Tony Canzoneri

BORN    November 6 1908; Slidell, Louisiana
DIED December 9 1959; New York, New York
HEIGHT  5-4
WEIGHT  117-143 3/4 lbs
MANAGER  Sammy Goldman
TRAINER Dan Florio, Nick Florio
RECORD 137-24-10 (44 KO, 4 ND)

Canzoneri was an aggressive fighter who could box or punch; He was clever, capable, game and took a good punch; When the going got tough, Tony got going; Fighting in an era of many great fighters, he was among the best; During his career, he won the Featherweight Championship of the World, the Lightweight Championship of the World and the Junior Welterweight Championship of the World

Charley Rose ranked Canzoneri as the #6 All-Time Lightweight; Herb Goldman ranked him as the #6 All-Time Lightweight; Nat Fleischer ranked him as the #7 All-Time Lightweight; Canzoneri was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1956 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990

Tony Canzoneri, along with fellow Lightweight & Junior Welterweight champion, Barney Ross, remains one of the most enduring & beloved fighters in the history of the sport. When you consider that he fought in an era of only 10 weight divisions with one champion each, it makes his career even more remarkable. Tony won 5 world titles in 3 different divisions! Featherweight, Lightweight (twice), & Junior Welterweight (twice).

In 1927, at the callow age of 19, Canzoneri fought to a draw in his first title fight as a bantamweight against Bud Taylor. In 1928, he won the featherweight title from Benny Bass (W-15), only to lose it later the same year to France's Andre Routis (L-15). Two years later he won his first lightweight crown with a sensational one round kayo of Al Singer.

The following year, 1931, Tony claimed the Junior Welter title by knocking out the legendary Jackie "Kid" Berg in three rounds in a lightweight title fight, then defended defended his titles against the tough Cecil Payne (W-10), Berg (W-15), Phillie Griffin (W-10) & the also legendary Kid Chocolate (W-15).

In 1932, Canzoneri lost the Jr. Welterweight championship to Johnny Jadick (L-10) & also lost a rematch (L-10). Tony capped off the disappointing year by successfully defending the Lightweight title against another all-time great, Billy "The Fargo Express" Petrolle (W-15).

Tony regained the Jr. Welter title from Battling Shaw in May of 1933 (W-10). Shaw had only held the crown since February when he beat Jadick by 15 round decision. Canzeneri went on to lose both of his titles later in '33 when Barney Ross decisioned him twice (L-10, L-15). He closed out the year by beating future Jr Lightweight champion, Frankie Klick (W-10), Kid Chocolate KO-2), & Cecil Payne (KO-5).

In 1935, Canzoneri won his last title beating the great Lew Ambers (W-15), for the vacant Lightweight championship. The title had been vacated by Ross when he won the Welterweight title from Jimmy McLarnin. Tony defended the title once in '35 beating Al Roth by 15 round decision.

Canzoneri began 1936 with a series of non-title fights. The most notable opponents being his old nemesis, Johnny Jadick (W-10), yet another all-time great, Jimmy McLarnin (W-10), and Midget Mexico (KO9). In September he lost the title in a rematch with Ambers (L-15).

Tony's last title fight was in 1937, when he again lost a 15 round decision to Ambers. Canzoneri fought on for two more years. He finally retired in '39 after suffering the first KO loss of his career to the star-crossed Al "Bummy" Davis in 3.

Following his retirement, Tony became an actor & restauranteur & was a well loved boxing figure in New York City; where he died after a heart attack on December 9 1959. Tony Canzoneri was absolutely one of the greatest fighters pound for pound in the history of boxing.

He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

© 1996 The Cyber Boxing Zone. CyberBoxing Bio by GorDoom

 
*** SOME AMATEUR BOUTS ***

1925
Jan  9 Henry Usse                 New York, NY                      W  3
Jan  9 Peter Burns                New York, NY                      W  3
Jan  9 Joe Scalfaro               New York, NY                      W  3
          -The previous 3 bouts were for the New York State
           Amateur 118 lb Championship
*** PROFESSIONAL BOUTS ***

1925
Jul 18 Jack Gardner               Rockaway Beach, NY               KO  1
          -Some sources report "Jack Grodner" on 7/24/25
Jul 25 Henry Usse                 Brooklyn, NY                      W  4
          -Some sources report "W 6" on 8/08/25
Aug  5 Ray Cummings               Bayonne, NJ                      ND  4
          -Some sources report 9/05/25
Aug 22 Henry Usse                 Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Sep 12 Paulie Porter              Brooklyn, NY                     KO  5
Oct  3 Johnny Huber               New York, NY                      W  6
          -Some sources report 10/10/25
Nov  7 Henry Molineri             Brooklyn, NY                     KO  1
Nov 12 Harry Brandon              Brooklyn, NY                      W  4
Nov 26 Ralph Nischo               Brooklyn, NY                      W  4
Dec  7 Danny Terris               Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Dec 23 Danny Terris               New York, NY                     KO  4

1926
Jan 13 George Nickfor             New York, NY                     TK  4
Jan 21 Kid Rash                   Brooklyn, NY                      W  4
Jan 26 Mickey Lewis               New York, NY                      W  4
Feb 13 Romeo Vaughn               Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Feb 18 Al Scorda                  Brooklyn, NY                      W  4
Mar  6 Bobby Wolgast              Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Mar 11 Jacinto Valdez             New York, NY                      W  4
Mar 20 Tommy Milton               Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Mar 25 Mike Esposito              New York, NY                      D  6
May  8 Benny Hall                 Brooklyn, NY                      D  6
May 28 Sammy Nable                Brooklyn, NY                     TK  5
Jun 16 Sonny Smith                Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Jun 21 Willie Suess               Woodhaven, NY                     W  6
Jun 25 Archie Bell                Brooklyn, NY                     TK  5
Jul 26 Manny Wexler               Woodhaven, NY                    KO  5
Aug  8 Young Montreal             Woodhaven, NY                     W  6
          -Some sources report 8/09/26
Aug 14 Buck Josephs               Brooklyn, NY                      W  6
Aug 28 Georgie Mack               Long Island City, NY              D  6
Sep 20 George Marks               Woodhaven, NY                     W  6
Oct  5 Benny Hall                 New York, NY                      W  6
Nov  6 Davey Abad                 Brooklyn, NY                      L 10
Nov 13 Enrique Savaardo           New York, NY                     TK  5
Nov 22 Andre Routis               Brooklyn, NY                      W 12
Dec 17 Bushy Graham               New York, NY                      W 10

1927
Jan 12 Joe Ryder                  New York, NY                      D 10
Jan 22 Vic Burrone                Brooklyn, NY                      W 10
Feb  4 Johnny Green               New York, NY                      W  8
Mar  7 "California" Joe Lynch     Brooklyn, NY                      W 10
Mar 26 Charles "Bud" Taylor       Chicago, Il                       D 10
          -NBA Bantamweight Championship of the World
Apr 18 Vic Burrone                New York, NY                      D 10
Apr 25 Harold Smith               Brooklyn, NY                     TK  3
May  3 Ray Rychell                Chicago, Il                      TK  7
Jun 24 Charles "Bud" Taylor       Chicago, Il                       L 10
          -NBA Bantamweight Championship of the World
Jul 27 "California" Joe Lynch     Cleveland, Oh                     W 10
Aug  9 Eddie Anderson             Long Island City, NY              W 10
Aug 17 Pete Sarmiento             Brooklyn, NY                     KO  1
Aug 25 "Iowa" Joe Rivers          Kansas City, Ks                  ND 10
Sep  2 Eddie Anderson             Chicago, Il                      LF  2
Oct  3 Tommy Ryan                 Brooklyn, NY                      W 10
Oct 24 Johnny Dundee              New York, NY                      W 15
          -Featherweight Championship of the World
Nov  7 Billy Henry                Philadelphia, Pa                 KO  2
Nov 22 Vincent DiLeo              New York, NY                     TK  1
Dec  1 Ignacio Fernandez          New York, NY                      W 10
Dec 30 Charles "Bud" Taylor       New York, NY                      W 10

1928
Jan 30 Pete Nebo                  Philadelphia, Pa                  D 10
Feb 10 Benny Bass                 New York, NY                      W 15
          -Featherweight Championship of the World;
Feb 23 Pete Passifium             Brooklyn, NY                      W  4
May 28 Claude Wilson              New Orleans, La                  TK  1
Jun 13 Vic Foley                  Montreal, Que, Can                W 10
Jun 27 Harry Blitman              Philadelphia, Pa                  L 10
Aug 28 Bobby Garcia               Newark, NJ                       KO  1
Sep 28 Andre Routis               New York, NY                      L 15
          -Featherweight Championship of the World
Oct 29 Gaston Charles             Brooklyn, NY                      W 10
Dec  8 Chick Suggs                New York, NY                     KO  6
Dec 14 Al Singer                  New York, NY                      D 10

1929
Jan 18 Armando Santiago           Chicago, Il                      KO  5
Feb  6 Joey Sangor                Chicago, Il                      TK  7
Feb 26 Ignacio Fernandez          Chicago, Il                       W 10
Mar  8 Cecil Payne                Detroit, Mi                       W 10
Apr  9 Eddie Anderson             Milwaukee, Wi                    ND 10
Apr 26 Sammy Dorfman              New York, NY                      W 10
May 10 Andre Routis               Chicago, Il                       W 10
Jun  4 Ignacio Fernandez          Long Island City, NY              W 10
Jul  9 Phil McGraw                Long Island City, NY              W 10
Aug  2 Sammy Mandell              Chicago, Il                       L 10
          -Lightweight Championship of the World
Sep 20 Eddie "Kid" Wolfe          New Orleans, La                   W 10
Sep 27 Eddie Mack                 Chicago, Il                      TK  8
Oct 18 Johnny Farr                New York, NY                      W 10
Oct 30 Stanislaus Loayza          Chicago, Il                       W 10

1930
Jan 17 Jackie "Kid" Berg          New York, NY                      L 10
Mar  4 Solly Ritz                 Brooklyn, NY                     TK  1
Mar 14 Stanislaus Loayza          New York, NY                      W 10
Apr  1 Steve Smith                New Haven, Ct                    TK  7
Apr  8 Frankie LaFay              Brooklyn, NY                     KO  1
May  5 Harry Carlton              New York, NY                      W 10
May 14 Johnny Farr                New Haven, Ct                     W 10
Jun  4 Joe Glick                  Brooklyn, NY                      W 10
Jun 24 Tommy Grogan               Long Island City, NY              W 10
Jul 21 Benny Bass                 Philadelphia, Pa                  W 10
Aug 26 William "Goldie" Hess      Long Island City, NY              W 10
Sep 11 Billy Petrolle             Chicago, Il                       L 10
Nov 14 Al Singer                  New York, NY                     KO  1
          -Lightweight Championship of the World

1931
Jan 26 Johnny Farr                New Orleans, La                  ND 10
Feb 25 Joey Kaufman               Jersey City, NJ                  TK  1
Mar  6 Sammy Fuller               Boston, Ma                        L 10
Mar 23 Tommy Grogan               Philadelphia, Pa                  W 10
Apr 24 Jack "Kid" Berg            Chicago, Il                      KO  3
          -Lightweight Championship of the World;
           Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Jun 25 Herman Perlick             New Haven, Ct                     W 10
Jul 13 Cecil Payne                Los Angeles, Ca                   W 10
         -Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Sep 10 Jackie "Kid" Berg          New York, NY                      W 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World;
           Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Oct 29 Phillie Griffin            Newark, NJ                        W 10
         -Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Nov 20 Kid Chocolate              New York, NY                      W 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World;
           Junior Welterweight Championship of the World

1932
Jan 18 Johnny Jadick              Philadelphia, Pa                  L 10
         -Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Feb 15 Lew Massey                 Philadelphia, Pa                  W 10
Apr  4 Ray Kiser                  New Orleans, La                   W 10
May 23 Battling Gizzy             North Braddock, Pa               TK  5
Jun 16 Harry Dublinsky            Chicago, Il                       W 10
Jul 18 Johnny Jadick              Philadelphia, Pa                  L 10
         -Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Sep 29 Lew Kersch                 Long Island City, NY             TK  3
Oct 12 Frankie Petrolle           Brooklyn, NY                     KO  3
Nov  4 Billy Petrolle             New York, NY                      W 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World

1933
Feb  3 Billy Townsend             New York, NY                     KO  1
Feb 23 Pete Nebo                  Miami, Fl                         W 10
Apr 20 Wesley Ramey               Grand Rapids, Mi                  L 10
May 21 Battling Shaw              New Orleans, La                   W 10
          -Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
           (as recognized by Louisiana state)
Jun 23 Barney Ross                Chicago, Il                       L 10
          -Lightweight Championship of the World;
           Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Sep 12 Barney Ross                New York, NY                      L 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World;
           Junior Welterweight Championship of the World
Oct 28 Frankie Klick              Brooklyn, NY                      W 10
Nov 24 Kid Chocolate              New York, NY                     KO  2
Dec  4 Cecil Payne                Cleveland, Oh                    KO  5
Dec 15 Anacleto Locatelli         New York, NY                      W 10

1934
Feb  2 Anacleto Locatelli         New York, NY                      W 12
Mar  1 Pete Nebo                  Kansas City, Mo                   W 10
Mar 13 Alberto "Baby" Arizmendi   Los Angeles, Ca                   W 10
Jun 28 Frankie Klick              Brooklyn, NY                     TK  9
Aug 28 Harry Dublinsky            Brooklyn, NY                      L 10
          -Some sources report 8/29/34
Sep 26 Harry Dublinsky            Brooklyn, NY                      W 10

1935
Jan  7 Eddie Ran                  Newark, NJ                       KO  2
Jan 21 Harold "Honey Boy" Hughes  Utica, NY                         W  8
Jan 31 Leo Rodak                  Chicago, Il                       W 10
Feb 26 Chuck Woods                Detroit, Mi                       L 10
Mar 15 Chuck Woods                Chicago, Il                       W 10
Apr 25 Eddie Zivic                Pittsburgh, Pa                   KO  7
May 10 Lou Ambers                 New York, NY                      W 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World
Jun 10 Frankie Klick              Washington, DC                    W 10
          -Some sources report "W 12"
Jul 25 Bobby Pacho                Chicago, Il                       W 10
Aug 19 Frankie Klick              San Francisco, Ca                 W 10
Sep 13 Joe Ghnouly                St. Louis, Mo                     W 10
Oct  4 Al Roth                    New York, NY                      W 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World

1936
Jan 22 Midget Mexico              New York, NY                     TK  9
          -Some sources report 1/23/36
Jan 30 Fred "Toots" Bashara       Philadelphia, Pa                 TK  3
Feb 15 Billy Hogan                Brooklyn, NY                     KO  4
Mar  2 Steve Halaiko              New York, NY                     KO  2
Apr  9 Johnny Jadick              New York, NY                      W 10
May  8 Jimmy McLarnin             New York, NY                      W 10
Sep  3 Lou Ambers                 New York, NY                      L 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World
Oct  5 Jimmy McLarnin             New York, NY                      L 10

1937
Apr  5 George Levy                Newark, NJ                       TK  7
Apr 13 Frankie Wallace            Brooklyn, NY                      W  8
Apr 24 Joey Zodda                 Brooklyn, NY                     KO  7
May  7 Lou Ambers                 New York, NY                      L 15
          -Lightweight Championship of the World

1938
Oct 17 Eddie Zivic                Scranton, Pa                      L 10
Oct 26 Howard Scott               Jersey City, NJ                   W  8
Nov  1 Al Dunbar                  Camden, NJ                       KO  3
Nov 22 Howard Scott               Bronx, NY                         W  8
Dec 10 Jimmy Murray               Brooklyn, NY                      W  8
Dec 30 Eddie Zivic                New York, NY                      W 10

1939
Jan 19 Wally Hally                Denver, Co                        W 10
Jan 27 Joe Gavras                 San Francisco, Ca                TK  2
Jan 31 Everett Simington          San Jose, Ca                     KO  3
Feb  7 Bobby Pacho                Los Angeles, Ca                   W 10
Mar  7 Eddie Brink                Bronx, NY                         W  8
Mar 28 Eddie Brink                New York, NY                      L 10
Apr 11 Jimmy Vaughn               Bronx, NY                         D  8
May  1 Jimmy Tygh                 Philadelphia, Pa                  L 10
May 15 Nick Camarata              New Orleans, La                   D 10
Jun  5 Harris Blake               Buffalo, NY                       L 10
Jul  6 Joe DeJesus                Poughkeepsie, NY                  W  8
Jul 17 Ambrose Logan              Brooklyn, NY                      W  8
Aug  3 Joe DeJesus                Brooklyn, NY                      W  8
Aug 18 Frankie Wallace            Long Beach, NY                    W  8
Aug 26 Gerald D'Elia              Staten Island, NY                 W  8
Sep 19 Eddie Brink                Brooklyn, NY                      W  8
Nov  1 Al "Bummy" Davis           New York, NY                     LT  3
Review courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization