Jack Sharkey

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Gains Claims Empire Title with Quick KO A crowd of 30,000 spectators at the Leicester Rugby ground saw Larry Gains (205 ½) dethrone British Empire champion Phil Scott (218) with a second round knockout.   The Canadian had an easy time of it,  dropping Scott late in the opening round with a left hand, before finishing matters a minute into the following session with an overhand right.  A dazed Scott managed to stagger up a fraction of a second too late, before unsteadily sagging backwards into [...]

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** McLarnin Hammers Petrolle at the Garden Having waited six long months for revenge, Jimmy McLarnin (142) evened the score against Billy Petrolle (138) with a masterful unanimous decision victory at Madison Square Garden in New York.  Fought in front of a packed house of 17,846 spectators, the $82,377 gate was a high water mark for the boxing world so far in 1931 – and while the ten rounder didn’t quite have the thrills of the surprising first meeting, the crowd got their money’s worth from [...]

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Battalino Edges LaBarba in Title Clash May 22… Christopher “Battling” Battalino (126) retained the world featherweight title with a dreary fifteen round unanimous decision over Fidel LaBarba (125 ½) at Madison Square Garden in New York.   Battalino had been expected to come up short against LaBarba’s all-around skills, though the rugged Hartford fighter’s grinding style won over the judges in a mauling clinch-filled encounter that failed to impress the crowd of 9,179. Image Courtesy of Antiquities of the Prize Ring

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Lou Brouillard Stars in Boston May 15… New England’s welterweight and middleweight crowns changed hands at the Boston Garden when the corner of champion Al Mello (148 ¼) stepped in to save the Lowell man from the youthful fists of Lou Brouillard (145 ½).  The end, coming early in the eighth round, was a relief to many in the crowd of 10,000, as Mello’s demise was imminent and few wanted to see the fan favorite counted out on his back. Brouillard & Mello Images Courtesy [...]

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Brown Wins European Crown May 4… British Flyweight champion Jackie Brown (111 ¾) added the vacant European title to his resume, with a fifteen round points win over Lucian Popescu (112 ½) at King’s Hall in Manchester. It was a contentious battle, both in the ring and out, with the fight very nearly falling apart when the visiting man weighed in a ½ pound over the limit. Popescu was reportedly ready to walk, but the fight was saved after Brown agreed to forgo his claim [...]

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Canzoneri Smashes Berg in Chicago April 24… Tony Canzoneri (132) added Jack “Kid” Berg’s (134 ¼) junior welterweight belt to his trophy case with an explosive third round stoppage victory.  In dispatching his aggressive opponent, Canzoneri also made sure his lightweight crown stayed secure, as both titles – a first in boxing history – were at stake in the Chicago Stadium clash.

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Canzoneri and Berg Prepare for Action The eyes of the boxing world turned to Chicago, where Tony Canzoneri and Jack “Kid” Berg engaged in final preparations for their double championship contest.  Set for April 24 at the Chicago Stadium, the bout represented the first time two world titles would be at stake on the same evening, with both Canzoneri’s lightweight crown, and Berg’s junior-welterweight belt up for grabs.

A week by week look at the boxing world in 1931 by Andrew Fruman. ***** Thompson Regains Welterweight Title April 14… The World Welterweight Title changed hands in Cleveland, with Young Jack Thompson (145 ¼) regaining the championship with a stoppage victory over Tommy Freeman (146 ¾).  Having lost his crown to Freeman via a dubious decision the previous September, the win was sweet revenge for Thompson, who entered the scheduled fifteen rounder as a slight underdog. The contest ended in anti-climactic fashion with Freeman, his left eye swollen shut and blood blurring his good optic, remaining on his stool [...]