Paul Berlenbach

Paul Berlenbach (February 18, 1901 – September 30, 1985) was the world light heavyweight boxing champion from May 30, 1925, when he wrested the crown from Mike McTigue, until July 16, 1926, when he was defeated by his nemesis Jack Delaney. The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer rated him as the #10 best light heavyweight of all-time. Berlenbach was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1971 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.[1]

Paul Berlenbach
Statistics
Real namePaul Berlenbach
Nickname(s)Astoria Assassin
Weight(s)Light Heavyweight
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Nationality American
Born(1901-02-18)February 18, 1901
New York, New York, United States
DiedSeptember 30, 1985(1985-09-30) (aged 84)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights51
Wins40
Wins by KO33
Losses8
Draws3
No contests1

Professional career

World light heavyweight champion

Known as the "Astoria Assassin", Berlenbach was known for his punching power. The New York City-born Berlenbach was an AAU champion wrestler before turning to professional boxing in 1923. Eventually he scored a 10th-round TKO over former champion "Battling Siki" to earn a title shot against champion Mike McTigue.

Described by writer Paul Gallico as "untutored, unlettered, slow-witted, slow-moving, and wholly lacking in animation or imagination", Berlenbach was, nevertheless, a formidable fighter. As Gallico noted, he possessed "a numbing, paralyzing body punch that caused his opponents suddenly to crumple up" as though shot. His weaknesses were his non-existent defense, and slow movements which enabled sharp shooting opponents, such as Jack Delaney, to hit him at will.

Retirement

He retired with a record of 40 wins (33 KOs), 8 losses, and 3 draws. He was named #93 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Upon his retirement, he owned and operated Paul Berlenbach's Ringside Restaurant in Sound Beach, New York in the 1950s.

Notable bouts
Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes[2]
Win Larry Estridge KO 8 1928-05-22 Queensboro Stadium, Queens, New York
Loss Jack Delaney TKO 6 (10) 1927-12-09 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss Mickey Walker PTS 10 1927-11-25 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss Mike McTigue TKO 4 (10) 1927-01-28 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss Jack Delaney UD 15 1926-07-16 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York Lost lineal light heavyweight title
Win Young Stribling UD 15 1926-06-10 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Retained lineal light heavyweight title
Win Jack Delaney PTS 15 1925-12-11 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained lineal light heavyweight title
Win Jimmy Slattery TKO 11 (15) 1925-09-11 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Retained lineal light heavyweight title
Win Mike McTigue UD 15 1925-05-30 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Won lineal light heavyweight title
Win Battling Siki TKO 10 (12) 1925-03-13 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win Larry Estridge TKO 2 1924-12-26 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Draw Young Stribling PTS 6 1924-08-27 Velodrome, New York, New York
Loss Jack Delaney KO 8 1924-03-14 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

See also
  • List of light heavyweight boxing champions

References
  1. Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia - Paul Berlenbach CyberBoxingZone.com Retrieved on 2014-04-30
  2. Paul Berlenbach's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-18.
Achievements
Preceded by
Mike McTigue		 World Light Heavyweight Champion
30 May 1925 – 16 July 1926		 Succeeded by
Jack Delaney
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