| Billy Petrolle | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | William Michael Petrolle |
| Nickname(s) | The Fargo Express |
| Rated at | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | January 10, 1905 Berwick, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | May 14, 1983 (aged 78) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 118 |
| Wins | 86 |
| Wins by KO | 64 |
| Losses | 20 |
| Draws | 10 |
| No contests | 0 |
William Michael Petrolle (born 1905-01-10 in Berwick, PA — died 1983-05-14) was a world lightweight boxing title contender.
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Brother of fellow boxers Pete Petrolle and Frank Petrolle. The family was from Schenectady, New York.
Nicknamed "The Fargo Express", Petrolle is perhaps best known for challenging World Lightweight Title holder Tony Canzoneri. In 1932 the two met for the World Lightweight Title, and Canzoneri was "squarely at his peak: a Canzoneri so magnificently conditioned, so beautifully attuned that even the old-timers at the ringside admitted he was worthy to stand alongside the lightweight giants of the past." (United Press). Petrolle dropped a decision in the bout at Madison Square Garden.
It is said he had fought some 255 bouts.
Petrolle retired during the Great Depression with $200,000 and an iron foundry in Duluth, Minnesota. He later owned a religious goods and gift shop in Duluth, and was the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pioneer National Bank.
Petrolle has graced the covers of The Ring Magazine in May 1927, March 1931, and May 1932. An article on him appeared in the July 2008 issue. Petrolle was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1962.
Billy Petrolle is mentioned in the novel Catch-22 during the trial of Clevinger. Quote "In sixty days you'll be fighting Billy Petrolle," the colonel with the big fat mustache roared. "And you think it's a big fat joke."