Frankie Campbell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frankie Campbell
Statistics
Real name	Francesco Camilli
Nickname(s)	Frankie Campbell
Rated at	Light Heavyweight/Heavyweight
Height	5' 10"
Nationality	American
Born	April or May 1904 Hibbing, Minnesota
Died	August 25, 1930 (aged 26) San Francisco, California
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	40
Wins	33
Wins by KO	26
Losses	4
Draws	2
No contests	1

Frankie Campbell (born Francesco Camilli; 1904 – August 25, 1930) was an Italian-American boxer. He fought as a heavyweight, which is a boxing weight class for larger fighters. Frankie was a very successful boxer, winning 33 of his 40 professional fights. He lost only four times, had two draws (ties), and one fight was ruled a "no-contest." Sadly, Frankie Campbell died after a boxing match on August 25, 1930, in San Francisco, California. His opponent in that fight was Max Baer, who later became a famous heavyweight champion.

Frankie Campbell was also the brother of Dolph Camilli, a well-known player in Major League Baseball.

Frankie Campbell's Boxing Career

Frankie Campbell was known for his strong punches and determination in the ring. He had a good record, showing he was a skilled and powerful boxer. His fights were often exciting for the fans.

The Tragic Last Fight

Frankie Campbell's final boxing match was against Max Baer. It was a very intense fight.

What Happened in the Fight?

In the second round, Max Baer fell to the canvas. Some people thought he was knocked down, but the referee said he had just slipped. This made Baer very angry. He quickly got up and hit Campbell with a powerful punch to the chin.

According to a newspaper report from that time, the referee ruled that Baer had slipped. While Campbell had turned his back and walked away, Baer rushed across the ring. He hit Campbell with three strong punches to the head. These blows dazed Campbell, and he was very tired when he returned to his corner. During the break, Campbell told his coach, "Something feels as though it broke in my head."

The Fifth Round

In the fifth round, onlookers said that Baer hit Campbell many times. They claimed Campbell seemed to be unconscious but was still standing because he was leaning on the ropes. If the referee had not stepped in, the situation could have been even worse.

After the Fight

After the fight, doctors worked on Campbell in the open-air boxing ring for about 30 minutes. When they couldn't wake him up, he was taken to a local hospital. More doctors and nurses tried to help him for several hours. Doctors later found that Campbell had a very serious concussion. His brain had been severely injured and moved inside his head.

A brain specialist named Tilton E. Tillman said that Campbell's death was caused by many blows to his jaw. He explained that Campbell's brain had been "knocked completely loose from his skull."

Consequences for Others

After the tragic event, the California State Boxing Commission took action. They suspended the referee, Mr. Irwin, because he did not stop the fight sooner. They also suspended Max Baer's manager, J. Hamilton Lorimer. Campbell's managers, Carol E. Working and Tom Maloney, were also suspended. In addition, several seconds (people who help boxers in their corner) were suspended. These included Tillie "Kid" Herman, Ray Carlin, Frankie Burns, and Larry Morrison. This showed how seriously the commission took the safety of boxers.