Boxing History: On This Day: Jackie Graves Remembered

By Peter Silkov

 

Jackie Graves, nicknamed ‘The Austin Atom’ was a hard-hitting southpaw, featherweight, who mixed it with some of the best 126-pounders of the 1940s and 50s. Graves was born, John Thomas Graves, on September 12, 1922, in Austin, Minnesota. Following an amateur career, which saw him win a number of titles, Graves turned professional at the age of 22 in 1944. Graves hard-punching, all-action style made him a big hit with the fans.

During his professional career, Graves fought name fighters such as, Harry Jeffra, Charlie Riley, Luis Castillo, Tony Olivera, Jose Gonzalez, Victor Flores, Charley Cabey Lewis, Jackie Wilson, Jackie Callura, Lefty Lachance, Jimmy Joyce, Clint Miller, Spider Armstrong, Harry Lasane, Harold Dade, Willie Cheatum, Manny Ortega, Bobby Bell, Humberto Sierra, Teddy Davis, Glen Flanagan, Ernesto Aguilar, and Manuel Ortiz,

During the late 40s, Graves was ranked highly in the world by “The Ring” magazine, yet was never able to secure a shot at the World featherweight title. The closest Graves came to a world title chance was when he fought the World featherweight champion, Willie Pep, on July 25, 1946, in a non-title fight. This is the fight in which Pep is said to have won a round (the 3^rd) without throwing a punch, but just by dodging Graves' punches, but this was proven false by several sources who were at the fight.

Various accounts of this fight say that both Pep, and Graves, were on the floor. Graves put up a brave display, but was eventually stopped in the 8^th round.

In an interview with Jake Wegner, Graves spoke of his greatest memory of his career.“They all were great. But my fight with the Featherweight Champion of the world, Willie Pep. Regardless of the outcome, that was my greatest moment of my career. I just wish I could do it all over again-all of it. I used to joke with Willie that his name is Pep, and he has a lot of pep. (laughs) Lordi, that man never ran out of gas. He was great.”

Graves fought on until 1956, with his last fight being a 3^rd round knock out defeat to Glen Flanagan on March 22, 1956. Graves' final record was (82-11-2, 48koes).

Jackie Graves died on November 15, 2005, after a long bout with Alzheimer's Disease. 

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On This Day Johnny 'Honey Boy' Bratton Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Johnny ‘Honey Boy’ Bratton was a very game box-fighter, who could go toe-to-toe and fight like a tiger, as well as box beautifully. Bratton became well-known for his incredible fighting heart, that saw him in many crowd-pleasing wars, and made him one of the favourites of the fight crowds.

Born on September 9, 1927, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bratton reached the final of the Chicago Golden Gloves championship in 1944, before turning professional that same year. During his career, Bratton would fight a veritable whose-who of the top fighters of the 1940s and 50s era, from the lightweight, to the middleweight divisions.

Bratton was already mixing it with the top contenders within 2 years of turning professional, Bratton fought regularly and seldom faced an ‘easy touch.’

The top fighters that Bratton faced is an impressive list, including men such as Chalky Wright, Ike Williams, Freddie Dawson, Willie Joyce, Sammy Angott, Gene Burton, Beau Jack, Frankie Abrams, Joe Brown, Chester Rico, Gene Hairston, Holly Mims, Johnny Cesario, Bobby Dykes, Charlie Fusari, Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, Del Flanagan, Joe Miceli, Ralph ‘Tiger’ Jones, Laurent Dauthuille, Pierre Langlois, Danny Womber and Johnny Saxton.

On March 15, 1951, Bratton won the vacant NBA World welterweight championship, after beating Charlie Fusari on points over 15 rounds. Two months later, Bratton lost the title to Kid Gavilan, when he was beaten on points in a furious and brutal fight. Bratton lasted the distance in this fight despite suffering a broken jaw in the early rounds, and taking tremendous punishment throughout. Bratton’s performance was one of the bravest ever seen in a ring during modern times.

On November 11, 1953, Bratton tried to regain the World welterweight title from Kid Gavilan, but was again beaten on points, after another bloody and brutal clash. This fight seemed to finish Bratton as a fighter, and he fought just 3 more times, losing each fight. Bratton's final contest was on March 17, 1955, when he was stopped in 9 rounds by Del Flanagan. Bratton retired with a final record of 60(34koes)-24-3.

Sadly Bratton's post-boxing life was not a happy one, he suffered from health problems, and was at one point reduced to living in a car. For all his talent and bravery Bratton became another example of how boxing can ask a terrible price from its bravest warriors. 

Watch Kid Gavilan Vs. Johnny Bratton:

Copyright © 2017 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

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On This Day: Petey Scalzo The Greek With the Golden Gloves

By Peter Silkov

Petey Scalzo, was a skillful and fast boxer, with a good punch, who was born Peter Donato Scalzo in New York, New York, on June 15, 1917.  Petey came from a rough childhood in Hell’s Kitchen and would win the New York Golden Gloves, New York Metropolitan AAU championship, and International Golden Gloves. He turned professional in 1936, at a time when the featherweight division was hot with great talent, at the age of 15 years old.

Scalzo rose steadily to title contention, winning 71 of 77 contests, (against 3 defeats and 3 draws) in 4 years and he became known as “The Greek.” On May 15, 1940, Scalzo won the NBA world featherweight title when he stopped Frankie Covelli in the 6th round.  It was a fast rise to the championship. He would go on to defend his title 3 times.

Scalzo lost his NBA world featherweight title in his 3rd defence on July 1, 1941, when he was knocked out in the 5th round by Richie Lemos.  Scalzo continued to fight for another 2 years, but his best days were past as he went 10-9 in his last 19 fights.  In his last contest, on October 25, 1943, and by now fighting as a lightweight, Bob Montgomery stopped Scalzo in the 6th round.  After this fight, Scalzo retired with a final record of 90(48koes)-15-6.

After retirement, Scalzo would go on to referee boxing matches, work for the New York State Athletic Commission, and also work in the entertainment industry.  Peter Scalzo died on June 15, on 1993, aged 75, from Alzheimer’s, after spending years in a Veteran’s Hospital, unaware of his former life or those that were a part of it.

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

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Remembering Joe Velez: An Inspiration to the Sport of Boxing

By IDran James

Remembering….Joey Velez June 23, 1925 - December 7, 2002


The Joey Velez story is one of those epic American tales of a boxer who, despite many obstacles in his life, emerged as one of the most determined and talented boxers to come out of the Pacific Northwest. Velez was a lightweight and a featherweight contender who became very popular in the Spokane, Washington, area in the 1940s and 50s.

Born on June 23, 1925 in Seattle, Washington, Velez would have to face many difficulties in his life. When he was a toddler, ‘Lil’ Joey Velez would contract polio at 17 months. As a result, his left leg was deformed and it would not be until he was five years old that he would be able to walk with crutches, and at 9 years old, he was able to walk unassisted. This was not the end of his health problems. At the age of 10, he would catch pneumonia, and then tuberculosis. He would spend 18 months in hospital, missing more of his childhood that had already been mostly taken away because of his childhood illnesses. Despite this adversity, Velez would go to the gym and overcome his health issues through physical training, which included boxing at the local YWCA.

Like most people that were affected by the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, Joey tried to sign up for the armed services, and do his duty for his country. When the Navy and Army turned Velez down at the start of WW2, he would turn to boxing. As an amateur, he would fight many times on military bases and was driven by the anger he felt because of the rejection from the armed forces. He had a very successful amateur career and turned professional in 1947. He would adopt the name ‘Lil` Joey Velez’ in the Pacific Northwest and because well known and respected in boxing circles. His physical disability never was a problem in the ring, and for a man that had so many health problems as a child, his reflexes, and skill did not reflect any of those problems of the past.

Velez would go on to fight such fighters as Joey Dolan, Buddy Washington, Harold Dade, Henry Davis, Pinky Cowan, and George Dunn. Velez would fight until 1953 with a final record of 33 (14kos)-5.

Photo: Jodi Velez-Newel

After he retired from boxing, Velez was successful as a teacher, boxing instructor, graphic artist, and entrepreneur. On December 7, 2002 he died of natural causes. His daughter, Jodi Velez-Newell, has created a wonderful tribute to her Father that is one of the best tributes we have seen. Please check out her site, it is very informative, creative, and a great chronology of the life of a boxer.We could have gone more in depth about his life, but nothing could top her tribute. Please follow the link to her site: http://www.award-graphics.com/joey/index.htm

Copyright © 2015 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes towww.theboxingglove.com