Izzy Jannazzo
Isadoro Anthony "Izzy" Jannazzo (born January 31, 1915 in Ensley; died June 18, 1995 in New York, New York) was a professional welterweight boxer with a career record of 65-47-15 with eight knockouts in 127 fights.
Jannazzo won a state amateur title as a bantamweight at age 14. They family moved to Brooklyn, New York three years later. His mother died in childbirth and Jannazzo took up prize fighting to support the family, working at a shipyard between bouts. He made his professional debut in a loss to Willie Miller on December 6, 1932. He also lost his last fight, against Steve Belloise, by technical knock-out on January 28, 1947.
On November 27, 1936 Jannazzo went the distance against Barney Ross at Madison Square Garden, but lost the fight which made Ross the Welterweight Championship of the World. On October 14, 1940 Jannazzo was awarded Maryland's welterweight title in a win by decision over Cocoa Kid at Carlin’s Park in Baltimore. Jack Dempsey was the fight referee.
Jannazzo married another former Ensley resident, Francesca "Frances" Tombrello, in New York in 1941. He served as an air raid warden during World War II. After retiring from the ring, he took a job working at a city garbage incinerator.
Jannazzo suffered from dementia before his death in 1995. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus, Ohio.
References
- George, Clarence (September 21, 2014) "Izzy Jannazzo: Where the Heart Is" Boxing.com
- George, Clarence (January 9, 2015) "Izzy Jannazzo: A Daughter Remembers" Boxing.com