LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
1927, 1930
Jimmy Slattery, the second Buffalo native to win a world title, was also the only Buffalo title-holder to lose a crown and win it back.
Born in 1904,Slattery turned pro in 1921 and enjoyed a rapid rise to the top of the light-heavyweight (1751b) division. Slattery was knocked out in the 11th round by champion Paul Berlenbach in his first title shot in 1925.
But Slattery battled back and two years later, on August 30, 1927, at Hartford, Connecticut, he outpointed Maxie Rosenbloom in a 10-rounder for the National Boxing Associations version of the title. ( At the time NBA - a forerunner of today's World Boxing Association - was recognized as the sanctioning body in 24 states and several foreign countries, including Canada, Cuba and Mexico.
Slattery had outpointed Rosenbloom twice before-in a six rounder at Brooklyn and a 10-rounder at Buffalo and learned his opponent well. Slattery outboxed Rosenbloom in what The Buffalo News sports editor Chet Youll described as a "decisive and one - sided triumph. Slattery won every round. Rosenbloom did not land a solid blow throughout the contest. He handled Rosenbloom like a child in the clinches, wrestled him
around and at times smashed and battered him at will." The Buffalo Evening News reported.
The 23 year-old champion held his title for just 104 days before losing it to Tommy Loughran of Philadelphia, also recognized as champion by the New York State Athletic Commission,in a 15-rounder, at New York City's Madison Square Garden on December 12,1927.
Loughran remained the undisputed champion for almost two years. In August 1929, after winning his fifth title defense, he abandoned his crown to move up to the heavyweight division.
After Loughran's retirement, the New York Commission arranged a loosely organized tournament to fill the title vacancy. After Slattery, who by this time had developed a reputation as a playboy who preferred wine, women and song to the rigors of training-upset Rosenbloom in 10-rounds at Buffalo (Rosenbloom had decisioned him just five weeks before),the commission designated two Buffalonians, Slattery and Lou Scozza, as finalists.
Slattery - the pride of the Irish First Ward, - and Scozza - the joy of the Italian West Side - clashed before a home crowd of 11,000 fans at the Broadway Auditorium on February 10,1930 in one of the most memorable fights in Buffalo history. Slattery who narrowly escaped a 13-round knockout, held on to win a 15-round decision. Slattery, "weathered-the storm like a staunchly - caulked boat," to become "almost universally accepted as champion" wrote The Buffalo Evening News reporter Frank Wakefield.
But, again, the title did not remain long in Slattery's hands. After wearing the new crown just 135 days, Slattery lost it to, of all people, Rosenbloom, who won a 15-round decision on June 25,1930, at Bison Stadium, Then at the corner of Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street.
Slattery, got another title shot at Rosenbloom in 1931, but lost another 15-round decision at Brooklyn. In seven years, Slattery and Rosenbloom fought seven times for a total of 76 rounds. The Buffalonian won the first three and the New Yorker won three of the last four. All were decided on points. Slattery retired in 1935, with a 109-14-5 (45 knockouts) record in 128 bouts.
Jimmy Slattery died at Buffalo on August 30,1960 at age 56.
