Jack Kid Berg Explained

Jack Kid Berg
Realname:Judah Bergman
Nickname:Jack "Kid" Berg
The Whitechapel Windmill
Weight:Lightweight
Welterweight
Height:5feet
Nationality:English
Birth Date:1909 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Whitechapel, London
Death Place:London
Total:192
Wins:157
Ko:61
Losses:26
Draws:9

Judah Bergman, known as Jack Kid Berg or Jackie Kid Berg (28 June 1909 – 22 April 1991), was an English boxer born in the East End of London, who became the World Light Welterweight Champion in 1930.

Biography

Judah Bergman was born in Romford Street near Cable Street, St George in the East, Stepney. His father Judah Senior, who found work as a tailor in America, and his mother Mildred immigrated from Odessa. His siblings included Wolf, changed to Willie, Rebecca and Sarah.[1] He was apprenticed as a lather boy in a barber's shop, and began his boxing career at the Premierland, Back Church Lane, when he was 14. Jewish Berg boxed with a Star of David on his trunks.

The book The Whitechapel Windmill covers the handsome boxer's rise in the boxing world as well as his flamboyant out-of-the-ring life, which is said to have included an affair with Mae West and a long-lasting friendship with fellow East Ender Jack Comer, the colourful (and also Jewish) gangster.

After losing his British Lightweight crown, he lived to be the oldest British boxing champion. Berg died in London on 22 April 1991.

He is commemorated by a blue plaque on Noble Court, Cable Street, close to the place where he was born. Stepney Historical Trust presented the plaque at a ceremony attended by the Chief Rabbi, the Bishop of Stepney Richard Chartres, Professor Bill Fishman, Councillor Albert lilley and the Retired Boxers Federation. Later in the evening the Trust held a Charity Ball to raise funds for the Retired Boxers Federation attended by Mr Cox, Chairman of the Boxing Association and also the local Arbour Youth and Repton Boxing Clubs Boys. Over £1000 was raised for the Retired Boxing charity.

Career

Between 1923 and 1936, Berg had 192 professional fights, winning 157 of them. His record was 157–26–9. Fifty seven wins were by knock out.

In 1931 he moved to the US, where he won 64 out of 76 fights there. During his bouts in America, he was trained by legendary boxing trainer Ray Arcel.

In 1930, Berg defeated the great Cuban fighter Kid Chocolate in ten rounds.[2] The Chocolate bout, fought in Queens, New York in 1932, had 10,000 spectators, larger than many of his British bouts.[3] In 1930, he knocked out the American champion Mushy Callahan to take the World Light Welterweight Championship in London.[4] The National Boxing Association (NBA) had stripped Callahan before this fight and Britain did not recognize this division, so only the New York State Athletic Commission recognized Berg as champion after this fight. The NBA only recognized Berg as champion after he beat Goldie Hess in January 1931.

Berg fought as a lightweight when he put his title on the line to meet with Tony Canzoneri in Chicago on 24 April 1931. He was quickly knocked out in three rounds, falling on his face and stumbling to get up before giving in and collapsing into the ropes. Berg, contending that he lost at lightweight and not at light welterweight, continued to claim that he was champion. Most of the boxing world recognized Canzoneri, however.[5] He unsuccessfully challenged Canzoneri again for the title in September 1931.

After the Canzoneri bout, Berg continued boxing with mixed results. He became British lightweight champion in 1934 by beating the title holder Harry Mizler, another Jewish boxer. He was thrust back into the limelight as a replacement for the injured Canzoneri against Cleto Locatelli at Madison Square Garden, but his hopes of challenging for the world title faded after a points defeat to Gustave Humery in Paris in February 1935, also losing a return bout in London in April, although Berg was still British champion at this point.[6] [7] Later that year he lost to Laurie Stevens in a fight for the British Empire lightweight title in Johannesburg.[8] He returned to fighting at welterweight in the United States with some success.[9] In August 1936, after three straight defeats, he announced his retirement, but returned in January 1937 with a victory against Ivor Pickens, the first of a nine fight unbeaten run.[10] In January 1941 he moved up to middleweight to fight Harry Craster.[11] He again beat Mizler in February 1941 and defeated British lightweight champion Eric Boon on a disqualification due to a low blow in a non-title fight in April 1941.[12] After a victory over Eric Dolby in March 1945, Berg expressed a desire to once more challenge for a title, saying "What I need is fights. I'm a bad gymnasium worker, but I'll show what I can do in the ring. When I've had a few warm up fights I'll know where I stand. If I'm no good I'll quit."[13] He had two further fights, the last a win by knockout against Johnny MacDonald in May 1945, before retiring.

Berg's brother Teddy was also a boxer, and the two fought on the same bill in 1941.[14]

After retiring from boxing, he worked as a film stunt man, joined the Royal Air Force, and owned a restaurant in London.[15]

Personal life

In 1930 Berg's marriage to New York University student Eleanor Kraus, the daughter of a New York silk merchant, was announced, although by November 1931 the relationship had ended.[16] [17] In September 1930 Berg was served with a writ claiming £10,000 for breach of promise by Sophia Levy, who claimed the two had a relationship.[18] Berg married Bunty Pain, a dancer at the Trocadero, on 11 August 1933 at Prince's Row register office in London.[19] [20]

In October 1940 he was awarded £500 damages for slander after John Macadam suggested in a BBC broadcast that Berg would fight Eric Boon after "drawing his old-age pension" and "tottering along to Earl's Court", although the decision was overturned on appeal.[21] [22]

Hall of Fame

Berg was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Berg was also inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Berg, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.[23]

Miscellaneous

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
192Win157–26–9Johnny MacDonaldKO5 (8)May 19, 1945
191Win156–26–9Jimmy BruntPTS8Mar 8, 1945
190Win155–26–9Eric DolbyKO4 (8)Mar 1, 1945
189Loss154–26–9Gordon WoodhousePTS6May 22, 1943
188Win154–25–9Joe ConnollyKO4 (10)Mar 12, 1942
187Win153–25–9Paddy RocheTKO5 (10)Feb 5, 1942
186Win152–25–9Joe ConnollyRTD8 (10)Nov 24, 1941
185Loss151–25–9George OdwellPTS10Nov 2, 1941
184Loss151–24–9Arthur DanaharTKO5 (10)Jul 24, 1941
183Loss151–23–9Ernie RoderickPTS10Jun 12, 1941
182Win151–22–9Eric BoonDQ2 (12)Apr 21, 1941
181Win150–22–9Harry MizlerPTS10Feb 27, 1941
180Win149–22–9Harry CharmanPTS6Feb 20, 1941
179Win148–22–9Harry CrasterPTS10Jan 20, 1941
178Win147–22–9Harry DavisTKO8 (10)Apr 4, 1940
177Win146–22–9Seaman Dick BradshawTKO3 (10)Mar 10, 1940
176Win145–22–9Paddy RocheTKO4 (10)Mar 8, 1940
175Win144–22–9Eddie RyanDQ6 (12)Feb 29, 1940
174Win143–22–9George ReynoldsPTS10Feb 5, 1940
173Win142–22–9Harry DavisPTS10Jan 25, 1940
172Win141–22–9Paddy RocheTKO5 (10)Dec 11, 1939
171Win140–22–9Paddy RochePTS10Nov 13, 1939
170Win139–22–9Joey GrebPTS8Aug 1, 1939
169Win138–22–9Johnny RohrigPTS10Jul 11, 1939
168Loss137–22–9Mike PiskinPTS10Jun 30, 1939
167Loss137–21–9Milt AronTKO6 (10)Jun 26, 1939
166Win137–20–9Tippy LarkinPTS10Jun 6, 1939
165Win136–20–9Marine BunkerTKO9 (12)Apr 10, 1939
164Win135–20–9Pete GalianoPTS8Apr 4, 1939
163Loss134–20–9Pedro MontañezTKO5 (10)Mar 10, 1939
162Loss134–19–9Quentin BreesePTS10Feb 3, 1939
161Win134–18–9Frankie CavannaPTS8Nov 22, 1938
160Win133–18–9Joey GrebPTS8Oct 25, 1938
159Win132–18–9Johnny McHalePTS8Oct 11, 1938
158Win131–18–9Pete CaracciolaPTS8Aug 5, 1938
157Loss130–18–9Freddie 'Red' CochranePTS10Jul 25, 1938
156Win130–17–9Johnny McHalePTS8Jul 12, 1938
155Win129–17–9Johnny HorstmannPTS8Jun 30, 1938
154Draw128–17–9Augie ArellanoPTS8Jun 15, 1938
153Win128–17–8Johnny McHalePTS8Jun 7, 1938
152Win127–17–8Ray NapolitanoUD8May 3, 1938
151Win126–17–8Johnny HorstmannPTS8Apr 9, 1938
150Win125–17–8Frankie WallacePTS8Mar 29, 1938
149Win124–17–8Vince PimpinellaPTS10Mar 15, 1938
148Win123–17–8Larry AnzalonePTS8Mar 5, 1938
147Win122–17–8Silvio ZangrilloTKO4 (8)Feb 19, 1938
146Win121–17–8Leo PhillipsPTS10Dec 13, 1937
145Win120–17–8Charlie ChetwinTKO2 (10)Dec 6, 1937
144Loss119–17–8George OdwellTKO7 (12)Nov 1, 1937
143Win119–16–8Jake KilrainTKO5 (10)Oct 4, 1937
142Draw118–16–8Jack LewisPTS10Aug 14, 1937
141Win118–16–7Alby DayPTS8May 6, 1937
140Win117–16–7Pat HaleyTKO5 (10)Apr 11, 1937
139Draw116–16–7Louis SaerensPTS10Mar 22, 1937
138Win116–16–6Harry MasonTKO3 (10)Feb 21, 1937
137Win115–16–6George PurchaseRTD6 (12)Feb 11, 1937
136Win114–16–6Pat HaleyDQ3 (10)Feb 7, 1937
135Win113–16–6Ivor PickensPTS10Jan 24, 1937
134Loss112–16–6Aldo SpoldiTKO2 (10)Jul 22, 1936
133Loss112–15–6Jimmy WalshTKO9 (15)Apr 24, 1936
132Loss112–14–6Laurie StevensPTS12Jan 11, 1936
131Win112–13–6Pat ButlerTKO4 (12)Nov 14, 1935
130Win111–13–6Peter McKinleyPTS10Oct 21, 1935
129Win110–13–6Harry BrownKO3 (10)May 19, 1935
128Loss109–13–6Gustave HumeryPTS10Apr 1, 1935
127Loss109–12–6Gustave HumeryPTS10Feb 25, 1935
126Win109–11–6Gustave HumeryTKO8 (10)Jan 21, 1935
125Win108–11–6Fred BastinTKO4 (10)Dec 2, 1934
124Win107–11–6Harry MizlerRTD10 (15)Oct 29, 1934
123Win106–11–6Nicolas WilkeTKO9 (10)Sep 30, 1934
122Win105–11–6Joe KerrRTD6 (10)Jul 10, 1934
121Loss104–11–6Jimmy StewartTKO3 (12)May 31, 1934
120Win104–10–6Len WickwarDQ6 (12)May 14, 1934
119Win103–10–6Jackie FlynnPTS12Apr 29, 1934
118Loss102–10–6Cleto LocatelliPTS10Jan 12, 1934
117Loss102–9–6Tony FalcoPTS10Oct 19, 1933
116Win102–8–6Harry WallaceTKO4 (8)Oct 7, 1933
115Win101–8–6Eugene DrouhinTKO9 (15)Jul 12, 1933
114Win100–8–6George RoseTKO5 (15)Jul 8, 1933
113Win99–8–6Louis SaerensKO4 (15)May 28, 1933
112Loss98–8–6Cleto LocatelliPTS10Apr 27, 1933
111Win98–7–6Kid ChocolateMD15Jul 18, 1932
110Win97–7–6Mike SarkoPTS6Jun 29, 1932
109Loss96–7–6Sammy FullerSD12May 20, 1932
108Draw96–6–6Sammy FullerPTS10Apr 1, 1932
107Win96–6–5Buster BrownPTS10Mar 21, 1932
106Win95–6–5Marius BaudryTKO5 (15)Dec 14, 1931
105Loss94–6–5Tony CanzoneriUD15Sep 10, 1931
104Win94–5–5Jimmy McNamaraPTS10Aug 4, 1931
103Win93–5–5Philly GriffinPTS10Jul 27, 1931
102Win92–5–5Teddy WatsonKO7 (10)Jul 24, 1931
101Win91–5–5Tony LambertTKO4 (8)Jun 22, 1931
100Win90–5–5Ray KiserPTS10May 18, 1931
99Win89–5–5Tony HerreraPTS10May 8, 1931
98Loss88–5–5Tony CanzoneriKO3 (10)Apr 24, 1931
97Win88–4–5Billy WallaceUD10Apr 10, 1931
96Win87–4–5Herman PerlickUD10Jan 30, 1931
95Win86–4–5Goldie HessUD10Jan 23, 1931
94Win85–4–5Billy PetrolleUD10Oct 10, 1930
93Win84–4–5Joe GlickPTS10Sep 18, 1930
92Win83–4–5Buster BrownPTS10Sep 3, 1930
91Win82–4–5Kid ChocolateSD10Aug 7, 1930
90Win81–4–5Henry PerlickPTS10Jul 10, 1930
89Win80–4–5Herman PerlickUD10Jun 11, 1930
88Win79–4–5Al DelmontTKO4 (10)May 29, 1930
87Win78–4–5Jackie PhillipsPTS10Apr 7, 1930
86Win77–4–5Joe GlickUD10Apr 4, 1930
85Win76–4–5Mushy CallahanTKO10 (15)Feb 18, 1930
84Win75–4–5Tony CanzoneriSD10Jan 17, 1930
83Win74–4–5Tony CaraglianoDQ2 (10)Dec 18, 1929
82Win73–4–5Artie DeLucaPTS6Nov 30, 1929
81Win72–4–5Eddie ElkinsPTS10Nov 18, 1929
80Win71–4–5Tommy GervelKO2 (10)Nov 2, 1929
79Win70–4–5Bruce FlowersPTS10Oct 21, 1929
78Win69–4–5Phil McGrawPTS10Sep 30, 1929
77Win68–4–5Georgie BalducDQ2 (10)Sep 16, 1929
76Win67–4–5Spug MyersPTS10Aug 29, 1929
75Win66–4–5Harry WallaceTKO9 (10)Aug 19, 1929
74Win65–4–5Joe TrabonTKO5 (10)Aug 5, 1929
73Win64–4–5Mushy CallahanUD10Jul 24, 1929
72Win63–4–5Herman PerlickPTS10Jul 12, 1929
71Draw62–4–5Stanislaus LoayzaPTS10Jun 11, 1929
70Win62–4–4Bruce FlowersPTS10May 23, 1929
69Win61–4–4Bruce FlowersPTS10May 10, 1929
68Win60–4–4Lucien VinezPTS12Jan 31, 1929
67Win59–4–4Alf ManciniPTS15Dec 6, 1928
66Win58–4–4Spug MyersDQ3 (10)Oct 8, 1928
65Loss57–4–4Billy PetrolleTKO5 (10)Aug 24, 1928
64Draw57–3–4Billy PetrollePTS10Jul 26, 1928
63Win57–3–3Mike WattersTKO9 (10)Jul 12, 1928
62Win56–3–3Freddie MuellerPTS10Jun 14, 1928
61Win55–3–3Johnny MellowPTS10Jun 7, 1928
60Win54–3–3Pedro AmadorPTS10May 31, 1928
59Win53–3–3Jack DonnDQ10 (15)Feb 27, 1928
58Win52–3–3Lucien VinezPTS12Dec 4, 1927
57Win51–3–3Vittorio VenturiPTS10Nov 7, 1927
56Win50–3–3Raymond JansenDQ7 (15)Oct 11, 1927
55Win49–3–3Jackie KirkKO13 (15)Sep 29, 1927
54Win48–3–3Robert SirvainTKO6 (15)Sep 18, 1927
53Win47–3–3Bob MillerTKO6 (15)May 29, 1927
52Win46–3–3Alf SimmonsDQ15 (15)Apr 21, 1927
51Win45–3–3Paul FritschTKO8 (15)Feb 27, 1927
50Win44–3–3Joe ClaresPTS15Jan 23, 1927
49Win43–3–3Walter WrightTKO2 (15)Jan 13, 1927
48Win42–3–3Louis SaerensDQ9 (15)Dec 19, 1926
47Win41–3–3Billy GilmoreRTD8 (15)Nov 21, 1926
46Win40–3–3Phil BondPTS15Oct 10, 1926
45Win39–3–3Harry CorbettPTS15Aug 29, 1926
44Win38–3–3Paul GayTKO6 (15)Jul 26, 1926
43Win37–3–3Henri HébrantTKO5 (15)Jul 8, 1926
42Win36–3–3André RoutisDQ3 (15)Jun 21, 1926
41Win35–3–3Mick HillPTS15May 16, 1926
40Draw34–3–3Harry CorbettPTS15Apr 26, 1926
39Win34–3–2André RoutisPTS15Mar 18, 1926
38Loss33–3–2Harry CorbettPTS15Feb 11, 1926
37Win33–2–2Battling van DijkPTS15Nov 26, 1925
36Win32–2–2Ernie SwashDQ2 (15)Nov 12, 1925
35Win31–2–2Johnny CurleyPTS15Oct 29, 1925
34Win30–2–2Johnny CuthbertRTD11 (15)Oct 15, 1925
33Win29–2–2Norm RadfordKO14 (15)Sep 10, 1925
32Win28–2–2Johnny BrittonPTS15Aug 30, 1925
31Win27–2–2Fred GreenPTS15Aug 20, 1925
30Win26–2–2Fred GreenPTS15Aug 6, 1925
29Win25–2–2George GreenTKO11 (15)Jul 26, 1925
28Win24–2–2Joe SamuelsPTS15Jul 16, 1925
27Win23–2–2Jack SlatteryPTS15Jun 28, 1925
26Loss22–2–2Johnny CuthbertPTS15Jun 18, 1925
25Win22–1–2Billy SheppardTKO13 (15)Jun 7, 1925
24Win21–1–2Kid LewisTKO10 (15)May 21, 1925
23Win20–1–2George DavisDQ8 (15)Apr 19, 1925
22Win19–1–2Sid CarterPTS15Apr 6, 1925
21Loss18–1–2Johnny CuthbertPTS15Mar 12, 1925
20Win18–0–2Billy StreetsTKO9 (15)Feb 26, 1925
19Win17–0–2Arthur LloydTKO15 (15)Feb 9, 1925
18Win16–0–2Billy StreetsPTS15Jan 26, 1925
17Win15–0–2Albert ColcombeTKO13 (15)Jan 8, 1925
16Win14–0–2Billy ColebourneTKO6 (15)Dec 26, 1924
15Win13–0–2Arthur LloydPTS10Dec 15, 1924
14Win12–0–2Bert SaundersTKO14 (15)Dec 11, 1924
13Win11–0–2Teddy ShepherdTKO9 (10)Dec 7, 1924
12Win10–0–2Fred PattenPTS15Nov 27, 1924
11Win9–0–2Harry MillerTKO6 (10)Nov 20, 1924
10Win8–0–2Jimmy WooderPTS10Nov 10, 1924
9Win7–0–2Young ClancyPTS15Nov 3, 1924
8Win6–0–2Albert HicksPTS10Oct 16, 1924
7Draw5–0–2Jimmy WooderPTS10Oct 2, 1924
6Win5–0–1Teddy PullenKO1 (10)Sep 21, 1924
5Win4–0–1Billy ClarkePTS10Aug 21, 1924
4Draw3–0–1Billy ClarkePTS10Aug 3, 1924
3Win3–0Sid LyonsTKO3 (10)Jul 20, 1924
2Win2–0Charlie HarwoodTKO7 (10)Jul 7, 1924
1Win1–0Johnnie GordonTKO8 (10)Jun 8, 1924

See also

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Harding, John and Berg, Jack (1987). Jack Kid Berg, The Whitechapel Windmill, pg. 14. Published by Robson Books, Ltd., London.
  2. News: Kid Berg's Victory: British Boxer to Return to England . Nottingham Evening Post . 8 August 1930 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  3. Harding, John and Berg, Jack (1987). Jack Kid Berg, The Whitechapel Windmill, pg. 48, Published by Robson Books, Ltd., London.
  4. Web site: Jack Kid Berg - Lineal Junior Welterweight Champion. The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  5. Book: Mullan , Harry . The Great Book of Boxing . Crescent Books . 1987 . New York, New York . 0-7517-6295-4 . 299.
  6. News: Kid Berg's World Title Hopes Fade In Paris . Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette . 26 February 1935 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  7. News: Big Chance for Kid Berg . Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette . 4 January 1934 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  8. News: "Kid Berg" In Quest of Further Boxing Honours . Gloucestershire Echo . 29 November 1935 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  9. News: "Kid Berg": Another U.S. Win: Now Ready for Canzoneri . Lancashire Evening Post . 26 October 1938 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  10. News: Kid Berg to Retire . Western Daily Press . 27 August 1936 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  11. News: Kid Berg's Fight . Derby Daily Telegraph . 4 January 1941 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  12. News: "Kid" Berg Carried Off . Aberdeen Journal . 22 April 1941 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  13. News: Kid Berg's Prospects . Evening Telegraph . 3 March 1945 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  14. News: Kid Berg's Brother to Fight . Evening Telegraph . 14 February 1941 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  15. Arcel . Ray . Jackie "Kid" Berg: The Face of an Angel .. The Heart of a Devil ... And One Helluva Fighter . The Ring . 70. 9 . 69 . September 1991 .
  16. News: Kid Berg to Marry: Boxer's Romance with New York University Girl . Western Daily Press . 27 August 1930 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  17. News: End of Kid Berg's Romance . Western Daily Press . 7 November 1931 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  18. News: Kid Berg Served with Writ for Breach of Promise . Hull Daily Mail . 13 September 1930 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  19. News: Kid Berg to Wed . Aberdeen Journal . 14 July 1933 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  20. News: Kid Berg Married. Lancashire Evening Post . 11 August 1933 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  21. News: Kid Berg Awarded £500 Damages for Slander . Lancashire Evening Post . 8 October 1940 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  22. News: Kid Berg Loses £500 . Aberdeen Journal . 4 March 1941 . 12 July 2014 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  23. Web site: International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame . Jewishsports.net . 20 January 2011.
  24. News: Andrew Pulver . Jews who boxed clever | Film | The Guardian . Film.guardian.co.uk . 10 May 2007. 20 January 2011 . London.
  25. Web site: "This is Your Life" Jack 'Kid' Berg (TV Episode 1987) - IMDb. .
  26. News: Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium To-Night Grand Opening. Daily Mirror . 19 June 1933 . 16 August 2022 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .