Tony Canzoneri

Tony Canzoneri was a professional boxer from the United States. He was a three-division world champion who won five world titles in all. Canzoneri belongs to an elite group of boxing world champions who have won titles in three or more weight classes. Canzoneri competed for the bantamweight and light-welterweight titles. Canzoneri was one of the best boxers of his era, despite his lack of fame.

On February 10, 1928, Tony Canzoneri won his first title, the World Featherweight title, with a 15-round decision over Benny Bass. He defended the title once before moving up to World Lightweight Champion Sammy Mandell, whom he defeated by decision in ten rounds. Mandell lost his championship after being knocked out in the first round by Al Singer in 1930, and Canzoneri, who had previously beaten Singer by a ten-round decision, challenged Singer for the title on November 14, 1930, knocking him out in the first round to become a two-division world champion. Singer created history by becoming the first man, and only man until John Mugabi, to win and lose the title via knockout in the first round.

Tony Canzoneri became a three-division world champion on April 24, 1931, when he knocked Berg out in the third round. Canzoneri, Barney Ross, and Henry Armstrong were the only boxers in history to hold two or more world titles at the same time.

On May 10, 1935, he faced Lou Ambers for the world lightweight title. Canzoneri defeated Ambers in 15 rounds to win the World Lightweight title. After successfully defending his Lightweight title once, he was defeated by Ambers in a rematch by a 15-round decision. Ambers won a decision in 15 rounds in their rematch.

Born: November 6, 1908
Died: December 9, 1959

Nationality: American