Paul Berlenbach

Paul Berlenbach
Paul Berlenbach
Born	Paul Berlenbach; February 18, 1901; New York, New York, United States
Died	September 30, 1985 (aged 84)
Nationality	American
Other names	Astoria Assassin
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Light Heavyweight
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach	72 in (183 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
	Boxing record
Total fights	51
Wins	40
Wins by KO	33
Losses	8
Draws	3
No contests	1

Paul Berlenbach (February 18, 1901 – September 30, 1985) was the world light heavyweight boxing champion from May 30, 1925, when he wrested the crown from Mike McTigue, until July 16, 1926, when he was defeated by his nemesis Jack Delaney. The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer rated him as the #10 best light heavyweight of all-time. Berlenbach was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1971 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.^[1]

Professional career

World light heavyweight champion

Known as the "Astoria Assassin", Berlenbach was known for his punching power. The New York City-born Berlenbach was an AAU champion wrestler before turning to professional boxing in 1923. Eventually he scored a 10th round TKO over former champion "Battling Siki" to earn a title shot against champion Mike McTigue.

Described by writer Paul Gallico as "untutored, unlettered, slow-witted, slow-moving, and wholly lacking in animation or imagination", Berlenbach was, nevertheless, a formidable fighter. As Gallico noted, he possessed "a numbing, paralyzing body punch that caused his opponents suddenly to crumple up" as though shot. His weaknesses were his non-existent defense, and slow movements which enabled sharp shooting opponents, such as Jack Delaney, to hit him at will.

Retirement

He retired with a record of 40 wins (33 KOs), 8 losses, and 3 draws. He was named #93 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Upon his retirement, he owned and operated Paul Berlenbach's Ringside Restaurant in Sound Beach, New York in the 1950s.

Notable bouts

Result	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes^[2]
Win	Larry Estridge	KO	8	1928-05-22	Queensboro Stadium, Queens, New York
Loss	Jack Delaney	TKO	6 (10)	1927-12-09	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss	Mickey Walker	PTS	10	1927-11-25	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss	Mike McTigue	TKO	4 (10)	1927-01-28	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss	Jack Delaney	UD	15	1926-07-16	Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York	Lost World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win	Young Stribling	UD	15	1926-06-10	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York	Retained World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win	Jack Delaney	PTS	15	1925-12-11	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York	Retained World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win	Jimmy Slattery	TKO	11 (15)	1925-09-11	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York	Retained World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win	Mike McTigue	UD	15	1925-05-30	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York	Won World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win	Battling Siki	TKO	10 (12)	1925-03-13	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win	Larry Estridge	TKO	2	1924-12-26	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Draw	Young Stribling	PTS	6	1924-08-27	Velodrome, New York, New York
Loss	Jack Delaney	KO	8	1924-03-14	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York