Al Davis (boxer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Al Bummy Davis
Statistics
Real name	Albert Abraham Davidoff
Rated at	Welterweight Lightweight
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Reach	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Born	(1920-01-26)January 26, 1920 Brooklyn, New York, US
Died	November 21, 1945(1945-11-21) (aged 25) Brooklyn, New York, US
Stance	Orthodox Converted Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	79
Wins	65
Wins by KO	46
Losses	10
Draws	4

Al "Bummy" Davis (born Albert Abraham Davidoff) was a famous American boxer. He was born on January 26, 1920, and passed away on November 21, 1945. He was a top boxer in two weight classes: lightweight and welterweight. He fought professionally from 1937 to 1945.

Early Life of Al Davis

Al grew up in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn, New York. It was a tough neighborhood. His father sold fresh produce and later owned a candy store. When Al was seven, he helped his dad by watching for police.

Al became a strong and smart young man. He was known for being tough and independent. He focused on boxing and stayed away from trouble. He was one of the few young men who wasn't afraid to stand up for himself.

His mother called him "Vroomeleh," a sweet nickname. His friends knew him as "Vroomy." When Al was a teenager, a boxing promoter suggested he change his nickname. The promoter thought "Bummy" sounded tougher and would attract more fans. Al didn't like the name at first.

Al started boxing at Willie and Charlie Beecher's gym in Brownsville around 1933. He was only thirteen years old. A Jewish trainer named Froike Kane, a former boxer, taught him. At barely fifteen, Al had his first amateur fight. He used a different name, Giovanni Pasconi. He was very good at boxing. He knocked out many opponents with his powerful left hook. He won many watches, which was the only prize for amateur boxers. He often sold these watches for cash.

Al Davis's Boxing Career

Al Davis was a strong boxer. He was known for his incredibly powerful left hook. His managers were Lew Burston and Johnny Attel. He won 66 fights, with 47 knockouts. He lost 10 fights and had 4 draws. Ring Magazine listed him as one of the "100 Greatest Punchers of All Time." He fought his first 35 fights from Beecher's gym. He won 33 of them. He had two draws with a tough opponent named Jack Sharkey, Jr.

In an early important fight, Davis faced Bernie Friedkin on July 22, 1938. Friedkin was another Jewish boxer from Brooklyn. Davis was only eighteen, so the fight could not be longer than six rounds. This fight was the main event at Madison Square Garden. About 4,000 people came to watch. Friedkin was more experienced, but Davis hit him hard with left hooks in the first round. Friedkin defended well in the second round. Davis won in the fourth round. He hit Friedkin with strong left hooks. Friedkin fell and could not get up. The referee stopped the fight.

Big Wins in 1939

Al Davis became well-known after a fight on November 1, 1939. He won by technical knockout in three rounds against Tony Canzoneri. Canzoneri was a great former lightweight champion. He had never been knocked out before. Canzoneri was eleven years older than Davis. Davis hit Canzoneri with two strong punches in the second round. In the third, his left hook knocked Canzoneri down twice. The referee stopped the fight. Many fans loved Canzoneri. They booed Davis after his victory.

After that, Davis won another fight on December 15, 1939. He knocked out Tippy Larkin in five rounds. Larkin was ahead on points before Davis landed his powerful punches. In the fifth round, Davis hit Larkin with a left to the body. This ended the fight. Davis sometimes struggled with defense against top boxers. He would fall behind when he needed to be more careful.

Tough Losses in 1940

The next year was difficult for Davis. First, he lost to lightweight champion Lou Ambers. This was on February 23, 1940, at Madison Square Garden. Over 20,000 fans watched. Ambers won most of the rounds. Davis's left punches didn't have their usual power. Ambers landed many strong and accurate punches. Davis had trouble finishing the last two rounds. This was Davis's first professional loss.

Then, he fought Fritzie Zivic, a welterweight champion, on November 15. Zivic knocked Davis down in the first round. Zivic also used some unfair moves during the fight. Davis became very angry. He hit Zivic with many foul punches, including a kick. The referee had to stop the fight and disqualify Davis. Davis then kicked the referee by accident. He had to be held back from attacking Zivic. The crowd was very upset and threw things into the ring.

Because of this, the New York State Athletic Commission fined Davis $2,500. They also banned him from boxing in New York State for life. However, he was later allowed to box again. Davis joined the army in early 1941. This was on the advice of his manager. Zivic and Davis had a rematch on July 7, 1941. The money from this fight went to the U.S. Army Relief fund. Zivic won this fight by a technical knockout in the 10th round. Davis had been away from boxing for almost six months while in the army.

Victory Over Bob Montgomery in 1944

Davis's last big win was on February 18, 1944. He fought Bob Montgomery, a future boxing hall-of-famer. Montgomery was a former and future lightweight champion. Over 17,000 people watched the fight. Davis was not expected to win. But he came out swinging. In the first 15 seconds, he knocked Montgomery down with a left punch. Montgomery got up, but Davis hit him again. Montgomery went down, and the referee counted him out. The fight ended in just 1 minute and 3 seconds. This was the fastest knockout at Madison Square Garden since 1925. This was Davis's first fight in the Garden since his ban. Montgomery went on to win the world lightweight title two weeks later.

Davis lost a ten-round fight to former lightweight champion Beau Jack on March 17, 1944. Almost 20,000 fans were there. Beau Jack won easily. One judge said Jack won all ten rounds. The Associated Press gave Jack eight rounds. Some historians believe Davis lost because he didn't use enough defense. He tried to slug it out with Jack too much. In the first round, Davis did well. But by the third round, Jack was hitting him hard. Davis was in trouble. A long left hook hurt Davis's eye in the sixth round. Davis slipped at the end of the tenth round but got up.

Champion Henry Armstrong

He lost to former champion Henry Armstrong on June 15, 1944. Over 16,000 people watched. Armstrong caught Davis against the ropes in the first round. He hit Davis hard, knocking him down twice. In the second round, Armstrong battered Davis around the ring. He knocked Davis down for a count of nine. When Davis got up, Armstrong hit him with a fast right hook. Davis fell face down. The referee stopped the fight right away.

Davis's last major fight was against future middleweight champion Rocky Graziano. This was on May 12, 1945. Graziano won by technical knockout in the fourth round. Over 15,000 people watched. Davis was knocked down once in the first round. He was knocked down twice in the third, and once in the fourth. Graziano was also knocked down in the second round. Davis was still dizzy when the fourth round began. Graziano quickly knocked him down again. Davis got up, but Graziano hit him again. The referee stopped the fight after 44 seconds.

Life Outside Boxing

Al Davis joined the Army in early 1941. He was sent to Camp Hulen, Texas. He was able to travel and continue boxing while in the service. He left the Army around August 1943. His only child was born in 1942, shortly after he married his wife Barbara.

After he stopped boxing around 1945, he bought a local bar called "Dudy's." He also invested in two racehorses. After owning the bar for a year, he thought about selling it. He planned to move his family to Florida.

His Death

On November 21, 1945, Al Davis was at his bar, Dudy's, in Brooklyn. It was around 2:45 in the morning. Four armed robbers came into the bar. They had robbed five other bars that night. Davis punched one of the robbers for being rude. He was shot three times. He still tried to chase the other three robbers. They drove away in a car. During the chase, he was shot a fourth time. He died outside the bar at age 25. He was buried in Brooklyn's Montefiore Cemetery. He left behind his wife and two-year-old son.

The next day, November 22, 1945, The New York Times newspaper had a front-page article about his death. It included a photograph of Al Davis.

Selected Fights

See Also

• List of select Jewish boxers