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The Boxing Biographies

Newsletter Volume 8 – No 2 2

nd Feb , 2012

www.boxingbiographies.com

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Tony Canzoneri

Name: Tony Canzoneri

Born: 1908-11-06

Birthplace: Slidell, Louisiana, USA

Died: 1959-12-09 (Age:51)

Nationality: US American

Hometown: New York, New York, USA

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 4″ / 163cm

Reach: 65″ / 165cm

Boxing Record: click

Manager: Sammy Goldman

Trainers: Dan Florio & Nick Florio

Tony Canzoneri Gallery

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Tony Canzoneri beat thirteen different world champions, gained decisions over hall of famers

Baby Arizmendi and Billy Petrolle and fought two razor thin battles with Barney Ross. He

reversed wins by world champions Bud Taylor, Andre Routis, Johnny Jadick and he was within

a shade off being the third boxer in the history of boxing in holding three world championships

at one time.

Ring Magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame

World Boxing Hall of Fame

International Boxing Hall of Fame

Tony Canzoneri accomplished more in the ring as a teenager than some fighters do in an entire

career. Canzoneri fought for world titles in two divisions before he turned 20 and at the age of 22

was already a two-time champion. By 23, he was considered the best fighter, pound-for-pound,

in the world.

Tony Canzoneri accomplished more in the ring as a teenager than some fighters do in an entire

career. Canzoneri fought for world titles in two divisions before he turned 20 and at the age of 22

was already a two-time champion. By 23, he was considered the best fighter, pound-for-pound,

in the world.

Canzoneri participated in 259 title-bout rounds and became boxing's third three-division

champion. He turned pro in 1925 at the age of 16. He fought to a drew with Bud Taylor for the

vacant NBA bantamweight title in 1927 and lost a rematch to Taylor in June. But by October, he

won his first title, outpointing fellow Hall-of-Famer Johnny Dundee to win the featherweight

crown.

In November 1930, Canzoneri knocked out Al Singer in 66 seconds, the quickest ending to a

lightweight title bout ever. That set up his showdown with junior welterweight champion Jackie

"Kid" Berg. Both titles were at stake and after Canzoneri scored a third-round knocked he

walked away with two title belts and the mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the

world. He reaffirmed that title by beating reigning junior lightweight champ Kid Chocolate to

close out the year.

Canzoneri lost the junior welterweight title to Jackie Jadick in 1932 but held both titles

simultaneously again before finally losing them to Barney Ross in 1933.

He beat Lou Ambers and Jimmy McLarnin in non-title bouts before losing the lightweight title

Ambers in 1936. Canzoneri was knocked out by welterweight contender Bummy Davis in 1939,

the final fight of his career. It was the only time he was knocked out.

While he achieved much success early in his career, Tony certainly stood the test of time. He met

18 world champions and six Hall-of-Famers in a 15-year career. Tony Canzoneri (November 6,

1908-December 9, 1959) was an American boxer who was born in the town of Slidell, Louisiana.

Canzoneri, an Italian American, was one of the members of the exclusive group of boxing world

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champions who have won titles in three or more divisions.

When he was a teenager, he and his family moved to New

York, where he campaigned most of his career. Canzoneri fit

the mold of the typical American boxer of the era: He could

box up to three or four times in one month and up to 24 or 25

times in one year, and he would seldom fight outside New

York City, considered to be boxing's mecca at the time. As a

matter of a fact, of his first 38 bouts, only one was fought

west of New York City, and that one was in New Jersey.

Canzoneri won his first title, the world's Featherweight title,

with a 15 round decision over Benny Bass on February 10,

1928. He retained that title one time, and then went up in

weight and challenged world Lightweight champion Sammy

Mandell, losing by a decision in ten rounds. But in 1930,

Mandell was knocked out in the first round by Al Singer to

lose his title, and Canzoneri, who had already beaten Singer

by a ten round decision before, challenged Singer for the title

on November 14, 1930, knocking him out in the first too to

become a two division world champion. In defeat, Singer

made history by becoming the first man, and only man up

until nowadays, to both win and lose the title by knockout in

the first round.

Canzoneri's first defense was a unification of sorts: He faced

world Jr. welterweight champion Jack Kid Berg, who was

putting his Jr. Welterweight title on the line and trying to take

Canzoneri's Lightweight title away. Canzoneri became a three

division world champion by knocking Berg out in the third

round, on their fight held on April 24, 1931. Canzoneri,

Barney Ross and Henry Armstrong were the only boxing

champions in history to be allowed to hold two or more world

titles simultaneously (Sugar Ray Leonard won both the vacant world's Super Middleweight and

the world's Light Heavyweight title in one night in 1988, but he had to choose only one to keep

and he chose to keep the Super Middleweight belt).

Canzoneri lost his world Jr. Welterweight championship to Johnny Jadick, and he lost to Jadick

again in a rematch. Meanwhile, Canzoneri kept retaining his lightweight belt, against the likes of

Billy Petrolle and his brother, Frankie Petrolle.

Jadick lost his belt to Battling Shaw, and Canzoneri once again challenged for the world Jr.

Welterweight crown while keeping his Lightweight belt. He beat Shaw by decision and

recovered the world Jr. Welterweight championship. In his next bout, versus Ross, he lost both

belts, when Ross beat him by a ten round decision. There was an immediate rematch, and Ross

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won again, this time by decision in 15.

Canzoneri kept fighting and winning, and on May 10, 1935, he found himself in a ring for a

world title again, this time against Lou Ambers, who had earned the world Lightweight title that

once had belonged to Canzoneri. Canzoneri once again won the world's Lightweight title by

outpointing Ambers over 15 rounds. After successfully defending his Lightweight belt once, he

lost it again, in a rematch with Ambers, by a decision in 15. There was a rubber match between

the two, and Ambers once again won a decision in 15 rounds.

Canzoneri went on boxing professionally until 1939, but he never again challenged for a world

title. Among other world champions that he beat were Frankie Klick, Baby Arizmendi, Jimmy

McLarnin and Kid Chocolate.

Canzoneri had a record of 141 wins, 24 losses, 10 draws and 3 no decisions (during his era,

many states and countries still had no scoring on boxing fights, so each time a fight would go the

scheduled distance on any of those areas where scoring was still not being held, the fight would

be declared a no-decision). He had 44 knockouts.

.

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Nevada State Journal

2 August 1929

Sammy Mandell, lightweight champion of the world, will wear his 3 year old crown into Paddy

Harmon's Chicago Stadium tomorrow night and he defies Tony Canzoneri to knock it off.

The pair will meet in a 10 round battle to a decision of a referee and two judges. Upwards of

20,000 spectators will witness the contest, with indications of a gate ranging around $130,000

perhaps $140,000 if the big West Side arena is sold out.

Mandell, defending his title for the third time against a really dangerous challenger since he

won it three years ago, will enter the ring a 2 to 1 favorite.

The champion, perfectly trained and in the greatest physical condition of his career, has no fear

of losing to the former featherweight champion. He figures his advantage in weight, speed, reach

and strength will carry him to victory. Canzoneri is just as confident he can bounce a knockout

punch off Mandell's" chin.

Good Boxer

Unless the boxing experts are completely wrong Mandell figures to win as he pleases from

Canzoneri. They rate the New York challenger as just a willing young man, who is taking on

quite an assignment in attempting to annex the lightweight title.

Because Canzoneri is a busy, tireless fighter, however, he is accorded some sort of a chance.

He had a record of never having made a bad showing against any opponent in a Chicago ring,

topping off his Chicago performances by defeating Andre Routis, the Frenchman who

conquered him in a decision fight for the featherweight title.

Mandell is a past master in boxing skill. He knows what he can do with the right, but he has

never shown, any particular desire to rap any of his opponents into slumber. He figures to

outpoint Canzoneri in speed alone.

Remains in Camp

Mandell laughed off reports that he had been harassed by threats of violence presumably made

by gambling factions and that he had been under police guard at his hotel. "That's just a lot of

bunk," the champion said.

Mandell breezed a workout equivalent to seven rounds in his final training gesture this afternoon.

He did no boxing, but went 'through the motions of walloping the light punching bag, shadow

boxing and jumping the rope. Canzoneri remained in his suburban training camp and took only

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enough light exercise to get up a healthy perspiration and keep himself loosened up.

Nevada State Journal

3 August 1929

Mandell Takes Decision in Chicago Lightweight Fight

Champion Gives Seven Of Ten Rounds in Bout

Tony Takes First Two; Seventh Even;Judges and Referee Differ Deciding on Award of

Victory

Crowd of Near 25,000 Attends Chicago Fracas

By CHARLES W. DUNKLEY

A courageous young man named Tony Canzoneri, once ruler of the world's featherweights,

attempted to annex the lightweight championship from Sammy Mandell in the Chicago stadium

tonight, and for ten rounds received the boxing lesson of his life.

Mandell, off to a bad start when he dropped the first two rounds to the chesty, flat-nosed

Canzoneri, opened up in the middle of the third round and from then on hit Canzoneri with

everything he could think of.

Meanwhile, Canzoneri, attempting to bounce a knockout punch off the champion's chin

continually charged in close but got nowhere.

K. O. Only Chance

The great left hand of a great boxer turned back the ambitions of the New York boy. Mandell

simply out-sped him. He splashed lefts into Tony's face and thundered rights to the body, until

the result was never in doubt. The decision of the two judges and referee, Dave Barry, was not

unanimous, however.

Barry Whose "fourteen Seconds" count -in. the Dempsey-Tunney heavyweight championship

battle created such a furor, cast his ballot in favor of Canzoneri, withthe judges voting for the

champion.

The judges we're "Little Phil" Collins, rated as one of the ablest referees in Chicago, and Ed

Klein, with a record of three years officiating. The experts credited Mandell with winning seven

of the ten rounds, with two going to Canzoneri, and one, the eighth, even.

The battle drew a crowd estimated at 24,500, with gross gate receipts at $165,000. The willing

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Canzoneri learned early ,in the fight

that, his only chance of victory was

landing a knockout punch. He

started out, to accomplish this, at the

opening of the fight.

Eighth Even

For the first two rounds he threw

terrific punch's with both hands

always aiming at the jaw. The

champion, a bit surprised at the fury

of Canzoneri's attack, was kept busy

defending himself.

For the first two rounds Canzoneri

reached Mandell repeatedly, with

cracking right crosses to the chin,

and left hooks to the head and body.

He chased Mandell into the corners

and into the ropes, slashing away

with both hands. Mandell,

apparently was in no danger,

however, but there was no doubt as

to his surprise.

With the opening of the third round Mandell began to solve Canzoneri's attack and from then on

he began to pepper Tony with lefts to the face, throwing right crosses to the chin and jarring him

with right upper cuts.

He moved out in front steadily and remained there until the eighth, when Canzoneri managed to

fight effectively enough to make the session an even affair. Then Mandell spurted out in front in

the ninth and tenth, with the tireless Canzoneri piling in, particularly in the last scission, in an

attempt to rip over a punch that might make him champion.

Always Boring In

Canzoneri's desperate endeavors in the tenth round only got him a beating, however, the

champion opening at full speed and banging away with both hands to head and body.

About the best that could be said of Canzoneri was that he was always persevering, always trying

to get in close ,but finding himself always frustrated by Mandell's masterful left hand.

At times Mandell merely stuck his left glove into Canzoneri's face, holding him off while Tony,

in desperation swung wildly at the air in an effort to connect with the head and body.

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Mandell surprised his followers by weighing exactly 135 pounds, the lightweight limit when he

scaled at the offices of the Illinois state athletic commission this afternoon. The weight, reports

persisted, would be difficult for Mandell

The Letherbridge Herald

25 April 1931

KNOCKS OUT BRITISH CHALLENGER IN THIRD ROUND OF FRIDAY NIGHT

BOUT, RETAINING CHAMPIONSHIP

Outclassed from the Start, Berg Fights Courageously and Ferocity of His Attack Gives

Tony an Opening— Smashing Right to the Chin Floors Englishman for Count

. (BY CHARLES W. DUNKLEY)

CHICAGO STADIUM, Chicago,

The lightweight championship of the world remains in the United States. Tony Canzoneri, the

titleholder, repulsed the attempt of Jack "Kid" Berg, Great Britain's foremost challenger,

to wrest the title from him last night by knocking him out in the third round of the scheduled

ten-round battle, fought before a disappointing crowd of 11,780 in the Chicago Stadium.

Canzoneri, a short ender in the 7 to 5 betting, was complete master of the Briton. He won the

first two rounds easily and battered Berg to defeat in the third without being in the slightest

danger himself. Berg, although outclassed, courageously fought back, and his own aggressive

efforts, leaving himself open for a knockout blow, resulted in his defeat.

Dramatic Finish

The knockout was dramatic. They were whaling away at each other in a neutral corner when

Canzoneri suddenly stepped back, then with the cunning of an animal, smashed over a sharp

right cross that landed flush on Berg's chin.

Berg's legs flew from under him and he rolled over on his back. There he remained while the

count was being tolled over him. As the timekeeper called "seven" Berg gamely tried to

struggle to his feet. He succeeded but his legs would not support him. After standing there for a

second with his legs wobbling under him, he fell over his body sliding down the ropes of the

ring. He fell heavily to the floor and the referee, little Phil Collins, immediately rushed over to

Canzoneri, raising his hand in victory.

The courageous little British fighter who had not been defeated to 28 battles, was crushed and

heartbroken over his loss. After his seconds dragged him to his corner and restored him to his

senses, Berg broke down and cried.

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Meanwhile Canzoneri was jumping around the ring like a jumping jack delirious in victory.

Then, he suddenly thought of Berg. He rushed over to shake the hand of the defeated Briton and

Berg cut loose with another flood of tears.

Canzoneri was so happy with his triumph that big tears welled into his eyes when the

president of the National Boxing Association and chairman of the Illinois State Athletic

commission, presented him with a diamond studded belt, emblematic of the lightweight

championship of the world.

Holds Both Titles

By his victory Canzoneri also becomes Junior welterweight champion of the world, as Berg's

title was at stake as well as Canzoneri's. They both made the required lightweight limit of 135

pounds easily. Canzoneri, the defending champion, tipped the beam at 132 pounds, while the

challenger scaled 134 .

The battle was viciously fought with the sharp-shooting gamecock of the ring, Canzoneri,

blasting Berg under the heart and on the chin with a devastating attack. He did not waste a

punch. When Berg came tearing in, in an attempt to trade blows, Canzoneri viciously crashed

him under the heart or on the jaw with dynamiting rights, or crushing left hooks. To the Briton's

credit he never took a backward step, and walked into Canzoneri's fire with gameness which

took no count of consequences.

The first two rounds were all Canzoneri's with the Briton on the receiving end of a murderous

assault. They shook hands in mid-ring and came out fighting with Canzoneri opening up

convincingly. Canzoneri kept up his attack to the body and head all during the round with Berg

unable to get by the assault.

Near the finish of the round, Berg gamely tried to compete with Canzoneri's blistering fire and

backed the champion into the corner under a body attack, but it was a feeble effort compared to

the viciousness of Canzoneri's rushing attack.

Fatal Round

The second round was a repetition of the first with Canzoneri leading all the way and Berg the

target. When the third round opened, Canzoneri, apparently sure of victory, began nailing Berg

on the chin and pounding him under the heart with short rights. Just before the knockout punch

was delivered Canzoneri hooked three lefts to the jaw and backed away from Berg's feeble

efforts to return the fire. Then Canzoneri threw two rights to the jaw and two lefts to the body as

Berg came charging in. Berg backed the champion into a corner under a light attack to the body,

then Canzoneri stepped back to whip over a punch that knocked the Briton flat on his back,

completely knocked out.

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The battle was Great Britain's first attempt to wrest the lightweight championship from the U. S,

since Freddie Welsh won the title by defeating Willie Ritchie in London 17 years ago. It

failed to attract the expected attendance, with the result that the crowd of 11,730 was

disappointing, The gross gate receipts amounted to $54,990. Of this sum, after taxes have been

deducted, Canzoneri will receive 50 per cent., with 10 per cent, going to Berg. Canzoneri will

probably receive slightly less than $25,000, with about $5,000 going to Berg.

Appleton Post Crescent

21 Nov 1931

CHOCOLATE IS GIVEN VERDICT

BY ONE OFFICIAL

Champ Held Edge Throughout

the Final Five Rounds of Bout

Retains Title

BY HERBERT W. BARKER

The champion of the lightweights still is Tony Canzoneri; but just as surely the heir apparent to

the throne is Kid Chocolate.

Through 15 blistering rounds of unceasing action this pair of gamecocks fought in Madison

Square Garden last night and by only the narrowest of margins did Canzoneri stave off

Chocolate's formidable bid for his lightweight crown.

For this important duel, a crowd 19,000, largest at the Garden in two years, piled into the

Eighth ave arena, saw one of the most savage battles between little men in the modern history of

the ring and remained for ten minutes at the finish to boo the official decision.

Decision Close

So close was the milling that one judge, Charles F. Mathison, gave the verdict to Chocolate

while the other judge, Jos Agnello, and the referee, Willie Lewis, cast their ballots for Canzoneri.

The Associated Press score card listed eight rounds for Canzoneri, five for Chocolate , with the

first and eighth even.

It was Canzoneri's third defense of the title he won by a one-round knockout of Al Singer little

more than a year ago and it was by far the hardest. Previously Tony twice had turned back Jackie

(Kid) Berg in title defenses, once winning from the Briton on a knockout and then on a decision.

But in Chocolate he found a foe ready and able to swap punches all the way over the long route.

In the final analysis it was the fact that Canzoneri forced the fighting all the way that earned him.

the decision. In the face of a withering fire of lefts and rights, Tony walked into the Cuban Negro

round after round, disdaining defense for a chance to sock away at Chocolate's slender sides.

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Looked Bad For Tony

At the end of ten rounds it looked like Tony might lose his crown. Chocolate, boxing beautifully

and punching accurately with both hands, had taken Canzoneri's best wallops without wincing

and had partially closed both the champion eyes with left jabs. But after that the unceasing fire

Tony had been pouring into the Negro’s body took its toll of the challenger’s stamina and

strength. Throughout the last five rounds Canzoneri definitely held the upper hand.

There were no knockdowns although the Cuban went down for no count in the fourth when a

Canzoneri right caught him off balance.

Chester Times PA.

19 July 1932

JADICK VERDICT UNPOPULAR ONE

Fans Show Disapproval by Tossing Cushions

Into Ring

Johnny Jadick of Philadelphia, retained his world's junior

welterweight crown last night by winning a 10-round decision over

Tony Canzoneri, lightweight world champion, in a slugfest at the

Phillies' ball park. The crowd booed the decision and threw cushions

into the ring.

Canzoneri, whose lightweight title was not at stake, made a strong bid

to regain the junior welter crown which he lost to Jadick six months

ago, but a stinging left jab continually thwarted him.

Tony did plenty of stiff punching, however, and several times Jadick was staggered with right

hand punches to the jaw and body. Canzoneri was fighting at a weight disadvantage or two and

one-quarter pounds, scaling 133 to Jadick's 135 ¼ . Fighting a defensive battle throughout,

Jadick worked, his rapier like left to perfection, halting Canzoneri's rushes with damaging jolts.

Several times, however, the challenger got inside that left and rocked the Philadelphian with

blows that drew blood from the latter's nose. At least four times during the mill, Tony landed

stiff right handers to Jadick's jaw.

Jadick fought much the same kind of fight which won him the decision over Canzoneri at their

last meeting in January when the junior welter title changed hands. Retreating much of the time,

his left jabbing had Canzoneri blinking and kept him in a state of annoyance. The net result

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apparent was that Canzoneri waged a furious two-handed fight, landing punishing blows with

both fists at close quarters.

The tenth round saw the action at its height, both fighters striving for a knockout, but lacking the

needle punch, in a toe-to-toe slugging match, Jadick appeared to have a slight edge.

Canzoneri scored the only knockdown of the fight when he floored Jadick in the tenth round with

a short right which did little damage.

The decision greeted by a chorus of "Bronx cheers" and a shower of missiles, revealed that

Referee Joe McGuigan and Judge Thomas Walsh, of Scranton. had given Jadick the edge, while

Judge Stewart Robinson, of Pittsburgh, voted for Canzoneri, giving him the fight by a wide

margin.

The Helena Daily Independent

5 November 1932

Canzoneri Gains Decision On Petrolle In 15 Rounds

Tony Canzoneri, a masterful little champion with the grinning face and wide nose of a miniature

Babe Ruth, finally met the challenge craggy faced Billy Petrolle has been flinging to the

lightweight division for years, and all but demolished the veteran tonight before a roaring crowd

of 20,000 that jammed the big battle pit to the eaves.

Brilliant as any of the light weights of legend, Tony battered the old-timer from Fargo, N. D., so

badly there was no question as to the victor at the end of their 15 round battle. Canzoneri failed

to floor the challenger, but he did everything else the ring laws permit to win a unanimous

decision

Veteran Just a Target

From the first round through the last, with just a breather at the start, a temporary stay in the

eighth and 10th rounds, Tony made a target of the courageous warrior who has been whipping all

comers in a thrilling comeback campaign, even to the extent of tipping slugging Jimmy

McLarnin over twice one night in this same ring.

For a few moments in the eighth round. Petrolle, a 3 to 1 underdog going into the ring, seemed to

have a real chance to win. Billy flung a thudding left hook to the pit of Tony's stomach early in

the round and that blow doubled the champion up. Petrolle kept on top of him, hammering for

the body with both hands, and for a moment Canzoneri took a solid trouncing.

But the champion came back, just as he did in the 10th under a similar, but less effective body

onslaught. Petrolle weighed 134 ½ pounds, Canzoneri 132.

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The fight by rounds:

Round One

Canzoneri stabbed carefully at Petrolle's head, lifted a short left hook to the chin and then ran

into a bruising body barrage, as Petrolle opened up suddenly on the champion's body with both

hands. Tony hooked his left fiercely to the challenger's head but again Petrolle whaled his body

with both hands, forcing him to cover.

Battling back viciously, Canzoneri blasted Petrolle's head with a volley of lefts and right that

rocked the challenger and set the crowd roaring. A right uppercut smashed on Petrolle's head and

Tony missed a right hand haymaker by a shade. Petrolle fought back gallantly, threading lefts

and rights into the champion's body and they were pounding each other in a hurricane exchange

at the bell.

Round Two

Tony speared Billy's head neatly with a half dozen lefts, and then dropped a booming left hook

on the challenger's head. Petrolle waded through the punches to sink in his right deep in

Canzoneri's side and bang his left to the body. Shooting entirely for the head, while Petrolle

played only for the champion's ribs, Canzoneri dug three left hooks into the challenger's neck

and crossed his right neatly to the jaw.

Petrolle hammered back with both hands to the body. Canzoneri shook up the westerner with

another right and left to the head. Canzoneri flicked his left carefully into Petrolle's dotted

features and when Petrolle slugged back the champion rifled his head with a volley of crackling

lefts and rights that had the crowd howling and Billy a bit dizzy as the gong sounded.

Round Three

Petrolle changed his style a bit, matching Tony's left jab with his own and the champion

promptly shifted his attack and smashed both hands into Billy's body. Canzoneri chased Petrolle

to the ropes and shook him up with a half dozen left and rights to the jaw. Billy put his head

down and fought back doggedly bouncing one hard right off Canzoneri's ear. But Tony rapped

the challenger's head again with both lefts and rights. Billy opened up with a vicious body attack

but three times Canzoneri smashed him full on the chin with curling left hooks. He was belting

Petrolle's body at the bell.

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Round Four

Both were cautious as they danced about the

center of the ring jabbing each other's features

neatly with long lefts. Tony lashed a left and right

so fast into Billy's head that the challenger merely

blinked without attempting to lift his guard.

Making every punch count, Canzoneri harassed

the challenger, looping left hooks to the head,

jabbing to the face, slipping Petrolle's punches,

nailing Billy tellingly with every shot. A half

dozen right uppercuts in close staggered Petrolle,

but he charged back gamely into a straight right

that glanced off his cheek bone. Toying with his

challenger, Canzoneri flashed two thudding left

hooks to the chin as the bell sounded.

Round Five

Brilliant In his defense and fast as a little cat Canzoneri stepped around Petrolle and nailed him

with left hooks and rights to the chin. He banged a straight left a half dozen times into Petrolle's

features and the challenger's gnarled nose started to swell and change shape again. Tony danced

away from Petrolle's charge, pulling back from punches to counter beautifully with left hooks to

the head, right upper cuts and smashes with both hands to the body. As Canzoneri danced away

he smacked one left on Petrolle's head that made the challenger draw back and shake his

head, rubbing one ear as though a bee were buzzing in it. He came back to drive both hands into

Tony's body, fighting back furiously up to the bell.

Round Six

Canzoneri's left darted a dozen times into Petrolle's face, before Billy stung a left hook to the

jaw and drove both hands into the champion's body Canzoneri retreated and Petrolle reached him

with a long right to the head. Thoroughly aroused Canzoneri stood in mid ring and shot blow for

blow with the heavy hitting challenger, belting one left hook after another into Petrolle's head.

Billy hammered back with both hands, but Tony would not budge. As Petrolle hammered both

hands to Canzoneri's body, he rocked and staggered back under Tony's thudding drives to the

head .Both shaken, they were matching long lefts as the gong sounded.

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Round Seven

Dogged as a bull pup, Petrolle marched

through Canzoneri's biting left to rip

two left hooks into the champion's

body.

Tony nicked the challenger's features

with his left, then belted him a solid left

hook to the head. Both drove rights to

the jaw. They stood toe-to-toe again,

swinging so heavily, dodging so prettily

that half of the punches missed.

Canzoneri drove a hard left hook to the

body and stabbed Billy off with his left

to the face. Petrolle looped a right to the

head but Canzoneri was on him again,

clouting his head with both hands,

taking a couple of belts to the body

when the gong rang.

Round Eight

Canzoneri belted Petrolle's head with

both hands, shifting so fast from left hooks to right crosses that Billy's head bobbed like a cork in

a sea and the crowd howled at the wild milling. Billy had to come to close quarters for the first

clinch of the fight but as soon as he stepped back, Canzoneri was on him again driving both

hands to the head. A terrific left hook caught Canzoneri in the pit of the stomach and be doubled

up.

As Petrolle unleashed a withering two-fisted body attack, badly hurt, Canzoneri fought back

with both hands to the head but Petrolle, rallying furiously, smashed his head with both hands

and was driving the champion before him at the bell.

Round Nine

Tony rushed the challenger to the ropes as Petrolle, carrying his fight to the body, slugged Tony's

ribs with both hands. Tony shot Petrolle's head hack with two thumping rights as he kept the

hand. Hooking and stabbing like a swordsman with his left hand, Canzoneri banged a dozen

punches into Petrolle's features and drove him around the ring under a furious two-fisted head

attack.

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Apparently capable of surviving any kind of punishment, Petrolle charged back bravely, taking

another left hand pasting to work both hands into Tony's body at the bell.

Round Ten

Canzoneri left Petrolle out of a clinch with a right uppercut to the jaw but Billy tore back with an

attack that all but smothered Canzoneri, chasing him across the ring as the challenger's hands

drummed like pistons to the head and body. Tony danced away and got control of the situation

again for a moment with his knifing left hand but again Petrolle rallied, banging the champion

vigorously with both hands. They stood In mid ring as the crowd roared in a frenzy and riddled

each other's heads with lefts and rights that came all the way from their heels. Tony banged

Petrolle's head with a halt dozen left hooks but there was a splash of blood on his left check and

Billy's face was lumped and swollen as the bell chased them to their corners.

Round Eleven

Tony ripped two straight rights into Petrolle’s head, to spoil the challenger's opening onslaught.

Two more rights wobbled Billy's legs and Tony, on top of him like a clawing cat, ripped

unmercifully at the challenger's head as he drove him across the ring and into the ropes.

Hitting with terrific power, and deadly aim, Canzoneri smashed Petrolle's head with both hands,

paying no attention as Petrolle flung back occasional lefts and rights to the head as he was driven

about the ring. Petrolle’s mouth was bleeding badly as Canzoneri smashed him into the ropes

with a right to the head. Dizzy but terrifically game Petrolle kept firing at Canzoneri and belted

him viciously up to the bell.

Round Twelve

Petrolle drove a hard right to the champion's body but Tony danced away, bringing his glittering

left back into play, using it as thought it were a rapier to knife Petrolle’s face. Both threw right

hands so hard to the head they leaned on each other for support.

Canzoneri danced away, content to stab, but Petrolle, trotting doggedly after him, exploded a

thudding left hook on his jaw. Billy charged forward at top speed again but Canzoneri lanced at

his features, pecking, hammering his face with lefts. Petrolle pinned Canzoneri against the ropes

and whaled his body with both hands, but Tony trotted away grinning, at the gong.

Round Thirteen

Petrolle charged into a volley of left hooks to the head that set his black thatch back half a dozen

times. Canzoneri opened up and drilled Petrolle's battered head with both hands, driving him

around the ring, handling the challenger with ridiculous ease. Petrolle floundered under the

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incessant punishment and there was little steam in his left hook when he did reach Canzoner’s

body, with four punches.

Canzoneri took two rights to the head and smashed back a Petrolle's face with his left. Groggy

but still full of fight, Petrolle bobbed his head and swung his hands automatically as Canzoneri

banged him around at will until the bell rang.

Round Fourteen

Taking no chances, Canzoneri poked his left with monotonous regularity into Petrolle's face.

Billy pulled himself together and ripped into Canzoneri with both hands, belting the champion

lustily about the body. Canzoneri seemed to like it, and again they stood toe to toe and cut loose

full blast with both hands. Incensed as Petrolle stung a hard right to the head. Canzoneri ripped a

flood of lefts and rights to the jaw that sent Billy wobbling into the ropes, the flesh so swollen

about both eyes that the challenger could scarcely see. Tony slowed down as Petrolle weakened

and was thumping the challenger lackadaisically about the head as the gong rang.

Round Fifteen

As they shook hands, Petrolle drove back to the attack but slipped to the floor without being hit

as a sweeping left hook missed Canzoneri entirely. He bounced to his feet immediately. Tony

flashed back with a withering fire that sent Billy staggering into a corner. Under a barrage of

lefts and rights that flooded off his head.

Petrolle was weak and staggering slightly as Canzoneri shifted suddenly to the body, hammering

the challenger's ribs. Petrolle slashed back and scarcely able to see, but loosing a dying sortie

that sent a half dozen lefts and rights bouncing into Canzoneri's head. Tony was belting the

challenger lustily again at the bell.

Chester Times

14 September 1933

By HENRY McLcMORE

NEW YORK,—(UP)—

High overhead, red and green running lights twinkling droned a blimp, symbol of Man's

progress. Down below, in a gallows like ring, two men, their faces smeared with blood, tangled

in a savage fight, that was a throwback to the days when civilization was just dawning.

But to get to the matter of that affair at the Polo grounds when Barney Ross licked Canzoneri.

It was the same old story of a young fellow going up meeting a veteran coming down. The

fellow coming down, especially if he possesses the skill and heart of a Canzoneri, looks

magnificent in spots but winds up behind the eight-ball stymied by the strength and endurance

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and fire of youth.

For example, Canzoneri was never better than in that ninth round when he discarded boxing for

the less subtle business of lowering his head charging like a bull, and raining his Sunday punches

all over the premises. A half dozen of his whistling rights and lefts caught Ross on the bullseye

and the little Jewish fellow's knees buckled, and a look of great anguish came into his big brown

eyes. But the charge took almost as much out of Canzoneri. The Canzoneri of three or four years

ago wouldn't have missed the kill. But the Canzoneri of Tuesday night did, simply because his

arms grew weary, and Ross, who by the way can take a punch for anybody's money, slipped

away and out of danger.

This was Tony’s big chance. After that he was never a serious factor. Ross took the twelfth,

thirteenth and fourteenth and sewed up the match. In the early rounds it was Ross’s youthful

stamina and fire that brought him through round after round.

In the wicked hand to hand exchanges it was invariably Canzoneri who was forced to break into

retreat or grab, despite the fact that he was throwing the harder punches. The barrages that made

him break ground Tuesday night wouldn't have bothered him a few years ago. But a man, no

matter how tough, how game, can fight the tough 'uns Tony has, and not be softened up. A

decade of steady campaigning against the best in the business is bound to show.

The reasoning of Judge George Kelly, who cast his ballot for Canzoneri, has us baffled. Our

score sheet gave Ross eight rounds as against three for the challenger. And our tally was very

similar to Judge Harold Barnes and most of the other boxing writers. Perhaps Kelly doesn't

give much credit to body punches.

Oakland Tribune 29 June 1934

Canzoneri Defeats Klick

Earns Ross Match

Three times a world champion “Washed Up” Tony Canzoneri, stubby Italian American from

New Orleans today stands once more on the threshold of a world title.

Last night the little battler, who lost his third title a year ago to Barney Ross of Chicago clubbed

down the challenge of Frankie Klick, the Portola Pippin and became again the outstanding threat

for the title

Klick Is Groggy

Tony won in the ninth round when referee Patsey Haley halted the fight. Klick was groggy from

the smashing mule kick of the tough Italian, who seemed as good as he was the day he knocked

Al Singer, the Bronx Bugler, stiff.

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Counted out six years ago when he lost his featherweight title, supposedly washed up when he

fought Singer and won the lightweight title, and again when Johnny Jadick beat him for the

junior welter crown the gorilla chested Tony came back and fought like a champion.

Klick won the first two rounds buut in the third tony looped in an overslung right to the jaw

which rocked the Californian to his heels, and after that kept piling up the load. In the fifth round

he slugged Klick in the eye and a purple welt rose over it. It was this lump oozing blood for four

hours that forced referee Haley to call the fight in one minute 42 seconds of the ninth.

Ross Match Looms

Canzoneri now is expected to be matched with Ross for the lightweight crown. He was fighting

in better form han he has displayed any time since he lost his title. He drummed Klick with

battering blows, moved fast and hit accurately. He took the best Klick had, as he did with Jackie

Berg, Kid Chocolate and Billy Petrolle, and slammed his way to victory.

The New York boxing board agreed to recognize the winner of the fight as the logical opponent

for Ross.

Canzoneri Whips Ambers to regain Championship

Tony is First to Cop Crown Second Time.

Veteran has a youthful Foe

On the floor thrice in 15 Round Battle

- Piles Up Early Margin to Win decision

By - Edward J.Neil

Madison Square Garden, New

York, May 11, 1935

Back out of the shadows of the has-beens came bulldog:

Tony Canzoneri Friday night to trounce young Lou Ambers

of Herkimer, N. Y., and re gain his lightweight

championship of the world-first man ever to accomplish that

feat in the half century history of the division from the day of

the great Jack McAuliffe on.

He won it in fifteen rounds by decision, breezing, and if he'd

been able to risk all the fire and dash left in his legs that have

carried through 127 ring battles. All the punch that has

flattened 40 good men he might have won by a knockout.

Twice in the third round, again In the fifteenth when the

sound of the final gong was only seconds away, Canzoneri

knocked the youngster down with right hand blasts as the

roars of 17,433 rocked the Garden itself. The big crowd paid

$49,915.60 to see the last major battle of the indoor season, a

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heart-stirring thing from the first wallop to the last.

Takes Big Early Lead

But the old fellow who looks like a miniature of Babe Ruth from the neck up, and comes through

in the pinches the same way, never had a really bad moment as he grabbed a long early lead,

fended off Ambers desperate rallies, and coasted down the stretch of as thrilling a lightweight

duel as been fought here in a dozen years.

Cozily sticking to the middle Of the ring where his stocky Legs would have the least travelling to

do, Tony casually outpointed the youngster who used to be his sparring partner, through the first

two rounds and then opened up in earnest on him in the third.

With Ambers, a courageous kid himself, a bulldog for punishment, crowding In, throwing his

punches wide, the opportunity was there in spades for the ancient sharpshooter. Out of the blue,

Tony flashed the first right, a terrific belt that went from shoulder to chin like a rifle ball, and

Ambers went over on his back, a dazed, hurt, baffled look on his face.

The 21 year old kid from Herkimer , known as the Hacksaw for his ceaseless attack, rolled over

and bounded up at the count of three. Entirely by instinct and with more Bravery than good

judgement for Tony was standing there, the right Poised at his side, waiting for him. No sooner

was Ambers on his feet Than Tony let it go again.

Ambers down again

Again it thudded sharp and true On Ambers jaw bone and again the Youngster crashed over on

his back, Scrambling, shaking his head, but up again before the startled knock down timekeeper

could swing his gravel More than twice on the rings edge.

This time Ambers had the sense to hold and Canzoneri biding his time and strength Stalked him

carefully. The youngster rallied Quickly , he came back punching Furiously and before

Canzoneri could Get in another good wallop, the vigor Of youth had repaired all the damage His

two rights had done.

so Canzoneri settled down to win the way it is hardest for him Now, over the long 15 round grind

sticking To mid ring he piled up a steady Margin through the first seven rounds. Jabbing Ambers

ears off, making The youngster miss scores of punches As he wove, ducked, swayed from a

desperate Storm of leather.

He belted Ambers in the body and he Hit him with left jabs, left hooks, right Crosses,and right

uppercuts, and still Ambers kept coming.

Lets Foe Set Pace

Saving something for the last as blood trickled from his lips and his eyes, very susceptible to

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punches now, started to swell, Canzoneri let the frantic Ambers set the pace through the middle

and closing stages, making it close all the time, but harboring strength for the finish. Ambers'

aggressiveness, his effectiveness at close quarters gave him an edge from the eighth through the

fourteenth, with the ninth even, and the eleventh Canzoneri's as the latter spurted for a few

moments.

Tony was saving the clincher and he let it go in the fifteenth when the issue was past doubt. He

caught Ambers over in a neutral corner And after a bitter exchange walloped him again Full on

the chin with the last Of the dynamite left in his right.

Ambers reeled over onto his Shouder blades again, but rolled over and Scrambled to his feet

without a count. In all Canzoneri won nine rounds, Ambers five with one, the ninth

even.Canzoneri lost The tenth, as required by New York State athletic rules, when a left hook

Dropped into low territory and was warned By referee Arthur Donavon. Canzoneri weighed 133

pounds, Ambers 133 3/4

7 May 1936

Tony Canzoneri v Jimmy McLarnin

Both Fighters In Good Shape

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Madison Square Garden officials rubbed their hands in satisfaction today and prepared to pack

'em in tomorrow night for the 10-round scrap between Tony Canzoneri, king of the lightweights,

and Jimmy McLarnin, former welterweight champion. Although no title will be at stake, the first

meeting between these two, always known as crowd pleasers. Has created a tremendous interest

because nobody has found a satisfactory way to dope out the winner.

There are plenty of ideas on the subject, but even those who hold them admit they'll have to wait

for proof from the ring. A combination of this uncertainty. the popularity of both fighters and the

prospect of seeing a real scrap already had brought some $40,000 into the Garden's till yesterday.

Officials are expecting a near capacity crowd of around 18.000 and a gate of between

$60,000and $70,000.

That would be the largest at a Garden-promoted indoor show since McLarnin and Benny

Leonard drew a little more than $60,000 in October, 1932. The fighters wound up their hard

work yesterday. McLarnin at a New York gym and Tony at his farm up at Marlboro. N. Y. and

both were reported in fine condition.

Jimmy, despite his year of idleness since he lost the welter title to Barney Boss last May, never

gets really out of shape.

Canzoneri. one of the busiest little fighters in the game, has been plying his trade regularly

during the last year with almost unbroken success. It's on the keenness that comes from steady

fighting that Tony's backers are hanging their hopes

Twin Fall Daily News , Idaho

9 May 1936

Lightweight Champion Survives Furious First Round Attack To

Give McLarnin Terrific Licking

Little Italian Takes Unanimous Decision After Staging Brilliant Comeback

By ALAN GOULD

NEW YORK, May 8 — Surviving a first round blast that had him battered and bleeding,

apparently on the verge of a knockout, Tony Canzoneri came back tonight, to give Irish Jimmy

McLarnin a terrific licking in one of the most spectacular fights the little fellows have waged in

many a moon.

At the end of ten furious rounds, witnessed by a sweltering, near-capacity crowd in Madison

Square Garden, Canzoneri carried off the unanimous decision of two judges and the referee,

Arthur Donovan.

The little lightweight champion, who looks like a miniature Babe Ruth and hits with the same

abandon when the mood strikes him, won with as dazzling a rally as the fight faithful have ever

seen. Canzoneri won seven of the ten rounds, dropped McLarnin to one knee with a terrific

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right hander in the second

round and had the one-time

"baby-faced" dynamiter at

the mercy of his two fisted

fire at the finish.

Once the terror of all New

York lightweights,

McLarnin started off with so

sudden and furious an attack

that it looked as though the

veteran Canzoneri would

quickly be added to the

Irishman's long list of

victims. Only his

remarkable stamina saved

Tony from going down and,

possibly out in that hectic

first round. Blood streamed

from his nose. His legs acted

like a pair of stilts. His eyes

were glassy. The wise

money that had made Jimmy

9 to B favorite at the

ringside was

till ready to be spent.

Crowd in Frenzy

But the fortunes of fistic warfare turned again and just as swiftly. Having taken McLarnin's

stiffest punches without going down and recuperating rapidly between rounds, Canzoneri came

out with a second round rush that soon had the crowd in an absolute frenzy and McLarnin

in obvious perplexity.

McLarnin had an edge in the weights, 143 to Canzonerl's 136 ½ . The bronzed and crafty

Canzoneri regained the aggressive quickly and opened fire with both hands. He not only lashed

Jimmy fearfully but made the Irishman's counter punches look foolish. A right smash that started

from the floor dropped Jimmy to one knee but he bounced up without a count.

From there on, with the eighth, which went to McLarnin by a shade on points, it was all

Canzoneri. He repeatedly beat the Irishman to the punch, meanwhile bobbing or weaving

out of range of Jimmy's counter thrusts.

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McLarnin Staggers

In the fifth, ninth and tenth rounds McLarnin staggered under Canzoneri's two-fisted fire. In the

ninth only the ropes saved the former welter king from hitting the floor after he absorbed a

terrific blast to the head. McLarnin fought the tenth and last round mainly on his nerve and

courage. His face was swollen, his nose bleeding, his arms laden, with weariness.

The paid attendance was 18,908

and the gate receipts $85,763.50.

Round One

Canzoneri, nervous as a cat, moved quickly from his corner and jabbed McLarnin twice with his

left. They exchanged lefts to the body while sparring in mid-ring. McLarnin clipped Canzoneri

with a hard left to the ear but missed with his right. McLarnin's left jab opened a slight cut on the

bridge of Tony's nose. Tonys' knees buckled as he took both hands to the head and backed

to the ropes. McLarnin staggered Tony with a heavy fire to the head and the lightweight

champion was in bad shape. McLarnin backed Canzoneri into a corner and staggered Tony with

heavy wallops to the chin. Canzoneri kept his feet under terrific fire. It was McLarnin's round, by

a wide margin.

Round Two

Canzoneri came out swinging and belted Jimmy with a right to the chin. They exchanged light

lefts while Jimmy sought for an opening, shifting from body to head with his leads. The Irishman

took a high left to the head that jolted him. Tony waded in and they slugged at a furious pace for

a few moments.

Tony's rally had the crowd in an uproar. He made McLarnin miss badly and then pasted Jimmy

with both hands to the head. McLarnin was booed for landing a low punch as he pushed Tony

into the ropes. A terrific overhand right dropped McLarnin to one knee but he bounced up

without count. Canzoneri was outboxing his rival at every turn and took the round by a wide

margin as McLarnin had won the opener.

Round Three

Canzoneri danced out of his corner with pore confidence but took a left to the body and another

to the head. Stepping about briskly, Tony countered with two long jabs, then dodged away as

McLarnin tried to pin him against the ropes. They exchanged, light body blows, then Tony made

Jimmy miss three straight left swings as be countered meanwhile with short uppercuts.

Canzoneri blocked a left and rocked McLarnin with a two fisted attack to Jimmy's jaw. The

lightweight champion was giving a masterful exhibition of footwork. Canzoneri's round.

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Round Four

They clinched in mid-ring after exchanging lefts. Boxing cooly, Tony took a left to the body and

backed to the ropes as he rolled with McLarnin's shots to the head. Jimmy landed a, left high to

the head but missed another and took two short hooks to the chin. McLarnin rushed Canzoneri

twice -but missed fire. Tony stood stock still in mid-ring, then .lashed a right to Jimmy's ear. The

Irishman stuck his left into Tony's face three times without a return but missed a hard right.

McLarlini round by a shade.

Round Five

McLarnin Shot a straight right to the jaw as they met in mid-ring. Jimmy connected lightly with

a one two as Canzoneri supporters pleaded with him to "move around" and not play with the

dynamite in the Irishman's fist. Canzoneri bounced back from a straight left to the face but

countered with both hands to the head. A hard left brought blood from McLarnin's nose. Jimmy,

backing up, missed badly and took a half dozen terrific wallops to the head, Tony was beating

Jimmy to every punch but still taking his time and working carefully. Canzoneri's round.

Round Six

Canzoneri shifted his aim to the body, then lashed out with both hands to the head, connecting

soldly. while the smoke-filled arena echoed. Tony jabbed lightly with his left on the run, and

smacked Jimmy on the nose after blocking two long swings. McLarnin, boring in, was stopped

short by a hard left and backed away under-heavy fire. Countering with a left swing Jimmy

started a fresh flow of blood from the cut on Canzoneri's nose. McLarnin rallied briskly but it

was Canzoneri's round.

Round Seven

McLarnin took the aggressive, landing lightly, but Canzoneri countered with both hands to the

body savagely. Tony fought his way off the ropes with a blast that staggered the Irishman. They

exchanged hard lefts and then Canzoneri rushed into a clinch. The lightweight king's nose was a

sorry sight but his speed and punching aim were still in very good shape. Canzoneri ducked a left

and crossed a hard right smash to the head just before the bell. Canzoneris' round.

Round Eight

Tony connected with a left to the neck but Jimmy countered with a drum fire of left hands that

forced the Italian to the ropes. Canzoneri slid out of danger but McLarnin continued to force the

fight, pumping lefts to the head. Canzoneri missed a right swing that had "haymaker" written on

it. Tony's left brought a fresh smear of blood from Jimmy's nose. Canzoneri then lashed both

hands to the head. They exchanged hard rights at the bell. McLarnin's round.

Round Nine

McLarnin opened with a rush, whipped both hands to the head and then landed a low left that

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roused Tony's ire, Canzoneri smashed hard to Jimmy's jaw. They slugged at a fast clip along the

ropes then stepped away to paw for openings. Canzoneri rolled with McLarnin's punches, despite

pleading from his corner. Tony staggered McLarnin with a sudden attack to the head but the

ropes saved Jimmy from going down. Firing both hands to the head, Canzoneri had his opponent

groggy and helpless under terrific fire. The Irishman wobbled but kept his feet and was saved

further punishment by the bell. Canzoneri’s round.

Round Ten

McLarnin's handlers worked furiously over him. He came out slowly and his knees sagged as

Canzoneri belted both hands to the head. Tony missed a hard right and backed off wearily as

Jimmy bored in, swinging slowly. A right to the head jolted Jimmy, who nearly fell from the

force of a missed counter swing. Tony leaped in afresh, firing both hands. McLarnin held on but

his counter punches were feeble. The Irishman took two hard lefts to the face. His jaw was badly

swollen. They clinched' at the bell. Canzoneri’s round.