| Charley Rosenberg | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Charles Green |
| Rated at | Bantamweight |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | August 15, 1902 New York |
| Died | March 12, 1976 (aged 73) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 69 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 7 |
| Losses | 19 |
| Draws | 11 |
| No contests | 1 |
Charley Phil Rosenberg (Charles Green; August 15, 1902 – March 12, 1976) was an American boxer. He was World Bantamweight Champion from 1925 to 1927.
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Rosenberg was born in New York City.
Rosenberg turned professional as a bantamweight in 1921; he lost four of five fights that year (the other bout was a draw). The following year he lost his first two bouts, including a 12-round decision to future flyweight champion Frankie Genaro in May 1922.
Two months later, Rosenberg won his first professional fight. He showed a propensity for toughness (he was never knocked down during his career). By 1924, Rosenberg was turning into a good fighter, using his speed and punching ability. He won nine straight fights, including three knockouts, to set up a title bout.
The 5' 4" Rosenberg had to lose 39 pounds in 10 weeks to make the weight limit for the title fight. His trainer, Ray Arcel, who cajoled Rosenberg into losing the weight, recalled that Charley "hated me ... He used to scream at me: 'You copper!' But he made the weight and went fifteen tough rounds ..."
Rosenberg won his world bantamweight crown on March 20, 1925, in New York City, winning a decision over Eddie Martin in 15 rounds.
Rosenberg was described by Time Magazine as:
as wan as if he had spent his life loitering with La Belle Dame Sans Merci beside her autumnal lake, her birdless woods; his face was drawn, his body lean almost to emaciation. He was a young Jew, the challenger.... For 13 rounds, the sturdy champion took a dreadful drubbing.... At the end of the 15th round, the referee lifted the hand of the challenger, Charley ("Phil") Rosenberg, thus giving him the title of the champion.[1]
He remained champion until February 4, 1927, when he was forced to relinquish his crown because he could not make the division’s legal weight in a title defense against contender Bushy Graham. The fight went on as scheduled, and Rosenberg won a 15-round decision.
Rosenberg fought only two more matches, winning both, including a victory over former Featherweight Champion Johnny Dundee in January 1929, before deciding to retire.
Rosenberg's professional record: 65 bouts: won 33 (7 KOs), drew 8, lost 17, 7 no-decisions.
Rosenberg, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.[2]