Lenny Mancini
Name: Lenny Mancini
Alias: Boom Boom
Born: 1919-07-12
Birthplace: Youngstown, Ohio, USA
Died: 2003-11-29 (Age:84)
Nationality: US American
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio, USA
Height: 5′ 2″ / 157cm
Boxing Record: click
Biography
A standout Youngstown amateur in the depression era decade of the 1930s, Mancini went to New York City to fight for Frankie (Jay) Jacobs with local ring standouts Tony Janiro, Tommy Bell, George (Sonny) Horne, Joey Carkido, Frank Lentine and Joe (Red) D'Amato ultimately following him. It was this group of local fighters that became part of boxing history at a time considered the greatest era of the ring sport.
Mancini earned the moniker of "Boom Boom" early in his pro career from the avid New York boxing fans with his persistent two-fisted attack with no let-up for an opponent. A muscular 5'2" lightweight, Mancini became the little guy's hero as he ran up a nine-bout win streak with seven knockouts along the way in places such as the St. Nicholas Arena, the Ridgewood Grove, and especially the Broadway Arena all in Brooklyn.
With 10 fights in 1939 and 13 more in 1940 the very busy Mancini had only three losses and a draw. The draw was with future welterweight champion Marty Servo, and a second fight in 1941 was his initial appearance in Madison Square Garden. At this time, two of his losses were avenged. In April 1941, Mancini went to ten-rounders with back-to-back decisions over Billy Marquart in Brooklyn and Cleveland. This led to a 10-rounder in Cleveland's Public Hall on May 19, 1941, with top-ranked lightweight contender Sammy Angott. "Boom Boom" forced the fight from the opening bell and in most of the rounds was belting Angott all over the ring. When the fight ended, a split-decision was awarded to Angott, to the disbelief of the packed house. Although there was a clamor for a return bout, Angott fought seven more fights, one a loss to Ray Robinson, before he won the world lightweight championship. Mancini should have been in line for a title shot, but Angott's win over Jenkins was 12 days after Pearl Harbor. Mancini then joined the Army.
His dream of a world title happened for his son, Ray Mancini, four decades later. There was one other big fight for Mancini before he enlisted, on September 29, 1941. It came in the Polo Grounds where he won a decision over Terry Young in front of more than 46,000 fans. He served his country during WWII and was wounded in battle November 10, 1944 in Metz, France.
