Fidel LaBarba explained

Fidel LaBarba
Weight:Flyweight
Nationality:American
Realname:Fidel La Barba
Birth Date:September 29, 1905
Birth Place:New York City, New York
Death Place:Los Angeles, California
Height:5 ft 3 in
Reach:66 in
Style:Orthodox
Total:94
Wins:72
Ko:15
Losses:15
Draws:7

Fidel LaBarba (September 29, 1905 – October 2, 1981) was an American boxer and sportswriter.[1] He was born in New York City and grew up in Los Angeles, California. LaBarba began his amateur career at fourteen, eventually winning the flyweight division at the national Amateur Athletic Union tournament in Boston and later qualifying for the United States Olympic team.[2]

As a professional boxer, La Barba was a world champion in the flyweight division.

Amateur career

LaBarba began boxing around age 12 or 13 in little amateur cards held weekly at places such as the Elks Club, which were promoted by Carlo Curtiss, who had been one of World Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard's managers. "Sometimes we would have nude women at these events," he said. The first known mention of "Young Fidel" is September 17, 1920, by the Los Angeles Times, announcing a boxing/wrestling show at the Italian picnic the next day at Selig Zoo where his opponent was to be "Battling Bennie", newsboy like Fidel. Eventually, Central Junior High School boxing instructor Bob Howard saw his potential. According to an interview published January 28, 1927 in some United States newspapers, LaBarba mentioned that he defeated a boy named Dave Mariney (a.k.a. Marini) for the high school championship. Based upon this win, his friends suggested he join the amateurs, which he did. By this, he likely meant he joined the A.A.U. Fidel found it ironic that his first "official" amateur opponent was none other than Dave Mariney. This was at a semi-monthly boxing show sponsored by the Los Angeles Athletic Club (L.A.A.C). "It looked like a crime to match the two," reported the Los Angeles Times November 4, 1920. LaBarba was about four feet tall, and his opponent a foot and a half taller. "But LaBarba soon showed he knew how to take care of himself."

George Blake reportedly was the referee at that fight. He and Charles Keppen ran these L.A.A.C. shows. Blake had come to Los Angeles from Chicago in 1904. He had been a United States Army boxing instructor during World War I. By the early 1920s, Blake was a well-known referee for boxing venues such as Jack Doyle's Vernon Arena, and would become the regular referee at the soon-to-be-built Hollywood Legion Stadium. He was much-respected and known as a man of impeccable character. Blake took an interest in the young and talented Fidel LaBarba, and asked Bob Howard to have him come down to the club. " I was asked four or five times, but was embarrassed to go," LaBarba explained. He owned only one pair of torn tennis shoes. He finally mustered the fortitude to go see Blake; thus started a very long relationship. LaBarba continued to have many amateur bouts. "We would receive a gift worth $35.00," he noted. "Later, they would give us a gift certificate to buy clothes at places like the Broadway, or Sears."

Meanwhile, LaBarba attended Central Jr. High School, and then Lincoln High School—both in Los Angeles. He enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, and especially football. He was the quarterback for the "lightweight" (midget) football team. While in high school, he sometimes worked nights until midnight, racking pins at a bowling alley, then sleeping on a cot in back of the building. In the morning he would grab a bite to eat at the local restaurant, then head off to school about a mile away.

By 1924, LaBarba had lost only one bout after some 30-plus recorded contests. George Blake took eight of his L.A.A.C. boxers to Boston June 1924 for the Olympic trials, and LaBarba qualified. LaBarba won the gold medal in the flyweight division at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. After the Games, Blake arranged an amateur card at Doyle's Vernon Arena with all the American Olympic fighters, at which LaBarba finished out his amateur career.

Olympic Results

Pro career

Although still in high school, LaBarba turned professional that same year.

On August 22, 1925, LaBarba defeated Frankie Genaro in a convincing 10-round decision to win the American Flyweight title. In 1927, he defeated Elky Clark to win the vacant flyweight championship of the world. La Barba dominated the fight, knocked Clark down five times and won all twelve rounds.[3]

Seven months later, LaBarba retired to enter Stanford University. Less than a year later, however, he returned to the ring as a featherweight. He won his first five fights, and in 1931 split two decisions with Kid Chocolate. On May 22, 1931, he was given an opportunity to win the world featherweight title, but was out pointed by Battling Battalino.

LaBarba's career was prematurely curtailed when he suffered a detached retina in training for a fight against Kid Chocolate for the New York featherweight title. On December 9, 1932, LaBarba not only lost the fight in a close decision, but went blind in his eye. After the fight, he underwent surgery to repair the tear, but it was unsuccessful and he eventually had to have the eye removed.

Later life

In 1933, he was forced to retire, and returned to Stanford, where he earned a degree in journalism. After graduating from Stanford he worked as a sportswriter, and later worked in public relations, as a screenwriter, and as a technical advisor in Hollywood for boxing movies.

Fidel LaBarba died of heart failure in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[4] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
95Win69–15–6 Mose ButchUD10Feb 13, 1933
94Loss68–15–6 Seaman Tommy WatsonUD12Jan 27, 1933
93Loss68–14–6 Tommy PaulMD10Dec 29, 1932
92Loss68–13–6 Kid ChocolateMD15Dec 9, 1932
91Win68–12–6 Conrad SanicoTKO6 (8)Nov 10, 1932
90Win67–12–6 Little DempseyPTS10Oct 15, 1932
89Win66–12–6 Sailor Ray ButlerPTS10Oct 8, 1932
88Win65–12–6 Frank TorresTKO4 (8)Sep 5, 1932
87Win64–12–6 Vince VenturilloTKO10 (10), Sep 2, 1932
86Win63–12–6 Al CitrinoTKO6 (10)Aug 12, 1932
85Win62–12–6 Varias MillingPTS10Jul 29, 1932
84Win61–12–6 Bobby GrayKO8 (10)Jun 28, 1932
83Win60–12–6 Tommy PaulPTS10Jun 14, 1932
82Win59–12–6 Varias MillingPTS10Jun 2, 1932
81Loss58–12–6 Johnny PenaPTS10Apr 29, 1932
80Win58–11–6 Petey SarronPTS10Apr 22, 1932
79Win57–11–6 Max TarleyPTS10Apr 8, 1932
78Win56–11–6 Varias MillingPTS10Mar 11, 1932
77Loss55–11–6 Baby ArizmendiPTS10Jan 1, 1932
76Win55–10–6 Davey JonesPTS6Dec 17, 1931
75Win54–10–6 Benny PelzPTS6Dec 15, 1931
74Win53–10–6 Lesie 'Wildcat' CarterKO1 (10), Dec 9, 1931
73Win52–10–6 Santiago ZorrillaTKO6 (10)Nov 27, 1931
72Win51–10–6 Lesie 'Wildcat' CarterPTS6Nov 10, 1931
71Win50–10–6 Joe GuerreroPTS10Oct 9, 1931
70Win49–10–6 Johnny PrevisPTS10Sep 16, 1931
69Win48–10–6 Isidro Pinto de SaPTS10Aug 21, 1931
68Win47–10–6 Santiago ZorrillaPTS10Aug 6, 1931
67Win46–10–6 Jackie MandellKO1 (10)Jul 20, 1931
66Win45–10–6 Ray MontoyaPTS10Jul 4, 1931
65Loss44–10–6 Claude VarnerPTS10Jun 26, 1931
64Loss44–9–6 Christopher BattalinoUD15May 22, 1931
63Win44–8–6 Kid FrancisUD10Mar 27, 1931
62Draw43–8–6 Claude VarnerPTS10Feb 3, 1931
61Loss43–8–5 Eddie SheaPTS10Dec 10, 1930
60Win43–7–5 Charles 'Bud' TaylorPTS10Nov 28, 1930
59Win42–7–5 Kid ChocolateUD10Nov 3, 1930
58Draw41–7–5 Earl MastroPTS10Aug 7, 1930
57Win41–7–4 Bushy GrahamPTS10May 28, 1930
56Win40–7–4 Charles 'Bud' TaylorPTS10Apr 21, 1930
55Win39–7–4 Tommy PaulUD10Apr 4, 1930
54Win38–7–4 Santiago ZorrillaPTS10Mar 4, 1930
53Win37–7–4 Charley SullivanKO5 (10)Feb 14, 1930
52Win36–7–4 Johnny TorresPTS10Jan 28, 1930
51Win35–7–4 Ignacio FernandezPTS10Jan 14, 1930
50Loss34–7–4 Kid FrancisPTS12Oct 12, 1929
49Win34–6–4 Jackie MandellTKO8 (10)Aug 30, 1929
48Loss33–6–4 Earl MastroPTS10Jun 25, 1929
47Win33–5–4 Tommy PaulMD6Jun 7, 1929
46Loss32–5–4 Kid ChocolateMD10May 22, 1929
45Win32–4–4 Willie SmithTKO12 (15)Mar 16, 1929
44Win31–4–4 Billy GrimePTS15Mar 2, 1929
43Win30–4–4 Willie SmithPTS15Feb 9, 1929
42Win29–4–4 Billy 'Young' McAllister KO4 (15)Jan 26, 1929
41Win28–4–4 Ray RavaniKO8 (10)Nov 23, 1927
40Win27–4–4 Young NationalistaPTS10Sep 25, 1927
39Win26–4–4 Bushy GrahamPTS10Sep 11, 1927
38Win25–4–4 Earl MastroPTS10Aug 7, 1927
37Win24–4–4 Huerta EvansPTS10Jul 17, 1927
36Win23–4–4 Johnny VaccaPTS10Aug 23, 1927
35Win22–4–4 Memphis Pal MoorePTS10Jul 12, 1927
34Draw21–4–4 Clarence RosenNWS10Jun 27, 1927
33Win21–4–4 Mike BrodyNWS10Jun 21, 1927
32Win21–4–4 Willie LaMorteTKO10 (12)May 27, 1927
31Win20–4–4 Babe KellarNWS10May 11, 1927
30Win20–4–4 Billy ShawPTS10Apr 29, 1927
29Win19–4–4 Young MontrealPTS10Apr 11, 1927
28Loss18–4–4 Johnny VaccaPTS10Mar 21, 1927
27Loss18–3–4 Johnny VaccaPTS10Feb 14, 1927
26Win18–2–4 Elky ClarkUD12Jan 21, 1927
25Win17–2–4 Delos 'Kid' WilliamsPTS10Dec 17, 1926
24Win16–2–4 California Joe LynchDQ4 (10)Nov 19, 1926
23Draw15–2–4 Young NationalistaPTS10Oct 26, 1926
22Draw15–2–3 Newsboy BrownPTS10Oct 5, 1926
21Win15–2–2 Paul MilnarPTS8Sep 2, 1926
20Win14–2–2 Happy AthertonPTS10Aug 25, 1926
19Win13–2–2 Emil PalusoPTS10Aug 13, 1926
18Win12–2–2 Georgie RiversPTS10Jul 7, 1926
17Win11–2–2 Emil PalusoNWS12May 4, 1926
16Win11–2–2 Clever SencioPTS10Mar 31, 1926
15Win10–2–2 Vic KingTKO4 (10)Mar 12, 1926
14Win9–2–2 Clever SencioNWS12Jan 20, 1926
13Win9–2–2Lew PerfettiPTS6Dec 23, 1925
12Win8–2–2Ray FeeTKO1 (10), Nov 20, 1925
11Win7–2–2Frankie GenaroPTS10Aug 22, 1925
10Win6–2–2Georgie RiversPTS10Jul 17, 1925
9Win5–2–2Teddy SilvaPTS10May 29, 1925
8Draw4–2–2Newsboy BrownPTS10Apr 17, 1925
7Win4–2–1Georgie RiversPTS10Mar 20, 1925
6Win3–2–1Young NationalistaPTS10Feb 20, 1925
5Loss2–2–1Jimmy McLarninPTS10Jan 13, 1925
4Win2–1–1Pedro VillaPTS4Dec 4, 1924
3Draw1–1–1Jimmy McLarninPTS4Nov 11, 1924
2Loss1–1Jimmy McLarninPTS4Oct 28, 1924
1Win1–0Frankie GrandettaPTS4Oct 14, 1924

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
95Win73–15–7Mose ButchUD10Feb 13, 1933
94Loss72–15–7Seaman Tommy WatsonUD12Jan 27, 1933
93Loss72–14–7Tommy PaulMD10Dec 29, 1932
92Loss72–13–7Kid ChocolateMD15Dec 9, 1932
91Win72–12–7Conrad SanicoTKO6 (8)Nov 10, 1932
90Win71–12–7Little DempseyPTS10Oct 15, 1932
89Win70–12–7Sailor Ray ButlerPTS10Oct 8, 1932
88Win69–12–7Frank TorresTKO4 (8)Sep 5, 1932
87Win68–12–7Vince VenturilloTKO10 (10), Sep 2, 1932
86Win67–12–7Al CitrinoTKO6 (10)Aug 12, 1932
85Win66–12–7Varias MillingPTS10Jul 29, 1932
84Win65–12–7Bobby GrayKO8 (10)Jun 28, 1932
83Win64–12–7Tommy PaulPTS10Jun 14, 1932
82Win63–12–7Varias MillingPTS10Jun 2, 1932
81Loss62–12–7Johnny PenaPTS10Apr 29, 1932
80Win62–11–7Petey SarronPTS10Apr 22, 1932
79Win61–11–7Max TarleyPTS10Apr 8, 1932
78Win60–11–7Varias MillingPTS10Mar 11, 1932
77Loss59–11–7Baby ArizmendiPTS10Jan 1, 1932
76Win59–10–7Davey JonesPTS6Dec 17, 1931
75Win58–10–7Benny PelzPTS6Dec 15, 1931
74Win57–10–7Lesie 'Wildcat' CarterKO1 (10), Dec 9, 1931
73Win56–10–7Santiago ZorrillaTKO6 (10)Nov 27, 1931
72Win55–10–7Lesie 'Wildcat' CarterPTS6Nov 10, 1931
71Win54–10–7Joe GuerreroPTS10Oct 9, 1931
70Win53–10–7Johnny PrevisPTS10Sep 16, 1931
69Win52–10–7Isidro Pinto de SaPTS10Aug 21, 1931
68Win51–10–7Santiago ZorrillaPTS10Aug 6, 1931
67Win50–10–7Jackie MandellKO1 (10)Jul 20, 1931
66Win49–10–7Ray MontoyaPTS10Jul 4, 1931
65Loss48–10–7Claude VarnerPTS10Jun 26, 1931
64Loss48–9–7Christopher BattalinoUD15May 22, 1931
63Win48–8–7Kid FrancisUD10Mar 27, 1931
62Draw47–8–7Claude VarnerPTS10Feb 3, 1931
61Loss47–8–6Eddie SheaPTS10Dec 10, 1930
60Win47–7–6Charles 'Bud' TaylorPTS10Nov 28, 1930
59Win46–7–6Kid ChocolateUD10Nov 3, 1930
58Draw45–7–6Earl MastroPTS10Aug 7, 1930
57Win45–7–5Bushy GrahamPTS10May 28, 1930
56Win44–7–5Charles 'Bud' TaylorPTS10Apr 21, 1930
55Win43–7–5Tommy PaulUD10Apr 4, 1930
54Win42–7–5Santiago ZorrillaPTS10Mar 4, 1930
53Win41–7–5Charley SullivanKO5 (10)Feb 14, 1930
52Win40–7–5Johnny TorresPTS10Jan 28, 1930
51Win39–7–5Ignacio FernandezPTS10Jan 14, 1930
50Loss38–7–5Kid FrancisPTS12Oct 12, 1929
49Win38–6–5Jackie MandellTKO8 (10)Aug 30, 1929
48Loss37–6–5Earl MastroPTS10Jun 25, 1929
47Win37–5–5Tommy PaulMD6Jun 7, 1929
46Loss36–5–5Kid ChocolateMD10May 22, 1929
45Win36–4–5Willie SmithTKO12 (15)Mar 16, 1929
44Win35–4–5Billy GrimePTS15Mar 2, 1929
43Win34–4–5Willie SmithPTS15Feb 9, 1929
42Win33–4–5Billy 'Young' McAllister KO4 (15)Jan 26, 1929
41Win32–4–5Ray RavaniKO8 (10)Nov 23, 1927
40Win31–4–5Young NationalistaPTS10Sep 25, 1927
39Win30–4–5Bushy GrahamPTS10Sep 11, 1927
38Win29–4–5Earl MastroPTS10Aug 7, 1927
37Win28–4–5Huerta EvansPTS10Jul 17, 1927
36Win27–4–5Johnny VaccaPTS10Aug 23, 1927
35Win26–4–5Memphis Pal MoorePTS10Jul 12, 1927
34Draw25–4–5Clarence RosenNWS10Jun 27, 1927
33Win25–4–4Mike BrodyNWS10Jun 21, 1927
32Win24–4–4Willie LaMorteTKO10 (12)May 27, 1927
31Win23–4–4Babe KellarNWS10May 11, 1927
30Win22–4–4Billy ShawPTS10Apr 29, 1927
29Win21–4–4Young MontrealPTS10Apr 11, 1927
28Loss20–4–4Johnny VaccaPTS10Mar 21, 1927
27Loss20–3–4Johnny VaccaPTS10Feb 14, 1927
26Win20–2–4Elky ClarkUD12Jan 21, 1927
25Win19–2–4Delos 'Kid' WilliamsPTS10Dec 17, 1926
24Win18–2–4California Joe LynchDQ4 (10)Nov 19, 1926
23Draw17–2–4Young NationalistaPTS10Oct 26, 1926
22Draw17–2–3Newsboy BrownPTS10Oct 5, 1926
21Win17–2–2Paul MilnarPTS8Sep 2, 1926
20Win16–2–2Happy AthertonPTS10Aug 25, 1926
19Win15–2–2Emil PalusoPTS10Aug 13, 1926
18Win14–2–2Georgie RiversPTS10Jul 7, 1926
17Win13–2–2Emil PalusoNWS12May 4, 1926
16Win12–2–2Clever SencioPTS10Mar 31, 1926
15Win11–2–2Vic KingTKO4 (10)Mar 12, 1926
14Win10–2–2Clever SencioNWS12Jan 20, 1926
13Win9–2–2Lew PerfettiPTS6Dec 23, 1925
12Win8–2–2Ray FeeTKO1 (10), Nov 20, 1925
11Win7–2–2Frankie GenaroPTS10Aug 22, 1925
10Win6–2–2Georgie RiversPTS10Jul 17, 1925
9Win5–2–2Teddy SilvaPTS10May 29, 1925
8Draw4–2–2Newsboy BrownPTS10Apr 17, 1925
7Win4–2–1Georgie RiversPTS10Mar 20, 1925
6Win3–2–1Young NationalistaPTS10Feb 20, 1925
5Loss2–2–1Jimmy McLarninPTS10Jan 13, 1925
4Win2–1–1Pedro VillaPTS4Dec 4, 1924
3Draw1–1–1Jimmy McLarninPTS4Nov 11, 1924
2Loss1–1Jimmy McLarninPTS4Oct 28, 1924
1Win1–0Frankie GrandettaPTS4Oct 14, 1924

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. News: UPI . Fidel La Barba Dead; Ex-Boxing Champion . 29 January 2014 . The New York Times . 4 October 1981.
  2. Web site: Fidel LaBarba . Olympedia . 5 October 2021.
  3. Web site: Fidel LaBarba - Lineal Flyweight Champion. The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  4. Web site: BoxRec: Fidel LaBarba.

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