Today in Boxing History: Barney Ross born in New York City

On this day in 1909, Beryl David Rosofsky was born in New York City. The boxing community would come to know him as Barney Ross.

Ross turned professional in 1929. In June of1933, he won the world lightweight and junior welterweight titles with a majority decision over Tony Canzoneri. Ross held the junior welterweight belt for almost two years and defended it nine times.

He picked up the welterweight belt in May of 1934 with a split decision over Jimmy McLarnin. This made him the third fighter to ever win titles in three different weight classes. Ross lost the belt back to McLarnin four months later but regained it from him in May of 1935. He held the belt until 1938 when Henry Armstrong won it from him via spilt decision.

Ross retired after that bout. His final record was 72-4-3. Considering the level of his competition, it is even more remarkable that Ross was never knocked out.

During World War II, Ross joined the U.S. Marine Corp and was awarded the Silver Star after being wounded at the battle of Guadalcanal. He passed away in 1967 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.