1. Mike Ballerino is not remembered as a polished boxer with refined, scientific technique, but a relentless and determined fighter who thrilled audiences.
24 Facts About Mike Ballerino
1. 2.
Mike Ballerino lacked a frequent record of knockouts and a strong punch, but he made up for it with enthusiasm and a relentless attack.
3.
Mike Ballerino fought his first bout in the United States at the Eagles Athletic Club in Tacoma, Washington, on December 21,1921, against Frankie Britt.
4.
Mike Ballerino was managed in his early career in Tacoma, Washington, by Eddie Tait, a former American featherweight boxer, who had briefly managed boxers and opened movie theaters in the Philippines where Mike Ballerino had his start.
5.
Lightweight Title, Mike Ballerino would draw larger crowds, and greater coverage.
6.
Mike Ballerino fought Mike DePinto on June 12 and 26,1922 in Washington drawing in six and losing in four rounds respectively.
7.
Mike Ballerino settled in Bayonne, New Jersey, the state of his birth, and set out to find worthy opponents.
8.
One source noted that in his typical style, "Mike Ballerino slammed Joe with nearly everything in sight, but the Gloucester blacksmith took his punishment without a whimper".
9.
Mike Ballerino was managed by Frank Churchill from New York when he moved to Bayonne, New Jersey, and Mel Cooke, who was a New York-based manager and promoter with boxing clubs in Brooklyn.
10.
Mike Ballerino first fought Steve "Kid" Sullivan, who would soon take the Jr.
11.
Mike Ballerino fought Vincent "Pepper" Martin, an important opponent, for the first time in a non-title fight on June 24,1924, winning in a twelve-round points decision at the Nostrand Athletic Club in Brooklyn, New York.
12.
Lightweight rematch on April 1,1925, Mike Ballerino won a unanimous decision against his frequent rival Steve Sullivan at the Armory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a bout that went the full ten rounds.
13.
Several sources attribute Mike Ballerino first taking the title from Sullivan at this bout, not his former bout with Sullivan in Milwaukee.
14.
Mike Ballerino risked the title if he could not last the full ten rounds with Callahan.
15.
Mike Ballerino successfully defended the title on July 6,1925, against Vincent "Pepper" Martin in a fifteen-round unanimous decision at Queensborough Stadium in Queens, New York.
16.
Mike Ballerino was down for a nine count in the third round, outpunched badly against the ropes in the sixth, and had the crowd shouting to end the bout by the ninth and tenth rounds.
17.
The Associated Press wrote that Mike Ballerino's seconds had his manager Frank Churchill threw in the towel, though they already knew Morgan had clinched the bout on points.
18.
Mike Ballerino held the title nearly a year, a significant period in the competitive world of East Coast American boxing.
19.
Mike Ballerino fought Jewish boxer Joe Glick twice in November and December 1926 to ten-round draws in Brooklyn.
20.
On March 18,1927, Mike Ballerino began a five-match losing streak that ended with his last fight against Maxie Strub in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, on June 27,1928.
21.
Mike Ballerino lost to reigning World Featherweight Champion Benny Bass, in a fast ten-round points decision on October 17,1927.
22.
Mike Ballerino claimed to have spent all of the approximately $400,000 he made during his boxing career, though he was proud of making his own way and said he had no regrets.
23.
Mike Ballerino eventually retired to Tampa, Florida, where he died on April 4,1965, at the relatively early age of 63.
24.
Mike Ballerino was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on September 12,1971.