I was top boxer/seldom lost dec.in 150 fights

When I was at the hall of fame, a guy told Billy Backus that he remembered him doing it, and Billy got all choked up from the story. I know Billy wasn't fighting in the 40's, but I find it interesting the two stories are very similar.

 

It sounds like another Friend of mine by the name of Freddie Russo.

 

Yeah, I knew he had a cane, but wasn't sure if he really needed it, or it just made life easier for him. It's sad. just 20 years ago even he was still in decent shape.

 

I talked to him a few years ago and he stated that he was in a car accident.

 

Boy, your bringing up a lot of name from the past. Charlie Fusari the milkman, I talked to many times, in fact I talked to him just a day or so before he died.

 

Just read about him ina 50's Ring mag he must have been special to outbox Graham.
You, and Henry are terrific assets to this forum with your wealth of info and unique stories.Keep them coming please! :good

 

I remember bringing Tippy to an affair and I was the MC. One of my duties was to introduce all the boxing people. When I got to him, I told everyone how great he was but one night he showed more then any other. I told them the story of him boxing in Newark against Tommy Cross, who was a very popular boxer from Philly and he brought up a lot of his fans. Back in those days, the boxers use to lay out with there robe on and relax before they came out to box. Tippy did just that and feel asleep. A while later there was a knock of the door and the voice yelled out, Larkin your up. Tippy got up and went to the ring. When he got to the ring the announcer announced the referee Paul Cavaliere, who was another very popular boxing person and the crowd gave him a big hand. Then Tommy Cross was introduced and he was given even a bigger one as most of Philly came down to see him box. Then it was Tippy's turn, when the announcer yelled out his name, Tippy took off his robe and the place went wild. Tippy was very happy and went to the center of the ring and did a little shadow boxing and then went back to his corner to his manager Angelo Pucci and said, Ang, they love me, Angelo said, they should, your giving them a pretty good show. Tippy then looked down and found out that he forgot to put his trunks on.

 

Yea, I got another Larkin story. For years all the record book put out his record, BUT I did my research and found several more bouts, including his 1st pro bout against Eddie McGillick, which he lost. Tippy found out some how that I was the one that changed his record. One night we were going to another boxing affair and he brought it up. He said, Henry I never fought McGillick, I think it was my brother Bobby that did. I didn't say much at that time because my wife was in the car. Later when we got to the affair, I was standing next to him as he was greeting a lot of boxing people. Another friend, Sam Capone, who won several Amateur State titles came up to us along with his wife Betty. Betty says to Tippy, don't you remember me? Tippy said you look like someone from my past. Betty said, yes, you fought my brother Eddie, .. Eddie McGillick, I know you remember that. Tippy turned very slowing to me and said, alright I fought him, BUT how a the world did you know that. I said, it's called research, and we both had a good laugh. I really miss him!

 

Just a side note:

The Tippy Larkin-Lulu Costantino lightweight bout at Madison Square Garden, New York, on February 9, 1944, was the first time that the breakdown of the officials' cards were announced over the loudspeaker. Instead of merely announcing "Winner-Larkin," The announcer, George Kobb, gave the breakdown as Judge Joe Agnello, 9-1 for Larkin, Judge Sam Robinson, 8-2 for Larkin, Referee Arthur Susskind (Young Otto), 9-1 for Larkin, winner by unanimous decision-Tippy Larkin."

 

This is great stuff, keep it coming fellas.