Pete Sarron now the oldest living ex-champion.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 05 Feb 2005, 19:28

Quite a fighter by all accounts, in the late twenties when the memory was still fresh Ring writer Joe Holman even called him `the second Harry Greb`.

He was of Lebanese descent and that’s all about I could find on him, oh yeh, and he must be about the only ex-champ they haven’t put in the IBHOF, and he did mix in good company so I expected him to be there, maybe next year..

Anybody have anything else on him?

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 06 Feb 2005, 02:32

Sarron died in 1994, I just checked the Social Security Death Index and found a match in Miami with his exact birth date.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 06 Feb 2005, 08:10

Need to update Boxrec records then if its correct he`s passed on.

I tried to find a little out on him and to be honest there is not much written on him, surprising really considering the times in which he fought and the opposition he was pitted against.

Anyway unless I’m wrong Battling Shaw would be the next in line after Pete Sarron.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 06 Feb 2005, 15:12

Is there any evidence that he's still alive? I admit, I can't find any evidence that he's dead.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 06 Feb 2005, 15:16

I`m only going by Boxrec records and what ever results I can pick up on the searches.

As you say there is no evidence he`s alive apart from the lack of evidence he`s dead.

enrique · Post by **enrique** » 07 Feb 2005, 23:16

I knew Sarron and he died several years ago. THE OLDEST LIVING EX CHAMP IS AL HOSTAK.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 08 Feb 2005, 10:32

Any proof any of these have passed on also,

Heinz Lazek 1911-10-17

Eddie `babe` Risko 1911-07-14

Battling Shaw 1910-10-21

wouter · Post by **wouter** » 08 Feb 2005, 10:51

Lazek reportedly died in 1986

enrique · Post by **enrique** » 08 Feb 2005, 14:08

I'm telling you.... it's Al Hostak. I went to the fights with Hank Kaplan last friday and he is of that opinion... and nobody in the Universe knows more than Hank....

wsbuf · Post by **wsbuf** » 08 Feb 2005, 14:22

Hostak is 89 and alive.
next Lamotta- 83
then Pep- 82

Who am I missing? anyone? Is Harry Jeffra alive?

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 08 Feb 2005, 16:31

enrique wrote:I'm telling you.... it's Al Hostak. I went to the fights with Hank Kaplan last friday and he is of that opinion... and nobody in the Universe knows more than Hank....

I am not saying Hank Kaplan is wrong, but then again why can’t he be wrong?

I am just working off the Boxrec records, can anybody help on these other names to confirm Hank Kaplan’s greatness at never being wrong.

Al Hostak 1916-01-07

Joey Archibald 1915-12-06

Harry Jeffra 1914-11-30

lou Salica 1913-07-26

Heinz Lazek 1911-10-17

Eddie `Babe` Risko 1911-07-14

Battling Shaw 1910-10-21

lamphey · Post by **lamphey** » 08 Feb 2005, 18:23

tonyevs wrote:Any proof any of these have passed on also,

Heinz Lazek 1911-10-17

Eddie `babe` Risko 1911-07-14

Battling Shaw 1910-10-21

I don't have any proof but I'm pretty certain Babe Risko died young back in the 1950s. I'm only going by memory on things I've read over the years though.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 08 Feb 2005, 19:08

Enrique's right about Hostak still being alive.

enrique · Post by **enrique** » 08 Feb 2005, 20:12

According to Hank Kaplan, the oldest are Hostak, La Motta and Pep.

Besides being a super-historian and possibly the biggest collector in the world, Hank keeps in touch with everyone you can think off.... His convesation is full of so-and-so just went to a nursing home or had a cornea operation or his daughter just called me, etc.... he receives dozens of phone calls every week from sportswriters, old fighters, former champs, managers, etc. His network is huge... so when he says those three are it, I will put money on it...

Salica died in the last few years. I believe Risko died decades ago. One of the oldest around -not a champ but real good - is Schoolboy Friedkin. At least he was alive a few months ago.