Jews And Boxing

When you think of professions that are dominated by Jews, you might think about doctors, lawyers, bankers or jewelers, but did you know that from 1910-1940 one third of all professional boxers were Jewish, and that in this time frame there were 27 Jewish world champions? Who knew? Names you may never have heard before, like Benny Leonard, light weight champion for 8 years, or Barney Ross, light weight champ for three years, were some of the greatest boxers of all time. The reason we have not heard of many of them is that with the exception of Max Baer, who was heavyweight champion, all the other boxers were in lighter weight classifications. Al Singer and "Dutch" Sam Ellis were great boxers, but in lighter weight divisions, and then, as now, the heavyweight division got most of the press. Boxing for many young Jewish boys from 1910-1940, was part of the Jewish immigrant experience. It was a way out of the ghettos of New York. My father-in-law, born in Fargo, North Dakota, saw boxing as a way to escape the cold, harsh winters of the northeast, and a way to make some money as a young boy. While still in his teens, and without his parents knowledge, "Fast Willie" used to box, and ultimately became a Golden Gloves champion in the fly weight division. Jews were not just dominant in the boxing ring, but in everything around the sport. Promoters, trainers and managers were largely Jewish. Ring Magazine was started by a Jew, Nat Fleisher in 1937, and Everlast Sporting Goods was started by another Jewish immigrant, Jacob Golumb. In addition to their dominance in and around the ring, Daniel Mendoza, a Jew, is considered by many to be the father of modern boxing, and Sam Elias, a boxer from the early 20th century, invented the uppercut. Just as immigrants have done for hundreds of years, the thousands of Jews who fled Europe at the turn of the century were looking for a way to make their mark in their new country. For whatever reason, they decided boxing was one way to do it. Fast forward 50-75 years, and look at the dominance, especially in the lighter weight classifications, of Hispanic males. They too have found boxing as a way our of poverty. Sports in America has always given poor and immigrant men and women an opportunity to achieve. Look at football, baseball and basketball and you will see many men, who without sports, might never have had such success. I think it's ironic that Jews were so prevalent and dominant in the sport of boxing. One thing that every Jewish boy learns early is NOT to fight. They are taught to work things out with words, not fists, yet for several decades, Jews were a force to be reckoned with in the boxing ring.