Babe Risko
| Babe Risko | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Henry L. Pylkowski |
| Nickname(s) | Babe Risko, Eddie Risko, Sailor Puleski |
| Weight(s) |
Middleweight Light Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Reach | 72 1⁄2 in (184 cm) |
| Nationality |
American 
|
| Born |
July 14, 1911 Syracuse, New York |
| Died | March 7, 1957 (aged 45) Syracuse, New York |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 103 |
| Wins | 65 |
| Wins by KO | 12 |
| Losses | 26 |
| Draws | 12 |
Henry Pylkowski, known in his boxing career as Babe Risko, and Eddie Risko, (July 14, 1911 – March 8, 1957) was a Polish-American boxer who became Middleweight boxing champion of the world in portions of 1935–36. While boxing in his early career with the US Navy, he was known as Sailor Puleski. He was managed by Gabe Genovese of Syracuse, New York. After winning the World Middleweight Title, his professional career declined rapidly, perhaps because of his lengthy amateur career with the Navy.
Risko was born Henry Pylkowski on July 14, 1911 in Syracuse, New York, the son a struggling Polish family of five. He attended school in Syracuse. He had a long and impressive amateur boxing career in the United States Navy, which he joined at only 16 in 1927, and fought around 125 matches as Sailor Puleski. Risko won the Navy Middleweight Title in a Panama Bullring in 1931, and was undefeated in his fights with the Navy.
On New Years Day 1935, bursting on the world scene in a stunning upset, Risko defeated defending World Middleweight Champion Teddy Yarosz in a technical knockout, though the bout was not for the title. Yarosz was down five times before his manager ended the bout early in the seventh round. A crowd of only 2300 witnessed the bout that demonstrated Risko's mastery of the reigning champion.
On January 25, 1935, Risko met the great Vince Dundee, losing in a fifteen round split decision at New York's Madison Square Garden. Due to an error by one of the two judges, Risko was first announced as the winner, but the mistake was soon corrected by boxing commissioners present at the fight. Though Risko's closing rounds were strong and demonstrated his youthful endurance, Dundee's consistent aggressiveness and body punching convinced judges to vote in his favor. The Associated Press gave six rounds to Dundee and four to Risko.
Risko won the NYSAC World Middleweight Title and National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title with a win over Teddy Yarosz on September 19, 1935. Risko knocked Yarosz to the mat twice for counts of nine in the sixth and seventh rounds, and several judges gave Yarosz only the first round.
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