William H. Rocap

Name: William H Rocap
Alias: Billy
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Birthplace: USA
Died: 1928-09-23 (Age:67)
Referee: Record

William H. (Billy) Rocap (1861-1928) was one of the premier amateur athletes in America in the late 19th century, excelling in boxing and rowing.

Rocap became the first amateur bantamweight boxing champion of America in 1888, and he repeated as champion the following year.

As a member of the Schuylkill Navy Athletic Club, he contributed to the establishment of the Amateur Athletic Union.

Rocap was called upon frequently to serve as timekeeper at national and International polo matches, and he officiated in that capacity when the United States won the international Polo Cup in 1921.

He refereed numerous boxing matches between 1896 and 1920, including bouts involving International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Joe Gans, Young Corbett II, Jack Johnson, Terry McGovern, Battling Nelson, Pete (Kid) Herman, Kid Williams and Jimmy Wilde.

As the long-time sports editor of Philadelphia's Public Ledger, he promoted honesty and integrity in all amateur and professional sports, especially boxing.

Rocap helped organize the National Boxing Association in 1921 and became the first chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission in 1923. [1]