Frankie Klick


Frankie Klick was an American boxer who became a World Jr. Lightweight boxing champion when he defeated Kid Chocolate, on December 25, 1933, at the arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a seventh-round technical knockout. In his career he fought the exceptional champions Henry Armstrong once, Barney Ross twice and Tony Canzoneri four times. His managers were Joe Doran and Ray Carlin.

Early life and career

Frank Klich was born on May 5, 1907, in San Francisco, California. Klick, as he became known when a promoter of one of his early bouts misspelled his name, began his interest in boxing when an older brother gifted him with a pair of boxing gloves when he was nine years old. From October 9, 1924, to April 22, 1927, Klick fought twenty-seven times in San Francisco's National Hall or Dreamland Rink. He won all but one of his first twenty-seven bouts, as one was a draw. Impressively eight of his twenty-seven early wins were by knockout or technical knockout.
On January 28, 1927, Klick defeated California Joe Lynch, a well respected West Coast boxer, for the first time at Dreamland Rink in San Francisco in a six-round points decision. On March 23, 1928, Klick defeated California Joe Lynch again in a four-round points decision at the State Armory in San Francisco. He would fight Lynch twice more in ten round draws.

Loss to Joe Murphy

In his first loss, and very likely his first knockout, Klick was defeated by Dynamite Joe Murphy in the fourth round at the Auditorium in Oakland, California on June 1, 1927. A left hook to the head dropped Klick to the canvas for a count of eight, and when he arose another attack landed him on the canvas for the full count.

Marriage in May 1928

At the age of twenty-one, Klick was married to Cecelia McCarthy on May 6, 1928. The marriage lasted seven years and produced two children Patricia, and Frankie Jr., but ended in divorce on June 5, 1935.
On May 18, 1932, Klick tried unsuccessfully to take the USA California State Lightweight Title, but was defeated by Young Peter Jackson in a ten-round points decision at the Golden Gate Arena in San Francisco California.

Taking the World Jr. Lightweight Championship against Kid Chocolate

Before a crowd of 4,000, Klick took the World Jr. Lightweight boxing champion against Kid Chocolate, on December 25, 1933, at the Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a seventh-round technical knockout. The Ludington Daily News, wrote "The flashy Cuban "bon bon" was bereft of the title in the seventh round of a scheduled fifteen round Christmas Day bout by a whistling right smash to the chin and all he got in exchange was the second knockout of his career although the latest was of the technical variety." The bout had been fairly close until the seventh with Chocolate showing stamina and style. The seventh round had gone two minutes and fifty-eight seconds when the knockout occurred. "The Cuban waged a fast, aggressive fight in the early rounds that gave him a temporary lead." Chocolate had landed rights "to the head and body," but may have lacked the stamina to stay with Klick. Chocolate may have been suffering from a knockout he had received from Tony Canzoneri only a month previously. He retained his featherweight championship at least in the state of New York.

Boxing after taking the Jr. Lightweight Title

On October 28, 1933, he lost to Tony Canzoneri at Ridgewood Grove in Brooklyn in a ten-round Unanimous Decision. It was the first of four meetings the two would have, and Klick would fail to win a decision in all four. Nonetheless, the capacity Brooklyn crowd of 5000 hailed Klick and booed when he lost the decision.
On January 22, 1934, Klick lost a ten-round points decision to Frankie Wallace, a Cleveland native, at Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio.

First bout with champion Barney Ross

On March 5, 1934, Klick met Barney Ross, defending his Jr. Welterweight Title before a capacity crowd of 10,000, in a ten-round draw at Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Klick's quick punching in the last two rounds earned him the draw according to the referee Toby Irwin. The Associated Press gave Ross five rounds, Klick four, and one even. Ross, in his typically lightning fast style, may have landed twice as many punches, but many ringside believed Klick's punches carried more authority. According to the Santa Cruz Evening News, "Klick's swift rallys in the last two rounds earned him the decision of the referee." The draw was impressive for Klick, as Ross had won all his bouts in the previous three years, never having been held to a draw.

Vacating the World Jr. Lightweight Title

Klick vacated the World Jr. Lightweight Title in 1934, most likely as a result of being unable to maintain a weight under 130 pounds, the limit for the Jr. Lightweight division.

Losing to champion Tony Canzoneri

On June 28, 1934, Tony Canzoneri defeated Klick in a ninth-round technical knockout when referee Patsy Haley stopped the bout at Ebbets field in Brooklyn. Haley, former lightweight boxer, would become one of the best known and trusted New York referees in history. Klick may have won the first two rounds but by the third Canzoneri had battered Klick with a strong right to the jaw, and began piling up points in the following rounds, landing a hard blow to the eye of Klick in the fifth which contributed to Haley's decision to end the bout four rounds later. The winner of the bout would be matched with Barney Ross for the World Lightweight Crown.
On July 31, 1934, Klick lost a disputed ten round points decision to Italian boxer Cleto Locatelli at Shibe Park, in Philadelphia. A significant crowd of 15,000 voiced their disapproval of the decision, and Ray Carlin, Klick's manager wrote a letter of protest indicating Klick had clearly won six of the ten rounds.
On October 2, 1934, Klick defeated Harry Dublinksky in an important ten round split decision at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Klick would face Canzoneri two more times, on June 10, 1935, in Washington, D.C., and in a non-title fight on August 19, 1935, at Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. He would lose both of the well attended fights, the first in a close twelve round Split Decision by referee Jack Dempsey, and the second in a ten-round points decision. Their first bout was a great tribute to the staying power of Klick, who managed to match one of the greatest fighters of the era at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., before a crowd of 20,000. The bout was not a title fight. A hard right to the face of Klick, may have been the turning point in the judging, and at least one source felt that Canzoneri had done the heavier punching in the close bout. Many fans protested the decision as the judges split their votes, and Dempsey, more a boxing celebrity than an experienced referee, was required to make the call as to who had won the fight.

Klick's decline in the fourth and last Canzoneri bout

Their second meeting on August 19, 1935, was described as a "dull bout" by the Oakland Tribune. Noting a decline in his fighting style, the Tribune, wrote, "the Klick of last evening was a tentative, uncertain chap, who depended almost entirely on a left jab, who missed more punches than could be expected of a world's champion." Canzoneri managed to outpunch Klick for nearly the entire bout. Canzoneri was noted as having an advantage in every round but the seventh. Canzoneri was easily one of the greatest, and fastest boxers of the era, and hardly an easy target. Both boxers had fought over one hundred bouts, a telling number, and both were nearing thirty, which may have been a factor in their lack of snap and stamina.

Second bout with Barney Ross

On January 28, 1935, Barney Ross retained his Jr. Welterweight crown in a title bout against Klick before a crowd of 13,000 at Municipal Stadium in Miami, Florida. Ross's Lightweight Title was not at stake. Ross scored the only knockdown of the fight, with a blow to the chin of Klick in the second round. With Ross showing greater confidence and technique, the Associated Press gave him eight of the ten rounds, though he received a hard right from Klick in the sixth round.
On November 22, 1935, Klick defeated Al Roth in a ten-round points decision at Madison Square Garden. Klick was still hoping for a Lightweight Title fight with Canzoneri, though one never materialized.

Loss to Lou Ambers

On January 3, 1936, Klick lost to important lightweight contender Lou Ambers in a ten-round Unanimous Decision at Madison Square Garden. The winner of the bout was to earn a World Lightweight Title match with Tony Canzoneri. The Associated Press gave eight round to Ambers and only one to Klick with one even. Only 8,236 fans turned out to see what the Arizona Republic considered a "tame" fight.
On June 9, 1936, Klick lost to Puerto Rican fighter Pedro Montanez in a ten-round points decision. According to one source, Klick was on the "verge of being knocked out three times in the ten round affair."
On May 4, 1937, Klick lost to the great Henry Armstrong in a fourth-round technical knockout at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Armstrong, along with Barney Ross, would become one of the few triple World Champions in boxing history.
Klick ended his career with two bouts against Al Citrino at National Hall in San Francisco in February and April 1943, drawing in eight rounds in the first, and losing in eight in the second.
Klick lived a relatively long life for a boxer who had fought so many champions and over one hundred fights. He died on May 18, 1982, at the age of 75.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
126LossAl CitrinoPTS8Apr 16, 1943National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
125Draw86–25–13 Al CitrinoPTS8Feb 19, 1943National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
124Loss86–25–12 Clever HenryPTS10Jan 13, 1939Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
123Loss86–24–12 Johnny BellusPTS10Mar 17, 1938Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
122Win86–23–12 Felix GarciaPTS8Jan 18, 1938New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
121Loss85–23–12 Billy BeauhuldPTS10Sep 27, 1937Royal Windsor Palace, New York City, New York, US
120Loss85–22–12 Henry ArmstrongTKO4, 2:57May 4, 1937Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
119Loss85–21–12 Enrico VenturiMD10Nov 13, 1936Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
118Loss85–20–12 Jimmy GarrisonPTS10Sep 1, 1936Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, US
117Win85–19–12 Eddie ZivicUD10Aug 24, 1936Hickey Park Bowl, Millvale, Pennsylvania, US
116Loss84–19–12 Howard ScottSD10Aug 3, 1936Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
115Loss84–18–12 Jimmy VaughnSD10Jul 20, 1936Swiss Park Open Air Arena, Louisville, Kentucky, US
114Loss84–17–12 Pedro MontañezPTS10Jun 8, 1936Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, US
113Win84–16–12 Rafael HurtadoUD10Apr 20, 1936St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
112Loss83–16–12 Lou AmbersPTS10Jan 3, 1936Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
111Win83–15–12 Al RothPTS10Nov 22, 1935Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
110Loss82–15–12 Tony CanzoneriPTS10Aug 19, 1935Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
109Loss82–14–12 Tony CanzoneriSD12Jun 10, 1935Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
108Loss82–13–12 Barney RossUD10Jan 28, 1935Municipal Stadium, Miami, Florida, USFor world junior welterweight title
107Win82–12–12 Harry DublinskySD10Nov 2, 1934Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
106Loss81–12–12 Cleto LocatelliSD10Jul 31, 1934Baker Bowl, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
105Loss81–11–12 Tony CanzoneriTKO9 Jun 28, 1934Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US
104Draw81–10–12 Barney RossPTS10Mar 5, 1934Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USFor world junior welterweight title
103Loss81–10–11 Frankie WallacePTS10Jan 22, 1934Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, US
102Win81–9–11 Kid ChocolateTKO7, 2:58Dec 25, 1933Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USWon world junior lightweight title
101Loss80–9–11 Eddie CoolPTS10Nov 27, 1933Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
100Loss80–8–11 Jimmy LetoPTS10Nov 13, 1933Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
99Loss80–7–11 Tony CanzoneriUD10Oct 28, 1933Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
98Win80–6–11 Tony FalcoPTS10Sep 22, 1933Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US
97Win79–6–11 Eddie CoolPTS10Sep 8, 1933Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US
96Draw78–6–11 Al CiulloPTS6Aug 29, 1933Fugazy Bowl, New York City, New York, US
95Win78–6–10 Joey KaufmanPTS6Aug 12, 1933Fugazy Bowl, New York City, New York, US
94Win77–6–10 Pedro NievesKO4 Jun 5, 1933Oakland Outdoor Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, US
93Win76–6–10 Ernie TedescoKO5 Jun 1, 1933Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
92Win75–6–10 Johnny BonitoPTS6May 27, 1933Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
91Win74–6–10 Tony ScarpatiTKO3, 1:46May 19, 1933Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
90Loss73–6–10 Petey GulottaPTS6Apr 8, 1933Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
89Win73–5–10 Patsy RubinettiPTS6Mar 25, 1933Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
88Win72–5–10 Tony ScarpatiPTS6Mar 11, 1933Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
87Win71–5–10 Tony MeloreKO6 Feb 3, 1933Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86Win70–5–10 Lou JallosPTS5Jan 13, 1933Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
85Win69–5–10 Paolo VillaPTS8Jan 9, 1933St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
84Win68–5–10 Ace DundeeKO3 Dec 10, 1932Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
83Draw67–5–10 Bobby PachoPTS8Oct 7, 1932Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
82Draw67–5–9 Tony FalcoPTS8Jul 18, 1932Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, US
81Win67–5–8 Johnny ChrismasTKO8 May 25, 1932Chestnut St. Arena, Reno, Nevada, US
80Loss66–5–8 Young Peter JacksonPTS10May 18, 1932Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, USFor USA California State lightweight title
79Win66–4–8 Hymie MillerDQ7 Feb 4, 1932Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, USMiller was DQ'd for a low blow
78Win65–4–8 Buddy RyanPTS10Nov 25, 1931National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
77Win64–4–8 Frankie MonroePTS10Nov 4, 193110th Street Arena, Modesto, California, US
76Win63–4–8 Varias MillingPTS10Sep 11, 1931Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
75Win62–4–8 Sailor Joe NotoPTS10Sep 3, 1931Veterans Memorial, Vallejo, California, US
74Win61–4–8 Sailor Joe NotoPTS10Aug 20, 1931San Rafael, California, US
73Win60–4–8 Benny GallupPTS10Jul 14, 1931Sonoma A.C., Santa Rosa, California, US
72Win59–4–8 Frankie MonroePTS10Jul 4, 1931Klamath A.C., Klamath Falls, Oregon, US
71Win58–4–8 Johnny ChrismasPTS10Jun 23, 1931Sonoma A.C., Santa Rosa, California, US
70Win57–4–8 Pierre PothierPTS10May 13, 1931Legion Hall, Klamath Falls, Oregon, US
69Win56–4–8 Bobby PachoPTS10Mar 13, 1931Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
68Win55–4–8 Ray MontoyaPTS6Feb 20, 1931Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
67Win54–4–8 Pierre PothierPTS10Feb 6, 1931Community Club Hall, Merrill, Oregon, US
66Draw53–4–8 Santiago ZorrillaPTS10Jan 16, 1931Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
65Draw53–4–7 Santiago ZorrillaPTS4Dec 19, 1930Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
64Win53–4–6 Sailor Joe NotoPTS6Dec 14, 1930Eureka, California, US
63Win52–4–6 Harry WallaceKO1 Nov 23, 1930Eureka, California, US
62Win51–4–6 Sailor Joe NotoPTS10Nov 18, 1930Forman's Arena, San Jose, California, US
61Win50–4–6 Bobby GrayTKO7 Nov 4, 1930Forman's Arena, San Jose, California, US
6049–4–6 Jackie SpencerNC10 Sep 30, 1930Reno Arena, Reno, Nevada, USNo contest for 'not fighting'
59Win49–4–6Battling BulahanPTS10Jul 1, 193010th Street Arena, Modesto, California, US
58Win48–4–6Eddie GrahamTKO6 Jun 13, 1930Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
57Win47–4–6Ward SparksPTS10Mar 6, 1930Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
56Loss46–4–6Maurice HoltzerPTS10Jan 3, 1930Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
55Win46–3–6Ignacio FernándezPTS10Nov 29, 1929Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
54Win45–3–6Huerta EvansPTS10Nov 22, 1929Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
53Draw44–3–6Jackie SpencerPTS10Jul 24, 1929Lawton Springs Arena, Reno, Nevada, US
52Win44–3–5Tommy FieldingPTS10Jul 5, 1929Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
51Win43–3–5Wendell 'Red' HumphriesPTS10Jun 14, 1929Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
50Win42–3–5Bert FosterKO3 May 24, 1929Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
49Win41–3–5Charlie MillerTKO8 Apr 24, 1929National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
48Draw40–3–5Charlie MillerPTS10Mar 27, 1929Reno Arena, Reno, Nevada, US
47Win40–3–4Bert FosterPTS10Mar 15, 1929L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, US
46Win39–3–4Battling BulahanPTS10Jan 30, 1929National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
45Win38–3–4Bobby HermanPTS6Dec 14, 1928Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
44Draw37–3–4'California' Joe LynchUD10Oct 17, 1928National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
43Win37–3–3'Sailor' Willie GordonUD10Oct 2, 1928Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
42Win36–3–3Sidney WhitePTS10Sep 7, 1928El Cerrito A.C., El Cerrito, California, US
41Win35–3–3Charlie MillerKO4 Aug 1, 1928National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
40Win34–3–3Bobby HermanKO6 Jun 20, 1928National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
39Win33–3–3Ignacio FernándezPTS10Jun 4, 1928State Armory, San Francisco, California, US
38Draw32–3–3'California' Joe LynchPTS10Apr 19, 1928Stockton, California, US
37Win32–3–2'California' Joe LynchPTS4Mar 23, 1928State Armory, San Francisco, California, US
36Loss31–3–2Midget Mike O'DowdKO3 Feb 10, 1928Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, US
35Win31–2–2Charlie MillerTKO3 Feb 3, 1928Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, US
34Loss30–2–2Vic FoleyPTS6Jan 17, 1928Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington, US
33Win30–1–2Tommy O'BrienTKO7 Sep 23, 1927Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, US
32Draw29–1–2Santiago ZorrillaPTS10Aug 26, 1927Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
31Win29–1–1Georgie LeePTS6Jul 4, 1927Exposition Arena, Reno, Nevada, US
30Loss28–1–1Dynamite Joe MurphyKO4 Jun 1, 1927Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
29Win28–0–1Joe PimentelPTS10May 25, 1927National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
28Win27–0–1Billy EvansTKO9 Apr 22, 1927Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
27Win26–0–1Ollie BartlettPTS6Apr 1, 1927Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
26Win25–0–1'California' Joe LynchPTS6Jan 28, 1927Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
25Win24–0–1Leonardo GarciaPTS6Jan 7, 1927Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
24Win23–0–1Joe FrenchPTS6Dec 21, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
23Win22–0–1Lou RickardTKO5 Dec 17, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
22Win21–0–1Georgie LeePTS6Dec 3, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
21Win20–0–1Davie FlashTKO4 Nov 26, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
20Win19–0–1Sidney WhitePTS6Nov 12, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
19Draw18–0–1Sidney WhitePTS10May 12, 1926National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
18Win18–0Sidney WhitePTS6Apr 30, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
17Win17–0Jimmy BriggsTKO8 Mar 23, 1926San Rafael, California, US
16Win16–0Johnny 'Kid' FiskeTKO4 Feb 19, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
15Win15–0Johnny LawsonTKO3 Feb 12, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, USLawson turned his ankle and was forced to quit
14Win14–0Fred BindonPTS4Feb 5, 1926Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
13Win13–0Jimmy DwyerPTS4Jan 13, 1926National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
12Win12–0Pal BayardoKO1 Dec 30, 1925National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
11Win11–0Fred BindonPTS4Dec 9, 1925National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
10Win10–0Jimmy BriggsPTS4Dec 2, 1925National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
9Win9–0Frankie KlineKO2 Nov 24, 1925Egg City A.C., Petaluma, California, US
8Win8–0Kid MagsambolPTS4Mar 4, 1925National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
7Win7–0Jack FlynnPTS4Feb 20, 1925Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
6Win6–0Phil DorioKO3 Jan 14, 1925National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
5Win5–0Jimmy BarryPTS4Jan 8, 1925National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
4Win4–0Frankie WilsonPTS4Dec 10, 1924National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
3Win3–0Dick CruzPTS4Nov 26, 1924National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
2Win2–0Tommy BaroniPTS4Nov 12, 1924National Hall, San Francisco, California, US
1Win1–0Young ManilaPTS4Oct 29, 1924National Hall, San Francisco, California, US