View source for Barney Ross

{{Short description|American boxer (1909–1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name        = Barney Ross
|image       = Barney Ross 1934.jpg
|imagesize   = 240px
|caption = Ross in 1934
|realname    = Dov-Ber Rosofsky
|nickname    = The Pride of the Ghetto 
|weight      = [[Lightweight]]<br />[[Light Welterweight]]<br />[[Welterweight]]
|height      = {{convert|5|ft|7|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
|reach       = {{convert|67|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}
|birth_date  = {{Birth date|1909|12|23|mf=y}}
|birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
|death_date  = {{Death date and age|1967|1|18|1909|12|23|mf=y}}
|death_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
|style       = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
|total       = 81
|wins        = 74
|KO          = 22
|losses      = 4
|draws       = 3
{{Infobox military person|embed=yes
|allegiance  = {{flagu|United States|1960|size=23px}}
|branch      = {{marines|United States}}
|serviceyears = 1942–1944
|rank        = [[File:USMC-E5.svg|20px]] [[Sergeant]]
|unit        = B Company,[[1st Battalion 8th Marines]]
|battles     = [[World War II]] 
*[[Battle of Guadalcanal]]
|awards      = [[File:Silver Star ribbon.svg|border|30px]] [[Silver Star]]<br />[[File:Purple Heart Medal.png|20px]] [[Purple Heart]]<br />[[File:Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|border|30px]] [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]<br />[[File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|border|30px]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]<br />[[File:American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|border|30px]] [[American Campaign Medal]]<br />[[File:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|border|30px]] [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]]<br />[[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|border|30px]] [[World War II Victory Medal]]}}
|medaltemplates={{MedalSport|Men's [[amateur boxing]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Intercity Golden Gloves]]}}
{{MedalGold|1929 New York City|Featherweight}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Chicago Golden Gloves]]}}
{{MedalGold|1929 Chicago|Featherweight}}}}

'''Barney Ross''' (born '''Dov-Ber "Beryl" David Rosofsky'''; December 23, 1909 – January 17, 1967) was an American professional [[Boxing|boxer]]. Ross held [[List of boxing triple champions|world championships in three weight divisions]] from [[lightweight]] to [[welterweight]], and was a decorated veteran of [[World War II]].<ref name=AP>{{cite news |title=Barney Ross Loses Bout To Cancer; Dies at 57 |newspaper=Waco News-Tribune |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=January 19, 1957 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2388745/barney_ross_associated_press_obituary/ |via = [[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In his time, he was known as the '''Pride of the Ghetto'''.<ref name="Bio">
* {{Cite web |title=Barney Ross |date=December 23, 2017 |url=https://www.boxingnewsonline.net/on-this-day-one-of-the-toughest-fighters-ever-barney-ross-was-born-in-1909/}}
* {{Cite web |title=Barney Ross |url=https://amuseum.org/index.php/sports-honorees-ross/}}
* {{Cite web |title=Barney Ross |url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/barney-ross-deserves-hall-induction-for-exploits-in-and-out-of-ring/}}
* {{Cite web |title=Barney Ross |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/books/2006-02-10/337533/}}
* {{Cite book |title=Barney Ross |date=August 6, 2009 |publisher=Schocken |url=https://www.amazon.com/Barney-Ross-Jewish-Fighter-Encounters-ebook/dp/B002KJA95A}}</ref>

Initially known locally as a brawler, Ross joined a local gang as a teenager, running errands with [[Jack Ruby]] (who would later become world-famous for murdering [[Lee Harvey Oswald]]) for mobster [[Al Capone]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-01 |title=Barney Ross: Gangster, Boxer, Hero |url=https://www.sportshistoryweekly.com/stories/barney-ross-gangster-boxer-hero,45 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Sports History Weekly |language=en}}</ref>

Ross later rose to prominence after turning professional in boxing, becoming only the third fighter in history to capture world titles in three weight divisions, the first in the "[[Marquess of Queensberry Rules|Queensberry Rules]] era" to win championships in two weight classes simultaneously,<ref name="ESPN" /> and is believed by some to be the first simultaneous three-division world champion.{{efn|[[Henry Armstrong]] is widely considered to be the first simultaneous three-division champion.<ref name="Guinness" />}}<ref name="Guinness">{{Cite web |title=Most boxing world titles held simultaneously in different traditional weight divisions |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/641889-most-boxing-world-titles-held-simultaneously-in-different-traditional-weight-divi |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250607182726/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/641889-most-boxing-world-titles-held-simultaneously-in-different-traditional-weight-divi |archive-date=2025-06-07 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en}}</ref> He was named [[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year|''The Ring'' magazine Fighter of the Year]] in 1934{{efn|Shared with [[Tony Canzoneri]].|name=b}} and 1935, and received the [[Sugar Ray Robinson Award|Edward J. Neil Trophy]] by the [[Boxing Writers Association of America|BWAA]] in 1942.<ref name=":4" /> In his 81-fight professional career, Ross was never knocked out.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-07-28 |title=Barney Ross deserves Hall induction for exploits in and out of ring |url=http://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/barney-ross-deserves-hall-induction-for-exploits-in-and-out-of-ring/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following his boxing career, Ross joined the [[United States Marine Corps]] during [[World War II]]. While wounded during a night patrol, Ross single-handedly held off a Japanese attack, killing 22 soldiers and saving a fellow Marine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1943-02-26 |title=BARNEY ROSS TELLS OF TOUGHEST ROUND; Guadalcanal Hero, Who Killed 22 Japanese in Defending Comrades, at San Diego KISSES SOIL ON LANDING He Fulfills Vow Made in Shell Hole With 5 Wounded Marines and 2 Soldiers (Published 1943) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/02/26/archives/barney-ross-tells-of-toughest-round-guadalcanal-hero-who-killed-22.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en}}</ref> For his bravery, Ross was awarded a [[Silver Star]], [[Purple Heart]], and a [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]], among others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-08 |title=Prizefighter Barney Ross fought his whole life |url=https://www.dailyadvance.com/prizefighter-barney-ross-fought-his-whole-life/article_acdbd790-46ff-527a-a459-d62cf28deb7d.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=dailyadvance.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Dov-Ber (or Beryl)<ref>The Yiddish name דוב-בער ''Dov-Ber'' literally means "bear-bear", traceable back to the Hebrew word דב ''dov'' "bear" and the German word ''Bär'' "bear". See p. 130 of [[Ghil'ad Zuckermann|Zuckermann, Ghil'ad]] (2003), [[Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew]]. [[Palgrave Macmillan]]. {{ISBN|9781403917232}} / {{ISBN|9781403938695}} [http://www.palgrave.com/br/book/9781403917232]. It is thus an example of a [[Pleonasm#Bilingual tautological expressions|bilingual tautological name]].</ref> Rosofsky was born in [[New York City]] to Isidore "Itchik" Rosofsky and Sarah Epstein Rosofsky. His father was a [[Talmud]]ic scholar who had emigrated to America from his native [[Brest-Litovsk]] after barely surviving a [[pogrom]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicago Jewish History, Page 11 |url=http://chicagojewishhistory.org/media/2259/winter-2023.pdf |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=chicagojewishhistory.org}}</ref> The family then moved from New York to [[Chicago]]. Isidore became a [[rabbi]] and owner of a small vegetable shop in Chicago's Maxwell Street neighborhood, a vibrant Jewish ghetto akin to the New York's Lower East Side of the 1920s and '30s. Dov-Ber was being raised to follow in his footsteps.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Veterans |first=Words of |date=2024-02-09 |title=Barney Ross: A Ringside Warrior and Military Commander |url=https://www.wordsofveterans.com/barney-ross-a-ringside-warrior-and-military-commander/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Words of Veterans |language=en-US}}</ref>

The young Rasofsky grew up on Chicago's mean streets, ultimately ignoring his father's desire for him to become a rabbi and his admonition that Jews do not resort to violence. {{"'}}Let the ''goyim'' be the fighters,{{'"}} Ross later recalled being told by his father. {{"'}}The trombeniks, the murderers—we are the scholars.{{'"}}<ref name=":10" /> Ross's ambition in life was to become a [[Jew]]ish teacher and a [[Talmud]]ic scholar, but his life was changed forever when his father was shot dead resisting a robbery at his small grocery.<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web |author=Barry Abrams |date=November 28, 2013 |title=Jack and Barney: An American story |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/10049706/boxing-link-jfk-assassination |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Prostrate from grief, his mother Sarah suffered a nervous breakdown and his younger siblings—Ida, Sam and George—were placed in an orphanage or farmed out to other members of the extended family.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-03-09 |title=Barney Ross: Not Without a Fight |url=https://www.wbez.org/arts/2006/03/09/barney-ross-not-without-a-fight |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=WBEZ |language=en}}</ref> Dov was left to his own devices at the age of 14.

As recounted in ''Barney Ross: The Life of a Jewish Fighter'', by Ross biographer [[Douglas Century]], in the wake of the tragedy, Dov became vindictive towards everything and turned his back on the orthodox religion of his father. He began running around with local toughs (including another wayward Jewish ghetto kid, the future [[Jack Ruby]]), developing into a street brawler, thief and money runner; he was even employed by [[Al Capone]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction · Lightweight: On Barney Ross, a Jewish Boxer in Chicago · Digital Chicago |url=https://digitalchicagohistory.org/exhibits/show/lightweight/introduction |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=digitalchicagohistory.org}}</ref> Dov's goal was to earn enough money to buy a home so that he could reunite his family.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross - Jewish Boxer and War Hero - J-Grit.com |url=https://www.j-grit.com/athletes-barney-ross.php |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.j-grit.com}}</ref> He saw boxing as that vehicle and began training with his friend Ruby.

==Boxing career==
[[File:Barney Ross.jpg|thumb|180px|Barney Ross]]
After winning amateur bouts, Dov would pawn the awards—like watches—and set the money aside for his family.<ref name=":5" /> There is speculation that Capone bought up tickets to his early fights, knowing some of that money would be funneled to Dov. Plagued by his father's death and feeling an obligation not to sully his name, Dov Rosofsky took the new name "Barney Ross." The name change was also part of a larger trend by Jews to assimilate in the U.S. by taking American-sounding names. Strong, fast and possessed of a powerful will, Ross was soon an [[Intercity Golden Gloves]]<ref name=AP/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pagoldengloves.com/chicago_ny.htm |title=Chicago/New York Championships: Intercity Golden Gloves Championships |publisher=pagoldengloves.com |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063251/http://www.pagoldengloves.com/chicago_ny.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> and [[Chicago Golden Gloves]] champion<ref name=AP/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagogoldengloves.com/history.html |title=Chicago Golden Gloves – History |publisher=chicagogoldengloves.com |access-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813061521/http://chicagogoldengloves.com/history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> in 1929 at the age of 19. He was the first [[Golden Gloves]] champion to ever win a world championship.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Times 12 February 1936 — New Golden Gloves Trophies: Ross and Louis Pay Tribute |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19360212&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=newspapers.library.in.gov}}</ref>

At a time—the late 1920s and '30s—when rising Nazi leader [[Adolf Hitler]] was using propaganda to spread his virulently anti-Jewish philosophy, Ross was seen by American Jews as one of their greatest advocates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross – Boxing Only Biography |url=https://www.boxingonly.net/profile/barney-ross |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=www.boxingonly.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=by |first=Written |date=2019-08-01 |title=THE BARNEY ROSS STORY |url=https://topclassboxing.co.uk/2019/08/01/the-barney-ross-story/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=TOPCLASSBOXING |language=en}}</ref> He represented the concept of Jews finally fighting back. Idolized and respected by all Americans, Ross showed that Jews could thrive in their new country. He made his stand against Hitler and [[Nazi Germany]] a public one.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Merrell |first=Charles |title=Barney Ross - Jewish Boxer, Champion & Marine - a True Hero |url=https://www.academia.edu/36277540/Barney_Ross_Jewish_Boxer_Champion_and_Marine_a_True_Hero |journal=Academia}}</ref> He knew that by winning boxing matches, he was displaying a new kind of strength for Jews. He also understood that Americans loved their sports heroes and if Jews wanted to be embraced in the U.S. they would have to assume such places in society. Though Ross had lost faith in religion, he openly embraced his role as a leader of his people.<ref name=":7" />

Ross is unique in boxing as one of its few [[List of boxing triple champions|triple division champions]]—[[lightweight]], [[light welterweight]] and [[welterweight]]. He was never knocked out in 81 fights and held his title against some of the best competition in the history of the sport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Contreras |first=Robert Aaron |title=The 10 Greatest Boxers Who Were Never Knocked Out |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1733122-the-10-greatest-boxers-who-were-never-knocked-out |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref> Ross defeated great Hall-of-Fame champions like [[Jimmy McLarnin]] and [[Tony Canzoneri]] in epic battles that drew crowds of more than 50,000.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Dave |title=The 100 Greatest Pound for Pound Boxers Of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/557861-the-100-greatest-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Times 28 May 1934 — M'Larnin and Ross Await Title Bell |url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19340528.1.12&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=newspapers.library.in.gov}}</ref>

His first paid fight was on September 1, 1929, when he beat Ramon Lugo by a decision in six rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross Bio |url=https://www.jewsinsports.org/profile_sport_boxing_ID_3.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.jewsinsports.org}}</ref> After ten wins in a row, he lost for the first time, to Carlos García by decision after ten rounds.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=RSR Looks Back at the Unlikely Career of Three-Division Champion Barney Ross – RingSide Report |url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=238 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=ringsidereport.com}}</ref>

Over the next 35 bouts, his record was 32–1–2, including a win over former world champion [[Battling Battalino]] and one over Babe Ruth (not the [[baseball]] player).<ref name=":3" /> Another bout included former world champion Cameron Welter. On March 26, 1933, Ross had his first world title bout when he faced world lightweight and light welterweight champion and fellow three-division world champion [[Tony Canzoneri]] in Chicago. In one night, Ross became a two-division world champion when he beat Canzoneri by decision in ten rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TIME |date=1933-07-03 |title=Sport: Ross v. Canzoneri |url=https://time.com/archive/6751310/sport-ross-v-canzoneri/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=TIME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/jrwelt.htm|title=Barney Ross – Lineal Junior Welterweight Champion|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia}}</ref> Ross also campaigned heavily in the city of Chicago prior to the fight. After two more wins, including a [[knockout]] in six rounds over Johnny Farr, Ross and Canzoneri boxed again, with Ross winning again by decision, but this time after 15 rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross vs. Tony Canzoneri (2nd meeting) - BoxRec |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Barney_Ross_vs._Tony_Canzoneri_(2nd_meeting)#:~:text=Tony%20Canzoneri%20134%20lbs%20lost,in%20round%2015%20of%2015&text=Two%20writers%20from%20the%20United,9th%20because%20of%20low%20blows. |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=boxrec.com}}</ref>

Ross was known for his relentless pace, sharp footwork, and ability to absorb punishment while dishing out precise combinations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I am the Silver Star war hero who beat drug addiction to become a boxing boxing Hall of Famer |url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/barney-ross-born-this-day-in-1909/12otj09adh20g1288dzslljcq1 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.dazn.com}}</ref> He retained his title by decision against Sammy Fuller to finish 1933 and against Peter Nebo to begin 1934. Then he defended against former world champion [[Frankie Klick]], against whom he drew.<ref>{{Cite web |title=91 Years Ago – Barney Ross vs Pete Nebo |url=https://www.boxingonly.net/history/barney-ross-vs-pete-nebo-7th-february-1934 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=www.boxingonly.net}}</ref> Then came the first of three bouts versus [[Jimmy McLarnin]]. Ross vacated the light welterweight title to go after McLarnin's welterweight title and won by decision, his third world championship. He was the first lightweight champion in history to win the welterweight championship as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TIME |date=1934-06-04 |title=Sport: Ross v. McLarnin |url=https://time.com/archive/6753449/sport-ross-v-mclarnin/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=TIME |language=en}}</ref> However, in a rematch a few weeks later, McLarnin beat Ross by a decision and recovered the title. After that, Ross went back down to light welterweight and reclaimed his title with a 12-round decision over Bobby Pacho.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross vs. Bobby Pacho (2nd meeting) - BoxRec |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Barney_Ross_vs._Bobby_Pacho_(2nd_meeting) |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=boxrec.com}}</ref> After beating Klick and Henry Woods by decision to retain that title, he went back up in weight for his third and last fight with McLarnin; he recovered the welterweight title by outpointing McLarnin again over 15 rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 10 Best Ever Boxing Trilogies |url=https://boxraw.com/blogs/blog/best-ever-boxing-trilogies |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=BOXRAW |language=en}}</ref> He won 16 bouts in a row after that, including three over future world [[middleweight]] champion Ceferino Garcia and one against Al Manfredo. His only two defenses, however, over that stretch were against Garcia and against Izzy Jannazzo, on points in 15 rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-23 |title=On This Day: One Of The Toughest Fighters Ever, Barney Ross, Was Born In 1909 {{!}} Boxing News |url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/on-this-day-one-of-the-toughest-fighters-ever-barney-ross-was-born-in-1909/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=boxingnewsonline.net |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In his last fight, Ross defended his title on May 31, 1938, against fellow three-division world champion [[Henry Armstrong]], who beat him by a decision in 15. Although Armstrong pounded Ross inexorably and his trainers begged him to let them stop the fight, Ross refused to stop or go down.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TIME |date=1938-06-13 |title=Sport: Armstrong v. Ross |url=https://time.com/archive/6892830/sport-armstrong-v-ross/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=TIME |language=en}}</ref> Barney Ross had never been knocked out in his career<ref name=ESPN/> and was determined to leave the ring on his feet.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-31 |title=The Last Stand of Barney Ross: A Legend Refuses To Surrender |url=https://www.thefightcity.com/may-31-1938-ross-vs-armstrong/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=The Fight City |language=en-US}}</ref> Some boxing experts view Ross's performance against Armstrong as one of the most courageous in history. Some believe that Ross's will to survive every tough fight on his feet had to do with his understanding of his symbolic importance to Jews. That is, Jews would not only fight back, but they would not go down.<ref name=":11" />

Ross retired with a record of 72 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws and two no decisions (Newspaper Decisions: 2–0–0), with 22 wins by knockout. He was ranked #21 on [[The Ring (magazine)|''The Ring'' magazine{{'}}s]] list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years and #22 on [[ESPN|ESPN's]] list of 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years |url=https://www.liveabout.com/ring-magazine-fighter-rankings-4153939 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=LiveAbout |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com: ALL-TIME GREATEST BOXERS |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest2130 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> In 1999, the [[Associated Press]] ranked him the second-greatest junior welterweight and fifth-greatest welterweight of the 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com: BOXING - AP Fighters of the Century list |url=http://static.espn.go.com/boxing/news/1999/1208/221260.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=static.espn.go.com}}</ref>

==World War II==
In retirement in his early thirties, Ross enlisted in the [[United States Marine Corps]] on April 21, 1942 to fight in [[World War II]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1944-04-15 |title=Sgt. Barney Ross Discharged (Published 1944) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/04/15/archives/sgt-barney-ross-discharged.html |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en}}</ref> The Marines wanted to keep him stateside and use his celebrity status to boost morale. Most of the athletes of the era, like [[heavyweight]] champion [[Jack Dempsey]], had ceremonial roles in the military, but Ross insisted on fighting for his country.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Saul Jay |date=2020-06-10 |title=B’nai Brith, Jackie Robinson, And Barney Ross |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/sections/features/features-on-jewish-world/bnai-brith-jackie-robinson-and-barney-ross/2020/06/10/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Before he was to go overseas, Ross physically assaulted a non-commissioned officer who had made an anti-Semitic remark. He was to be [[court martialed]] at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]].<ref name=":10" /> The other board members wanted to throw the book at Ross, but Captain Berthol E. Davis, who was also Jewish and knew of Ross's achievements, convinced the rest of the board to allow Ross to go overseas and avoid punishment. So, he was sent to the Pacific theater.<ref name=":7" />

He served with [[1st Battalion 8th Marines|B Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines]] during the [[Battle of Guadalcanal]] in the South Pacific. On the night of November 20, 1942, while on patrol and suffering from [[malaria]], he and three comrades were trapped under enemy fire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NATIONAL JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2158744/2020-national-jewish-american-heritage-month/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220118112154/https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2158744/2020-national-jewish-american-heritage-month/ |archive-date=2022-01-18 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.marines.mil |language=en-US}}</ref> All four were wounded; Ross was the only one able to fight. Ross gathered his comrades' rifles and grenades and single-handedly fought nearly two dozen [[Japanese people|Japanese]] soldiers over an entire night, killing them all by morning. Two of the Marines died, but he carried the third on his shoulders to safety; the other man weighed 230&nbsp;lb (104&nbsp;kg) compared to Ross' 140&nbsp;lb (64&nbsp;kg).<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Meade |first=Amy |date=2024-07-30 |title=Heroic Jewish Boxer: Barney Ross |url=https://www.accidentaltalmudist.org/heroes/2024/07/30/heroic-jewish-boxer-barney-ross/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Accidental Talmudist |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ross was awarded America's third highest military honor, the [[Silver Star]],<ref name=AP/> as well as a [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Citation]].<ref name=Post>{{cite news |title=Barney Ross Honored With Silver Star |newspaper=[[The Palm Beach Post]] |agency=Associated Press |date=November 23, 1943 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19431123&id=yVkyAAAAIBAJ&pg=5100,3558376&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As one of America's greatest "celebrity" war heroes, he was honored by President Roosevelt in a [[White House Rose Garden|Rose Garden]] ceremony. He was also awarded the [[Sugar Ray Robinson Award|Edward J. Neil Trophy]] as "the outstanding boxer of 1942" by the [[Boxing Writers Association of America|Boxing Writers Association]] of New York.<ref name=Post/>

During his time in Guadalcanal, Ross began a lifelong friendship with the Catholic priest [[Frederic Gehring]], a wartime chaplain who wrote regular correspondences for ''[[Reader's Digest]]'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Reunion, Father Gehring and Barney Ross |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/jewishweekly?a=d&d=JW19450427.2.90&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-------- |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=cdnc.ucr.edu}}</ref> Gehring considered Ross a national treasure who defied logic when it came to bravery and the defense of principle. Ross was the only person on Guadacanal capable of playing the temperamental pipe organ kept there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padre of Guadalcanal – The American Catholic |url=https://the-american-catholic.com/2009/10/26/padre-of-guadalcanal/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> On Christmas Eve, before he and his fellow Marines were to go into battle, Gehring asked Ross to learn "[[Silent Night]]" and other Christmas songs for the troops.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-24 |title=Looking for a Christmas lesson in tolerance? Here’s one from the foxholes of WWII in 1942. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/12/24/looking-for-a-christmas-lesson-in-tolerance-heres-one-from-the-foxholes-of-wwii-in-1942/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> After Ross had played them, Gehring asked him to play a Jewish song. Ross played "[[My Yiddishe Momme|My Yiddishe Momma]]," about a child's love for his self-sacrificing mother. Many of the Marines knew the melody of the song from Ross's boxing days, when it was played when he entered the ring. When the Marines heard Ross play the song, newspaper reports say, they were all in tears.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross; A Friend for Life |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/barney-ross-friend-life |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.boxingscene.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Drug addiction and recovery==
Recovering at the hospital from malaria and his wounds suffered at Guadalcanal, Ross developed a dependency on the [[morphine]] he was administered for pain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gee |first=Donna |title=Barney Ross and the Lost School of Jewish World Boxing Champions |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/631996-barney-ross-and-the-lost-school-of-jewish-world-boxing-champions |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref> Back in the states, the morphine was replaced with street heroin.<ref name=":6" /> His drug habit became so severe that he would sometimes spend $500 a day on the drug. Ross went to a recovery center and overcame his addiction. He gave lectures to high school students about the dangers of drug addiction.<ref name=":9" /> His struggle against morphine addiction is the subject of the 1957 film ''[[Monkey on My Back (film)|Monkey on My Back]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monkey on My Back |url=http://prod.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/5506/monkey-on-my-back |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=prod.tcm.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1957-04-15 |title=BARNEY ROSS FILM FACES CENSORSHIP; Narcotics Scene in 'Monkey on My Back' Banned by Production Code Head Asks New Interpretation Of Local Origin (Published 1957) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/04/15/archives/barney-ross-film-faces-censorship-narcotics-scene-in-monkey-on-my.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |language=en}}</ref>

==Later life and death==
Following [[World War II]], Ross supported the creation of [[Israel]] by reportedly smuggling weapons to the newly established state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaffee |first=Robert David |date=2006-09-21 |title=In the ring, at the front, boxer Barney Ross packed a punch |url=https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/books/13708/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Jewish Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> He also offered to lead a group of Jewish war veterans called the "George Washington Legion," alongside British organizer Major Samuel Wiser.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-02-26 |title=Fists of Fury |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/fists-of-fury |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Tablet Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, Ross allied with the [[Bergson Group]], a militant Zionist organization.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-15 |title=Reviews Of Beyond Glory, Joe Louis Vs. Max Schmeling And A World On The Brink And Barney Ross • East Side Boxing • News Archives |url=https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/121263 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.boxing247.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Ross spent his last days using his celebrity status in promotional work for casinos and other businesses. He remained with his second wife, Cathy Howlett,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-03-30 |title=Raging Jew {{!}} The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/arts-and-culture/books/raging-jew |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref> although they never had children. He was happy he reached the two goals he had set: reunite his family and become a world champion in boxing. He wrote an autobiography titled ''No Man Stands Alone''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jewish Boxing Champion Who Took On The Nazis |url=https://aish.com/the-jewish-boxing-champion-who-took-on-the-nazis/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=aish.com}}</ref>

In ''Sport Life''<nowiki/>'s July 1951 edition, the author pointed out to readers to be aware of tricksters impersonating sport personalities to gain gifts and freebies. The magazine closed the article by highlighting how Ross had walked into a restaurant, where a faker was impersonating [[Jack Kid Berg|Jackie "Kid" Berg]] and was surrounded by admirers. "So you're Jackie Kid Berg?" the inwardly boiling Ross inquired as he approached the 200 pounder. "Sure" the faker responded. Ross then threw a right hand punch and flattened the phony. "If you were really Jackie Kid Berg, you could have easily taken that punch without going down!"<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rudd |first=Irving |date=July 1951 |title=Pipe-Dream Heroes |journal=Sport Life |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=84}}</ref>

He also remained loyal to his friend [[Jack Ruby]] and testified as a character witness on Ruby's behalf at his trial for killing [[Lee Harvey Oswald]], who was charged with the killings of President [[John F. Kennedy]] and Dallas patrolman, [[J. D. Tippit]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photograph of courtroom sketch of Barney Ross testifying during Ruby trial {{!}} The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza |url=https://www.jfk.org/collections-archive/photograph-of-original-coutroom-sketch-of-barney-ross-testifying-ruby-wouldnt-step-on-fly-or-caterpillar/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-25 |title=JFK assassination: Questions that won't go away |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41741216 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Ross died in his hometown Chicago of [[throat cancer]] at the age of 57 and is buried at Rosemont Park Cemetery.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1967-01-19 |title=Ross, Ring Champion and War Hero, Is Dead; Stricken by Cancer at 57 Chicagoan Won 2 Titles (Published 1967) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/01/19/archives/ross-ring-champion-and-war-hero-is-dead-stricken-by-cancer-at-57.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-08-23 |title=MaxBoxing: Graves of the greats |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2141018 |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

His relatives include [[Yuri Rasovsky]], [[Solomon Rosowsky]] and [[Baruch Leib Rosowsky]].{{cn|date=November 2025}}

==Awards and honors==
In 1936, the [[Chicago Golden Gloves]] created a new sportsmanship trophy named after Ross to be awarded to the outstanding welterweight.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross Trophy - BoxRec |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Barney_Ross_Trophy |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=boxrec.com}}</ref> The [[Aleph Zadik Aleph]] chapter located in Chicago's south suburbs (primarily in [[Flossmoor, Illinois|Flossmoor]], [[Homewood, Illinois|Homewood]], and [[Olympia Fields, Illinois|Olympia Fields]]), is named in his honor.
===Halls of Fame===
*[[The Ring magazine Hall of Fame]] – Class of 1956<ref>{{Cite news |date=1956-09-02 |title=7 BOXING HEROES IN HALL OF FAME; Canzoneri, Ross, McLarnin, Loughran Enshrined With Driscoll, Dixon, Jackson (Published 1956) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/09/02/archives/7-boxing-heroes-in-hall-of-fame-canzoneri-ross-mclarnin-loughran.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame]] – Class of 1979<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross – IJSHOF |url=https://jewishsportshof.org/listings/barney-ross/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref>
*World Boxing Hall of Fame – Class of 1981<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://www.ibroresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/the-world-boxing-hall-of-fame.pdf |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=ibroresearch.com}}</ref>
*[[Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame]] – Class of 1985<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Famers |url=https://chicagolandsportshalloffame.com/hall-of-famers/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] – Class of 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barney Ross – IBHOF |url=http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/oldtimer/ross.html |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=www.ibhof.com}}</ref> (Inaugural inductee)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/04/07/Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-names-first-inductees/6244639460800/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref>
*[[National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum]] – Class of 1997<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishsports.org/jewishsports/inductees.asp |title=Jewish Sports Hall of Fame |publisher=Jewishsports.org |access-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213180501/http://www.jewishsports.org/jewishsports/inductees.asp |archive-date=February 13, 2007 }}</ref>
*Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame – Class of 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmc-mccs.org/sports/hallfame.cfm?sid=rf&smid=12 |title=Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame: Class of 2006 |publisher=Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=May 10, 2015}}</ref>

===Boxing awards===
*[[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year|''The Ring'' magazine Fighter of the Year]]: 1934,{{efn|name=b}} 1935
*[[Sugar Ray Robinson Award|Edward J. Neil Trophy]]: 1942<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=PAST WINNERS |url=https://www.bwaa.org/past-winners |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=boxingwriters |language=en}}</ref>

===Military awards===
*[[File:Silver Star medal.png|30px]] [[Silver Star]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=ROSS-BARNEY {{!}} The United States Navy Memorial |url=https://navylog.navymemorial.org/ross-barney |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=navylog.navymemorial.org}}</ref>
*[[File:Purple Heart Medal.png|30px]] [[Purple Heart]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[File:Distinguished Service Cross.jpg|30px]] [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Jews in American Military History – Barney Ross – Aleph Military |url=https://alephmilitary.org/jews-in-american-military-history-barney-ross/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]<ref name=":2" />
*[[File:American Campaign Medal.jpg|30px]] [[American Campaign Medal]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[File:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (United States).jpg|30px]] [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]]<ref name=":1" />
*[[File:World War II Victory Medal.jpg|30px]] [[World War II Victory Medal]]<ref name=":1" />

==Professional boxing record==
All information in this section is derived from [[BoxRec]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8996|title = BoxRec: Barney Ross}}</ref> unless otherwise stated.

===Official record===
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=3
|ko-wins=22
|dec-wins=50
|dec-losses=4
|nws=2
}}
All [[newspaper decision]]s are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|81
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{nowrap|72–4–3 {{small|(2)}}}}
|align=left| [[Henry Armstrong]]
|UD
|15
|May 31, 1938
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|80
|{{yes2}}Win
|72–3–3 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Bobby Venner
|TKO
|7 (10)
|Apr 25, 1938
|align=left|{{small| Shrine Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.}}
|
|-
|79
|{{yes2}}Win
|71–3–3 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Henry Schaft
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Apr 4, 1938
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.}}
|
|-
|78
|{{yes2}}Win
|70–3–3 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| [[Ceferino Garcia]]
|UD
|15
|Sep 23, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|77
|style="background:#DDD"|Win
|69–3–3 {{small|(2)}}
|align=left| Al Manfredo
|NWS
|10
|Aug 19, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Western League Baseball Park, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.}}
|
|-
|76
|{{yes2}}Win
|69–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jackie Burke
|KO
|5 (10)
|Jun 27, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Heinemann Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.}}
|
|-
|75
|{{yes2}}Win
|68–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Chuck Woods
|KO
|4 (10)
|Jun 17, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Perry Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}
|
|-
|74
|{{yes2}}Win
|67–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Al Manfredo
|PTS
|10
|Jan 29, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|73
|{{yes2}}Win
|66–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Izzy Jannazzo]]
|UD
|15
|Nov 27, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|72
|{{yes2}}Win
|65–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Phil Furr
|UD
|10
|Jul 22, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|71
|{{yes2}}Win
|64–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Morrie Sherman
|KO
|2 (10)
|Jun 22, 1936
|align=left|{{small| City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.}}
|
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|63–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Laddie Tonielli
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Jun 10, 1936
|align=left|{{small| State Fair Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|
|-
|69
|{{yes2}}Win
|62–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Chuck Woods
|TKO
|5 (10)
|May 1, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.}}
|
|-
|68
|{{yes2}}Win
|61–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Gordon Wallace
|MD
|10
|Mar 11, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada}}
|
|-
|67
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Lou Halper
|TKO
|8 (10)
|Jan 27, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|66
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Ceferino Garcia]]
|UD
|10
|Nov 29, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left|[[Ceferino Garcia]]
|PTS
|10
|Sep 13, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Baby Joe Gans
|KO
|2 (10)
|Sep 6, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
|
|-
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Jimmy McLarnin]]
|UD
|15
|May 28, 1935
|align=left|{{small|Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Henry Woods
|UD
|12
|Apr 9, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Frankie Klick]]
|UD
|10
|Jan 28, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Municipal Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Bobby Pacho]]
|PTS
|12
|Dec 10, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|59
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–3–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Jimmy McLarnin]]
|SD
|15
|Sep 17, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–2–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Jimmy McLarnin]]
|SD
|15
|May 28, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]], [[list of WBA world champions#Welterweight|NBA]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Welterweight|''The Ring'' welterweight titles]]}}
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–2–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Bobby Pacho]]
|PTS
|10
|Mar 27, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–2–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Kid Moro
|PTS
|10
|Mar 14, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|55
|{{draw}}Draw
|49–2–3 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Frankie Klick]]
|PTS
|10
|Mar 5, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|54
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Pete Nebo
|PTS
|12
|Feb 7, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Billy Petrolle]]
|UD
|10
|Jan 24, 1934
|align=left|{{small| New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Sammy Fuller
|MD
|10
|Nov 17, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title;<br>Won world light welterweight title claim}}
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Tony Canzoneri]]
|SD
|15
|Sep 12, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' lightweight titles;<br>Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Johnny Farr
|TKO
|6 (10)
|Jul 26, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Tony Canzoneri]]
|MD
|10
|Jun 23, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]], [[list of WBA world champions#Lightweight|NBA]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Lightweight|''The Ring'' lightweight titles]];<br>Won [[List of world light-welterweight boxing champions|world light welterweight title]]}}
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Joe Ghnouly
|PTS
|10
|May 3, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Billy Petrolle]]
|UD
|10
|Mar 22, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Tommy Grogan
|PTS
|10
|Feb 22, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Washington Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Johnny Datto
|KO
|2 (10)
|Jan 30, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Johnny Farr
|PTS
|10
|Nov 25, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Goldie Hess
|PTS
|10
|Nov 11, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| [[Battling Battalino]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 21, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Frankie Petrolle
|KO
|2 (10)
|Sep 15, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Ray Miller
|UD
|10
|Aug 26, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Sparta Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Henry Perlick
|TKO
|3 (8)
|Jul 28, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Sparta Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Dick Sisk
|TKO
|6 (8)
|May 20, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Frankie Hughes
|PTS
|10
|Apr 5, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Nick Ellenwood
|PTS
|10
|Mar 2, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Muncie, Indiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Billy Gladstone
|PTS
|6
|Feb 18, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Micky O'Neill
|PTS
|6
|Feb 8, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jimmy Lundy
|PTS
|8
|Nov 18, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Young Terry
|PTS
|8
|Nov 13, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Moline Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Lou Jallos
|PTS
|8
|Nov 4, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Glen Gamp
|PTS
|10
|Oct 2, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Eagles Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jimmy Alvarado
|PTS
|8
|Jul 30, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Babe Ruth
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Jul 15, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Billy Shaw
|PTS
|8
|May 13, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jackie Dugan
|KO
|2 (8)
|May 1, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Moline Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Lud Abella
|TKO
|2 (6)
|Apr 24, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Midget Mike O'Dowd
|PTS
|8
|Apr 8, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Moline Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|23
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–2–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Roger Bernard
|PTS
|8
|Mar 27, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–1–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jackie Davis
|PTS
|6
|Mar 20, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–1–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Young Terry
|UD
|10
|Feb 20, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–1–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Henry Falegano
|PTS
|8
|Jan 14, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|19
|{{draw}}Draw
|15–1–2 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Harry Dublinsky
|PTS
|8
|Nov 21, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–1–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Petey Mack
|KO
|1 (8)
|Nov 6, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–1–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Sammy Binder
|KO
|2 (6)
|Oct 14, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|16
|{{draw}}Draw
|13–1–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Young Terry
|PTS
|8
|Sep 19, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Jones & Baumrucker Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Luis Perez
|KO
|1 (6)
|Aug 2, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Eddie Koppy
|PTS
|6
|Jul 1, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Michigan State Fairgrounds, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Mickey Genaro
|PTS
|6
|Apr 25, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|12
|{{no2}}Loss
|10–1 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Carlos Garcia
|PTS
|6
|Apr 21, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Eddie Bojack
|TKO
|2 (4)
|Apr 8, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|10
|style="background:#DDD"|Win
|9–0 {{small|(1)}}
|align=left| Jackie Davis
|NWS
|4
|Mar 3, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|align=left| Jiro Kumagai
|PTS
|4
|Feb 24, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Recreation Park, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|align=left| Johnny Andrews
|PTS
|4
|Jan 24, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|align=left| Louis New
|PTS
|6
|Jan 10, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|align=left| Al DeRose
|PTS
|6
|Dec 5, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|align=left| Joey Barth
|PTS
|5
|Nov 29, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Guyon's Paradise Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|align=left| Virgil Tobin
|KO
|2 (4)
|Oct 21, 1929
|align=left|{{small| State Armory, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left| Joe Borola
|PTS
|6
|Oct 12, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left| Joe Borola
|PTS
|6
|Sep 14, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left| Ramon Lugo
|PTS
|6
|Aug 31, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|}

===Unofficial record===
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=3
|ko-wins=22
|dec-wins=52
|ko-losses=0
|dec-losses=4
}}
Record with the inclusion of [[newspaper decision]]s in the win/loss/draw column.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|81
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{nowrap|74–4–3}}
|align=left| [[Henry Armstrong]]
|UD
|15
|May 31, 1938
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|80
|{{yes2}}Win
|74–3–3
|align=left| Bobby Venner
|TKO
|7 (10)
|Apr 25, 1938
|align=left|{{small| Shrine Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.}}
|
|-
|79
|{{yes2}}Win
|73–3–3
|align=left| Henry Schaft
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Apr 4, 1938
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.}}
|
|-
|78
|{{yes2}}Win
|72–3–3
|align=left|[[Ceferino Garcia]]
|UD
|15
|Sep 23, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|77
|{{yes2}}Win
|71–3–3
|align=left| Al Manfredo
|NWS
|10
|Aug 19, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Western League Baseball Park, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.}}
|
|-
|76
|{{yes2}}Win
|70–3–3
|align=left| Jackie Burke
|KO
|5 (10)
|Jun 27, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Heinemann Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.}}
|
|-
|75
|{{yes2}}Win
|69–3–3
|align=left| Chuck Woods
|KO
|4 (10)
|Jun 17, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Perry Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}
|
|-
|74
|{{yes2}}Win
|68–3–3
|align=left| Al Manfredo
|PTS
|10
|Jan 29, 1937
|align=left|{{small| Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|
|-
|73
|{{yes2}}Win
|67–3–3
|align=left| [[Izzy Jannazzo]]
|UD
|15
|Nov 27, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|72
|{{yes2}}Win
|66–3–3
|align=left| Phil Furr
|UD
|10
|Jul 22, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|71
|{{yes2}}Win
|65–3–3
|align=left| Morrie Sherman
|KO
|2 (10)
|Jun 22, 1936
|align=left|{{small| City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.}}
|
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|64–3–3
|align=left| Laddie Tonielli
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Jun 10, 1936
|align=left|{{small| State Fair Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|
|-
|69
|{{yes2}}Win
|63–3–3
|align=left| Chuck Woods
|TKO
|5 (10)
|May 1, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.}}
|
|-
|68
|{{yes2}}Win
|62–3–3
|align=left| Gordon Wallace
|MD
|10
|Mar 11, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada}}
|
|-
|67
|{{yes2}}Win
|61–3–3
|align=left| Lou Halper
|TKO
|8 (10)
|Jan 27, 1936
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|66
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–3–3
|align=left| [[Ceferino Garcia]]
|UD
|10
|Nov 29, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–3–3
|align=left|[[Ceferino Garcia]]
|PTS
|10
|Sep 13, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–3–3
|align=left| Baby Joe Gans
|KO
|2 (10)
|Sep 6, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
|
|-
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–3–3
|align=left| [[Jimmy McLarnin]]
|UD
|15
|May 28, 1935
|align=left|{{small|Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–3–3
|align=left| Henry Woods
|UD
|12
|Apr 9, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–3–3
|align=left| [[Frankie Klick]]
|UD
|10
|Jan 28, 1935
|align=left|{{small| Municipal Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–3–3
|align=left| [[Bobby Pacho]]
|PTS
|12
|Dec 10, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|59
|{{no2}}Loss
|53–3–3
|align=left| [[Jimmy McLarnin]]
|SD
|15
|Sep 17, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' welterweight titles}}
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–2–3
|align=left| [[Jimmy McLarnin]]
|SD
|15
|May 28, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]], [[list of WBA world champions#Welterweight|NBA]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Welterweight|''The Ring'' welterweight titles]]}}
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–2–3
|align=left| [[Bobby Pacho]]
|PTS
|10
|Mar 27, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–2–3
|align=left| Kid Moro
|PTS
|10
|Mar 14, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|55
|{{draw}}Draw
|50–2–3
|align=left| [[Frankie Klick]]
|PTS
|10
|Mar 5, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|54
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–2–2
|align=left| Pete Nebo
|PTS
|12
|Feb 7, 1934
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–2–2
|align=left| [[Billy Petrolle]]
|UD
|10
|Jan 24, 1934
|align=left|{{small| New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–2–2
|align=left| Sammy Fuller
|MD
|10
|Nov 17, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title;<br>Won world light welterweight title claim}}
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–2–2
|align=left| [[Tony Canzoneri]]
|SD
|15
|Sep 12, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' lightweight titles;<br>Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–2–2
|align=left| Johnny Farr
|TKO
|6 (10)
|Jul 26, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained world light welterweight title}}
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–2–2
|align=left| [[Tony Canzoneri]]
|MD
|10
|Jun 23, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]], [[list of WBA world champions#Lightweight|NBA]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Lightweight|''The Ring'' lightweight titles]];<br>Won [[List of world light-welterweight boxing champions|world light welterweight title]]}}
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–2–2
|align=left| Joe Ghnouly
|PTS
|10
|May 3, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–2–2
|align=left| [[Billy Petrolle]]
|UD
|10
|Mar 22, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–2–2
|align=left| Tommy Grogan
|PTS
|10
|Feb 22, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Washington Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–2–2
|align=left| Johnny Datto
|KO
|2 (10)
|Jan 30, 1933
|align=left|{{small| Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–2–2
|align=left| Johnny Farr
|PTS
|10
|Nov 25, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–2–2
|align=left| Goldie Hess
|PTS
|10
|Nov 11, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–2–2
|align=left| [[Battling Battalino]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 21, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–2–2
|align=left| Frankie Petrolle
|KO
|2 (10)
|Sep 15, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–2–2
|align=left| Ray Miller
|UD
|10
|Aug 26, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Sparta Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–2–2
|align=left| Henry Perlick
|TKO
|3 (8)
|Jul 28, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Sparta Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–2–2
|align=left| Dick Sisk
|TKO
|6 (8)
|May 20, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–2–2
|align=left| Frankie Hughes
|PTS
|10
|Apr 5, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–2–2
|align=left| Nick Ellenwood
|PTS
|10
|Mar 2, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Muncie, Indiana, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–2–2
|align=left| Billy Gladstone
|PTS
|6
|Feb 18, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–2–2
|align=left| Micky O'Neill
|PTS
|6
|Feb 8, 1932
|align=left|{{small| Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–2–2
|align=left| Jimmy Lundy
|PTS
|8
|Nov 18, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–2–2
|align=left| Young Terry
|PTS
|8
|Nov 13, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Moline Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–2–2
|align=left| Lou Jallos
|PTS
|8
|Nov 4, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–2–2
|align=left| Glen Gamp
|PTS
|10
|Oct 2, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Eagles Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–2–2
|align=left| Jimmy Alvarado
|PTS
|8
|Jul 30, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–2–2
|align=left| Babe Ruth
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Jul 15, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Armory, Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–2–2
|align=left| Billy Shaw
|PTS
|8
|May 13, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–2–2
|align=left| Jackie Dugan
|KO
|2 (8)
|May 1, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Moline Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–2–2
|align=left| Lud Abella
|TKO
|2 (6)
|Apr 24, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–2–2
|align=left| Midget Mike O'Dowd
|PTS
|8
|Apr 8, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Moline Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|23
|{{no2}}Loss
|19–2–2
|align=left| Roger Bernard
|PTS
|8
|Mar 27, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–1–2
|align=left| Jackie Davis
|PTS
|6
|Mar 20, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–1–2
|align=left| Young Terry
|UD
|10
|Feb 20, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–1–2
|align=left| Henry Falegano
|PTS
|8
|Jan 14, 1931
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|19
|{{draw}}Draw
|16–1–2
|align=left| Harry Dublinsky
|PTS
|8
|Nov 21, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–1–1
|align=left| Petey Mack
|KO
|1 (8)
|Nov 6, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–1–1
|align=left| Sammy Binder
|KO
|2 (6)
|Oct 14, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|16
|{{draw}}Draw
|14–1–1
|align=left| Young Terry
|PTS
|8
|Sep 19, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Jones & Baumrucker Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–1
|align=left| Luis Perez
|KO
|1 (6)
|Aug 2, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–1
|align=left| Eddie Koppy
|PTS
|6
|Jul 1, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Michigan State Fairgrounds, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–1
|align=left| Mickey Genaro
|PTS
|6
|Apr 25, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|12
|{{no2}}Loss
|11–1
|align=left| Carlos Garcia
|PTS
|6
|Apr 21, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|align=left| Eddie Bojack
|TKO
|2 (4)
|Apr 8, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|align=left| Jackie Davis
|NWS
|4
|Mar 3, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|align=left| Jiro Kumagai
|PTS
|4
|Feb 24, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Recreation Park, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|align=left| Johnny Andrews
|PTS
|4
|Jan 24, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|align=left| Louis New
|PTS
|6
|Jan 10, 1930
|align=left|{{small| Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|align=left| Al DeRose
|PTS
|6
|Dec 5, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|align=left| Joey Barth
|PTS
|5
|Nov 29, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Guyon's Paradise Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|align=left|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|align=left| Virgil Tobin
|KO
|2 (4)
|Oct 21, 1929
|align=left|{{small| State Armory, San Francisco, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|align=left| Joe Borola
|PTS
|6
|Oct 12, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left| Joe Borola
|PTS
|6
|Sep 14, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left| Ramon Lugo
|PTS
|6
|Aug 31, 1929
|align=left|{{small| Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. }}
|align=left|
|-
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[lightweight]] champion (135&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Lightweight|NBA (WBA) lightweight champion]] (135&nbsp;lbs)
* [[List of world light-welterweight boxing champions|World light welterweight champion]] (140&nbsp;lbs)
* NYSAC [[welterweight]] champion (147&nbsp;lbs) (2×)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Welterweight|NBA (WBA) welterweight champion]] (147&nbsp;lbs) (2×)

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Lightweight|''The Ring'' lightweight champion]] (135&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Welterweight|''The Ring'' welterweight champion]] (147&nbsp;lbs) (2×)

===Lineal titles===
*[[Lineal championship|Lineal]] lightweight champion<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lineal Lightweight Championship History |url=https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/new-page-46 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Lineal Boxing Champion |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Lineal [[light welterweight]] champion<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lineal Light Welterweight Championship History |url=https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/new-page-62 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Lineal Boxing Champion |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Lineal welterweight champion (2×)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lineal Welterweight Championship History |url=https://www.linealboxingchampion.com/welterweight-lineal-world-champions |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Lineal Boxing Champion |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Lightweight|Undisputed lightweight champion]]
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Welterweight|Undisputed welterweight champion]] (2×)

==See also==
*[[Undisputed championship (boxing)|Undisputed championship]]
*[[Lineal championship]]
*[[List of world lightweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of world light-welterweight boxing champions|List of world light welterweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of world welterweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of boxing triple champions]]
*[[List of Jews in sports#Boxers|List of select Jewish boxers]]
{{Portal|Biography}}

==Notes and references==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}
===References===
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |title=Barney Ross |author-link=Douglas Century |first=Douglas |last=Century |year=2006 |publisher=Nextbook |isbn=0-8052-4223-6 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780805242232 }}
*Sussman, Jeffrey. 2016. ''Max Baer and Barney Ross: Jewish Heroes of Boxing.'' Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
*Interview with Ross biography ''Barney Ross'' author [[Douglas Century]] on [https://web.archive.org/web/20060220000322/http://www.wbez.org/programs/848/848.asp ''Eight Forty-Eight''] radio program, [[WBEZ]] public radio; Chicago, Illinois; March 9, 2006. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070704175405/http://audio.wbez.org/848/2006/03/848_20060309.mp3 MP3 file available for free download].

==External links==
{{Commons category|Barney Ross}}
*{{boxrec |id=008996 }}

{{S-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
|-
{{s-bef|rows=3|before =[[Tony Canzoneri]]}}
{{s-ttl| title=World Lightweight Champion|
         years=June 23, 1933 – April 15, 1935<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac|rows=2|next=[[Tony Canzoneri]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl| title=[[List of The Ring world champions|''The Ring'' Lightweight Champion]]|
         years=June 23, 1933 – 1933<br />Vacated}}
|-
{{s-ttl| title=World Light Welterweight Champion|
         years=June 23, 1933 – April 9, 1935<br />Vacated}}
{{s-vac| next=[[Tippy Larkin]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|rows=4|before =[[Jimmy McLarnin]]}}
{{s-ttl| title=World Welterweight Champion|
         years=May 28, 1934 – September 17, 1934}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Jimmy McLarnin]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl| title=[[List of The Ring world champions|''The Ring'' Welterweight Champion]]|
         years=May 28, 1934 – September 17, 1934}}
|-
{{s-ttl| title=World Welterweight Champion|
         years=May 28, 1935 – May 31, 1938}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Henry Armstrong]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl| title=[[List of The Ring world champions|''The Ring'' Welterweight Champion]]|
         years=May 28, 1935 – May 31, 1938}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
|-
{{s-vac|last=[[Jack Sharkey]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year|''The Ring'' magazine Fighter of the Year]]
|years=1934, 1935}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joe Louis]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Joe Louis}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Sugar Ray Robinson Award|Edward J. Neil Trophy]]
|years=1942}}
{{s-aft|after=Boxers of the<br />[[United States Armed Forces|Armed Forces]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}

*[https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/ross.html Barney Ross Biography at Jewish Virtual Library]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080208142230/http://www.j-grit.com/athletes-barney-ross.html Barney Ross Biography at J-Grit]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190327135718/https://fieretlibre.com/2019/03/26/barney-ross-boxeur-juif-et-heros-de-guerre/ Barney Ross Biography at Fier & Libre]
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1933 National Boxing Association – 1933 Quarterly Ratings]
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1935 National Boxing Association – 1935 Quarterly Ratings]
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1936 National Boxing Association – 1936 Quarterly Ratings]
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1937 National Boxing Association – 1937 Quarterly Ratings]
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1938 National Boxing Association – 1938 Quarterly Ratings]
*[https://titlehistories.com/boxing/na/usa/ny/nysac-l.html NYSAC Lightweight Championship History]
* [https://titlehistories.com/boxing/na/usa/ny/nysac-wl.html NYSAC Welterweight Championship History]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Barney}}
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:1967 deaths]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:American people of Belarusian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Boxers from Chicago]]
[[Category:Deaths from throat cancer in the United States]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Jewish American boxers]]
[[Category:Jewish American military personnel]]
[[Category:Jews from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:United States Marines]]
[[Category:Welterweight boxers]]
[[Category:World lightweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World light-welterweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World boxing champions]]
[[Category:Boxers from New York City]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Chicago]]
[[Category:International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductees]]