# Sammy Angott

Sammy Angott (January 17, 1915 – October 22, 1980) was born Salvatore Engotti in a Pittsburgh area town in Pennsylvania. He reigned as the Undisputed Lightweight Champion from December 19, 1941 – November 14, 1942. He was known as a clever boxer who liked to follow up a clean punch by grabbing his opponent, causing him to be known as "The Clutch."
In his career, Angott met the best fighters in the welterweight and lightweight divisions. These included Sugar Ray Robinson, Bob Montgomery, Beau Jack, Fritzie Zivic, Henry Armstrong, Redtop Davis, Sonny Boy West, and Ike Williams. His manager was Charlie Jones. Angott retired with a record of 94 wins (23 KOs), 29 losses and 8 draws. He was knocked out just once in his career, by Beau Jack in 1946. Statistical boxing website BoxRec lists Angott as the #6 ranked lightweight of all-time.

## Early career
### Taking the Kentucky Lightweight Championship

Angott defeated Lew Massey at the Columbia Gymnasium in Louisville, Kentucky in a ten-round points decision on December 6, 1937. Massey took a serious beating and may have been near a knockout in the sixth and ninth, though there were no knockdowns in the bout. The Kentucky boxing commissioner ruled that Massey did not put in enough of an effort in the bout and moved for a temporary suspension. Massey was a solid competitor who had met six world champions before meeting Angott. During his early boxing career, Angott often listed Louisville as his home. Only a month earlier, he had taken the Kentucky State Lightweight Title against Wishy Jones in a ten-round decision.
Angott first defeated Wesley Ramey on May 6, 1938, in a ten-round decision in Louisville, Kentucky. On September 16, 1938, Angott defeated Ramey again in a ten-round unanimous decision at the Sportatorium in Dallas. Ramey held the Michigan State Lightweight Title in 1931.
On May 23, 1938, Angott defeated Frankie Covelli in a ten-round unanimous decision in Chicago. According to the Chicago Tribune, though Angott won the decision, the bout was a tough battle.
On June 1, 1938, Angott defeated Irving Eldridge in a ten-round points decision at Hickey Park in Millvale, Pennsylvania. Eldridge was down for a nine count in the third from a series of rights and was lucky to escape a knockout in the bout. In the eighth and tenth, Angott caught Eldridge on the ropes and appeared to be close to winning by knockout, but Eldridge soldiered on.
On June 28, 1938, he defeated Tommy Speigal at Hickey Park in Millvale, Pennsylvania in a ten-round unanimous decision. Angott had Speigal floundering in the eighth with a flurry of lefts and rights, though there were no knockdowns in the bout. He had lost decisively to Speigal on November 2, 1936, in ten rounds in Maryland, and again on August 24, 1936, in Millvale, Pennsylvania in a closer eight round split decision. Their August 24 bout was quite close, with Angott taking the aggressive and probably landing more blows, though Speigal may have landed more solid punches.
On July 17, 1939, Angott defeated ethnic Syrian boxer Petey Sarron in a ten-round decision at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Sarron had previously held the NBA World Featherweight Title and the loss was one of his last fights. Sarron's strongest rounds were likely the fifth and tenth when he put Angott to the mat for a no-count, but Angott seemed to hold an advantage in points throughout the bout. Angott gained more of his lead on points in the later rounds after the thirty-one year old Sarron had tired. Sarron scored often with his left, but it did not affect the attack of the Angott, who was nine years younger.
He defeated Mexican boxer "Baby" Arizmendi on November 3, 1939, in a ten-round unanimous decision at the Chicago Stadium. Angott was down to his knees for a no count in the second round, but with a barrage of left and rights, he stacked up points in the remaining rounds. In the eighth, he opened a gash in his opponent's eyes, and gained a further advantage.

## World Lightweight Title
### First taking the NBA World Lightweight Title, May 1940

On May 3, 1940, the lanky fighter gained recognition from the National Boxing Association (NBA) as its world lightweight champion when he outpointed Davey Day over 15 rounds in Louisville, Kentucky. On the eve of the Kentucky Derby before a crowd of 8,000, acting referee Jack Dempsey made the decision giving six rounds to Angott, five to day, and four even. The Associated Press gave Angott nine rounds, with six to Day.
Angott first faced the great Sugar Ray Robinson on July 21, 1941, at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, losing in a ten-round decision. He lost twice more to Robinson on July 31, 1942, in a ten-round decision at Madison Square Garden and on March 4, 1946, in a ten-round decision in Pittsburgh.

### Taking the NYSAC World Lightweight Title December 1941

On December 19, 1941, Angott took the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) World Lightweight Title from Lew Jenkins before a crowd of 11,343 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Angott became undisputed champion as he held both the NYSAC and NBA World Lightweight Championship. He dominated the fighting outpointing Jenkins over fifteen rounds.

#### Single defense of the Lightweight Title against Allie Stolz, May 1942

Angott defended the title only once, a close 15-round points win over Allie Stolz on May 15, 1942, at New York's Madison Square Garden. Stoltz was penalized for low blows in the twelfth and fifteenth rounds, and the substantial crowd of 16,099 was displeased with the final decision for Angott. Stoltz put Angott to the mat in the third round with two fast blows to the chin, but Angott was up and ready by the count of nine. The United Press gave Angott eight rounds, Stoltz five, and two even, though the referee gave nine rounds to Stolz in the close bout. The two judges each gave Angott eight rounds.
On September 28, 1942, Angott defeated Aldo Spoldi, a former European lightweight champion, in a slow non-title ten round bout at City Park Stadium before a crowd of around 5,000 in New Orleans, and according to one source took nearly all of the rounds. The referee threatened to stop the bout in the sixth and seventh for the lack of solid blows thrown. Angott had formerly beaten Spoldi on April 14, 1939, at the Hippodrome in New York before around 2,600 fans in a ten-round points decision. Spoldi was credited with only the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, while Angott was given the rest.

### Vacating the World Lightweight Title due to broken hand, 1942

Weary of the ring and complaining of a broken hand that had failed to heal properly even after surgery, he vacated the World Lightweight Title officially on November 13, 1942. He dug ditches and worked as an athletic instructor at Washington and Jefferson College for the five months he was away from the ring.

### Defeating Willie Pep, March 1943

Returning to professional boxing after five months on March 19, 1943, Angott defeated Willie Pep in a non-title bout at New York's Madison Square Garden by a ten-round unanimous decision. He was dominant in the first five rounds and held on to win the decision. On November 20, 1942, Pep had taken the NYSAC World Featherweight Title. Angott's win after being away from the ring was something of a surprise to the 16,834 fans present at the match. The United Press gave six rounds to Angott, three to Pep, and one even, though the official voting was a bit closer. There were no serious knockdowns, though each boxer had at least one slip to the canvas. Angott showed greater speed and connected with more blows, though the fight in most respects was close, and Pep was favored in the pre-fight betting.
On June 11, 1943, Angott lost to the great Henry Armstrong at Madison Square Garden in a close ten round unanimous decision. The referee voted six rounds for Armstrong and four for Angott, and the judges ruled close to that margin. Angott was nailed with a hard punch to the body in the eighth round that doubled him up, and started a downhill slide, that gave the eighth, ninth, and tenth to his opponent. The savage bout had Armstrong bleeding from the mouth and Angott cut on the left eye and blackened on the left eye.

## Retaking the NBA World Lightweight Title, October 1943

Angott took the vacant NBA World Lightweight crown by outpointing Black Baltimore boxer Slugger White in a title bout on October 27, 1943, at Los Angeles' Gilmore Stadium in 15 rounds. At the opening of the fourth round, a generator failure plunged the stadium into darkness, before it could be repaired an hour later. Angott showed dominance in the bout. In the fifteenth, he unleashed a right that briefly sent White out of the ring. Angott lost the title before taking the NYSAC World Lightweight Title, making his title not considered a "unified" World Lightweight Title.
He defeated Bobby Ruffin on December 17, 1943, in a fierce ten round split decision before 11,844 fans at New York's Madison Square Garden. Angott amassed a lead in points in the opening rounds, but Ruffin punched hard enough in the closing rounds to split the decision. The Associated Press gave Angott six rounds to three for Ruffin with one even, though Angott had taken a very brief one count knockdown to the mat in the first round when he was floored with a right from Ruffin after losing his focus dealing a wild punch. Angott used his "windmill" offense dealing flurries of blows at times during the bout.

### Final loss of the NBA World Lightweight Title

He lost the NBA title for the last time to Mexican boxer Juan Zurita on March 8, 1944, in a fifteen-round unanimous decision title bout before 11,300 at Gilmore Field in Los Angeles. Zurita led in points by a wide margin by the fight's end. Angott clinched frequently and may have lacked the stamina at 30 required to compete with Zurita who punished him throughout the bout. Zurita dominated after the first round which Angott won with aggressive attacks. Angott may have had difficulty penetrating Zurita's southpaw stance, which gave him trouble landing solid blows throughout the bout. Many of Zurita's more telling blows were lefts delivered with a southpaw stance. Angott claimed he had difficulty making weight and had run five miles and taken steam baths before the weigh-in.

### A victory and two close losses against Lightweight Champion Ike Williams, 1944–45

On September 19, 1945, Angott defeated reigning lightweight champion Ike Williams in a sixth round non-title TKO at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The win was a bit of an upset as Williams led in the early betting by as much as 3 to 1. Williams was hospitalized that evening from a badly contused or broken rib he received in the first round from a powerful roundhouse right from Angott. The referee stopped the bout in the sixth, after observing Williams was in pain. In two previous meetings between the two on September 6, and June 7, 1944, Williams had won in a somewhat close split decisions at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. In their September 6 bout, Williams clinched the decision with a furious two handed attack in the last two of their ten-round match. Angott appeared strongest in the sixth and seventh rounds with strong blows to Williams' body. In the close bout before 7,568, most of the judges gave Angott the second, seventh, and eighth rounds, though Williams hit more cleanly and was given more rounds by the majority of judges.

### TKO loss to former lightweight champion Beau Jack, July 1946

On July 8, 1946, he fell to a seventh-round knockout by Beau Jack at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The bout was rough and Angott did not answer the bell for the seventh, later complaining of pain from kidney punches in the fifth and sixth rounds, as well as suffering from a badly cramped leg. It was Angott's only known knockout in his career. Jack held the World Lightweight Title for seven months in 1943 and through March in 1944.
On May 16, 1947, Angott defeated Black boxer Johnny Bratton in a ten-round unanimous decision at Chicago Stadium. Before 18,409 fans, Angott took control in the early rounds and gained enough of a margin in points to win the decision. Angott was down for a three count in the tenth round, but Bratton waited until the closing seconds of most rounds to stage an attack. Many in the crowd were not pleased with the verdict, as the fight was close, and believed Bratton deserved at least a draw ruling. The bout was close with one judge and the referee scoring the bout 51 to 49 for Angott. Bratton was considered a serious lightweight contender prior to the match and had won his last ten fights.
Angott defeated Mexican boxer Kid Azteca in his second to last fight on June 26, 1950, at Dudley Field in El Paso in a ten-round unanimous decision. Azteca had formerly held the Mexican Welterweight Title. The crowd of 3,500 was displeased with the frequent clinching in the bout, largely done by Angott. Handlers had difficulty separating the two boxers after the final bell, and a small riot ensued requiring a police escort to get Angott to his dressing room.

## Life after boxing

After retiring from boxing, he was employed by the Shipping Department at Eaton Corporation in Massillon, near Columbus, Ohio, for seventeen years before retiring in 1967 due to poor health.
He died in the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio on October 22, 1980, after a long illness. He left a wife Evelyn, one son, and two daughters.

## Achievements and honors

He was inducted into The Ring magazine Hall of Fame in 1973 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.

## Professional boxing record

| 131 fights | 94 wins | 29 losses |
| By knockout | 22 | 1 |
| By decision | 72 | 28 |
| Draws | 8 | 8 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 131 | Loss | 94–29–8 | Sonny Boy West | UD | 10 | Aug 8, 1950 | Motor City Speedway, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 130 | Win | 94–28–8 | Kid Azteca | UD | 10 | Jun 26, 1950 | Dudley Field, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | |
| 129 | Win | 93–28–8 | Tim Dalton | PTS | 10 | Jun 22, 1950 | Municipal Stadium, Davenport, Iowa, U.S. | |
| 128 | Loss | 92–28–8 | John L. Davis | UD | 10 | May 10, 1950 | Oaks Ballpark, Emeryville, California, U.S. | |
| 127 | Loss | 92–27–8 | Sonny Boy West | UD | 10 | Mar 20, 1950 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 126 | Win | 92–26–8 | Ralph Zannelli | SD | 10 | Feb 20, 1950 | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 125 | Win | 91–26–8 | Clem Custer | TKO | 8 (10) | Jan 23, 1950 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 124 | Draw | 90–26–8 | Sonny Boy West | PTS | 10 | Jan 2, 1950 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 123 | Loss | 90–26–7 | Tony Riccio | PTS | 10 | Dec 12, 1949 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 122 | Loss | 90–25–7 | Don Williams | SD | 10 | Oct 19, 1949 | Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 121 | Win | 90–24–7 | Bill Sudduth | PTS | 10 | Aug 5, 1949 | Auditorium, Topeka, Kansas, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 89–24–7 | Johnny Bryant | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 3, 1949 | Clarksburg Auditorium, Clarksburg, West Virginia, U.S. | |
| 119 | Win | 88–24–7 | Buster Miles | PTS | 10 | Jun 11, 1948 | Radio Center Arena, Huntington, West Virginia, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 87–24–7 | Rudy Zadell | PTS | 10 | Mar 15, 1948 | State Armory, Cumberland, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 117 | Win | 86–24–7 | Eddie Pusey | KO | 2 (8) | Feb 17, 1948 | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 116 | Win | 85–24–7 | Johnny Bratton | UD | 10 | May 16, 1947 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 84–24–7 | Cal Elefante | KO | 3 (10) | Apr 9, 1947 | Auditorium, Zanesville, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 114 | Win | 83–24–7 | Teddy Davis | TKO | 3 (10) | Mar 24, 1947 | Auditorium, Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. | |
| 113 | Win | 82–24–7 | Nick Castiglione | KO | 4 (10) | Mar 14, 1947 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 81–24–7 | Jackie McFarland | TKO | 2 (10) | Feb 27, 1947 | Armory, Mansfield, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 111 | Win | 80–24–7 | Johnny Bryant | TKO | 5 (10) | Feb 24, 1947 | Armory, Canton, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 110 | Win | 79–24–7 | George Dixon | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 17, 1947 | Auditorium, Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. | |
| 109 | Loss | 78–24–7 | Beau Jack | TKO | 7 (10) | Jul 8, 1946 | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 108 | Loss | 78–23–7 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Mar 4, 1946 | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 107 | Win | 78–22–7 | Danny Kapilow | UD | 10 | Dec 10, 1945 | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 106 | Win | 77–22–7 | Danny Kapilow | UD | 10 | Oct 24, 1945 | Uline Arena, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 105 | Win | 76–22–7 | Ike Williams | TKO | 6 (10) | Sep 19, 1945 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 104 | Draw | 75–22–7 | Gene Burton | MD | 10 | Aug 20, 1945 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 103 | Loss | 75–22–6 | Jimmy McDaniels | MD | 10 | Nov 11, 1944 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 102 | Loss | 75–21–6 | Ike Williams | SD | 10 | Sep 6, 1944 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 101 | Win | 75–20–6 | Aaron Perry | UD | 11 | Aug 1, 1944 | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 100 | Loss | 74–20–6 | Ike Williams | SD | 10 | Jun 7, 1944 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 99 | Win | 74–19–6 | Aaron Perry | SD | 10 | Apr 4, 1944 | Uline Arena, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 98 | Loss | 73–19–6 | Juan Zurita | UD | 15 | Mar 8, 1944 | Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Lost NBA lightweight title |
| 97 | Draw | 73–18–6 | Beau Jack | PTS | 10 | Jan 28, 1944 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 73–18–5 | Bobby Ruffin | SD | 10 | Dec 17, 1943 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 95 | Win | 72–18–5 | Slugger White | UD | 15 | Oct 27, 1943 | Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Won vacant NBA lightweight title |
| 94 | Win | 71–18–5 | Joey Peralta | UD | 10 | Oct 1, 1943 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 93 | Loss | 70–18–5 | Henry Armstrong | UD | 10 | Jun 11, 1943 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 70–17–5 | Willie Pep | UD | 10 | Mar 19, 1943 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 69–17–5 | Aldo Spoldi | PTS | 10 | Sep 28, 1942 | City Park Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 90 | Loss | 68–17–5 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Jul 31, 1942 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 89 | Win | 68–16–5 | Bob Montgomery | SD | 10 | Jul 7, 1942 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 67–16–5 | Allie Stolz | SD | 15 | May 15, 1942 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 87 | Win | 66–16–5 | Bob Montgomery | UD | 12 | Mar 6, 1942 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 65–16–5 | Lew Jenkins | UD | 15 | Dec 19, 1941 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NBA lightweight title; Won NYSAC and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 85 | Win | 64–16–5 | Battling Chino | TKO | 6 (10) | Oct 30, 1941 | Aragon Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 63–16–5 | Lee Sheppard | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 19, 1941 | Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 62–16–5 | Pete Galiano | TKO | 6 (10) | Sep 8, 1941 | Washington, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 61–16–5 | Jimmy Tygh | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 12, 1941 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 81 | Loss | 60–16–5 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Jul 21, 1941 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 80 | Win | 60–15–5 | Harry Hurst | MD | 10 | Jun 24, 1941 | Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 79 | Win | 59–15–5 | Lenny Mancini | MD | 10 | May 19, 1941 | Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 58–15–5 | Dave Castilloux | PTS | 12 | May 2, 1941 | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 57–15–5 | Don Eddy | UD | 10 | Dec 18, 1940 | Miami Field, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 56–15–5 | Bob Montgomery | MD | 10 | Nov 25, 1940 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 75 | Draw | 55–15–5 | George Latka | UD | 10 | Nov 4, 1940 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 74 | Loss | 55–15–4 | Fritzie Zivic | UD | 10 | Aug 29, 1940 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 55–14–4 | Nick Castiglione | UD | 10 | Jul 24, 1940 | Mills Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 72 | Draw | 54–14–4 | Baby Arizmendi | PTS | 10 | Jun 25, 1940 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 54–14–3 | Davey Day | PTS | 15 | May 5, 1940 | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Won vacant NBA lightweight title |
| 70 | Win | 53–14–3 | Quentin Breese | PTS | 10 | Mar 1, 1940 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 69 | Draw | 52–14–3 | Pete Lello | PTS | 10 | Feb 2, 1940 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 68 | Loss | 52–14–2 | Davey Day | MD | 12 | Dec 8, 1939 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | The Chicago Tribune called it an "unpopular decision" |
| 67 | Win | 52–13–2 | Baby Arizmendi | UD | 10 | Nov 3, 1939 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 51–13–2 | Davey Day | SD | 10 | Oct 6, 1939 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 50–13–2 | William Marquart | UD | 10 | Aug 28, 1939 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 49–13–2 | Petey Sarron | PTS | 10 | Jul 17, 1939 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 48–13–2 | Howard Scott | UD | 10 | Jun 26, 1939 | Swiss Park Open Air Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 47–13–2 | Milt Aron | PTS | 10 | May 3, 1939 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 46–13–2 | Aldo Spoldi | PTS | 10 | Apr 14, 1939 | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 45–13–2 | Eddie Brink | TKO | 5 (10) | Jan 31, 1939 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 44–13–2 | Joey Ferrando | TKO | 10 (10) | Jan 23, 1939 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 43–13–2 | Freddie Miller | UD | 10 | Dec 5, 1938 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 42–13–2 | Norment Quarles | PTS | 10 | Nov 14, 1938 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 41–13–2 | Leo Rodak | UD | 10 | Sep 27, 1938 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 40–13–2 | Wesley Ramey | UD | 10 | Sep 16, 1938 | Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 39–13–2 | Leo Rodak | TKO | 1 (10) | Aug 15, 1938 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 38–13–2 | Nick Camarata | PTS | 10 | Aug 8, 1938 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 52 | Loss | 37–13–2 | Leo Rodak | SD | 10 | Jul 25, 1938 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 37–12–2 | Tommy Speigal | UD | 10 | Jun 28, 1938 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 36–12–2 | Irving Eldridge | PTS | 10 | Jun 1, 1938 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 35–12–2 | Frankie Covelli | UD | 10 | May 23, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 34–12–2 | Wesley Ramey | UD | 10 | May 6, 1938 | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 33–12–2 | Jackie Wilson | PTS | 10 | Mar 22, 1938 | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 32–12–2 | Everett Simington | PTS | 8 | Feb 25, 1938 | International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 31–12–2 | Harvey Woods | PTS | 8 | Feb 7, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 30–12–2 | Lew Massey | PTS | 10 | Dec 6, 1937 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 43 | Loss | 29–12–2 | William Marquart | PTS | 8 | Nov 16, 1937 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 29–11–2 | Wishy Jones | UD | 10 | Nov 8, 1937 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Won USA Kentucky State lightweight title |
| 41 | Win | 28–11–2 | Jimmy Vaughn | MD | 10 | Oct 25, 1937 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 27–11–2 | Johnny Pena | PTS | 10 | Oct 18, 1937 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 39 | Loss | 26–11–2 | William Marquart | SD | 8 | Sep 20, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 26–10–2 | Jimmy Christy | PTS | 10 | Aug 23, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 25–10–2 | Everette Rightmire | PTS | 10 | Aug 12, 1937 | Riverview Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 24–10–2 | Jimmy Christy | PTS | 10 | Jul 12, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 23–10–2 | Roger Bernard | PTS | 10 | Jun 18, 1937 | Riverview Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 22–10–2 | Lloyd Pine | PTS | 10 | Jun 14, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 21–10–2 | Pete Lello | TKO | 5 (8) | Jun 2, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 20–10–2 | George Fiest | PTS | 6 | May 17, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 19–10–2 | Louis Gallup | TKO | 4 (8) | May 10, 1937 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 18–10–2 | Jimmy Buckler | PTS | 10 | Apr 19, 1937 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 17–10–2 | Dave Barry | PTS | 10 | Mar 22, 1937 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 28 | Draw | 16–10–2 | Lloyd Pine | PTS | 10 | Mar 8, 1937 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 27 | Loss | 16–10–1 | Johnny Hutchinson | PTS | 8 | Feb 22, 1937 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 16–9–1 | Lloyd Pine | SD | 10 | Dec 7, 1936 | Columbia Gymnasium Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 25 | Loss | 15–9–1 | Harry Krause | UD | 8 | Nov 23, 1936 | Islam Grotto, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 24 | Loss | 15–8–1 | Tommy Speigal | PTS | 10 | Nov 2, 1936 | State Armory, Cumberland, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 23 | Loss | 15–7–1 | Lee Sheppard | SD | 10 | Oct 12, 1936 | Islam Grotto, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 22 | Loss | 15–6–1 | Lee Sheppard | MD | 10 | Sep 29, 1936 | Moose Temple, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 15–5–1 | Lee Sheppard | TKO | 4 (8) | Sep 14, 1936 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 14–5–1 | Harry Krause | SD | 10 | Sep 8, 1936 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 19 | Loss | 13–5–1 | Tommy Speigal | SD | 8 | Aug 24, 1936 | Hickey Park Bowl, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 13–4–1 | Harry Krause | UD | 8 | Aug 10, 1936 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 12–4–1 | Billy Miller | MD | 6 | Jul 30, 1936 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 11–4–1 | Victor Vallee | PTS | 6 | Jul 14, 1936 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 10–4–1 | Eddie McGeever | PTS | 8 | Jun 22, 1936 | Dyckman Oval, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 10–3–1 | Joe Boscarino | PTS | 10 | Jun 2, 1936 | Queensboro Arena, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Loss | 9–3–1 | Bobby Dean | PTS | 6 | May 11, 1936 | Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. | |
| 12 | Draw | 9–2–1 | Johnny Morro | PTS | 8 | May 5, 1936 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 9–2 | Leonard Del Genio | PTS | 8 | Mar 25, 1936 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Solly Ambrosio | PTS | 6 | Mar 11, 1936 | Star Casino, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Eddie Hannon | PTS | 6 | Jan 14, 1936 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Dick Cabello | PTS | 6 | Dec 31, 1935 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Al Farone | PTS | 6 | Nov 25, 1935 | Northside Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 6 | Loss | 5–1 | Jackie Wilson | UD | 6 | Jul 22, 1935 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Jimmy Ferry | KO | 1 (10) | Jun 26, 1935 | Washington, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Al Gillette | PTS | 6 | May 14, 1935 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Charley Vaughn | PTS | 6 | Apr 30, 1935 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Long Sing Que | KO | 2 (2) | Apr 23, 1935 | New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Tony Marengo | PTS | 4 | Mar 9, 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* NYSAC lightweight champion (135 lbs)
* NBA (WBA) lightweight champion (135 lbs) (2×)

### The Ring magazine titles

* The Ring lightweight champion (135 lbs)

### Regional/International titles

* Kentucky State lightweight champion (135 lbs)

### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed lightweight champion