Real name Christopher Battaglia Wins 58 Martial art Boxing Rated at Featherweight Wins by KO 23 Division Featherweight | Reach 65 in (165 cm) Name Christopher Battalino Total fights 88 Nationality American Height 1.65 m Stance Orthodox stance | |
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Died July 15, 1977, Hartford, Connecticut, United States | ||
Christopher Battaglia (February 18, 1908 – July 25, 1977) better known as Battling Battalino, was an American World Featherweight boxing champion. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Battalino engaged in 87 bouts during his career, of which he won 57 (23 knockouts), lost 26, drew 3, and he fought 1 No Contest. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
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Amateur boxing career
A good amateur boxer, Battalino won the National AAU featherweight championship in 1927. He had fifty-nine amateur bouts, knocking out forty-six of his opponents.
World featherweight champion
Battalino became a professional boxer in June 1927. His first big win came on July 26, 1929, when he upset bantamweight champion "Panama" Al Brown on a 10-round decision. The fight made him a contender and garnered him a title match with featherweight champion Andre Routis. The 21-year-old Battalino made the most of his opportunity and defeated Routis over 15 rounds to win the world title.
Title defenses
During the next two years he successfully defended his crown by defeating Ignacio Fernandez, Earl Mastro, and Hall of Famers Kid Chocolate, Fidel LaBarba and Freddie Miller. Among his non-title victories during this time were wins over Bud Taylor, Bushy Graham, Lew Massey, Eddie Shea and Al Singer.
Later career
In January 1932 Battalino once again defended the title against Freddie Miller. The champion came in three pounds overweight and did not put up a good fight. After Battalino went down in the third round from an apparently harmless punch, the referee stopped the fight and declared Miller the winner. The National Boxing Association and the New York State Athletic Commission, however, overruled the referee and declared the bout a "no contest." They also declared that the title was vacant due to Battalino's inability to make the featherweight limit. To end any confusion about his championship status, Battalino voluntarily relinquished the title in March and began to fight at the lightweight limit. As a lightweight, he lost bouts with Hall of Famers Billy Petrolle and Barney Ross. His final bout was in 1940.
After boxing
When Battalino retired, he settled in Hartford, Connecticut, and worked as a construction laborer.