 11–2 | Gaby Ferland | PTS | 6 | May 11, 1946 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Zack Taylor | PTS | 6 | Apr 11, 1946 | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Gunnar Larsen | PTS | 6 | Mar 30, 1946 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Johnny Phillips | PTS | 6 | Mar 12, 1946 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Everett Chapman | PTS | 4 | Mar 2, 1946 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Marty Bell | KO | 4 (4) | Feb 16, 1946 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Joey Fernandez | PTS | 6 | Nov 13, 1945 | Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Loss | 5–1 | Butch Charles | PTS | 6 | Oct 1, 1945 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Jimmy Mason | TKO | 3 (6) | Sep 25, 1945 | Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Oscar Williams | PTS | 6 | Jul 9, 1945 | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Al Victoria | KO | 1 (4) | Jun 18, 1945 | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Jimmy Gause | KO | 4 (4) | May 9, 1945 | Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Sal Giglio | PTS | 4 | Mar 20, 1945 | Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, 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