Paul Berlenbach

Paul Berlenbach
Statistics
Real name Paul Berlenbach
Nickname(s) Astoria Assassin
Rated at Light Heavyweight
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach 72 in (183 cm)
Nationality  American
Born (1901-02-18)February 18, 1901
New York, New York, United States
Died September 30, 1985(1985-09-30) (aged 84)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 51
Wins 40
Wins by KO 33
Losses 8
Draws 3
No contests 1

Paul Berlenbach (February 18, 1901 – September 30, 1985) was the world light heavyweight boxing champion from May 30, 1925, when he wrested the crown from Mike McTigue, until July 16, 1926, when he was defeated by his nemesis Jack Delaney. The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer rated him as the #10 best light heavyweight of all-time. Berlenbach was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1971 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.[1]

Professional career

World light heavyweight champion

Known as the "Astoria Assassin", Berlenbach was known for his punching power. The New York City-born Berlenbach was an AAU champion wrestler before turning to professional boxing in 1923. Eventually he scored a 10th round TKO over former champion "Battling Siki" to earn a title shot against champion Mike McTigue.

Described by writer Paul Gallico as "untutored, unlettered, slow-witted, slow-moving, and wholly lacking in animation or imagination", Berlenbach was, nevertheless, a formidable fighter. As Gallico noted, he possessed "a numbing, paralyzing body punch that caused his opponents suddenly to crumple up" as though shot. His weaknesses were his non-existent defense, and slow movements which enabled sharp shooting opponents, such as Jack Delaney, to hit him at will.

Retirement

He retired with a record of 40 wins (33 KOs), 8 losses, and 3 draws. He was named #93 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Upon his retirement, he owned and operated Paul Berlenbach's Ringside Restaurant in Sound Beach, New York in the 1950s.

Notable bouts

Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes[2]
Win United Kingdom Larry Estridge KO 8 1928-05-22 United States Queensboro Stadium, Queens, New York
Loss Canada Jack Delaney TKO 6 (10) 1927-12-09 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss United States Mickey Walker PTS 10 1927-11-25 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss Republic of Ireland Mike McTigue TKO 4 (10) 1927-01-28 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss Canada Jack Delaney UD 15 1926-07-16 United States Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York Lost World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win United States Young Stribling UD 15 1926-06-10 United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Retained World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win Canada Jack Delaney PTS 15 1925-12-11 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win United States Jimmy Slattery TKO 11 (15) 1925-09-11 United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Retained World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win Republic of Ireland Mike McTigue UD 15 1925-05-30 United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Won World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win Senegal Battling Siki TKO 10 (12) 1925-03-13 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win United Kingdom Larry Estridge TKO 2 1924-12-26 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Draw United States Young Stribling PTS 6 1924-08-27 United States Velodrome, New York, New York
Loss Canada Jack Delaney KO 8 1924-03-14 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

See also

References

  1. Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia - Paul Berlenbach CyberBoxingZone.com Retrieved on 2014-04-30
  2. Paul Berlenbach's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-18.
Achievements
Preceded by
Mike McTigue
World Light Heavyweight Champion
30 May 192516 Jul 1926
Succeeded by
Jack Delaney
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