BoxRec

I forget which fighters, but wasnt there two or three pros that began boxing professionally at the ages of eight or nine?

"The Ring magazine said that Baby Arizmendi was perhaps the youngest person ever to have become a professional boxer; he turned pro at the ripe old age of 13, although some swore he was only seven when he had his first pro fight. (May 1982 issue, p. 14.)" From Arizmendi's Wiki page.

Sean O'Grady turned professional in 1975 when only 15-years-old. he's certainly one of the youngest of the modern era.

I believe that Wilfred Benitez was 14 when he turned pro, but I distinctly remember someone posting an article--a couple years back--about some 1890's-1900's British fighter who was a pro at 9. Maybe he was more of a carnival attraction than a legit boxer, but I recall that he fought until he was 19 or so. Maybe someone else remembers this.

Manuel Medina was 14.
Marco Antonio Barrera was 15.

British fighter Charley Leggett (1920s) supposedly turned pro at age 10 or 11.
There's is a photo of him in and old Ring mag from around that time.
I'd say he looks no older than 12 in the photo - a child with boxing gloves on.

Freddie Steele was 13. Jackie "Kid" Berg was 14.

Bert Gilroy the British middleweight, Scotland's longest champion (13 yrs.) and the UK's most feared & avoided fighter during the late 1930s & right through the 40s, turned Pro at 15 years of age!

I remember reading that the great Len Harvey had his first pro fight at 12 years of age, can't say for sure though.

Oscar Suarez who fought Pascual Perez for the title, turned pro at twelve or thirteen.

Black Bill who fought Midget Wolgast for the title was around thirteen when he fought his first pro bout.

I believe that Wilfred Benitez was 14 when he turned pro, but I distinctly remember someone posting an article--a couple years back--about some 1890's-1900's British fighter who was a pro at 9. Maybe he was more of a carnival attraction than a legit boxer, but I recall that he fought until he was 19 or so. Maybe someone else remembers this.

I remember this as well, hence why I reposted the question, as the man's name escapes me. But I do know it was talked about on this very site sometime last year or so. I think he ended up having 90 some wins and only five losses? Or maybe I am mistaken.

Here is someone's response in WikiAnswers:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_the_y ... onal_boxer :

"Many claim that it's Baby Arizmendi at the age of just 10
The Ring magazine said that Baby Arizmendi was perhaps the youngest person ever to have become a professional boxer; he turned pro at the ripe old age of 13, although some swore he was only seven when he had his first pro fight. Others have him listed as 10.

I don't think anyone knows for sure but here's another list that I have:


Len Harvey 12 years 175 days, Pro Debut January 2, 1920
Teddy Baldock 12 years 298 days. Pro debut Mrach 14, 1921
Baby Arizmendi 13 years 208 days, Pro debut March 17, 1914
Rodolfo Gonzalez 13 years 336 days, Pro debut November 17, 1959

Also, Al Diamond out of Paterson New Jersey was just 13 when he started in 1927.

Manuel Medina, who fought and defeated Scott Harrison and was then beaten in the return a year or 2 ago, he was 14 years old when he began boxing as a pro.

Here's yet another list:


Youngest pro debut by a fighter:

1. Baby Arizmendi age 10

2. Teddy Baldock age 14

3. Al McCoy age 14

4. Battling Nelson age 14

5. Georges Carpentier age 14"

Former WBA Cruiserwieght Champion, Robert Daniels turned pro back in March of 1984 at age 15.

Packey McFarland was 16 when he turned professional. He's often considered the greatest, least one of the greatest, fighters to never win the world title.

the 9 year old boxer might have been 'Kid' Furness, who may or maynot be Harry 'kid' Furness. I seem to remember he grew up in the Fair Grounds and was a very young Pro(?).

http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer

^^^Kid Furness, evidentially fought for some title that was just above 100 pounds

Nothing else is on him but the record, not even a birth date. Maybe he was a child boxer, who knows.

https://secure.contactdesigns.net/cgi-b ... d=M9P9HqXq

http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/holdings ... rness.html

^^^Another link(s) on Kid Furness

Pat McKeowen of the the McKeowen Boxing Booth family 9 and a half years of age.
page 123, "A Fair Fight" and he is featured on the cover of World's Fair periodical feb 6th 1932. No mention of him becoming 'pro' though!

Jim.

http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer

^^^Dave Barry, brother of undefeated Jimmy Barry, was 16 when he turned professional, though he is best remembered as a referee, particuarly being the third man in the ring of the famous 'long count' between Dempsey and Tunney.

HomicideHenry wrote:

I believe that Wilfred Benitez was 14 when he turned pro, but I distinctly remember someone posting an article--a couple years back--about some 1890's-1900's British fighter who was a pro at 9. Maybe he was more of a carnival attraction than a legit boxer, but I recall that he fought until he was 19 or so. Maybe someone else remembers this.

I remember this as well, hence why I reposted the question, as the man's name escapes me. But I do know it was talked about on this very site sometime last year or so. I think he ended up having 90 some wins and only five losses? Or maybe I am mistaken.

Nipper Pat Daly?

Holy shit Ric, Nipper Pat Daly was 9 years old when he turned pro! 101-11-7 is a damned good record. Why he never fought for any sort of title is beyond me.

Pipino Cuevas was only 13 when he fought his first pro fight.

Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez, former WBC Lightweight Champ, turned pro at age 13, about a month prior to his 14th birthday. El Gato would rack up 35 consecutive KO's (A Consecutive KO record for World Champions, and 4th of all boxers). He was extended the limit, won a unan. 10rd dec. in his 36th fight, came back to KO the same guy three weeks later, and went on to ice another dozen. Before his first loss, his record was 52-0 (50 KO's).

-Rick Farris

cybox wrote:Former WBA Cruiserwieght Champion, Robert Daniels turned pro back in March of 1984 at age 15.

Not true. I managed Robert and he was 17 when he turned pro.

I reckon BoxRec needs to update the record roster on age, considering Pat Daly has been proven to be 9 years old when he turned pro. His life story is one hell of a shame too. He could have fought for a world title when he was 15, and his career was over at 17. Was too burnt out.

Kid Kopecks, a fighter from Fresno, California of the 1920s, must've been about thirteen years old at the beginning of his career if he was born in 1907 or 1908.

- Chuck Johnston

how many of these children had the nickname "the baby faced assasin"?

Darrin Van Horn, Super Middleweight champion, turned pro at the age of 15.