Petey Scalzo (1917-1993) was an American boxer from Hell's Kitchen, New York. He was declared the National Boxing Association Featherweight Championship of the World on May 1, 1940, two weeks prior to winning a sixth-round technical knockout over Frankie Covelli on May 15, 1940. The NBA had withdrawn the world featherweight championship from Joey Archibald the previous month for his refusal to fight leading contenders, including Scalzo.

Petey Scalzo
Scalzo, circa 1942
Born
Peter Donato Scalzo

(1917-08-01)August 1, 1917
DiedJune 15, 1993(1993-06-15) (aged 75)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Greek
Statistics
Weight(s)Featherweight
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Reach5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights112
Wins90
Wins by KO48
Losses15
Draws6
No contests1

Scalzo's manager was the hard working Pete Reilly who found monthly bouts for Scalzo as he began to rise in the boxing ranks. His trainers were Dan and Nick Florio.[1][2][3]

Early life and career

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Scazo was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 1, 1917, to an Italian family, and survived a rough childhood in Hell’s Kitchen. To earn a living as a youth, he sold newspapers, and danced on street corners for small donations from passing pedestrians.[4] According to one source he spoke Italian, Greek, and sign language as a young man.[5]

Showing remarkable talent in his pursuit of boxing as an amateur, he took the New York Metropolitan AAU championship, and International Golden Gloves bantamweight championship.[6] At the end of his amateur career in 1936, he won the New York Daily News Golden Gloves Open Bantamweight 118 pound Championship before a crowd of 20,000, and soon decided to turn professional.[4]

Important win over NYSAC featherweight champion Joey Archibald, 1938

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On December 5, 1938, Scalzo defeated the reigning New York State Athletic Commission's (NYSAC) world featherweight champion Joey Archibald in a second-round knockout at Royal Windsor Arena in New York. The bout was not a title fight, and certainly not recognized as one by the National Boxing Association (NBA), a sanctioning body with a wider range and more prestige than the NYSAC. In the first round, Archibald received a hard right to the chin, but managed to rally to keep the round even. After finding an opening in the second round, Scalzo delivered three powerful right hooks to the chin of Archibald that dropped him 2 minutes, and 10 seconds after the bell.[7] The win would cement Scalzo as the leading contender for the National Boxing Association's world featherweight championship.[8][2][9][10]

Demonstrating his punching ability, Scalzo defeated Lou Transparenti at Turners Arena in Washington in a seventh-round technical knockout on January 3, 1939.[2]

On December 1, 1939, Scalzo defeated Allie Stoltz in a fourth-round knockout at New York's Madison Square Garden. It was Stoltz's first loss by knockout. In the fourth, Scalzo knocked Stoltz to the mat for a count of seven with a strong left hook to the chin. Upon arising he was knocked to the mat again with a straight right, after which the referee ended the bout when Stolz could not rise to his feet.[11]

Taking the NBA world featherweight championship, May 1940

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On May 15, 1940, Scalzo defeated Frankie Covelli for the National Boxing Association (NBA) World featherweight title at Washington D.C.'s Griffith Stadium in a decisive sixth-round TKO. Scalzo had previously been declared world featherweight champion by the NBA on May 1, 1940. Scalzo first dropped Covelli to the mat in the fifth with a left hook during close infighting that required Covelli to take a count of nine before he could rise to resume the bout. Upon arising, Scalzo knocked Covelli to the mat again, and after he resumed the bout, Scalzo dropped him for the third and final time. The win was probably Scalzo's single most important victory.[2][12][3]

He followed his victory over Covelli with a decisive eight round points decision over Mike Belloise before a roaring crowd of 900 at Starlight Park in the Bronx on June 3, 1940.[2][13] Belloise briefly held the NYSAC world featherweight title in 1936 before being stripped of it in August, 1937.[1]

Notable bouts during world featherweight title reign

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On July 10, 1940, in one of his few defenses of the world featherweight title, Scalzo defeated Bobby "Poison" Ivy in a fifteen-round TKO in Hartford, Connecticut. Scalzo showed superiority in both long range boxing and infighting, though in the twelfth, Ivy staged a comeback which brought the Connecticut crowd of 5,000 to their feet. Ivy did not return to the ring as the bell sounded for the fifteenth round due to a badly cut and bleeding lip. The United Press scoreboard gave Scalzo eleven rounds, with the second and twelfth for Ivy, and one tied. A few officials present felt Ivy deserved the eleventh round as well.[14][15]

On July 15, 1940, Scalzo defeated Maxie Fisher before a crowd of around 5600 in a ten-round points decision at Meadowbrook Bowl in Newark, New Jersey. Scalzo was five years younger and had boxed professionally six fewer years. His youthfulness allowed him to step up the contest in the final five rounds. Fisher could not keep pace as Scalzo bored in and delivered a variety of blows, particularly his close range left hook. Nonetheless, there were no knockdowns, and Fisher rallied at times to keep the crowd interested.[2][16][17][18]

On August 26, 1940, Scalzo defeated Jimmy Perrin in a well publicized ten round unanimous decision which brought 10,000 fans to City Park Stadium in New Orleans. Perrin, who fought defensively throughout the bout, was "completely outclassed" by the hard punching Scalzo, and took only the ninth round.[19] Though Scalzo dominated, the fight had no knockdowns and neither boxer left the bout with visible injuries. As both boxers were over the featherweight limit, there was no title at stake.[20][21]

In an unexpected loss, on October 4, 1940, Jewish boxer Julie Kogon defeated Scalzo in a non-title eight round points decision at Madison Square Garden. Scalzo was down in both the sixth and seventh rounds.[22] Though both fighters fought under 131 pounds, very close to the featherweight range, Kogon was never recognized as a world featherweight championship, as he was a pound or two overweight.[23][2]

In a non-title bout on November 1, 1940, Scalzo defeated Bernie Friedkin, a Jewish boxer from Brooklyn, at New York's Madison Square Garden in an eight-round points decision, though the New York Times reported the decision was not well received by the fans who were rooting for Friedkin.[2]

On April 18, 1941, he won a first-round technical knockout against Andy Strivani at Legion Stadium in Hollywood, flooring him four times in the first round with rousing rights to the head. After 1:25 of the first around, the referee called the fight.[24]

Title match draw with Phil Zwick, May 19, 1941

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Scalzo fought Phil Zwick for the National Boxing Association World featherweight title on May 19, 1941, in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin bout that was eventually declared a draw after it was discovered referee Barney Ross had changed his initial scoring from a draw to a Scalzo win. Ross may have been inexperienced as a referee, as his real fame was as a former world light and welterweight champion.[2]

Losing the NBA world featherweight championship to Richie Lemos, July, 1941

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On July 1, 1941 Scalzo lost the NBA world featherweight title before a near capacity crowd of 9,500 to Richie Lemos in a fifth-round knockout of a 12-round bout at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.[2] Scalzo claimed that he had been somewhat weak during practice the weeks before, having trouble making weight. He was briefly down in the first for a no count from a left by Lemos, who appeared to take the first two rounds. The third and fourth appeared to belong to Scalzo, however, who landed effective uppercuts and crossing rights to Lemos, who rarely countered. In the fifth round, Lemos changed to his natural right hand forward with left foot back or southpaw stance, and in an instant landed a vicious left to the head of Scalzo that changed the course of the bout. Lemos then chased Scalzo to a corner, delivering more punishment. When Scalzo tried to retreat, Lemos tagged him with another scorching left that put his crumpled opponent on the mat for a nine count. According to one source, Lemos had used a feint with his right to throw Scalzo off balance prior to delivering his scorching left.[25] As Scalzo gamely rose and made a futile attempt to resume the fight for the last time, Lemos dropped him for an eight count. Scalzo struggled to rise without success, and the referee called the bout.[26]

Loss against reigning NYSAC world lightweight champion Bob Montgomery, October 1943

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Scalzo's last publicized fight was against reigning NYSAC and Pennsylvania lightweight champion Bob Montgomery on October 25, 1943 at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. No title was at stake as both men were over the lightweight limit, with Montgomery at 137 and Scalzo at 138.[27] Recovering from an impacted tooth, Montgomery was returning from a two-month layoff. Before a crowd of 6,500, Scalzo lost the scheduled ten round bout in the sixth by technical knockout. In the second round, Scalzo received a long cut on his head when Montgomery's head unintentionally bumped against his. Montgomery knocked Scalzo to the mat three times, once in the third and twice in the fifth rounds, and had him drowsy from repeated blows in the sixth. Fifty-three seconds into the sixth the referee stopped the fight, and though Scalzo was on his feet, he seemed helpless against the blows of Montgomery.[28]

Life after boxing

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After his boxing career ended, Scalzo refereed boxing matches throughout the 1950s, and worked for the New York State Athletic Commission.[4]

Acting career 1963-70

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Scalzo gave speaking performances that showcased his unique style of humor, eventually graduating to perform on TV's Ed Sullivan show in a skit he perfected with the great ring announcer Johnnie Addie. Though Scalzo was an ethnic Italian, his comic skits with Addie often presented him as owner of a Greek restaurant and were performed at such venues as Boxing Guild meetings and honorary dinners.[29][30] He appeared in the 1963 film The Doctor and the Playgirl, filmed in New York with boxing champions Rocky Graziano, Jake LaMotta, and Barney Ross, a childhood idol who refereed his 1941 fight with Phil Zwick.[31][32] In the 1967 made for TV Movie, World Heavyweight Championship: Muhammed Ali vs. Zora Folley, he had a small role as himself.[33] In 1970 he played "Dinty the Dope" in Starlite Film's poorly reviewed Cauliflower Cupids appearing once again with ex-champions LaMotta and Graziano.[34]

Scalzo died in New York on June 15, 1993, at 73. His wife Christina died a few years earlier. He spent several years in a Veteran's Hospital, suffering from Alzheimers prior to his death.[2][4]


Professional boxing record

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112 fights 90 wins 15 losses
By knockout 48 3
By decision 42 12
Draws 6
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
112 Loss 90–15–6 (1) Bob Montgomery TKO 6 (10), 0:53 Oct 25, 1943 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
111 Win 90–14–6 (1) Eddie Dowl PTS 8 Sep 21, 1943 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
110 Win 89–14–6 (1) Alex Doyle TKO 7 (8) Sep 17, 1943 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
109 Loss 88–14–6 (1) Ellis Phillips MD 10 Nov 9, 1942 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
108 Loss 88–13–6 (1) Jimmy Collins UD 10 Oct 5, 1942 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
107 Loss 88–12–6 (1) Ellis Phillips UD 10 Sep 21, 1942 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
106 Loss 88–11–6 (1) John Thomas UD 10 Jun 12, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
105 Loss 88–10–6 (1) Jimmy Hatcher UD 10 May 25, 1942 Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
104 Win 88–9–6 (1) Toby Vigil RTD 8 (10) May 1, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
103 Loss 87–9–6 (1) Jimmy Hatcher PTS 8 Apr 7, 1942 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
102 Loss 87–8–6 (1) George Latka UD 10 Mar 20, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
101 Win 87–7–6 (1) Nat Litfin PTS 8 Mar 3, 1942 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
100 NC 85–7–6 (1) Toby Vigil NC 6 (10) Jan 9, 1942 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US No contest after Vigil could not continue from a low blow
99 Win 86–7–6 Mickey Farber PTS 8 Dec 30, 1941 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
98 Loss 85–7–6 Allie Stolz PTS 8 Dec 19, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
97 Win 85–6–6 Nat Litfin PTS 8 Nov 4, 1941 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
96 Win 84–6–6 Curley Nichols TKO 5 (8) Oct 21, 1941 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
95 Win 83–6–6 Mike Raffa UD 10 Sep 15, 1941 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
94 Win 82–6–6 Jimmy Gilligan TKO 5 (8) Sep 9, 1941 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
93 Win 81–6–6 Jimmy Gilligan PTS 8 Aug 21, 1941 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
92 Loss 80–6–6 Richie Lemos KO 5 (12), 2:02 Jul 1, 1941 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US Lost NBA featherweight title
91 Draw 80–5–6 Phil Zwick PTS 15 May 19, 1941 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US Retained NBA featherweight title
90 Win 80–5–5 Andy Scrivani TKO 1 (10), 2:05 Apr 18, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
89 Draw 79–5–5 Vern Bybee PTS 10 Mar 31, 1941 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, US
88 Loss 79–5–4 Guy Serean TKO 8 (10) Feb 14, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
87 Win 79–4–4 Richie Lemos TKO 7 (10) Dec 27, 1940 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
86 Win 78–4–4 Bernie Friedkin PTS 8 Nov 1, 1940 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
85 Loss 77–4–4 Julie Kogon PTS 8 Oct 4, 1940 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
84 Win 77–3–4 Jimmy Perrin UD 10 Aug 26, 1940 City Park Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
83 Win 76–3–4 Ginger Foran PTS 8 Aug 5, 1940 Starlight Park, New York City, New York, US
82 Win 75–3–4 Maxie Fischer PTS 10 Jul 15, 1940 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, US
81 Win 74–3–4 Bobby Ivy TKO 15 (15) Jul 10, 1940 Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US Retained NBA featherweight title
80 Draw 73–3–4 Bernie Friedkin PTS 8 Jun 17, 1940 Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
79 Win 73–3–3 Mike Belloise PTS 8 Jun 3, 1940 Starlight Park, New York City, New York, US
78 Win 72–3–3 Frankie Covelli TKO 6 (15), 1:05 May 15, 1940 Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US Retained NBA featherweight title
77 Win 71–3–3 Ginger Foran KO 5 (8), 2:07 Apr 30, 1940 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
76 Win 70–3–3 Primo Flores PTS 8 Apr 9, 1940 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
75 Draw 69–3–3 Primo Flores PTS 8 Feb 27, 1940 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
74 Win 69–3–2 Jimmy Vaughn PTS 8 Feb 17, 1940 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
73 Win 68–3–2 Tony Dupre KO 2 (8) Feb 3, 1940 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
72 Win 67–3–2 Cristobal Jaramillo PTS 8 Jan 29, 1940 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
71 Win 66–3–2 Nat Litfin UD 8 Jan 22, 1940 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
70 Win 65–3–2 'Young' Johnny Buff KO 2 (8) Jan 13, 1940 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
69 Win 64–3–2 Simon Chavez PTS 10 Dec 22, 1939 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
68 Win 63–3–2 Hank Nakamura PTS 8 Dec 12, 1939 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
67 Win 62–3–2 Allie Stolz KO 4 (10), 2:13 Dec 1, 1939 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
66 Win 61–3–2 Herbie Gilmore TKO 5 (10) Nov 8, 1939 Marieville Gardens, North Providence, Rhode Island, US
65 Loss 60–3–2 Simon Chavez PTS 10 Oct 15, 1939 Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
64 Win 60–2–2 Frankie Wallace PTS 8 Jul 28, 1939 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
63 Win 59–2–2 Benny Piazza KO 3 (8) Jul 14, 1939 Morris County Arena, Mount Freedom, New Jersey, US
62 Win 58–2–2 Pete DeGrasse TKO 4 (10), 2:31 Jun 26, 1939 Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US
61 Win 57–2–2 Emil Joseph UD 10 Jun 12, 1939 Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US
60 Win 56–2–2 Vince Dell'Orto PTS 8 May 3, 1939 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
59 Win 55–2–2 Baby Luis TKO 2 (8), 1:33 Mar 17, 1939 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
58 Win 54–2–2 Sal Bartolo UD 10 Feb 17, 1939 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
57 Win 53–2–2 Jimmy Buckler TKO 2 (10), 2:34 Jan 31, 1939 Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
56 Win 52–2–2 Minnie DeMore KO 6 (10) Jan 23, 1939 Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
55 Win 51–2–2 Lou Transparenti TKO 7 (10) Jan 3, 1939 Turner's Arena, Washington, DC, US
54 Win 50–2–2 Paul 'Tennessee' Lee PTS 8 Dec 26, 1938 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
53 Win 49–2–2 Joey Archibald KO 2 (10), 2:10 Dec 5, 1938 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
52 Win 48–2–2 Johnny Compo TKO 5 (8) Nov 12, 1938 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
51 Win 47–2–2 Jose Santos TKO 4 (8) Nov 7, 1938 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
50 Win 46–2–2 Francis Walsh KO 2 (8) Oct 27, 1938 Prospect Hall, New York City, New York, US
49 Win 45–2–2 Davey Crawford TKO 3 (8) Oct 3, 1938 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
48 Win 44–2–2 Jimmy Lancaster PTS 8 Sep 16, 1938 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
47 Win 43–2–2 Vernon Cormier PTS 8 Aug 18, 1938 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
46 Loss 42–2–2 Tony Dupre PTS 8 Jul 19, 1938 Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
45 Win 42–1–2 Al Ragone PTS 8 Jun 29, 1938 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
44 Win 41–1–2 Alex Burns KO 3 (8) Jun 23, 1938 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
43 Win 40–1–2 George Karkella PTS 8 May 25, 1938 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
42 Win 39–1–2 George Carlo TKO 5 (8), 2:50 May 20, 1938 Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
41 Loss 38–1–2 Mike Belloise PTS 8 Apr 26, 1938 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
40 Win 38–0–2 Nat Litfin PTS 8 Mar 15, 1938 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
39 Win 37–0–2 Cristobal Jaramillo PTS 6 Mar 4, 1938 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
38 Win 36–0–2 Al Gillette KO 2 (6) Jan 14, 1938 Rialto Theater, Washington, DC, US
37 Win 35–0–2 Cristobal Jaramillo UD 8 Dec 28, 1937 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
36 Win 34–0–2 Al Reid PTS 8 Nov 19, 1937 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
35 Win 33–0–2 Red Hutchins TKO 6 (8) Oct 22, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
34 Win 32–0–2 Al Gillette KO 1 (8) Oct 7, 1937 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
33 Win 31–0–2 Harry Gentile TKO 3 (8) Sep 30, 1937 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
32 Win 30–0–2 San Sanchez KO 1 (8) Aug 23, 1937 Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
31 Draw 29–0–2 Johnny Pena PTS 8 Jul 22, 1937 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
30 Win 29–0–1 Sammy Russo KO 1 (6), 1:06 Jul 19, 1937 Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
29 Win 28–0–1 Henry Hook KO 3 (6) Jul 1, 1937 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
28 Win 27–0–1 Al Reid PTS 8 Jun 15, 1937 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
27 Win 26–0–1 Harry Gentile TKO 2 (6) Jun 7, 1937 Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
26 Win 25–0–1 Skippy Allen KO 2 (6) May 17, 1937 Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
25 Win 24–0–1 Johnny Compo PTS 6 May 12, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
24 Win 23–0–1 Joey Wach PTS 8 May 4, 1937 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
23 Win 22–0–1 Al Gillette PTS 6 Apr 6, 1937 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
22 Win 21–0–1 Cleo Wilson KO 2 (6) Apr 1, 1937 Star Casino, New York City, New York, US
21 Win 20–0–1 Willis Johnson TKO 5 (6) Mar 16, 1937 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
20 Win 19–0–1 Johnny Scibelli PTS 6 Mar 3, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
19 Win 18–0–1 Jimmy English PTS 6 Jan 27, 1937 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
18 Win 17–0–1 Willie Felice PTS 6 Jan 11, 1937 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
17 Draw 16–0–1 Al Reid PTS 8 Dec 29, 1936 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
16 Win 16–0 Jimmy Lancaster PTS 6 Dec 9, 1936 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US
15 Win 15–0 Georgie Holmes TKO 1 (6) Nov 24, 1936 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
14 Win 14–0 Connie Holmes TKO 4 (6) Nov 2, 1936 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
13 Win 13–0 Johnny Compo PTS 6 Oct 27, 1936 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
12 Win 12–0 Abe Schone KO 2 (6) Oct 22, 1936 Mecca Sports Arena, New York City, New York, US
11 Win 11–0 Ramon Pabon KO 1 (6) Oct 17, 1936 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
10 Win 10–0 Davey Crawford KO 2 (6) Oct 12, 1936 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
9 Win 9–0 Abe Schone PTS 4 Oct 5, 1936 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
8 Win 8–0 Davey Crawford PTS 4 Sep 29, 1936 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
7 Win 7–0 Sammy Santillo PTS 4 Sep 21, 1936 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
6 Win 6–0 Lou Pisano KO 1 (4) Sep 10, 1936 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
5 Win 5–0 Benny Johnson KO 3 (4) Jul 28, 1936 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
4 Win 4–0 Tommy Vello KO 1 (4) Jul 21, 1936 Dexter Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
3 Win 3–0 Andy Crispino TKO 1 (6) Jul 9, 1936 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
2 Win 2–0 Dominic Pasquale KO 1 (4) Jul 7, 1936 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
1 Win 1–0 Damasco Seda TKO 1 (4) Jun 29, 1936 Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US

Primary boxing achievements

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Achievements
Preceded by NBA World Featherweight Champion
May 1, 1940 Declared NBA Champion– July 1, 1941
Succeeded by
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References

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  1. ^ a b "Petie Scalzo". Cyber Boxing Zone. Archived from the original on 2017-12-20. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Petie Scalzo". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b The NBA took the championship from Archibald in "Featherweight Crown Given to Petey Scalzo", Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 12, 2 May 1940
  4. ^ a b c d "The Boxing Glove, "Petie Scalzo, the Greek with the Golden Gloves"". Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  5. ^ Ray, Bob, "Scalzo Performs", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 26, 27 December 1940
  6. ^ "Petie Scalzo Boxrec Biography". Archived from the original on 2017-12-26. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Archibald Knocked Out by Scalzo in Second", The Evening News, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pg. 14, 6 December 1938
  8. ^ Feder, Syd, "Hovius Will Make Ole Miss, Forget Bullet Hall", Star-Gazette, Elmira, New York, pg. 14, 6 December 1938
  9. ^ "Scalzo Finishes Joey Archibald", The Miami News, Miami, Florida, 6 December 1938
  10. ^ Archibald received hard right in the first in "Archibald Knocked Out by Scalzo in Second", The Evening News, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pg. 14, 6 December 1938
  11. ^ "Scalzo Kayoes Allie Stoltz", The Daily Republican, Monongahela, Pennsylvania, pg. 4, 2 December 1939
  12. ^ "Petey Scalzo Nails Covelli in Sixth Heat", The Miami News, Miami, Florida, pg. 18, 16 May 1940
  13. ^ It was a decisive win, "Mike Belloise Loses Petey Scalzo Match", The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, pg. 14, 4 June 1940
  14. ^ Scalzo had badly cut lip in "Scalzo Slashes Ivy to Pieces; Defends Title", Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 8, 11 July 1940
  15. ^ Ivy took the second and twelfth in "Scalzo Stops Ivy in Fifteenth", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, pg. 25, 11 July 1940
  16. ^ "Scalzo Beats Fisher", The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 16, 16 July 1940
  17. ^ Delivered left hook in "Pete Scalzo Rises to Whip Fisher in Newark", The Courier News, Bridgewater, New Jersey, pg. 12, 16 July 1940
  18. ^ "Scalzo Scores Over Fisher at Newark", The Central New Jersey Home News, New Brunswick, New Jersey, pg. 12, 16 July 1940
  19. ^ Fought defensively in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pg. 20, 27 August 1940
  20. ^ Outclassed in "Petey Scalzo Wins Clean-Cut Decision Over Jimmy Perrin", Great Falls Tribune, Great Falls, Montana, pg. 8, 27 August 1940
  21. ^ Over the weight limit in "The Des Moines Register", Des Moines, Iowa, pg. 9, 27 August 1940
  22. ^ Cuddy, Jack, "Pittsburgh Boxer Cops Ring Upset", Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, pg. 23, 5 October 1940
  23. ^ "Zivic Pounds Great Armstrong", Dunkirk Evening Observer, Dunkirk, New York, pg. 15, 5 October 1940
  24. ^ "Petey Scalzo Takes Scrap at Hollywood", The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, pg. 2, 19 April 1941
  25. ^ Lemos used a right feint in "Petey Scalzo Drops Feather Boxing Crown", The Dispatch, Moline, Illinois, pg. 23, 2 July 1941
  26. ^ Wolf, Al, "Lemos Belts Out Scalzo in the Fifth Round to Win Title", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 19, 2 July 1941
  27. ^ "Bob Montgomery is Knockout Winner Over Pete Scalzo in Sixth", The Morning News, Allentown, Pennsylvania, p. 13, 26 October 1943
  28. ^ Montgomery returning from layoff in Webster, John, "Petey is on Floor Three Times", The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 26 October 1943, pg. 28, 26 October 1943
  29. ^ Plays Greek restaurateur owner in Lee, Bill, "Staunch Fighting Men Abounded", Hartford Courier, Hartford, Connecticut, pg. 57, 7 May 1957
  30. ^ "Ex-boxers Find No One In Their Corner, New York Daily News". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  31. ^ "Full Cast and Crew, The Doctor and the Playgirl". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  32. ^ Filmed in New York in "There is a Movie", Lake Charles American Press, Lake Charles, Louisiana, pg. 21, 16 October 1963
  33. ^ "Full Cast and Crew, World Heavyweight Championship: Muhammed Ali vs. Zora Folley". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  34. ^ "Full Cast and Crew, Cauliflower Cupids". IMDb. Retrieved 30 November 2017.