Isadore “Corporal Izzy” Schwartz
Encyclopedia
Isadore “Corporal Izzy” Schwartz ("Izzy Schwarts; the "Ghetto Midget"; October 23, 1900, in New York, New York – July 1988) was an American boxer
.
Schwartz was (New York) World Flyweight
Champion from 1927 to 1929.
Only 5' 1", Schwartz was an extremely quick boxer who was in constant motion when fighting, and he was knocked out only once during his career.
He turned professional as a flyweight in 1922, and did not lose a fight that year.
For the next five years, Schwartz built up a good reputation, and was a contender in 1927 when world champion Fidel La Barba
vacated the title. La Barba's retirement threw the division into turmoil, as an undisputed champion could not be found.
Schwartz was recognized as the world champ in New York when he defeated Newsboy Brown in 15 rounds in December 1927, but the NBA (the National Boxing Association which represented about 30 states) and other state boxing commissions refused to recognize Schwartz as the champion, and the title remained divided.
Despite holding a disputed championship, Schwartz defended his title in April 1928 and defeated Routier Parra in a 15-round decision.
The following month, while still the flyweight champ, Schwartz fought Bushy Graham for the vacant world bantamweight
title, but lost the 15-round decision (the flyweight title was not on the line).
He then successfully defended his flyweight crown three more times. These included a pair of 1928 bouts within 31 days — February (10 rounds) and March (12 rounds), both in Toronto—Schwartz decisioned NBA and IBU Flyweight Champion Albert "Frenchy" Belanger.
He vacated the crown in August 1929; the New York Commission ordered an elimination tournament to crown its champion, but the division was not unified until 1937.
In fact, Schwartz lost his last title fight by a 15-round decision to Willie LaMorte. However, Izzy’s manager had become the opponent’s manager the night before the match. New York State refused to recognize the bout as a championship, declaring the title vacant because of the manager’s deception.
Schwartz’s professional record: 124 bouts, W 70 (7 KOs), L 34 (3 KOs), Drew 16, 5 no-decisions.
in 1998.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Schwartz was (New York) World Flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
Champion from 1927 to 1929.
Boxing career
He was born in the East Village in New York. Corporal Izzy's nickname was bestowed on him because he learned to box in the U.S. Army.Only 5' 1", Schwartz was an extremely quick boxer who was in constant motion when fighting, and he was knocked out only once during his career.
He turned professional as a flyweight in 1922, and did not lose a fight that year.
For the next five years, Schwartz built up a good reputation, and was a contender in 1927 when world champion Fidel La Barba
Fidel La Barba
Fidel LaBarba was a United States boxer and sportswriter. He was born in New York City, but grew up in Los Angeles, California. As a boy he sold newspapers and learned to fight on street corners. LaBarba was discovered at age 14 by manager George Blake who embarked him on an amateur career...
vacated the title. La Barba's retirement threw the division into turmoil, as an undisputed champion could not be found.
Schwartz was recognized as the world champ in New York when he defeated Newsboy Brown in 15 rounds in December 1927, but the NBA (the National Boxing Association which represented about 30 states) and other state boxing commissions refused to recognize Schwartz as the champion, and the title remained divided.
Despite holding a disputed championship, Schwartz defended his title in April 1928 and defeated Routier Parra in a 15-round decision.
The following month, while still the flyweight champ, Schwartz fought Bushy Graham for the vacant world bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
title, but lost the 15-round decision (the flyweight title was not on the line).
He then successfully defended his flyweight crown three more times. These included a pair of 1928 bouts within 31 days — February (10 rounds) and March (12 rounds), both in Toronto—Schwartz decisioned NBA and IBU Flyweight Champion Albert "Frenchy" Belanger.
He vacated the crown in August 1929; the New York Commission ordered an elimination tournament to crown its champion, but the division was not unified until 1937.
In fact, Schwartz lost his last title fight by a 15-round decision to Willie LaMorte. However, Izzy’s manager had become the opponent’s manager the night before the match. New York State refused to recognize the bout as a championship, declaring the title vacant because of the manager’s deception.
Schwartz’s professional record: 124 bouts, W 70 (7 KOs), L 34 (3 KOs), Drew 16, 5 no-decisions.
Hall of Fame
Schwartz was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of FameInternational Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1998.