“I knew I had tools and I knew I had power but I also understood that once that bell rings, it’s just man against man. And most of the time, it comes down to who wants it more, and who trained the hardest.
When someone hits me, I don’t panic I think:
‘That’s fine… now feel one of mine.’”
Up next, Rocky Kansas, world lightweight champion that fought from 1911 to 1932. Rocky Kansas turned professional in 1911, and his early career was marked by consistency. He lost only two official decisions in his first 75 fights—a testament to his skill and determination. Known for his tenacity and relentless fighting style, Kansas quickly became one of the most respected athletes in boxing . Honest to god, he was one of the most relentless, tenacious, and determined men to ever enter a boxing ring. Over the course of his hall of fame career, he beat Freddie Welsh, Lew Tendler, Jimmy Duffy x2, Johnny Dundee x2, Johnny Kilbane, Ritchie Mitchell x2, Jack Bernstein, Charley White, Frankie Britt, Ad Wolgast and Jimmy Goodrich. That's the resume of an all-time great. He shared the same era as the great Benny Leonard, and tried like hell, four times, to get the lightweight title away from Leonard, but Leonard was special. But like I said, Rocky Kansas was one of the most tenacious and determined men to ever enter a boxing ring and he would not be denied entry into the throne room of the lightweight gods. Born Rocco Tozzo on April 21, 1895 in Buffalo, NY. A former newsboy, he started using the name Rocky Kansas 1911 when a ring announcer mistakenly introduced him under that name. Known as “Little Hercules,” the 5’2” Kansas was a stocky, powerful brawler with a sturdy build. One of the top lightweights of his era, he met Benny Leonard four times between 1916-1922 (ND 10, ND 12, L 15, KO by 8). Following Leonard’s retirement as champion in 1925, Buffalo’s Jimmy Goodrich ascended to the title. In front of 12,000 fans at Buffalo’s Broadway Auditorium on December 7, 1925, Kansas, in his 160th bout and 15 years into his career, defeated Goodrich to become new champion. His reign was brief, dropping the strap to Sammy Mandell in 1926. He promptly retired, but engaged in one comeback fight in 1932 (L 6) before retiring for good.
Rocky Kansas was one of the top lightweights of his era, but unfortunately he shared that era with Benny Leonard, who is arguably the greatest lightweight in the history of the sport. Kansas couldn't get past Leonard, not many people could, but Kansas wasn't the type of guy to give up, like I said, he was a tenacious son of a gun. He wasn't going to stop until he reached the mountaintop.
Rocky Kansas (left) and Benny Leonard face off in front of the camera
From boxing forum 24, Matt McGrain on Rocky Kansas:
"Hard to hard to imagine the frustration of a fighter doomed to share an era with the great Benny Leonard. All great fighters torture the ambitions of their peers but fewer fighters can have blunted more dreams in a single division than the great Leonard. Rocky Kansas can number himself among them.
The two first shared the ring in February of 1916 with Kansas fresh from the featherweight division and Leonard not yet the fistic god he would become. Nevertheless, Leonard was dominant and Rocky, who fought gamely, “wilted every time” Leonard “crushed over his right.” The two wouldn’t meet again until 1921, an absolute age in the parlance of the time, Leonard’s title on the line. Despite Rocky’s strong finish, Leonard was once again triumphant. But Rocky just wouldn’t go away. He went unbeaten in nine, including a victory over Lew Tendler, forcing Leonard to give him a second title shot in their third fight. “He is strong, willing and has plenty of courage,” noted the Quebec Telegraph. “He likes to fight. That makes him dangerous.”
He was dangerous enough to go six rounds without losing one to the great man, winning the first four in some accounts; thereafter, the champion ran away with the fight and Rocky was sent spinning out of title contention once more. But such was the impression that he had made with those opening eighteen minutes that two wins later he was back in the ring with Leonard once more.
This time Leonard crushed him, beating him into submission in just eight rounds. It seemed that Rocky’s title aspirations were finally at an end. What are they made of, these boys who keep coming back for more, who cannot be turned away? When Benny Leonard retired in 1925, Jimmy Goodrich, a fine fighter, became the champion. And Rocky was still winning. He had been in the ring for fourteen hard years but against Goodrich, he found himself with one last chance.
Associated Press reported a near universal feeling at ringside that he would once again fade, that he could not possibly sustain the savage pace he set at the bell; that feeling was born out. But this time, he did not wilt. Kansas split lightweight series with the likes of Johnny Dundee and Jack Bernstein but when his last best chance presented itself, he took it. The veteran threw the championship aloft at the bell. I love Rocky’s narrative. He was a lion who had the terrible luck to share a cage with a tiger who, despite all those maulings, had enough to see off the cub they tried to move on to his territory."
Leonard and Rocky Kansas would fight four times, and although Leonard would win all of those bouts, it was fight #3 which was the one that Kansas almost got Leonard. The fight took place at Madison Square Garden, New York. Kansas was one hell of a body puncher, he was one of those "damn the torpedoes" fighters, who threw caution to the wind and just aggressively went for it, I love those types of fighters, and that's exactly what he did against Leonard in their third encounter.
Benny Leonard (left) and Rocky Kansas face off before their third encounter
In the opening rounds, Kansas rushed in and ripped into Leonard’s body with wild punches, as Leonard jabbed him repeatedly with a straight left managing his distance most effectively.
But Kansas kept a vicious pace by crowding and clinching Leonard, who started to bleed from the nose. The crowd began to wonder… was this to be a Leonard defeat?
Midway through the fight, Kansas turned southpaw, trying to confuse the champion.
Leonard would maintain his superior skills and in round eleven executed a perfect short right hand to the jaw that dropped Kansas.
The bout would go the distance, 15 rounds, with Leonard winning and retaining his title.
On December 7th, 1925, after 160 grueling ring wars, Rocky Kansas finally reached the top when he defeated Jimmy Goodrich for the lightweight title. I admire the hell out of Kansas, he had a few setbacks in his career, and a lot of fighters would have left the sport, quit, tucked their tail between their legs and ran away. But Rocky Kansas wouldn't go away, when the sport knocked him down he always got back up and kept fighting until he achieved his dream, he would not be denied. That's what this sport is about, that's what life is about. He was the definition of a fighter. Here are two reports of the fight, the first one from TIME magazine in 1925, and the second from The New York Times in 1925.
Onlookers watch as Rocky Kansas trains
Sport: Goodrich v. Kansas
2 minute read
TIME
December 21, 1925
Almost all men—from the strong boy who can bite pieces out of a crowbar, to the grubbiest, most dissipated little street sheik—believe that they secrete in their right arms a power that will maim and devastate. Some go through life without ever suffering a disillusion on this score; others have their prayer, “Just gimme a sock at ’em,” gratified, but administer the sock only to find that it has small effect. It lands fearfully on the point of a jaw, and the recipient smiles and shakes his head as if a drop of water had landed on him. This is usually enough to discourage most sockers. In Buffalo last week, it discouraged Jimmy Goodrich, who was at the moment lightweight champion of the world. He had just socked Rocky Kansas, challenger, flush on the button. It was the middle of the second round. Throughout the first, Rocky (a 133-pound battler, battered and be-cauliflowered by innumerable brawls) had come plunging in at a pace that would surely be impossible for him to keep up for 15 rounds. Goodrich waited his chance. Kansas was standing off to loop a left to the head, when he sent across his sock. Wham! With all the leverage of his springy body behind it, his right fist encountered the other’s jaw. Rocky did not waver. Oof! Again the big right-hand sock. Rocky came tearing in. … He was flogging Goodrich’s red ribs when the gong clanged for the end of the 15th round and the referee stepped forward to indicate that he—Rocky (“Bleeding”) Kansas—was the world’s new lightweight champion.
Dec. 8, 1925
GOODRICH IS BEATEN; KANSAS WINS TITLE; Captures World's Lightweight Crown on Decision in 15 Rounds in Buffalo. LOSER STAGES GAME RALLY Takes Last 2 Rounds, but Fails to Overcome Challenger's Overwhelming Lead. VICTORY A POPULAR ONE 10,000 Pay $35,000, Record Sum, to Set City's First Lightweight Title Bout in 23 Years.
BUFFALO, N. Y., Dec. 7.—A new lightweight champion attained the heights here tonight when Rocky Kansas, 'battle-scarred hero of many glorious ring encounters, pounded his way to victory over Jimmy Goodrich, his local rival, and qualified for recognition by the State Athletic Commission as the world's champion. Through a desperate fifteen-round bout Kansas battered away at Goodrich in a surprising attack, and when the final bell clanged on the contest the Italian veteran had an overwhelming margin over his rival on points. Judges George Partrick and Thomas Flynn, with referee Jim Crowley, rendered the verdict which made Kansas champion, and it must have been a unanimous decision, for in his victory Kansas left no room for doubt as to his superiority. Kansas carried off nine of the fifteen rounds, raking Goodrich with a two-fisted fire to the body which had Jimmy weary and sore, and an assault to the face and head which had Goodrich a crimson-flecked gladiator through the greater part of the bout. In three rounds Goodrich held his Italian rival even. These were the second, eighth and thirteenth. In the ninth round, Goodrich won the honors and a desperate rally in the closing two sessions gave Goodrich the fourteenth and fifteenth rounds. But in every other round Goodrich was soundly beaten-was battered convincingly by Kansas in a methodical attack for which Goodrich had no successful counter.
Finish Thrills Crowd.
Goodrich's rally through the closing two rounds thrilled the crowd, which was noticeably pro-Kansas. It came as the climax to a desperate battle which made local ring history. More than 10,000 fight fans, who paid $35,000, a record gate for Buffalo, jammed the Broadway Auditorium, where the battle was held under the auspices of the Queensberry A. C. This was the first lightweight championship bout in Buffalo in twenty-three long years. In the last title struggle among lightweights, Joe Gans, "The Old Master, knocked out Frank Erne, local pride, in a round. That was back in 1902. Shortly after Erne had beaten Kid Lavigne for the title. Tonight Buffalo had to celebrate a winner, for the two lads fighting for the title are natives. The town tonight is burning red torches and parading and celebrating along Main Street over the victory of Kansas, for he entered the ring with the crowd cheering him in greater volume than it did Goodrich. His was a popular victory. The rally of Goodrich was the dying gasp of a beaten gladiator. He must have sensed that the decision was to go against him, for in the closing two sessions he let fly with everything he had, fighting desperately and furiously. Goodrich bent his efforts on a bid for a knockout. He tried and tried and tried with his right for the jaw, hopeful until the end that he would connect with a punch which would avert disaster for him. He landed with grazing blows several times, and occasionally managed to nick the Italian with a right to the jaw which carried enough power to send Rocky backward on his heels.
Rocky Only Smiles.
But Kansas only smiled at Goodrich's efforts, and smiled more broadly when Goodrich managed to nick him. Then he would tear in, as was his custom throughout the bout, and simply overwhelm Goodrich with his attack. Goodrich's was a great effort to save his position as successor to Benny Leonard. It was, moreover, a thrilling bid in Its very desperation, but it failed dismally. Kansas won the title and thereby knocked Goodrich out of the Christmas Fund bout in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 23 simply because he was the stronger ringman and enjoyed a wider experience than Goodrich. He swept onward in a sustained offensive from the start and won the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds by margins wide enough to convince everybody at the bout that he was the master of Goodrich. Kansas survived a majority thought he would collapse. It was expected that he would surprise Goodrich with a fiery early assault, but few expected he would be able, after fourteen years of ring service and at 30 years of age, to sustain this pace over fifteen rounds. That he did is a tribute to his remarkable store of stamina and explains in great measure the result. The fight held no knock-downs. There was not even an indication of a knock- down, although in the first round Goodrich sent Kansas off balance to his haunches with a left jab and push. In the latter rounds Jimmy rocked Kansas several times with crushing rights to the head and jaw. It was, however, a desperate battle, furiously waged. neither asking nor giving quarter. each pressing for an advantage every second of the way.
In Goodrich's Eye Cut.
Kansas fought methodically throughout. He went on the offensive with the first round and save for the late rounds, when Goodrich in desperation assumed the offensive, the Italian showed the way. Beaten in the first round, Goodrich came back and in a spirited recovery held his own with Kansas in the second. Through the next five rounds, however, Kansas had all the better of the milling, outboxing Goodrich at long range, and outhitting Jimmy at close quarters. Goodrich repeatedly tried to stop his rival's rushes with wicked rights to the jaw, but never quite hit the mark. In sporadic outbursts Goodrich would send Kansas's head snapping backward with straight left jabs, but Rocky always came tearing in like a young bull, returning the jabs with jabs of his own. In the fifth round they came together head on and Goodrich emerged from the collision with blood streaming from a long cut over the right eye. It was a handicap through the remainder of the fight for Kansas never lost an opportunity to peck at the injured optic, keeping up a steady crimson flow. In the eighth round Goodrich rallied and held Kansas even. Jimmy fought savagely in the ninth and, although one of Kansas's left hooks knocked some gold bridgework from his mouth, Goodrich battered his rival severely about the head and body and won the round. Through the tenth, Goodrich tried to carry his rally, but the Kansas who was expected by many to weaken grew stronger and took the lead from his rival.
Rocky's furious attack gave him the tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds, for he fought Goodrich all over the ring. In the thirteenth session Rocky did tire a little and the weary, desperate Goodrich was enabled to come through with a rally which gained him an even break on the honors for the round. . Through the fourteenth and fifteenth rounds Goodrich was all over Kansas, pelting the Italian relentlessly, trying always to reach the jaw with a crushing right and pounding the body unmercifully when the men came to close quarters. But Kansas stood up under the battering, fighting back in spurts and at the finish had his hand raised in victory. He left the ring being mauled and pulled by frantic admirers who hopped between the ring ropes immediately when the decision was announced in Kansas's favor.
Let's get a few good photos of Rocky Kansas in here. This is a photo of Rocky (left) and Sammy Mandell facing off right before their fight in 1926, Rocky is pictured here demonstrating his punch to solar plexus of Mandell. Like I said before, Rocky Kansas was known for his wicked body punching.
This is a 1936 LA Salle Hats card of Rocky Kansas. This rare set was issued in 1936 by the La Salle Hat Company. Based in Philadelphia, that company distributed these cards featuring eight lightweight boxers. The cards themselves are basic. The fronts feature black and white pictures of the boxers along with their name and title reign at the bottom. The set was look back of sorts, as it included cards of past lightweight champions through history. It also included a card of Lou Ambers, then the world lightweight champion. Backs of the cards are blank. An envelope was used for the cards with a short description on it. Printed on the outside, the company called this, ‘A picture collection of famous lightweight champs furnished with the compliments of La Salle Hat Company, Philadelphia.’ The exact mode of distribution for these cards, however, is unknown. It is not clear if they were simply given to anyone or if a purchase was required. One interesting note here is that the cards do not appear to have been limited to only the Philadelphia area. We know that from the envelopes which, in addition to stating the cards are with the compliments of the hat company, also add, ‘and _____________.’ The blank line represents a blank box printed on the envelopes and specific stores used that area to either stamp or print their own name. Those stores were likely distributors and the envelope was used much in the way that late 1800s trade cards were used – cards with stock images that used by a variety of businesses. As this auction indicates with an envelope stamped by an Ohio business, the cards were likely distributed outside of Philadelphia. While I have listed this set in the Miscellaneous (U-Card) section, it could also be considered a trade card issue. These cards are not easy to come by. Finding one is an achievement and finding a complete set is extremely difficult.
Luis Villanova, aka Kid Azteca, legendary Mexican welterweight that fought from 1929 to 1961, his career spanned an unbelievable five decades. He was a thunderous puncher, Kid Azteca had one of the greatest left hooks in boxing history and he iced 114 opponents in his career, he's ranked number 6 for most knockouts all-time in boxing history.
Kid Azteca is one of Mexico’s legendary fighters. Azteca never won a world championship, but he was a top contender for the World welterweight title throughout most of the 1930s and 40s. He was one of Mexico’s earliest boxing stars, paving the way for the many great Mexican world champions who would take over many of the sport's lighter weight divisions from the 1950s onwards.
Born Luis Villanueva Paramo in Tepito, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Azteca’s birth date is generally given as being June 21, 1913, but some sources have placed his birth date as June 21, 1917, which would make him only 12 years old when he started his professional boxing career in 1929. Starting his career fighting under the name of ‘Kid Chino’, Azteca was a strong and fearless fighter, with a dynamite punch, that would score 114 knockouts during his career. Some of the top names that Azteca fought, included fighters such as Battling Shaw, Tommy White, Eddie Cerda, Joe Glick, Eddie Frisco, Ceferino Garcia, Manuel Villa 1, Richie Mack, Young Peter Jackson, Baby Joe Gans, Cocoa Kid, Chief Parris, Fritzie Zivic, California Jackie Wilson, Charley Salas, and Sammy Angott.
Azteca won the Mexican Welterweight title on October 23, 1932, when he out-pointed David Velasco over 12 rounds. It was the beginning of a tremendous 16-year reign, which would see him defend the title successfully 11 times, before vacating it, undefeated champion, on March 1949. Azteca would try and regain his title 10 months later, on January 28, 1951, but was stopped in 10 rounds by El Conscripto. By this time, Azteca was in his late 30s and fading, yet he carried on fighting until 1961, going 28-2-2 in his last 32 contests, although against lesser opposition than he had fought in his prime.
Kid Azteca finally ended his career with a 1st round knockout of Alfonso Malacara, on February 3, 1961. Azteca ended his career having achieved the rare feat of fighting within 5 decades, and scoring 114 knockouts, making him one of boxing’s most formidable punchers. Azteca’s final record was 192-46-11 (114 KO). Kid Azteca died on March 16, 2002.
Azteca is a legend, hard punchers are fascinating. I'm always searching ebay, looking for Kid Azteca items, cards, photos, but unfortunately he just doesn't have much to collect at all.
It's hard to believe Kid Azteca fought in five different decades, the 1920's all the way through to the 1960s, that is insane. This photo was taken as he started to get older.
Iconic photo right here. There's different kinds of shell shock, there's the shell shock of being in a real war, which nothing can compare to. But there's also the shell shock of being in physical combat with another person inside of a ring, taking physical beatings. This is one of my favorite boxing photos ever taken, Carmen Basilio aka "The Onion Farmer" being held back by the referee after stopping Tony DeMarco aka "The Boston Bomber" in round 12 of their November 1955 rematch in Boston for the world welterweight title. Basilio and DeMarco put eachother through pure hell, and this image captures the shell shock on Basilio's face at the conclusion of two brutal wars with DeMarco. Tony DeMarco was a hard hitting, relentless man, they didn't call him "The Boston Bomber" for nothing. They took years off of each other's careers and their rivalry is one of the most epic in boxing history. In the rematch, Basilio retained the world welterweight title he won from DeMarco in their first fight which ended in almost identical fashion when Basilio TKO'D DeMarco at 1:52 in round 12. At the conclusion of their rivalry, Basilio said of DeMarco, "When he hits you, you know you've been hit. All you have to do is ignore the effects. If you think it's going to hurt, then it will." Carmen Basilio was a hard man. Make no mistake about that.
I actually own one of the two known type 1 photos to exist of the above image. I love this iconic image, the expression on Carmen Basilio's face really captures what it's like to go through the physical punishment of boxing.
Virgil Akins was a hard luck fighter who fought as a professional for about 15 years and briefly held the welterweight championship. Fighting during the post-World War II era, Akins, aka "Honey Bear," was clearly a good fighter that scrapped his way to a world title.
Unfortunately, despite a good amateur career, Akins lost five of his first 20 pro fights at lightweight, one by stoppage. While it was a tough era in the division, his inconsistency pushed him more toward the category of journeyman. Akins still managed to get wins over future champions Wallace "Bud" Smith and Joe "Old Bones" Brown, but the wins didn't carry the same weight at the time.
Akins moved up in weight in the 1950s, however, and defeated contenders like Isaac Logart, Joe Miceli and Henry Hank, and former champion Tony DeMarco. The meaningful wins were apparently too few and far between, even for those close to him.
"A dark cloud has been hanging over me since the night I won [the welterweight title in 1958]," Akins later said. "Nobody expected me to beat Vince Martinez, including all my friends. They even bet on Martinez and when I saw them they'd say, 'Hey, I lost a lot of money because of you.' Even my cousin bet against me. He was mad at me for years and every time he'd see me he'd say, 'You owe me money.'"
Akins destroyed Vince Martinez with a 4th round stoppage to win the welterweight title in 1958, and lost the title by decision to Don Jordan the same year. The decision was fair, but both Jordan and Akins had direct ties to the mob figures deeply involved in boxing who would later serve time for their corrupt dealings.
In 1962, Akins suffered a badly detached retina against a fighter named Rip Randall, and the injury ended his career.
After boxing, Akins was a custodian and a construction worker. He cooked at a hotel for a time, worked in a supermarket and even was a shipping clerk at a candy company. At the candy place, Akins re-injured his left eye and lost vision completely.
Akins went on to separate from his wife and lose his career earnings from bad investments and tax issues. In 1969, a benefit fight card was held in his honor. Few showed up and Akins walked away with $200.
In the 1970s, Akins was walking home with a $100 paycheck when he was jumped by thieves who cracked him over the head with a tire iron and took his check.
"I saw the colored lights when I got hit," he said. "But I remember thinking, 'I still haven't been knocked out.'"
From his early days in St. Louis, fighting it out as a youngster, to his older days struggling through life, Akins caught few breaks.
"Some get the breaks and some don't. Being world champion was the biggest break I ever got, but it didn't lead nowhere."
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The great Johnny Owen.
Sugar Ray Robinson once said to Henry Armstrong after their fight:
“I would never have beaten you a few years ago…”
It was a moment of pure respect the young legend admitting that he only defeated a faded version of his hero.
And Armstrong, with grace and class, replied:
“Ray, you would have beaten me on my BEST night.”
Two icons.
Two eras.
One unforgettable display of respect in boxing history.
“I knew I had tools and I knew I had power but I also understood that once that bell rings, it’s just man against man. And most of the time, it comes down to who wants it more, and who trained the hardest.
When someone hits me, I don’t panic I think:
‘That’s fine… now feel one of mine.’”
— Nigel Benn
Music break. Here's one for you.
Up next, Rocky Kansas, world lightweight champion that fought from 1911 to 1932. Rocky Kansas turned professional in 1911, and his early career was marked by consistency. He lost only two official decisions in his first 75 fights—a testament to his skill and determination. Known for his tenacity and relentless fighting style, Kansas quickly became one of the most respected athletes in boxing . Honest to god, he was one of the most relentless, tenacious, and determined men to ever enter a boxing ring. Over the course of his hall of fame career, he beat Freddie Welsh, Lew Tendler, Jimmy Duffy x2, Johnny Dundee x2, Johnny Kilbane, Ritchie Mitchell x2, Jack Bernstein, Charley White, Frankie Britt, Ad Wolgast and Jimmy Goodrich. That's the resume of an all-time great. He shared the same era as the great Benny Leonard, and tried like hell, four times, to get the lightweight title away from Leonard, but Leonard was special. But like I said, Rocky Kansas was one of the most tenacious and determined men to ever enter a boxing ring and he would not be denied entry into the throne room of the lightweight gods. Born Rocco Tozzo on April 21, 1895 in Buffalo, NY. A former newsboy, he started using the name Rocky Kansas 1911 when a ring announcer mistakenly introduced him under that name. Known as “Little Hercules,” the 5’2” Kansas was a stocky, powerful brawler with a sturdy build. One of the top lightweights of his era, he met Benny Leonard four times between 1916-1922 (ND 10, ND 12, L 15, KO by 8). Following Leonard’s retirement as champion in 1925, Buffalo’s Jimmy Goodrich ascended to the title. In front of 12,000 fans at Buffalo’s Broadway Auditorium on December 7, 1925, Kansas, in his 160th bout and 15 years into his career, defeated Goodrich to become new champion. His reign was brief, dropping the strap to Sammy Mandell in 1926. He promptly retired, but engaged in one comeback fight in 1932 (L 6) before retiring for good.
Rocky Kansas was one of the top lightweights of his era, but unfortunately he shared that era with Benny Leonard, who is arguably the greatest lightweight in the history of the sport. Kansas couldn't get past Leonard, not many people could, but Kansas wasn't the type of guy to give up, like I said, he was a tenacious son of a gun. He wasn't going to stop until he reached the mountaintop.
Rocky Kansas (left) and Benny Leonard face off in front of the camera
From boxing forum 24, Matt McGrain on Rocky Kansas:
"Hard to hard to imagine the frustration of a fighter doomed to share an era with the great Benny Leonard. All great fighters torture the ambitions of their peers but fewer fighters can have blunted more dreams in a single division than the great Leonard. Rocky Kansas can number himself among them.
The two first shared the ring in February of 1916 with Kansas fresh from the featherweight division and Leonard not yet the fistic god he would become. Nevertheless, Leonard was dominant and Rocky, who fought gamely, “wilted every time” Leonard “crushed over his right.” The two wouldn’t meet again until 1921, an absolute age in the parlance of the time, Leonard’s title on the line. Despite Rocky’s strong finish, Leonard was once again triumphant. But Rocky just wouldn’t go away. He went unbeaten in nine, including a victory over Lew Tendler, forcing Leonard to give him a second title shot in their third fight. “He is strong, willing and has plenty of courage,” noted the Quebec Telegraph. “He likes to fight. That makes him dangerous.”
He was dangerous enough to go six rounds without losing one to the great man, winning the first four in some accounts; thereafter, the champion ran away with the fight and Rocky was sent spinning out of title contention once more. But such was the impression that he had made with those opening eighteen minutes that two wins later he was back in the ring with Leonard once more.
This time Leonard crushed him, beating him into submission in just eight rounds. It seemed that Rocky’s title aspirations were finally at an end. What are they made of, these boys who keep coming back for more, who cannot be turned away? When Benny Leonard retired in 1925, Jimmy Goodrich, a fine fighter, became the champion. And Rocky was still winning. He had been in the ring for fourteen hard years but against Goodrich, he found himself with one last chance.
Associated Press reported a near universal feeling at ringside that he would once again fade, that he could not possibly sustain the savage pace he set at the bell; that feeling was born out. But this time, he did not wilt. Kansas split lightweight series with the likes of Johnny Dundee and Jack Bernstein but when his last best chance presented itself, he took it. The veteran threw the championship aloft at the bell. I love Rocky’s narrative. He was a lion who had the terrible luck to share a cage with a tiger who, despite all those maulings, had enough to see off the cub they tried to move on to his territory."
Leonard and Rocky Kansas would fight four times, and although Leonard would win all of those bouts, it was fight #3 which was the one that Kansas almost got Leonard. The fight took place at Madison Square Garden, New York. Kansas was one hell of a body puncher, he was one of those "damn the torpedoes" fighters, who threw caution to the wind and just aggressively went for it, I love those types of fighters, and that's exactly what he did against Leonard in their third encounter.
Benny Leonard (left) and Rocky Kansas face off before their third encounter
In the opening rounds, Kansas rushed in and ripped into Leonard’s body with wild punches, as Leonard jabbed him repeatedly with a straight left managing his distance most effectively.
But Kansas kept a vicious pace by crowding and clinching Leonard, who started to bleed from the nose. The crowd began to wonder… was this to be a Leonard defeat?
Midway through the fight, Kansas turned southpaw, trying to confuse the champion.
Leonard would maintain his superior skills and in round eleven executed a perfect short right hand to the jaw that dropped Kansas.
The bout would go the distance, 15 rounds, with Leonard winning and retaining his title.
On December 7th, 1925, after 160 grueling ring wars, Rocky Kansas finally reached the top when he defeated Jimmy Goodrich for the lightweight title. I admire the hell out of Kansas, he had a few setbacks in his career, and a lot of fighters would have left the sport, quit, tucked their tail between their legs and ran away. But Rocky Kansas wouldn't go away, when the sport knocked him down he always got back up and kept fighting until he achieved his dream, he would not be denied. That's what this sport is about, that's what life is about. He was the definition of a fighter. Here are two reports of the fight, the first one from TIME magazine in 1925, and the second from The New York Times in 1925.
Onlookers watch as Rocky Kansas trains
Sport: Goodrich v. Kansas
2 minute read
TIME
December 21, 1925
Almost all men—from the strong boy who can bite pieces out of a crowbar, to the grubbiest, most dissipated little street sheik—believe that they secrete in their right arms a power that will maim and devastate. Some go through life without ever suffering a disillusion on this score; others have their prayer, “Just gimme a sock at ’em,” gratified, but administer the sock only to find that it has small effect. It lands fearfully on the point of a jaw, and the recipient smiles and shakes his head as if a drop of water had landed on him. This is usually enough to discourage most sockers. In Buffalo last week, it discouraged Jimmy Goodrich, who was at the moment lightweight champion of the world. He had just socked Rocky Kansas, challenger, flush on the button. It was the middle of the second round. Throughout the first, Rocky (a 133-pound battler, battered and be-cauliflowered by innumerable brawls) had come plunging in at a pace that would surely be impossible for him to keep up for 15 rounds. Goodrich waited his chance. Kansas was standing off to loop a left to the head, when he sent across his sock. Wham! With all the leverage of his springy body behind it, his right fist encountered the other’s jaw. Rocky did not waver. Oof! Again the big right-hand sock. Rocky came tearing in. … He was flogging Goodrich’s red ribs when the gong clanged for the end of the 15th round and the referee stepped forward to indicate that he—Rocky (“Bleeding”) Kansas—was the world’s new lightweight champion.
Dec. 8, 1925
GOODRICH IS BEATEN; KANSAS WINS TITLE; Captures World's Lightweight Crown on Decision in 15 Rounds in Buffalo. LOSER STAGES GAME RALLY Takes Last 2 Rounds, but Fails to Overcome Challenger's Overwhelming Lead. VICTORY A POPULAR ONE 10,000 Pay $35,000, Record Sum, to Set City's First Lightweight Title Bout in 23 Years.
BUFFALO, N. Y., Dec. 7.—A new lightweight champion attained the heights here tonight when Rocky Kansas, 'battle-scarred hero of many glorious ring encounters, pounded his way to victory over Jimmy Goodrich, his local rival, and qualified for recognition by the State Athletic Commission as the world's champion. Through a desperate fifteen-round bout Kansas battered away at Goodrich in a surprising attack, and when the final bell clanged on the contest the Italian veteran had an overwhelming margin over his rival on points. Judges George Partrick and Thomas Flynn, with referee Jim Crowley, rendered the verdict which made Kansas champion, and it must have been a unanimous decision, for in his victory Kansas left no room for doubt as to his superiority. Kansas carried off nine of the fifteen rounds, raking Goodrich with a two-fisted fire to the body which had Jimmy weary and sore, and an assault to the face and head which had Goodrich a crimson-flecked gladiator through the greater part of the bout. In three rounds Goodrich held his Italian rival even. These were the second, eighth and thirteenth. In the ninth round, Goodrich won the honors and a desperate rally in the closing two sessions gave Goodrich the fourteenth and fifteenth rounds. But in every other round Goodrich was soundly beaten-was battered convincingly by Kansas in a methodical attack for which Goodrich had no successful counter.
Finish Thrills Crowd.
Goodrich's rally through the closing two rounds thrilled the crowd, which was noticeably pro-Kansas. It came as the climax to a desperate battle which made local ring history. More than 10,000 fight fans, who paid $35,000, a record gate for Buffalo, jammed the Broadway Auditorium, where the battle was held under the auspices of the Queensberry A. C. This was the first lightweight championship bout in Buffalo in twenty-three long years. In the last title struggle among lightweights, Joe Gans, "The Old Master, knocked out Frank Erne, local pride, in a round. That was back in 1902. Shortly after Erne had beaten Kid Lavigne for the title. Tonight Buffalo had to celebrate a winner, for the two lads fighting for the title are natives. The town tonight is burning red torches and parading and celebrating along Main Street over the victory of Kansas, for he entered the ring with the crowd cheering him in greater volume than it did Goodrich. His was a popular victory. The rally of Goodrich was the dying gasp of a beaten gladiator. He must have sensed that the decision was to go against him, for in the closing two sessions he let fly with everything he had, fighting desperately and furiously. Goodrich bent his efforts on a bid for a knockout. He tried and tried and tried with his right for the jaw, hopeful until the end that he would connect with a punch which would avert disaster for him. He landed with grazing blows several times, and occasionally managed to nick the Italian with a right to the jaw which carried enough power to send Rocky backward on his heels.
Rocky Only Smiles.
But Kansas only smiled at Goodrich's efforts, and smiled more broadly when Goodrich managed to nick him. Then he would tear in, as was his custom throughout the bout, and simply overwhelm Goodrich with his attack. Goodrich's was a great effort to save his position as successor to Benny Leonard. It was, moreover, a thrilling bid in Its very desperation, but it failed dismally. Kansas won the title and thereby knocked Goodrich out of the Christmas Fund bout in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 23 simply because he was the stronger ringman and enjoyed a wider experience than Goodrich. He swept onward in a sustained offensive from the start and won the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds by margins wide enough to convince everybody at the bout that he was the master of Goodrich. Kansas survived a majority thought he would collapse. It was expected that he would surprise Goodrich with a fiery early assault, but few expected he would be able, after fourteen years of ring service and at 30 years of age, to sustain this pace over fifteen rounds. That he did is a tribute to his remarkable store of stamina and explains in great measure the result. The fight held no knock-downs. There was not even an indication of a knock- down, although in the first round Goodrich sent Kansas off balance to his haunches with a left jab and push. In the latter rounds Jimmy rocked Kansas several times with crushing rights to the head and jaw. It was, however, a desperate battle, furiously waged. neither asking nor giving quarter. each pressing for an advantage every second of the way.
In Goodrich's Eye Cut.
Kansas fought methodically throughout. He went on the offensive with the first round and save for the late rounds, when Goodrich in desperation assumed the offensive, the Italian showed the way. Beaten in the first round, Goodrich came back and in a spirited recovery held his own with Kansas in the second. Through the next five rounds, however, Kansas had all the better of the milling, outboxing Goodrich at long range, and outhitting Jimmy at close quarters. Goodrich repeatedly tried to stop his rival's rushes with wicked rights to the jaw, but never quite hit the mark. In sporadic outbursts Goodrich would send Kansas's head snapping backward with straight left jabs, but Rocky always came tearing in like a young bull, returning the jabs with jabs of his own. In the fifth round they came together head on and Goodrich emerged from the collision with blood streaming from a long cut over the right eye. It was a handicap through the remainder of the fight for Kansas never lost an opportunity to peck at the injured optic, keeping up a steady crimson flow. In the eighth round Goodrich rallied and held Kansas even. Jimmy fought savagely in the ninth and, although one of Kansas's left hooks knocked some gold bridgework from his mouth, Goodrich battered his rival severely about the head and body and won the round. Through the tenth, Goodrich tried to carry his rally, but the Kansas who was expected by many to weaken grew stronger and took the lead from his rival.
Rocky's furious attack gave him the tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds, for he fought Goodrich all over the ring. In the thirteenth session Rocky did tire a little and the weary, desperate Goodrich was enabled to come through with a rally which gained him an even break on the honors for the round. . Through the fourteenth and fifteenth rounds Goodrich was all over Kansas, pelting the Italian relentlessly, trying always to reach the jaw with a crushing right and pounding the body unmercifully when the men came to close quarters. But Kansas stood up under the battering, fighting back in spurts and at the finish had his hand raised in victory. He left the ring being mauled and pulled by frantic admirers who hopped between the ring ropes immediately when the decision was announced in Kansas's favor.
Let's get a few good photos of Rocky Kansas in here. This is a photo of Rocky (left) and Sammy Mandell facing off right before their fight in 1926, Rocky is pictured here demonstrating his punch to solar plexus of Mandell. Like I said before, Rocky Kansas was known for his wicked body punching.
Rocky Kansas (right) and Sammy Mandell in the ring.
A write-up on Rocky Kansas in a 1981 issue of Boxing Illustrated.
Rocky Kansas after he became world lightweight champion.
This is a 1936 LA Salle Hats card of Rocky Kansas. This rare set was issued in 1936 by the La Salle Hat Company. Based in Philadelphia, that company distributed these cards featuring eight lightweight boxers. The cards themselves are basic. The fronts feature black and white pictures of the boxers along with their name and title reign at the bottom. The set was look back of sorts, as it included cards of past lightweight champions through history. It also included a card of Lou Ambers, then the world lightweight champion. Backs of the cards are blank. An envelope was used for the cards with a short description on it. Printed on the outside, the company called this, ‘A picture collection of famous lightweight champs furnished with the compliments of La Salle Hat Company, Philadelphia.’ The exact mode of distribution for these cards, however, is unknown. It is not clear if they were simply given to anyone or if a purchase was required. One interesting note here is that the cards do not appear to have been limited to only the Philadelphia area. We know that from the envelopes which, in addition to stating the cards are with the compliments of the hat company, also add, ‘and _____________.’ The blank line represents a blank box printed on the envelopes and specific stores used that area to either stamp or print their own name. Those stores were likely distributors and the envelope was used much in the way that late 1800s trade cards were used – cards with stock images that used by a variety of businesses. As this auction indicates with an envelope stamped by an Ohio business, the cards were likely distributed outside of Philadelphia. While I have listed this set in the Miscellaneous (U-Card) section, it could also be considered a trade card issue. These cards are not easy to come by. Finding one is an achievement and finding a complete set is extremely difficult.
Rocky Kansas in his prime.
The great Rocky Kansas posing for the camera.
Luis Villanova, aka Kid Azteca, legendary Mexican welterweight that fought from 1929 to 1961, his career spanned an unbelievable five decades. He was a thunderous puncher, Kid Azteca had one of the greatest left hooks in boxing history and he iced 114 opponents in his career, he's ranked number 6 for most knockouts all-time in boxing history.
Kid Azteca is one of Mexico’s legendary fighters. Azteca never won a world championship, but he was a top contender for the World welterweight title throughout most of the 1930s and 40s. He was one of Mexico’s earliest boxing stars, paving the way for the many great Mexican world champions who would take over many of the sport's lighter weight divisions from the 1950s onwards.
Born Luis Villanueva Paramo in Tepito, Distrito Federal, Mexico, Azteca’s birth date is generally given as being June 21, 1913, but some sources have placed his birth date as June 21, 1917, which would make him only 12 years old when he started his professional boxing career in 1929. Starting his career fighting under the name of ‘Kid Chino’, Azteca was a strong and fearless fighter, with a dynamite punch, that would score 114 knockouts during his career. Some of the top names that Azteca fought, included fighters such as Battling Shaw, Tommy White, Eddie Cerda, Joe Glick, Eddie Frisco, Ceferino Garcia, Manuel Villa 1, Richie Mack, Young Peter Jackson, Baby Joe Gans, Cocoa Kid, Chief Parris, Fritzie Zivic, California Jackie Wilson, Charley Salas, and Sammy Angott.
Azteca won the Mexican Welterweight title on October 23, 1932, when he out-pointed David Velasco over 12 rounds. It was the beginning of a tremendous 16-year reign, which would see him defend the title successfully 11 times, before vacating it, undefeated champion, on March 1949. Azteca would try and regain his title 10 months later, on January 28, 1951, but was stopped in 10 rounds by El Conscripto. By this time, Azteca was in his late 30s and fading, yet he carried on fighting until 1961, going 28-2-2 in his last 32 contests, although against lesser opposition than he had fought in his prime.
Kid Azteca finally ended his career with a 1st round knockout of Alfonso Malacara, on February 3, 1961. Azteca ended his career having achieved the rare feat of fighting within 5 decades, and scoring 114 knockouts, making him one of boxing’s most formidable punchers. Azteca’s final record was 192-46-11 (114 KO). Kid Azteca died on March 16, 2002.
A few more photos of Kid Azteca.
Azteca is a legend, hard punchers are fascinating. I'm always searching ebay, looking for Kid Azteca items, cards, photos, but unfortunately he just doesn't have much to collect at all.
Good side view of Azteca.
It's hard to believe Kid Azteca fought in five different decades, the 1920's all the way through to the 1960s, that is insane. This photo was taken as he started to get older.
Two legends, Kid Azteca and Julio Cesar Chavez. The Kid really paved the way for future generations of Mexican fighters like Chavez.
Iconic photo right here. There's different kinds of shell shock, there's the shell shock of being in a real war, which nothing can compare to. But there's also the shell shock of being in physical combat with another person inside of a ring, taking physical beatings. This is one of my favorite boxing photos ever taken, Carmen Basilio aka "The Onion Farmer" being held back by the referee after stopping Tony DeMarco aka "The Boston Bomber" in round 12 of their November 1955 rematch in Boston for the world welterweight title. Basilio and DeMarco put eachother through pure hell, and this image captures the shell shock on Basilio's face at the conclusion of two brutal wars with DeMarco. Tony DeMarco was a hard hitting, relentless man, they didn't call him "The Boston Bomber" for nothing. They took years off of each other's careers and their rivalry is one of the most epic in boxing history. In the rematch, Basilio retained the world welterweight title he won from DeMarco in their first fight which ended in almost identical fashion when Basilio TKO'D DeMarco at 1:52 in round 12. At the conclusion of their rivalry, Basilio said of DeMarco, "When he hits you, you know you've been hit. All you have to do is ignore the effects. If you think it's going to hurt, then it will." Carmen Basilio was a hard man. Make no mistake about that.
I actually own one of the two known type 1 photos to exist of the above image. I love this iconic image, the expression on Carmen Basilio's face really captures what it's like to go through the physical punishment of boxing.
Time for a music break.
Virgil Akins was a hard luck fighter who fought as a professional for about 15 years and briefly held the welterweight championship. Fighting during the post-World War II era, Akins, aka "Honey Bear," was clearly a good fighter that scrapped his way to a world title.
Unfortunately, despite a good amateur career, Akins lost five of his first 20 pro fights at lightweight, one by stoppage. While it was a tough era in the division, his inconsistency pushed him more toward the category of journeyman. Akins still managed to get wins over future champions Wallace "Bud" Smith and Joe "Old Bones" Brown, but the wins didn't carry the same weight at the time.
Akins moved up in weight in the 1950s, however, and defeated contenders like Isaac Logart, Joe Miceli and Henry Hank, and former champion Tony DeMarco. The meaningful wins were apparently too few and far between, even for those close to him.
"A dark cloud has been hanging over me since the night I won [the welterweight title in 1958]," Akins later said. "Nobody expected me to beat Vince Martinez, including all my friends. They even bet on Martinez and when I saw them they'd say, 'Hey, I lost a lot of money because of you.' Even my cousin bet against me. He was mad at me for years and every time he'd see me he'd say, 'You owe me money.'"
Akins destroyed Vince Martinez with a 4th round stoppage to win the welterweight title in 1958, and lost the title by decision to Don Jordan the same year. The decision was fair, but both Jordan and Akins had direct ties to the mob figures deeply involved in boxing who would later serve time for their corrupt dealings.
In 1962, Akins suffered a badly detached retina against a fighter named Rip Randall, and the injury ended his career.
After boxing, Akins was a custodian and a construction worker. He cooked at a hotel for a time, worked in a supermarket and even was a shipping clerk at a candy company. At the candy place, Akins re-injured his left eye and lost vision completely.
Akins went on to separate from his wife and lose his career earnings from bad investments and tax issues. In 1969, a benefit fight card was held in his honor. Few showed up and Akins walked away with $200.
In the 1970s, Akins was walking home with a $100 paycheck when he was jumped by thieves who cracked him over the head with a tire iron and took his check.
"I saw the colored lights when I got hit," he said. "But I remember thinking, 'I still haven't been knocked out.'"
From his early days in St. Louis, fighting it out as a youngster, to his older days struggling through life, Akins caught few breaks.
"Some get the breaks and some don't. Being world champion was the biggest break I ever got, but it didn't lead nowhere."