Paul Berlenbach (February 18, 1901 – September 30, 1985), nicknamed the Astoria Assassin was the world light heavyweight boxing champion in 1925 and 1926. Known for his punching power, he took 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]
Prior to his professional boxing career, Berlenbach had been a champion at amateur wrestling and amateur boxing, both at middleweight.[2] His record as an amateur boxer was 21–0 with 21 knockouts.[3] He made the United States Olympic wrestling team in 1920, but was injured and did not participate.[4]
Berlenbach scored a 10th-round TKO over former champion Battling Siki to earn a title shot against champion Mike McTigue. Berlenbach defeated McTigue with a unanimous decision to become light-heavyweight champion.[5]
In his first title defense against Tony "Young" Marullo, the bout was stopped in the 9th round and declared no contest. "(Referee) Lewis was convinced the boxers were pulling their punches. I agreed with Lewis that the bout should be declared 'no contest,'" inspector Platt Adams of the New Jersey Boxing Commission said after the fight.[6] Adams cleared both boxers though, when examination revealed that Berlenbach had broken a bone in his hand.[7]
Berlenbach stopped Jimmy Slattery in his second defense. Next was Jack Delaney, the only fighter who had previously defeated him. After being knocked down in the 4th round, Berlenbach rallied and won on a split decision, with one judge calling the fight a draw.[8]
Against heavyweight Johnny Risko he suffered a surprise loss. A rematch was requested by both fighters, but the request was denied by the New York boxing commission, citing desire for the champion to fight opponents in his own division.[9]
Young Stribling, who had fought Berlenbach to a draw two years before, and also owned a victory over Risko, was given a shot at the light-heavyweight title. Berlenbach won the rematch decisively.[10]
Jack Delaney defeated Paul Berlenbach for the light-heavyweight championship on July 16, 1926, in front of 41,000 spectators. After the victory Delaney said Berlenbach had "the hardest left hand punch I ever took." Berlenbach, "I was never in serious trouble, but I could not land my lefts effectively."[11]
"If Berlenbach wants a return bout, he'll get it," Jack Delaney said after his championship win.[12] Instead of seeking a rematch with Delaney for the light-heavyweight title, Paul Berlenbach moved to heavyweight.[13] In his first match at heavyweight he fought Mike McTigue, who Berlenbach had taken the light-heavyweight title from. McTigue won in the 4th round. Berlenbach announced his retirement afterward.[14] However he would return to the ring 5 months later back at light-heavyweight.
After a string of victories at light-heavyweight. He fought the middleweight champion Mickey Walker in a non-title match. Walker won on points, knocked Berlenbach down in the 4th. Berlenbach's 11 pound advantage did not seem to matter.[15]
He fought Jack Delaney for a 4th time, this time in front of only 6,000. Berlenbach was knocked down 3 times before the fight was stopped in the 6th round.[16]
After a match with veteran Larry Estridge in 1928 both boxers had their boxing licenses rescinded.[17] Berlenbach had won in 8 rounds. According to sportswriter James P. Dawson, the fight "proved conclusively to all those in attendance that their days of real boxing are at an end."[18]
In 1929 Paul Berlenbach began a brief career as a professional wrestler.[19]
After multiple unsuccessful returns to the ring in 1931 and again in 1933, Berlenbach finally retired for good.
He retired from boxing 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.
| 52 fights | 40 wins | 8 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 34 | 3 |
| By decision | 6 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 3 | |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 1 | |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Loss | 40–8–3 (3) | Carl Knowles | PTS | 10 | Sep 28, 1933 | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 53 | NC | 40–7–3 (3) | Ray Lopez | NC | 2 (?) | Sep 14, 1931 | Saint Albans, Vermont, U.S. | The bout was declared NC after Lopez had been floored three times by relatively light punches. |
| 52 | Loss | 40–7–3 (2) | Herman Weiner | DQ | 1 (5) | Jul 22, 1931 | Twin City Arena, Laurel, Maryland, U.S. | Berlenbach DQ'd for going down without a blow being struck. |
| 51 | Win | 40–6–3 (2) | Jerry Garfield | TKO | 4 (6) | Jul 9, 1931 | Fort Hamilton Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 39–6–3 (2) | Billy Henderson | TKO | 1 (4) | Apr 13, 1931 | Prospect Hall, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 38–6–3 (2) | Eddie Clark | KO | 3 (4) | Mar 31, 1931 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 37–6–3 (2) | Larry Estridge | KO | 8 (?) | May 22, 1928 | Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 36–6–3 (2) | Floyd Shimalla | KO | 1 (?) | May 12, 1928 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 46 | Loss | 35–6–3 (2) | Jack Delaney | TKO | 6 (10) | Dec 9, 1927 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 35–5–3 (2) | Mickey Walker | PTS | 10 | Nov 25, 1927 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 44 | Draw | 35–4–3 (2) | Joe Lohman | PTS | 10 | Oct 13, 1927 | Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 35–4–2 (2) | Bob Lawson | KO | 7 (?) | Jul 28, 1927 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 34–4–2 (2) | Bing Conley | PTS | 10 | Jul 18, 1927 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 33–4–2 (2) | Gus Berger | TKO | 4 (10) | Jul 9, 1927 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 32–4–2 (2) | Charley Rammell | TKO | 1 (10) | Jun 27, 1927 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 39 | Loss | 31–4–2 (2) | Mike McTigue | TKO | 4 (10) | Jan 28, 1927 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 31–3–2 (2) | Francis Charles | TKO | 1 (10) | Aug 20, 1926 | Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 37 | Loss | 30–3–2 (2) | Jack Delaney | UD | 15 | Jul 16, 1926 | Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light-heavyweight titles |
| 36 | Win | 30–2–2 (2) | Young Stribling | UD | 15 | Jun 10, 1926 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light-heavyweight titles |
| 35 | Win | 29–2–2 (2) | Ray Neuman | PTS | 10 | Apr 5, 1926 | Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 34 | Loss | 28–2–2 (2) | Johnny Risko | PTS | 10 | Mar 19, 1926 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 28–1–2 (2) | Jack Delaney | PTS | 15 | Dec 11, 1925 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light-heavyweight titles |
| 32 | Win | 27–1–2 (2) | Emilio Solomon | TKO | 9 (10) | Oct 12, 1925 | Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 26–1–2 (2) | Jimmy Slattery | TKO | 11 (15) | Sep 11, 1925 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light-heavyweight titles |
| 30 | NC | 25–1–2 (2) | Tony Marullo | NC | 9 (15) | Jul 13, 1925 | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light-heavyweight titles at stake; Both men were disqualified for "not trying" |
| 29 | Win | 25–1–2 (1) | Mike McTigue | UD | 15 | May 30, 1925 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won NBA and NYSAC, and The Ring light-heavyweight titles |
| 28 | Win | 24–1–2 (1) | Battling Siki | TKO | 10 (12) | Mar 13, 1925 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 23–1–2 (1) | Frankie Maguire | TKO | 5 (10) | Feb 9, 1925 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 22–1–2 (1) | Tony Marullo | PTS | 12 | Jan 30, 1925 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 21–1–2 (1) | Rocky Smith | TKO | 4 (10) | Jan 14, 1925 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 20–1–2 (1) | Larry Estridge | TKO | 2 (?) | Dec 26, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 19–1–2 (1) | Tom Burns | KO | 5 (10) | Dec 5, 1924 | Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 18–1–2 (1) | Johnny Gill | NWS | 10 | Oct 1, 1924 | Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 18–1–2 | Jack Reddick | KO | 8 (?) | Sep 19, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 20 | Draw | 17–1–2 | Young Stribling | PTS | 6 | Aug 27, 1924 | Velodrome, New York, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 17–1–1 | Hambone Kelly | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 15, 1924 | Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 18 | Draw | 16–1–1 | Augie Ratner | PTS | 8 | Jul 24, 1924 | Polo Grounds, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | Frank Carpenter | TKO | 7 (10) | Jul 7, 1924 | Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 15–1 | KO Jaffe | TKO | 7 (10) | Jun 20, 1924 | Henderson's Bowl, Brooklyn New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Chief Halbran | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 16, 1924 | Bralls Arena, Freeport, New York U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Harold Abbott | TKO | 4 (10) | Apr 29, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Jack Stone | TKO | 5 (12) | Apr 7, 1924 | 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Harry Krohn | KO | 4 (10) | Mar 31, 1924 | 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 10–1 | Jack Delaney | KO | 4 (12) | Mar 14, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Jimmy Darcy | TKO | 3 (12) | Mar 3, 1924 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Young Fisher | KO | 6 (?) | Feb 28, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Pat Walsh | TKO | 1 (?) | Feb 15, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Frank Carbone | TKO | 6 (8) | Jan 28, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Lew Chester | KO | 2 (6) | Jan 18, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Billy Ryan | KO | 1 (?) | Jan 10, 1924 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | KO Jaffre | KO | 7 (?) | Jan 2, 1924 | Lenox A.C., New York, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jerome Baird | KO | 1 (8) | Dec 13, 1923 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Charles Hoffman | KO | 1 (8) | Nov 29, 1923 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jimmy Roberts | KO | 1 (8) | Oct 4, 1923 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
