26 Facts About Solly Krieger

Solly Krieger was an American middleweight boxer who fought from 1928 to 1941.

Solly Krieger was born on March 28,1909, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York.

Solly Krieger attended Eastern District High School, and was active in baseball, football, basketball, and soccer, but preferred boxing to his other sports.

Solly Krieger's father, who was born in Poland and was initially a tailor, was religiously observant, and had strong opposition to his son Solly's youthful desire to pursue boxing as a career.

Solly Krieger was a Golden Gloves champion in his amateur career.

Solly Krieger lost only twice to Jose Rodriguez on August 15,1929, and Joey LeGrey, on May 26,1930.

On October 16,1931, Solly Krieger was knocked out for the first time in his career by future 1933 Middleweight Champion Vince Dundee in Madison Square Garden in eight of ten rounds.

Solly Krieger had previously lost to Apostoli on February 17,1937, on points in an exciting ten round bout at the Hippodrome.

Solly Krieger had three important bouts with Billy Conn, who would take the Light Heavyweight Championship after their last bout.

In 1938, Solly Krieger won five straight knockouts, starting with George Black, and Al Diamond in one round, Johnny Rossi in four, and then Stanley Hasrato in seven.

The Journal noted that Lee was able to send hooks to Krieger throughout the bout, indicating that Solly was having trouble defending during infighting.

Solly Krieger had a setback against ranked opponent and reigning NBA World Middleweight Title holder Freddie Steele, on June 14,1938, in a ten-round loss by unanimous decision in Seattle, Washington.

Nonetheless, on November 1,1938, at Civic Stadium in Seattle, Washington, Solly Krieger won the National Boxing Association World Middleweight Championship in a 15-round majority decision over the reigning champion.

The Spokesman wrote Solly Krieger raised big red welts on Hostak's left side from terrific right hooks," and that "Several times Hostak tried to use his left, then winced and reeled, apparently because of paralysis of the left side.

Solly Krieger fought over the 160 pound middleweight limit for nearly all of this period, and had a difficult time getting back down to 160 for the Hostak rematch.

Solly Krieger still fought regularly after he captured the title from Hostak, facing Billy Conn twice in tough losses, as well as Carmen Bath, Red Farmer, Marty Simmons, Ben Brown, and Alan Matthews.

The Milwaukee Journal noted that Solly Krieger was unable to fight effectively inside, possibly due to his shorter reach.

Solly Krieger lunged at his nimble rival round after round, swinging for dear life, but all he got for his most heroic efforts was a painful beating.

Solly Krieger was down for counts of seven and nine in the third, and for another count of nine in the fourth.

Solly Krieger rose only briefly after the count to be knocked down again by a flurry of blows from Hostak.

Solly Krieger fought thirteen fights in the heavyweight division gaining victories in 1940 against Texas Joe Dundee, Mario Liani, Herbi Katz, Jarl Johnson, and Wally Sears.

Solly Krieger fought his last fight as a Heavyweight, against Lee Savold, a serious world heavyweight contender, in July 1941, his fifth loss in his final six fights.

Solly Krieger was married to Sally Keisler, and had two children, Lawrence and Karen.

Solly Krieger took financial losses from gambling, before investing in a tavern which did not succeed.

Solly Krieger later worked for the restaurant Pumpernick's in Miami Beach as a parking attendant.

Solly Krieger died in Las Vegas on September 24,1964.