Barney Ross
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Barney Ross |
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| Born: | December 23, 1909 New York City, New York, United States  |
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| Died: | January 17, 1967 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation: | World Champion Boxer |
| Spouse: | Pearl Siegel Cathy Howlett |
Barney Ross, born Dov-Ber Rasofsky (December 23, 1909–January 17, 1967), was a Jewish American three-time world boxing champion and a war hero during World War II.
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[edit] Early life
Dov-Ber (or Beryl) Rasofsky was born in New York City to Isidore "Itchik" Rasofsky and Sarah Epstein Rasofsky. His father was a Talmudic scholar who had emigrated to America from his native Brest-Litovsk after barely surviving a pogrom. In America, Isidore became a rabbi and store owner.
The Rasofsky family later moved from New York to Chicago, living on its west side, which at the time was a Jewish ghetto. The young Beryl Rasofsky grew up on Chicago's mean streets, ignoring his beloved father's admonition that Jews do not fight back.
"'Let the atheists be the fighters,'" Ross later recalled being told by his father. "'The trumbeniks, the murderers - we are the scholars.'" Ross' ambition in life was to become a Jewish teacher and a Talmudic scholar, but his life was changed forever when, at the age of 13, his father was shot dead resisting a robbery at his small grocery. Prostrate from grief, his mother Sarah suffered a nervous breakdown and his younger siblings -- Ida, Sam and George -- were placed in an orphanage or farmed out to other members of the extended family. Barney and his brothers Maurice and Benjamin were left to their own devices.
In the wake of the tragedy, Beryl became vindictive towards everything and turned his back on the orthodox religion of his father. He began running around with local toughs (including another wayward Jewish ghetto kid, the future Jack Ruby), developing into a street brawler, thief and money runner; for a time he was even employed by Al Capone.
Thinking that he would need good money to try to get his family back together, the young Rasofsky became an amateur boxer. He pawned a series of awards and set the money aside for his family. Before he turned professional, his mother had returned to her senses and, as she deeply opposed boxing, he started using the name of "Barney Ross" as an alias. Strong, fast and possessed of a powerful will, Ross was soon a Golden Gloves championship and went on to dominate the lighter divisions as a pro.
[edit] Boxing career
His first paid fight was on September 1, 1929, when he beat Ramon Lugo by a decision in six rounds. After ten wins in a row, he lost for the first time, to Carlos Garcia, on a decision in ten.
Over the next 35 bouts, his record was 32–1–2, including a win over former world champion Bat Battalino, and, interestingly enough, one over a boxer named Babe Ruth, like the legendary baseball player. Another legendary bout included former world champion Cameron Welter. Then, in March 26, 1933, Ross was given his first shot at a world title, when he faced world Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight champion and fellow three divisions world champions club member Tony Canzoneri in Chicago. In only one night, Ross became a two division world champion when he beat Canzoneri by a decision in ten rounds. It should be pointed out that Ross campaigned heavily in the city of Chicago. After two more wins, including a knockout in six over Johnny Farr, Ross and Canzoneri boxed again, and Ross won again by decision, but this time in 15.
Ross was known as a smart fighter with great stamina. He retained his title by decision against Sammy Fuller to finish 1933, and against Peter Nebo to begin 1934. Then he defended against former world champion Frankie Klick, against whom he drew in ten. Then came the first of three bouts versus Jimmy McLarnin. Ross vacated the Jr. Welter title to go after McLarnin's belt and won by a 15 round decision, joining the three division world champions club. However, in a rematch a few weeks later, McLarnin beat Ross by a decision recovering the title, and after that, Ross went back down to the Jr. Weterweights and reclamed his title in a fight for the belt left vacant by himself, with a 12 round decision over Bobby Pacho. After beating Klick and Henry Woods by decision to retain that title, he went back up in weight for the last fight in his trilogy with McLarnin, and recovered the title by outpointing McLarnin again over 15 rounds. He won 16 bouts in a row after that, including three over future world Middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia, and one against Al Manfredo. His only two defenses, however, on that stretch were against Garcia and against Izzy Jannazzo beaten on points in 15.
In his last fight, Ross defended his title, on May 31, 1938, against the fellow member of the three division world champions' club Henry Armstrong who beat him by a decision in 15.
Ross retired with a record of 72 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws and 2 no-contests, with 22 wins by way of knockout.
[edit] U.S. Marine
| Barney Ross | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Battles/wars | World War II — Battle of Guadalcanal |
| Awards | Silver Star |
In retirement in his early thirties, Ross decided to fight in World War II and joined the United States Marine Corps. However, the Marines wanted to keep him stateside, because they wanted him to teach boxing to the trainees. He waived off the licensing, however, choosing to go to training instead, and, upon graduation, he was sent to fight overseas. He was sent to Guadalcanal, where one night, he and three other comrades were trapped under enemy fire. All three of his fellow Marines were wounded, as was Ross, but he withstood the attack, shooting about 400 bullets and throwing 22 grenades at his attackers, killing 20 of the enemy. Two of the Marines with him had died in the battle, but he carried the remaining man on his shoulders to safety; the other man weighed 230 lb (104 kg) compared to Ross' 140 lb (64 kg). Because of his heroism, Ross was awarded America's third highest military honor, the Silver Star.
[edit] Drug addiction and recovery
During his recovery at the hospital from his wounds suffered in that battle, Ross developed a habit for the morphine administered for pain. This habit became so bad he would sometimes spend $500 a day on the drug. Ross went to a recovery center and beat his addiction. He gave lectures to high school students about the dangers of drug addiction. In 1957, Ross' life and battle with addiction were depicted in the film Monkey on My Back, directed by André De Toth and starring Cameron Mitchell as Ross.
[edit] Final days
Ross spent his last days doing a few things outside boxing. He was happy he reached the two goals he had set to reach: reunite his family and become a world champion in boxing. He wrote an autobiography titled No Man Stands Alone, and he had a role as an actor in the movie Requiem for a Heavyweight. He was also a strong advocate for the creation and survival of the State of Israel.
Ross died in his hometown Chicago when he was 57 years old. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.
[edit] Barney Ross AZA
The Aleph Zadik Aleph chapter located in Chicago's South Suburbs, (primarily in Flossmoor, Homewood, and Olympia Fields), is named in his honor and memory. This chapter is part of the Great Midwest Region.
[edit] Halls of Fame
Ross was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Ross was also inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Ross, who was Jewish, was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notable Relatives
[edit] Sources/further reading
- Barney Ross by Douglas Century, 2006. ISBN 0-8052-4223-6
- Interview with Ross biography Barney Ross author Douglas Century on Eight Forty-Eight radio program, WBEZ public radio; Chicago, Illinois; March 9, 2006. MP3 file available for free download.
- bio article, Jewish Virtual Library
- NY post, book opinion
- John Burke, "Triple titleholder tells how he won toughest fight", New Orleans Times-Picayune, 8/13/2006, p. D2.
