Tommy Paul | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Gaetano Alfonso Papa |
Rated at | Featherweight |
Nationality | American |
Born |
Buffalo, New York |
March , 1909
Died | April 28, 1991 | (aged 82)
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 118 |
Wins | 79 |
Wins by KO | 26 |
Losses | 28 |
Draws | 10 |
No contests | 1 |
Tommy Paul (4 April 1909 – 28 April 1991) was a world featherweight boxing champion from Buffalo, NY. He was inducted into the first class of Buffalo’s Ring No. 44 Boxing Hall of Fame and in 2003 to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He won the world featherweight championship in May 1932, defeating Johnny Pena. He retired from the ring in 1935
Tommy was undefeated in his first 27 fights with a record of 23-0-4. He faced some of the great fighters during his career such as the great Frankie Genaro in New York City where he won by decision and the legendary Panama Al Brown in New York City where he won by DQ.
Tommy's best matches came against Freddie Miller he had 6 fights against Miller. His record was 2-4.
Tommy fought Phil Zwick in Philadelphia where he won by decision. He fought Baby Arizmendi in a non-title fight in Mexico where he lost by a decision.
In his first title fight on May 26, 1932, he faced Johnny Pena for the vacant National Boxing Association World featherweight title in Michigan where he won by unanimous decision. He would go on to lose the title the following year to Freddie Miller at Chicago Stadium by unanimous decision on January 13, 1933. He retired from boxing in 1935 and continued to train boxers till his own retirement age.
He was married to Edith and one son and three daughters. And also, 12 grandchildren, 24 Great grandchildren and 22 Great Great grandchildren and counting.
Tommy Paul succumbed to congestive heart failure. He lived in North Buffalo.