1933 Fighter of the Year

BARNEY ROSS

THE RING DELIVERS AN AWARD 84 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Though 1933 is generally remembered as a nadir in boxing history – attendance was down due to the Great Depression, and with Jack Dempsey in retirement, the business lacked a big name attraction – it was, in actuality, a year comparable to any as far as drama and thrills. One of the most memorable dates of this 12-month period was September 12, when Barney Ross defeated Tony Canzoneri by split decision at the Polo Grounds in New York. The two future Hall of Famers fought so savagely that United Press correspondent Henry McLemore described the 15-round contest as “a throwback to the days when civilization was just dawning.”