Louis "Kid" Kaplan
| Louis Kaplan | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Louis Kaplan |
| Nickname(s) | Kid Kaplan |
| Weight(s) | Featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) |
| Reach | 62.5 in (159 cm) |
| Nationality |
 American Ukrainian
|
| Born |
October 15, 1901 Kiev, Kiev Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | October 26, 1970 (aged 69) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 148 |
| Wins | 108 |
| Wins by KO | 28 |
| Losses | 22 |
| Draws | 13 |
| No contests | 0 |
Louis Kaplan (born October 15, 1901 in Kiev, Ukraine – October 26, 1970), better known as Kid Kaplan, was a professional boxer in the Featherweight division. He has been described as one of the greatest Ukrainian boxers.
Kaplan and his family emigrated to the United States from the Russian Empire when he was five years old and settled in Meriden, Connecticut. While selling fruit for five cents a day, he began boxing as a teenager at the Lenox Athletic Club in Meriden, and turned professional in 1919.
Kaplan began his boxing career in the Connecticut State circuit. At the time, Meriden was an epicenter of boxing in the northeastern United States. Early in his career, Kaplan fought against the popularity of local favorite and former New York State champion Charlie Pilkington. Though they never boxed a professional match against each other, this early rivalry and Pilkington's role as a mentor and sparring partner had much to do with launching Kaplan's very successful boxing career.
A busy fighter, he engaged in over 50 bouts in his first four years in the paid ranks. During one of his early fights in 1920, Kaplan knocked out opponent Sailor Cunningham within two minutes.
After winning against Hughie Hutchinson and Earl Baird in 1922, Kaplan gained significant popularity.
In 1923 he twice drew with rival Babe Herman before scoring a 10-round win over future world lightweight champ Jimmy Goodrich.
By late 1924, World Featherweight champion Johnny Dundee vacated his title and a tournament was arranged to determine a successor. "Kid" kayoed Angel Diaz in three rounds, outpointed Bobby Garcia over 10-rounds and then halted Joe Lombardo in four rounds to advance to the finals. On January 2, 1925 he knocked out Danny Kramer in nine rounds at Madison Square Garden to become the new champion. His first two defenses were against the familiar Babe Herman (D15 and W15) in late 1925. Kaplan next decisioned Hall of Famer Billy Petrolle over 12 rounds in a non-title bout.
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