Help Identifying Boxer Picture Found in Bugsy Siegel-Meyer Lansky Hideout

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Beats&Boxing, Oct 26, 2020.


  1. Beats&Boxing

    Beats&Boxing New Member Full Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    Previous poster years ago but I still occasionally check this forum. I'm currently writing a non-fiction book about a Jewish organized crime family active in the 1920s and 30s. Through my research I came across some crime scene photos of a social club/hideout used by Ben Siegel and Meyer Lansky's gang that was bombed in November 1932 on orders from Waxey Gordon.

    There were several portraits on the walls that survived the bombing but this one caught my attention. I blew it up to try and identify the boxer. I'm thinking it's Barney Ross but am unsure. Thought I'd run it by you guys to see if anyone had any other guesses. Appreciate any help!

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  2. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    That's kind of unfocused. Maybe Klompton could help you ... if anyone can.
     
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  3. Beats&Boxing

    Beats&Boxing New Member Full Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Thanks! Unfortunately, that's the best I could get it with the photo being so old.
     
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    It's unlikely it's anything other than a publicity shot, so your best bet is to find out when the club started being a club. If it was reasonably recent - say 1920 - you could run searches on google images for the top white contenders between then and the bombing.

    But let's be honest, it could be anyone.
     
  5. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Looks like a young Jackie Kid Berg.
     
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  6. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Might be Ruby Goldstein. He was wildly popular Jewish boxer from New York at the time. "The Jewel of the Ghetto."

    The head of the fighter actually resembles Meyer Lansky. Someone may have put Lansky's head on a boxer's body and given it to him as a gift. Looks like the writing on the photo says Lansky.

    Doesn't look like Barney Ross to me.
     
  7. Scrap_Iron_Johnson

    Scrap_Iron_Johnson Member Full Member

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    I concur. It looks a lot like most of the pictures I've seen of Goldstein.
     
  8. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Not sure, am sure its not Ross, Berg, and legs to shaped to be Goldstien, his were slimmer, cant be but reminds me of a young Basilio !!
     
  9. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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  10. Beats&Boxing

    Beats&Boxing New Member Full Member

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    Dec 18, 2010
    Very helpful, thank you! This wasn't an "official" social club and the gang ties didn't become publicly known until Siegel killed the bomber a few weeks later. But I can still do the contenders search and see if anything comes up.

    Berg was my first thought at as well, especially due to the hairline. Reason I started thinking Ross is because when I google images, Ross tends to hold his right hand higher in publicity shots like we see below. Plus he had mob ties so he may have been more respected in those circles.

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    Didn't even consider that! From what I've been researching Siegel could be a bit of prankster so I could see him doing something like this as a gift. I'll also look up some more pictures of Goldstein, thank you.
     
  11. George forearm

    George forearm The forearm of George Full Member

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    I can see the resemblance but that's clearly Katie Taylor
     
  12. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Ruby Goldstein or Sid Terris.

    But also: could be anyone.
     
  13. Mario040481

    Mario040481 Member Full Member

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    I am pretty certain that I can count out coming across a better and/or funnier comment than this one for at least the next few days. Thanks man, I needed this laugh
     
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  14. thistle

    thistle Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Benny Leonard, Al Singer (?).
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2020
  15. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Kinda looks like Al Singer to me. But I wouldn't bet anything more than a plug nickel on it.