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Dov-Ber Rasofsky

Barney Ross
Born December 23, 1909(1909-12-23)
New York City
Died January 17, 1967 (aged 57)
Chicago, Illinois
Occupation World Champion Boxer
Spouse Pearl Siegel
Cathy Howlett

Barney Ross, born Dov-Ber Rasofsky (December 23, 1909–January 17, 1967), was a Jewish American three-time world boxing champion and a war hero during World War II. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The City of New York Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

Contents

Early life

Dov-Ber (or Beryl) Rasofsky was born in New York City to Isidore "Itchik" Rasofsky and Sarah Epstein Rasofsky. The City of New York His father was a Talmudic scholar who had emigrated to America from his native Brest-Litovsk after barely surviving a pogrom. In America, Isidore became a rabbi and store owner. Rabbi (pronunciation, although in English usually) in Judaism, means a religious ‘teacher’ or more literally ‘my great one’ when addressing any master

The Rasofsky family later moved from New York to Chicago, living on its west side, which at the time was a Jewish ghetto. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. A ghetto is described as a "portion of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social legal or economic pressure The young Beryl Rasofsky grew up on Chicago's mean streets, ignoring his beloved father's admonition that Jews do not fight back.

"'Let the atheists be the fighters,'" Ross later recalled being told by his father. "'The trumbeniks, the murderers - we are the scholars. '" Ross' ambition in life was to become a Jewish teacher and a Talmudic scholar, but his life was changed forever when, at the age of 13, his father was shot dead resisting a robbery at his small grocery. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history Prostrate from grief, his mother Sarah suffered a nervous breakdown and his younger siblings -- Ida, Sam and George -- were placed in an orphanage or farmed out to other members of the extended family. Barney and his brothers Maurice and Benjamin were left to their own devices.

In the wake of the tragedy, Beryl became vindictive towards everything and turned his back on the orthodox religion of his father. He began running around with local toughs (including another wayward Jewish ghetto kid, the future Jack Ruby), developing into a street brawler, thief and money runner; for a time he was even employed by Al Capone. Jacob Rubenstein (March 25 1911 – January 3 1967 who legally changed his name to Jack Leon Ruby in 1947 was an American Nightclub operator from Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone (January 17 1899 &ndash January 25 1947 commonly nicknamed Scarface, was an Italian American Gangster who

Thinking that he would need good money to try to get his family back together, the young Rasofsky became an amateur boxer. He pawned a series of awards and set the money aside for his family. Before he turned professional, his mother had returned to her senses and, as she deeply opposed boxing, he started using the name of "Barney Ross" as an alias. Strong, fast and possessed of a powerful will, Ross was soon a Golden Gloves championship and went on to dominate the lighter divisions as a pro.

Boxing career

His first paid fight was on September 1, 1929, when he beat Ramon Lugo by a decision in six rounds. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After ten wins in a row, he lost for the first time, to Carlos Garcia, on a decision in ten.

Over the next 35 bouts, his record was 32–1–2, including a win over former world champion Bat Battalino, and, interestingly enough, one over a boxer named Babe Ruth, like the legendary baseball player. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, George Herman Ruth Jr (February 6 1895 &ndash August 16 1948 also popularly known as " Babe " " The Bambino " and " The Sultan of Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each Another legendary bout included former world champion Cameron Welter. Then, in March 26, 1933, Ross was given his first shot at a world title, when he faced world Lightweight and Jr. Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Welterweight champion and fellow three divisions world champions club member Tony Canzoneri in Chicago. Tony Canzoneri ( November 6 1908 &mdash December 9, 1959) was an American boxer who was born in the town of Slidell In only one night, Ross became a two division world champion when he beat Canzoneri by a decision in ten rounds. It should be pointed out that Ross campaigned heavily in the city of Chicago. After two more wins, including a knockout in six over Johnny Farr, Ross and Canzoneri boxed again, and Ross won again by decision, but this time in 15.

Ross was known as a smart fighter with great stamina. He retained his title by decision against Sammy Fuller to finish 1933, and against Peter Nebo to begin 1934. Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Then he defended against former world champion Frankie Klick, against whom he drew in ten. Then came the first of three bouts versus Jimmy McLarnin. James Archibald "Jimmy" McLarnin ( December 19 1907 &ndash October 28 2004) was a Canadian two-time Welterweight Ross vacated the Jr. Welter title to go after McLarnin's belt and won by a 15 round decision, joining the three division world champions club. However, in a rematch a few weeks later, McLarnin beat Ross by a decision recovering the title, and after that, Ross went back down to the Jr. Weterweights and reclamed his title in a fight for the belt left vacant by himself, with a 12 round decision over Bobby Pacho. Bobby Pacho was an American boxer from Yuma Arizona. He fought many well known fighters during his career including Barney Ross, and Henry After beating Klick and Henry Woods by decision to retain that title, he went back up in weight for the last fight in his trilogy with McLarnin, and recovered the title by outpointing McLarnin again over 15 rounds. He won 16 bouts in a row after that, including three over future world Middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia, and one against Al Manfredo. Ceferino Garcia ( August 26, 1912 — January 1, 1981) was a champion boxer born in the Tondo, Manila, Philippines His only two defenses, however, on that stretch were against Garcia and against Izzy Jannazzo beaten on points in 15. Izzy Jannazzo ( January 31, 1915 - June 18, 1995) was an American professional boxer who fought in the Welterweight Division

In his last fight, Ross defended his title, on May 31, 1938, against the fellow member of the three division world champions' club Henry Armstrong who beat him by a decision in 15. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Henry Jackson Jr ( December 12, 1912 - October 22, 1988) was a world Boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong

Ross retired with a record of 72 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws and 2 no-contests, with 22 wins by way of knockout.

Ross was ranked #21 on Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. In 2002, Ring Magazine published a list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years in Boxing, as voted by the magazine's writers

U. S. Marine

Barney Ross
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Battles/wars World War II — Battle of Guadalcanal
Awards Silver Star

In retirement in his early thirties, Ross decided to fight in World War II and joined the United States Marine Corps. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. However, the Marines wanted to keep him stateside, because they wanted him to teach boxing to the trainees. He waived off the licensing, however, choosing to go to training instead, and, upon graduation, he was sent to fight overseas. He was sent to Guadalcanal, where one night, he and three other comrades were trapped under enemy fire. Guadalcanal (local name Isatabu) is a 2510- Square mile (6500- km²) Island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon All three of his fellow Marines were wounded, as was Ross, but he withstood the attack, shooting about 400 bullets and throwing 22 grenades at his attackers, killing 20 of the enemy. Two of the Marines with him had died in the battle, but he carried the remaining man on his shoulders to safety; the other man weighed 230 lb (104 kg) compared to Ross' 140 lb (64 kg). Because of his heroism, Ross was awarded America's third highest military honor, the Silver Star. The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.

During his time in Guadalcanal, he began to know Frederic Gehring. Frederic Gehring was the Padre of Guadalcanal. Father Gehring was known for being a big part of World War II. They seemed to form quite a good relationship. As Frederic Gehring played the violin, Ross played the keyboard. Songs that he played include "Silent Night" and "My Yiddeshe Mama". " Silent Night " (" Stille Nacht " is a popular Christmas carol.

Drug addiction and recovery

During his recovery at the hospital from his wounds suffered in that battle, Ross developed a habit for the morphine administered for pain. Medical uses Morphine can be used as an analgesic in hospital settings to relieve pain in Myocardial infarction pain in This habit became so bad he would sometimes spend $500 a day on the drug. Ross went to a recovery center and beat his addiction. He gave lectures to high school students about the dangers of drug addiction. In 1957, Ross' life and battle with addiction were depicted in the film Monkey on My Back, directed by André De Toth and starring Cameron Mitchell as Ross. André de Toth (born Sasvári Farkasfalvi Tóthfalusi Tóth Endre Antal Mihály on May 15 1912 - died October 27 2002) was an Cameron Mitchell ( November 4, 1918 – July 6, 1994) was an American film television and Broadway star with close

Final days

Ross spent his last days doing a few things outside boxing. He was happy he reached the two goals he had set to reach: reunite his family and become a world champion in boxing. He wrote an autobiography titled No Man Stands Alone, and he had a role as an actor in the movie Requiem for a Heavyweight. An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Requiem for a Heavyweight was originally a teleplay written by Rod Serling and produced for the Live television show Playhouse 90 He was also a strong advocate for the creation and survival of the State of Israel. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics.

Ross died in his hometown Chicago when he was 57 years old. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall

Barney Ross AZA

The Aleph Zadik Aleph chapter located in Chicago's South Suburbs, (primarily in Flossmoor, Homewood, and Olympia Fields), is named in his honor and memory. The International Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA is an international youth-led fraternal organization for Jewish teenagers founded in 1924 and currently existing This chapter is part of the Great Midwest Region.

Halls of Fame

Ross was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall

Ross was also inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The modern World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF is located in Riverside, California, United States, in Southern California

Ross, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) [1]

Ross was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar [2]

See also

Notable Relatives

References/further reading

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