Bobby Claus
Welterweight
1943 - 1949

Bobby was born September 25, 1920 and grew up on Buffalo's East Side. He
became interested in boxing at the age of sixteen, while working-out at the neighborhood Police station #12 in the Fillmore/E.Ferry district. He eventually found out that Singer's gym on Washington St. was the place to go to learn boxing. There, he met Jack Singer, his son, Junior and one of the trainers named, "Chops". Bobby would walk to Singer's gym everyday to train.

Bobby started amateur boxing in 1938 and eventually won the 1939 Golden Gloves Welterweight Championship. He was invited to the "Tournament of Champions Amateur Extravaganza" in Rochester, N.Y. in 1940. He was reigning Niagara District A.A.U. champion and those in that category were scheduled to meet the National Golden Gloves champions. Also on the card were Sugar Ray Robinson, Joey Maxim, Denny Moyer, Wallace Cross, and Willie Joyce- all future stars. Sponsored by a Rochester newspaper as a charity event, the Tournament of Champions drew over 10,000 people, the largest fight crowd in Rochester history. And who drew the largest applause at Red Wing Stadium? None other than Bobby Claus, with his slam-bang slugging style, as he pounded out a decision win.

Bobby turned pro in 1943 and was managed by Vic Canarazzo. His second pro fight was against hometown rival, Johnny Green, who would later battle Ike Williams, Izzy Janazzo, Maxie Berger, and Holman Williams. Claus and Green fought two wars with Green winning two close decisions. Bobby's third pro fight was a second round knockout win over Doug Ratford who would go on to defeat Kid Gavilan.

When Bobby Claus first took his fistic act to the West Coast from Buffalo during his second year as a pro in 1944, he was hailed as the "New Ace Hudkins" by admiring fight fans. His slugging style was reminiscent of the Nebraska Wildcat of the 1920's. Bobby was an immediate hit with the Hollywood Legion crowd that included celebrities George Raft, Cary Grant, and Al Jolson. Bobby stopped local favorite Chico Hernandez in two rounds and was immediately matched with top welterweight contender, the ill-fated Jimmy Doyle (who later died after being knocked out by Sugar Ray Robinson). After ten furious rounds, everyone thought Claus was the clear-cut winner, including the referee, but the two judges gave the split decision to Doyle.

Bobby also met middleweight great Tony Zale (twice), Jr. Welterweight Champ, Tippy Larkin, and lightweight contender, Joey Peralta. The year 1947 marked Bobby's finest hour, as he was undefeated, winning all five contests. He knocked-out Joey Falco,. Carl Gush and Jimmy McDonough and decisioned Leo Sawicki and Patsy Gall. This gained him a return match with Zak who was preparing for his rubber match with Rocky Graziano. Bobby and Zale went toe-to-toe in a pier six brawl for three rounds before Zale prevailed in round four. "Hardest body puncher who ever lived" exclaimed Claus, after the fight. Zale went on to knockout Graziano and reclaim his title. If he took on Zale, why not Graziano? The Claus-Graziano battle took place in Wilmington, Delaware on June 21, 1949. In round one, the slugging Graziano came charging in only to be met by one of Claus' patented left hooks. Down he went for a count of nine. "He caught me a little high or I would have been in trouble", said the middleweight Hall of Famer. Claus paid for his indiscretion the next round being stopped by a barrage of punches. It was Bobby Claus' last fight. He took his $3,000 purse, the largest of his career, and began training and racing horses at Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway.

Bobby Claus provided numerous thrills to thousands of boxing fans during the Golden Age of Boxing. Tonight, we are very proud to honor Bobby Claus for his achievements and contributions to the sport of boxing by inducting him into Ring #44's Boxing Hall of Fame.