# Eddie Babe Risko

Henry Pylkowski, known in his boxing career as Babe Risko, and Eddie Risko, (July 14, 1911 – March 8, 1957) was a Lithuanian-Polish-American boxer who became Middleweight boxing champion of the world in portions of 1935–36. While boxing in his early career with the US Navy, he was known as Sailor Puleski. He was managed by Gabe Genovese of Syracuse, New York. After winning the World Middleweight Title, his professional career declined rapidly, perhaps because of his lengthy amateur career with the Navy.

## Early life and amateur career

Risko was born Henry Pylkowski on July 14, 1911 in Syracuse, New York, the son of a struggling Lithuanian family of five. He attended school in Syracuse. He had a long and impressive amateur boxing career in the United States Navy, which he joined at only 16 in 1927, and fought around 125 matches as Sailor Puleski. Risko won the Navy Middleweight Title in a Panama Bullring in 1931, and was undefeated in his fights with the Navy.

## Professional boxing career
### Risko's rapid rise in the boxing world

On New Years Day 1935, bursting on the world scene in a stunning upset, Risko defeated defending World Middleweight Champion Teddy Yarosz in a technical knockout, though the bout was not for the title. Yarosz was down five times before his manager ended the bout early in the seventh round. A crowd of only 2300 witnessed the bout that demonstrated Risko's mastery of the reigning champion.
On January 25, 1935, Risko met the great Vince Dundee, losing in a fifteen round split decision at New York's Madison Square Garden. Due to an error by one of the two judges, Risko was first announced as the winner, but the mistake was soon corrected by boxing commissioners present at the fight. Though Risko's closing rounds were strong and demonstrated his youthful endurance, Dundee's consistent aggressiveness and body punching convinced judges to vote in his favor. The Associated Press gave six rounds to Dundee and four to Risko.

### Taking the World Middleweight Championship

Risko won the NYSAC World Middleweight Title and National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title with a win over Teddy Yarosz on September 19, 1935. Risko knocked Yarosz to the mat twice for counts of nine in the sixth and seventh rounds, and several judges gave Yarosz only the first round. On December 21, 1935 Risko was knocked out in the first round by Jock McAvoy after being floored six times. The match was a non-title bout, with both men weighing in over the 160 pound middleweight limit.
On February 10, 1936, Risko successfully defended his World Middleweight championship for the only time against Tony Fisher in ten rounds in Newark, New Jersey. Risko was awarded eight of the ten rounds in a title bout considered "drab" by some reporters. Only one round was awarded to Fisher, a 21 year old Newark native.

### Losing the World Middleweight Championship

Risko lost the belt on July 11, 1936 to Freddie Steele via a fifteen round unanimous decision in Seattle, Washington before an impressive crowd of 25,000. Steele scored the only knockdown in the bout when he put Risko to the mat with a right to the jaw for a count of six in the first round. Steele damaged both of Risko's eyes during the bout which hampered the reigning champions ability to defend himself. The Associated Press gave Risko only three rounds of the well attended bout.
On February 19, 1937 Risko attempted another shot at the title against Steele at Madison Square Garden but lost in a fifteen around unanimous decision. The Associated Press gave Steele nine rounds, with five to Risko, and one even. The bout, fought before a crowd of 11,600, was described as tedious by many reporters.

## Retirement and life after boxing

Risko married Sally Ciborowski of Syracuse in 1936 and eventually had a daughter.
After losing five straight fights by knockout, Risko retired from boxing in 1939, only three years after holding the crown. He recruited for the Navy during WWII and served as Deputy Sheriff in Onondaga County. He later worked as a sales manager for the U. S. Hoffman Machinery Corp. of New York. On March 7, 1957, he died unexpectedly in his sleep in his home in Syracuse at age 46. He was still working for the machinery firm at the time of his death.

## Professional boxing record

| 103 fights | 65 wins | 26 losses |
| By knockout | 18 | 12 |
| By decision | 47 | 13 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 12 | 12 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 103 | Loss | 65–26–12 | Lloyd Marshall | KO | 5 (10) | May 17, 1939 | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, US | |
| 102 | Loss | 65–25–12 | Walter Franklin | KO | 6 (8), 0:49 | Feb 7, 1939 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US | |
| 101 | Loss | 65–24–12 | Billy Soose | KO | 3 (10), 1:47 | Oct 5, 1938 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 100 | Loss | 65–23–12 | Ben Brown | KO | 9 (12) | Sep 26, 1938 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, US | |
| 99 | Loss | 65–22–12 | Larry Lane | KO | 2 (10), 2:46 | Sep 19, 1938 | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, US | |
| 98 | Draw | 65–21–12 | Ben Brown | PTS | 10 | Jul 18, 1938 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, US | |
| 97 | Loss | 65–21–11 | Ralph DeJohn | KO | 7 (8) | Jun 27, 1938 | Municipal Stadium, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 96 | Draw | 65–20–11 | Al Quaill | PTS | 10 | Jun 6, 1938 | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 95 | Win | 65–20–10 | Gorilla Jones | PTS | 10 | May 10, 1938 | Armory, Akron, Ohio, US | |
| 94 | Loss | 64–20–10 | George Black | KO | 5 (10), 1:26 | Aug 17, 1937 | State Fair Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US | |
| 93 | Loss | 64–19–10 | Al Hostak | KO | 7 (10) | Jul 13, 1937 | Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington, US | |
| 92 | Loss | 64–18–10 | Billy Conn | UD | 10 | Mar 11, 1937 | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 91 | Loss | 64–17–10 | Freddie Steele | UD | 15 | Feb 19, 1937 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC and NBA middleweight titles |
| 90 | Win | 64–16–10 | Butch Lynch | KO | 8 (10) | Dec 18, 1936 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 89 | Win | 63–16–10 | Tony Tozzo | UD | 10 | Nov 27, 1936 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 88 | Win | 62–16–10 | Harry Balsamo | UD | 10 | Oct 28, 1936 | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US | |
| 87 | Loss | 61–16–10 | Teddy Yarosz | SD | 10 | Sep 21, 1936 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 86 | Loss | 61–15–10 | Freddie Steele | UD | 15 | Jul 11, 1936 | Civic Stadium, Seattle, Washington, US | Lost NYSAC and NBA middleweight titles |
| 85 | Loss | 61–14–10 | Fred Apostoli | PTS | 10 | May 8, 1936 | Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US | |
| 84 | Win | 61–13–10 | Mike Payan | PTS | 10 | Apr 9, 1936 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 83 | Loss | 60–13–10 | Freddie Steele | UD | 10 | Mar 24, 1936 | Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington, US | |
| 82 | Win | 60–12–10 | Tony Fisher | PTS | 10 | Feb 10, 1936 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US | Retained NYSAC and NBA middleweight titles |
| 81 | Loss | 59–12–10 | Jock McAvoy | KO | 1 (10), 2:48 | Dec 20, 1935 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 80 | Win | 59–11–10 | Frank Battaglia | SD | 10 | Dec 9, 1935 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 79 | Win | 58–11–10 | Chester Palutis | UD | 10 | Oct 21, 1935 | Town Hall, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 78 | Win | 57–11–10 | Jackie Aldare | PTS | 10 | Oct 4, 1935 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 77 | Win | 56–11–10 | Teddy Yarosz | UD | 15 | Sep 19, 1935 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | Won NYSAC and NBA middleweight titles |
| 76 | Loss | 55–11–10 | Paul Pirrone | PTS | 10 | Jul 8, 1935 | Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, US | |
| 75 | Win | 55–10–10 | Frank Battaglia | UD | 12 | May 22, 1935 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 74 | Loss | 54–10–10 | Jimmy Belmont | SD | 8 | Mar 25, 1935 | Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, US | |
| 73 | Win | 54–9–10 | Sammy Slaughter | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1935 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 72 | Win | 53–9–10 | Benny Levine | TKO | 2 (10) | Mar 11, 1935 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 71 | Win | 52–9–10 | Paul Pirrone | UD | 10 | Feb 25, 1935 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 70 | Draw | 51–9–10 | Solly Dukelsky | PTS | 10 | Jan 31, 1935 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US | |
| 69 | Loss | 51–9–9 | Vince Dundee | SD | 10 | Jan 25, 1935 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 68 | Win | 51–8–9 | Teddy Yarosz | TKO | 7 (10) | Jan 1, 1935 | Town Hall, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 67 | Win | 50–8–9 | Pete Susky | UD | 6 | Dec 7, 1934 | Town Hall, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 66 | Win | 49–8–9 | Al Salbano | PTS | 10 | Nov 26, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 65 | Win | 48–8–9 | Freddie Sallus | KO | 8 (10) | Nov 5, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 64 | Win | 47–8–9 | Weiner Wilch | KO | 2 (6) | Oct 26, 1934 | Kalurah Temple, Binghamton, New York, US | |
| 63 | Win | 46–8–9 | Chester Palutis | UD | 6 | Oct 19, 1934 | Town Hall, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 62 | Draw | 45–8–9 | Freddie Sallus | PTS | 8 | Oct 15, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 61 | Win | 45–8–8 | Pete Susky | PTS | 8 | Sep 17, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 60 | Win | 44–8–8 | Weiner Wilch | TKO | 3 (8) | Sep 10, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 59 | Draw | 43–8–8 | Larry Wagner | PTS | 6 | Aug 9, 1934 | Johnson Field, Johnson City, New York, US | |
| 58 | Win | 43–8–7 | Joe Desmond | PTS | 6 | Aug 6, 1934 | Convention Hall, Saratoga Springs, New York, US | |
| 57 | Draw | 42–8–7 | Paulie Sykes | SD | 6 | Jul 18, 1934 | South Depot St. Arena, Oswego, New York, US | |
| 56 | Win | 42–8–6 | Thomas Lawless | KO | 5 (6) | Jun 8, 1934 | Kalurah Temple, Binghamton, New York, US | |
| 55 | Win | 41–8–6 | Thomas Lawless | PTS | 6 | May 14, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 54 | Win | 40–8–6 | Jackie Flowers | PTS | 6 | May 7, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 53 | Win | 39–8–6 | Jackie Flowers | PTS | 6 | Apr 20, 1934 | Convention Hall, Utica, New York, US | |
| 52 | Win | 38–8–6 | Joe Lyons | KO | 3 (4) | Apr 16, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 51 | Win | 37–8–6 | Jackie Flowers | PTS | 6 | Apr 3, 1934 | Convention Hall, Utica, New York, US | |
| 50 | Win | 36–8–6 | Steve Wolanin | PTS | 6 | Mar 27, 1934 | Convention Hall, Utica, New York, US | |
| 49 | Win | 35–8–6 | Frank LaSpina | KO | 2 (4) | Mar 26, 1934 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 48 | Loss | 34–8–6 | Swede Berglund | KO | 4 (10), 1:18 | Jan 12, 1934 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 47 | Win | 34–7–6 | Nick Ures | KO | 3 (6) | Dec 8, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 46 | Win | 33–7–6 | Johnny 'Bandit' Romero | PTS | 10 | Oct 20, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 45 | Win | 32–7–6 | Deacon Leo Kelly | PTS | 6 | Sep 22, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 44 | Loss | 31–7–6 | Dutch Weimer | PTS | 4 | Sep 3, 1933 | Foreign Club Arena, Tijuana, Mexico | |
| 43 | Win | 31–6–6 | Johnny Cavos | TKO | 3 (6) | Aug 18, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 42 | Win | 30–6–6 | Ray Griffiths | TKO | 3 (6), 2:57 | Aug 4, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 41 | Win | 29–6–6 | Miles Murphy | TKO | 6 (6) | Jun 15, 1933 | Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington, US | |
| 40 | Win | 28–6–6 | Guy McKinney | TKO | 5 (6) | May 19, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 39 | Loss | 27–6–6 | Grant Willardson | DQ | 3 (6) | Mar 10, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 38 | Win | 27–5–6 | Guy McKinney | PTS | 6 | Mar 3, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 37 | Win | 26–5–6 | Jack O'Neill | PTS | 6 | Jan 13, 1933 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 36 | Win | 25–5–6 | Johnny Reed | PTS | 6 | Dec 23, 1932 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 35 | Win | 24–5–6 | Tony Pena | PTS | 4 | Nov 4, 1932 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 34 | Win | 23–5–6 | Billy McMullen | PTS | 6 | Oct 7, 1932 | Navy Field, San Diego, California, US | |
| 33 | Draw | 22–5–6 | Harry Walton | PTS | 4 | Sep 16, 1932 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 32 | Loss | 22–5–5 | Leroy Brown | KO | 6 (10) | Jul 6, 1932 | Sullivan's Bowl, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 31 | Win | 22–4–5 | Jack McCarthy | PTS | 8 | Jun 30, 1932 | Freihofer Field, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, US | |
| 30 | Win | 21–4–5 | Vic Suquera | TKO | 3 (6) | Jun 23, 1932 | Armory, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 29 | Win | 20–4–5 | Joe Smallwood | PTS | 6 | Apr 14, 1932 | New Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 28 | Loss | 19–4–5 | Joe Colucci | PTS | 8 | Feb 26, 1932 | 106th Infantry Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US | |
| 27 | Win | 19–3–5 | Chick Williams | PTS | 6 | Feb 18, 1932 | New Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 26 | Draw | 18–3–5 | Leroy Brown | PTS | 10 | Nov 23, 1931 | Sullivan's Bowl, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 25 | Loss | 18–3–4 | Rufus Miles | PTS | 10 | Oct 29, 1931 | Fair Grounds Arena, Orangeburg, South Carolina, US | |
| 24 | Win | 18–2–4 | Bud Spittle | PTS | 10 | Oct 12, 1931 | Sullivan's Bowl, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 23 | Win | 17–2–4 | Carl Schlieper | PTS | 6 | Jun 19, 1931 | 106th Infantry Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US | |
| 22 | Win | 16–2–4 | Frank Sumter | PTS | 10 | May 20, 1931 | Sullivan's Bowl, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 21 | Loss | 15–2–4 | Charlie Brown | PTS | 10 | Jan 6, 1931 | Academy of Music, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 20 | Draw | 15–1–4 | Bud Spittle | PTS | 10 | Dec 19, 1930 | Sumter Guards' Armory, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 19 | Draw | 15–1–3 | Rufus Miles | PTS | 10 | Dec 5, 1930 | Citadel Gymnasium, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 18 | Win | 15–1–2 | Larry Leavitt | PTS | 10 | Nov 27, 1930 | Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 17 | Win | 14–1–2 | Rufus Miles | UD | 10 | Nov 14, 1930 | Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 16 | Win | 13–1–2 | Wendell Weeks | PTS | 10 | Nov 11, 1930 | Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 15 | Win | 12–1–2 | Bob Allison | PTS | 10 | Nov 5, 1930 | Ashley Park, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 14 | Win | 11–1–2 | Bob Allison | PTS | 10 | Oct 27, 1930 | Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 13 | Win | 10–1–2 | Larry Leavitt | PTS | 10 | Oct 17, 1930 | Elks Arena, Folly Beach, South Carolina, US | |
| 12 | Win | 9–1–2 | Wendell Weeks | PTS | 10 | Oct 10, 1930 | Elks Arena, Folly Beach, South Carolina, US | |
| 11 | Win | 8–1–2 | Freddy Brewer | KO | 4 (6) | Jul 22, 1930 | 22nd Engineers' Armory, New York City, New York, US | |
| 10 | Loss | 7–1–2 | Eddie Cavanaugh | KO | 2 (6) | May 8, 1930 | Armory, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 9 | Draw | 7–0–2 | Johnny Baruzzi | PTS | 6 | Apr 10, 1930 | Armory, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 8 | Win | 7–0–1 | Tony Dallas | PTS | 6 | Mar 27, 1930 | Armory, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 7 | Win | 6–0–1 | Roy LaDuca | TKO | 3 (6) | Dec 19, 1929 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Charlie McKain | PTS | 4 | Dec 12, 1929 | Armory, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 5 | Draw | 4–0–1 | Mule Brown | PTS | 8 | Dec 6, 1929 | Flushing Armory, New York City, New York, US | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Roy LaDuca | PTS | 6 | Dec 5, 1929 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Wendell Weeks | PTS | 6 | Nov 20, 1929 | Marion Square Arena, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Young Murray | TKO | 5 (10) | Nov 9, 1929 | Marion Square Arena, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Diaz Music | PTS | 4 | Oct 26, 1929 | Marion Square Arena, Charleston, South Carolina, US | |

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* NYSAC middleweight champion (160 lbs)
* NBA (WBA) middleweight champion (160 lbs)

### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed middleweight champion