1 TheBoxing Biographies Newsletter Volume 6 – No 2 27th May , 2010 www.boxingbiographies.com

If you wish to sign up for the newsletters ( which includes the images ) please email the message “NEWS LETTER” [email protected] The newsletter is also available as a word doc on request As always the full versions of these articles are on the website CuddyDeMarco It requires an amazing fellow to compile such an amazing fight record, but Cuddy DeMarco, certainly one of Pittsburgh’s greatest men of the ring, fits the character perfectly.

He started at the tender age of 6.

He fought for three and a half years, winning 112 fights in a row before he as much as suffered a draw. Then he ran the string to138 bouts without a reverse.

In 12 years as a pro, he climbed in and out of the ring for 339 fights. He lost only 24 and was held to a draw in but 15. Most of his defeats came near the end of his turbulent and quite profitable career, when he admits he was through but hanging on for the purse.

Busy man, well Cuddy believes he holds some kind of record for taking part in four fights in four cities in four different states within the space of five days. He won two and drew in the other two.

FOUR BOUTS IN FIVE DAYS

He battled a 15 round draw with Pal Moran in New Orleans to start the week, beat Jack Zivic in Pittsburgh, Harry Felix in , drew a deep breath and met tough Johnny Indrisano in , another draw.

Dapper |Dan, Cuddy was one of the originals. He still is today but the clothes he wore when he was earning the half million that came his way were his pride and joy. 2

“ I still own what I call an International outfit” he says, ”I don’t wear it much anymore but I trotted it out a few years ago when I went to St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland on Easter Sunday. The Top Hat came from Paris, the coat from New York, I got the trousers in London, the walking stick in Melbourne, Australia, and the rest of the apparel here in Pittsburgh.

Remarkable Record

The more deeply one delves into DeMarco’s record, the more astounding it becomes.

“ I fought all over the ” he relates. Alaska, Australia, Europe, South Africa, Cuba and British Columbia. Although my biggest purse was only $17,000 I must have made close to $500,000 in the ring. I made a lot and spent a lot .

“I thought nothing of paying $17,000 for a Dusenberg . I had 36 autos in 21 years. I spent $36,000 on nine operations to help my brother get his sight restored. I don’t have much to show for my years in the ring, but I can truthfully say I had a good time while it lasted. I enjoyed life.”

Greb His Idol

Despite all the great opponents he met, all the money he made, and the cities he visited the world over, Cuddy’s memories always go back to the days he spent with his stable mate , the late Harry Greb.

“Never saw a fellow like him, inside or outside of the ring” Cuddy declares. “ I knew Greb as well as anybody in town.I lived with him and trained with him”. “Harry liked his playboy reputation and though he tried to live up to it he had a hard time. I never saw him take more than two drinks, yet he always tried to act tight. He’d go out the night before a fight, play around, and next night give his opponent the licking of his life. He liked people to point out that fact, but he was always in shape.

Greb would be a pip today, with the present day fighters. He wouldn’t have trouble with a guy like Joe Louis because Louis is a puncher. Those punchers were easy for Harry. A boxer was the only kind of guy who could give him any sass. Billy Conn and Greb would have made a dandy fight, if Billy boxed him. But if Billy tried to slug it would have been too bad, harry loved those kind.

“Weight didn’t hold any terrors for Greb. He fought as a 160 pounder and thought nothing of taking on 180 pounders or 200 pounders. He could and did fight several times a week.

“The secret of his success was condition. He worked on the road and two or three hours in the gym and he was mighty tough even in the gym. I trained with him and he gave me a roughing many times.

Cuddy who weighed 135 in his prime now scales 175. He’s 41 years old and is a candidate for the post of boxing commissioner to succeed the late Matty Bain. 3

Never Held Title

Strangely for the record he compiled and the number of champions he encountered Cuddy never held a title.

He put on his first per of gloves when he was 6 years old. With his brother Fred, who later was blinded in a gun accident, Cuddy put on a brother act on the Keith Vaudeville Circuit . The DeMarco’s ( not to be confused with the dancing DeMarco’s ) lasted for six years and Cuddy eyed a boxing career.

In 1921 he began as a pro under the management of Jim Buchanan of Charleroi .He was 17 years old.. A year later Red mason bought his contract for $250 and it was a happy and profitable association.

Faced Best In The Ring

Among the men he faced were , Benny Bass, , Jack Bernstein, Louis kid Kaplan, Mike Ballerino, Joe Dundee, , Solly Seeman, Pal Moran, Luis Vincentini , Eddie Kid Wagner, Billy Wallace, Willie Harmon, Bobby Garcia, George KO Chaney, Ruby Goldstein, Jack Zivic and Sid Terris. He fought many of them more than once.

“I’ll never forget the fight with Terris” said Cuddy. “He had won 68 in a row and I had won 97 straight, two pretty fair streaks. I won that one and went on to make it 112 untill I drew with Kid Kaplan in his home town of Waterbury. I made it 138 without a defeat until Jack Bernstein beat me.

Recalls Zivic Fight

Two of DeMarco’s biggest battles took place in Pittsburg against Jack Zivic. He beat Zivic twice, the first time at Forbes field in a Milk and Ice Fund show before a $36,000 gate, the largest this city had seen up to that time. Later he beat Zivic again at Motor Square Garden.

Cuddy has loads of respect for Petrolle, the Fargo Express. He calls Petrolle the best puncher he ever faced, and the best all round fighter. Terris was the best boxer. The best fight DeMarco thinks he put up was the first Zivic battle. There’s no contest when it comes to the best fighter he ever saw – Greb.

For the past 12 years Cuddy has been in business for himself as a salesman of men’s accessories with the emphasis on shirts and ties. During the war he worked in the ship yards Dravo and American Bridge. His full name is – and please don’t laugh – Christopher Furey Constantine DeMarco. 4

Cuddy liked His Fun

The funniest experience he ever had ?

“ Red Mason kept me pretty busy fighting 2 he relates “ and one day driving to the scene of a bout, I told the driver to stop and let me out and go ahead. I decided to hitchhike and have some fun. I was picked up by a Circus and for three weeks I travelled with them. My job was a sort of a shill. When the Circus boxer asked for volunteers from the crowd I’d speak up.

“I picked up a few hundred dollars but gave it all back to the Circus people. I had plenty in those days. I was gone for three weeks and Mason was wild trying to locate me.

He had a tough time finding me. I used the name of Battling Moskowitz of Pittsburg. 5

Name: Ruby Goldstein Alias: Jewel of the Ghetto Born: 1907-10-07 Died: 1984-04-23 (Age:76) Nationality: US American Hometown: New York, New York, USA Boxing Record: click Height: 5' 4½″ / 164cm Division: Manager: Hymie Cantor Officiating Record: Judge Officiating Record: Referee

Ruby Goldstein From an Associated Press wire report of June 11, 1925: Ruby Goldstein was born at 409 Cherry Street, on the of , and was raised at 218 Henry Street. He graduated from Public School No. 147. He started his amateur boxing at the Educational Alliance Building on East Broadway when its Athletic Director Henry Cantor discovered him and became his manager. Goldstein posted a 19-0 (9 ) amateur record, which included over Jimmy Green in 1 round, Robert Lewis in 1 round, and Frank Rosen in 2 rounds. According to a May 20, 1926 newspaper wire report, Goldstein's record was 42 bouts (25 KOs), with no losses (this is believed to be his combined 19-0 amateur record and 23-0 pro record at that time). The Ring Record Book always listed Goldstein's professional record as 50-5 (34 knockouts). Goldstein himself, in an article written for the The Ring in the early 1960s, wrote that he had a unique record, "winning 50 and losing 5, all by knockout." Goldstein enlisted in the United States Army 1942. A year later he became a licensed referee in New York and was a popular referee well into the 1960s. He received mixed reactions for his handling of the third - title match on March 24, 1962. Paret was knocked out in 12 rounds and died on April 3rd of his injuries. Goldstein was criticized for not stopping the fight sooner, but the New York State Athletic Commission cleared him of any wrong-doing.

 Featured on the cover of the October 1925 The Ring magazine.

 Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a "Non-participant" (referee)

 Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, "Expanded Category" (Referees & Judges & Timekeepers) 6

Syracuse Herald

5 June 1926

Folowersof Ruby GoldsteinHail Him as a I s Goldstein headed for the pinnacle – or is he sooner or later to founder on Pugilistica’s jagged coast. Young Goldstein is one of the most talked of “comers” that Gotham has housed in many a day. Ruby has a host of enthusiastic admirers , along with dispassionate , cold blooded analysts of ring form who are not so certain that Ruby is the phenomenon many herald him. These latter explainthat Ruby has yet to face a real tough un, and that until he does no accurate line on his ability can be obtained. He’s coming fast, and not been overmatched has done exceedingly well. His talents so far eclipse youngsters of similar experience that Godstein appears in the light of a second Benny Leonard. Though he is still but a boy, that is what the East side like to regard Ruby – a second Benny Leonard. From this point on Goldstein is evidently going to pick the cream of his class, though his age still prohibits him from boxing more than six rounds. Goldstein may never attain the success that Leonard did , but at least he has made a more auspicious start. In twenty two bouts Ruby was 7 won twelve by the KO route. He is not unusually clever, but can hit as well. That’s where his “Grub Street days” surpass those of Leonard. Benny wasn’t much of a hitter, when he was coming along. In fact it was several years before he discovered his knockout knack, and during that time he had twice been knocked out. Goldstein Has Punch Leonard however developed along normal lines. The mastery which he later exerted over his opponents was purchased in the long school of experience. The fact that he was no particular wonder in his early ring days is of paltry importance. Goldstein’s development from now on will be watched with curious interest.Will he more and more emphasize his boxing skill, or will he still continue to value the quick knockout triumph. Usually when a ringster starts with both of these assets one or the other is sacrificed, either partly or wholly. The combination of a clever boxer and knockout hitter is not a common thing. Name: Sid Terris Born: 1904-09-26 Birthplace: New York, New York, USA Died: 1974-12-00 (Age:70) Nationality: US American Hometown: New York, New York, USA Boxing Record: click Height: 5′ 10″ / 178cm Manager: Abe Katz

 Sid Terris  Before he started his professional career in 1922, he had accumulated an impressive array of victories in the amateur ranks, never whipped during his medal chasing days. During his pro days the only ones who gave him trouble were those who reached his body at close quarters. His rapidity made him almost impossible to reach at long range.

 During the early twenties he was faced with some stern opposition. He fought Ace Hudkins in for ten rounds and there were some witnesses who claim he was never hit during the entire period. He was dropped by Ruby Goldstein for a nine count during their historic six round session but arose and immediately kayoed Goldstein with the first right blow he landed.

 He faced such gladiators as Jack Bernstein, , Ray Miller, Benny Valger, Luis Vicentini, Jimmy Goodrich, Rocky Kansas, , Stanislaus Loayza, Phil McGraw, Jimmy McLarnin, Billy Petrolle and others of portionate ability.

 When the speed of his legs vanished, he disappeared as a title contender. He was beaten in his last bout by Johnny Gaito on May 7, 1931, at Yonkers, NY.

 In historical perspective Terris would have been nailed as a genius of the ring. 8

Manitoba Free Press Dec 24, 1927 New York Boxer Qualifies For Battle With McLarnin

Flying Fists and Dancing Legs of Gotham Lightweight Prove To Much for Courageous McGraw— Result Settles Argument as to Superiority— Terris to Meet McLarnin February 6.

Madison Square Garden, New York, Dec. 23.— The flying fist find dancing legs of Sid Terris. of New York, earned him to a sensational victory over Phil McGraw, of-Detroit, in a ten-round bout here tonight.

Ducking and darting: about the ring like a fistic phantom Terris had his opponent bewildered throughout most of the bout McGraw fought a game battle, but he had neither the speed, stamina nor skill of the flashing Terris. After the fifth round It was all Terris. McGraw made a fine come-back in the third and fourth rounds after being badly outclassed by Terris in the first two rounds. Terris took the fifth by a slight margin and thereafter was the master of the Detroit man.

Settles Argument

It was the third episode of the ring feud between Terris and McGraw, and apparently settled for all time the issue as to which is the better lightweight. Terris now has two decisions over McGraw and one loss which he suffered when he fouled the Detroit boy in the second round of their second fight.

Terris' victory earned him the right to fight Johnny McLarnin, of Los Angeles, in the Garden on Feb. 6. McGraw did his best fighting in the third and fourth rounds and had Terris completely on the run in those two sessions. In the fourth McGraw drove a left and right to the jaw which dazed Terris, but the bell saved him from further trouble. 9

Terris was in fine shape, and this enabled him to recover from McGraw early spurt and finish strong. In the tenth Terris drove McGraw into the latter's corner with a savage body attack that brought gasps of pain from Phil.

The New Yorker's clean-cut victory adds prestige to his challenge for a title fight with Sammy Mandell, lightweight champion. 10

The Orlean Evening Herald,Olean,New York29 December 1922

Leonard has proved the past year that he stands supreme among the present-day who are at the top of their ring careers Tendler, White, Mitchell, and one or two others who have met defeat at the hands of the champion, can give him a mighty close call, but we doubt whether Benny will ever be uncrowned by any one of them, for the champion of this division still young enough to keep pace and retain his youth with them.

Yet the lightweight crown is the only one that is in line for a change. And it will be a youngster who will turn the trick, to our way of thinking. There are a number of mighty fine prospects coming up fast. One of the best among these is — Jack Bernstein of Yonkers.

This boy has been fighting in great form lately. By ko ing Jimmy Carroll he administered the first defeat of that youngster’s career. Then, in turn, he scored victories over Tony Cuponi, Jimmy Coone and Joe Mandel, and he made Babe Herman look like a third rater. Jack's fight 11 against Flores, the crack Filipino lightweight, was one of the fastest bouts we have seen at the Garden this year. Bernstein socked Flores all over the ring. Pal Moore of New Orleans is another victim who lost a decision to the Yonkers thumper. And Kid Wagner , the tough Quaker boy, lost a hard fought battle to the Yonkers youth at just last month.

Bernstein is not an overly clever boxer but he carries a punch I either hand and has a jaw of steel – and the pug that can’t take it and come back for more will never gain the heights of pugilism. He is a two fisted fighter who gives his opponent every second of every round. After all, that’s what the fans like, so around the East Bernstein is a very popular mauler. When he iis on the bill the fan gets his money’s worth of action.

Of 75 ring battles jack has won 45 by knockouts are there are but two defeats chalked up against him. Benny Valger and Archie Walker have both won decisions over him.

But in a return bout Bernstein thumped Walker plenty. Bernstein's real name is John. Dodick. In turn he has taken the names "Battling Kiddy," Kid Murphy" and, finally, "Jack Bernstein" because he wished to honor Joe Bernstein, the old fighter whom he greatly admired.

This lightweight comer is 23 years old. He is 5 ft., 4 ½ ins., tall and weighs around 130 in fighting trim. Has an ideal build for a fighter - slim waist, narrow hips, slender legs, broad, thick chest with most of his weight above the waist. With well-muscled back and stout arms, whose reach is consistent with his height, Jack has all the ear marks of a hard hitter, and is sturdy enough to take a lot of punishment.

Bernstein is a native new Yorker, he was born next door to Benny Leonard, the present lightweight king, and the two ran in the same gang as kids.

Name: Jack Bernstein Alias: Kid Murphy Birth Name: John Dodick Born: 1899-11-05 Birthplace: New York, New York, USA Died: 1945-12-26 (Age:46) Nationality: US American Hometown: Yonkers, New York, USA Boxing Record: click Stance: Orthodox Height: 5′ 4″ / 163cm Reach: 64″ / 163cm Manager: Doc Hirsch