Mike Ballerino


Mike Ballerino was an American World Jr. Lightweight boxing champion who began his career in the Philippines boxing with the U. S. Army. Ballerino took the World Jr. Lightweight Championship against Steve "Kid" Sullivan on April 1, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a ten-round unanimous decision.
The Jr. Lightweight class is now referred to as Super featherweight.

Early career in Manila, Philippines with the U.S. Army

Ballerino was born to an Italian family in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on April 10, 1901. At the age of seventeen he began boxing for the Army in the Philippines, where he was stationed, and according to one source won the bantam championship of the Orient in a 20-round match. Many of his bouts were never documented. At the age of 18, he would become known as a skilled bantamweight in Manila. He is not remembered as a polished boxer with refined, scientific technique, but a relentless and determined fighter who thrilled audiences. He lacked a frequent record of knockouts and a strong punch, but he made up for it with enthusiasm and a relentless attack.
A few sources state he began boxing as early as 1918 with the Army, but Ballerino's first known bout in the Philippines was in January 1920 against Kid Ponzo, which he won in a third-round knockout. Rising to face top-rated opponents quickly, he met future Filipino World Flyweight Champion Pancho Villa nine times between January 1920, and October 1921 losing to him in six bouts.

Coming to the United States

Leaving the Army in the Philippines in late 1921, Ballerino decided it was time to begin "boxing in earnest".
He fought his first bout in the United States at the Eagles Athletic Club in Tacoma, Washington, on December 21, 1921, against Frankie Britt. Britt was a well-known American featherweight and later lightweight who would contend for the Pacific Coast Title in both these weight classes. Though the bout was a six-round draw, the crowd was thrilled with the pace of the fight and Ballerino's value as a future contender for the Jr. Lightweight Title was established. His primary opponent in the Philippines, Pancho Villa arrived in America to fight the following year, with the assistance of legendary manager and promoter Tex Rickard.

Boxing management in Tacoma

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 Ballerino had his start.

Early boxing career in Tacoma, Washington

On May 18, 1922, he lost to Sammy Gordon in four rounds. The Seattle Star advertised the bout as a "Special Event", but for a boxer who was nearly local to Seattle, there was relatively little pre-fight publicity. The Junior Lightweight Class was in its infancy and its boxers did not attract the attention of boxers from more established weight classes. After taking the Jr. Lightweight Title, Ballerino would draw larger crowds, and greater coverage.
He fought Mike DePinto on June 12 and 26, 1922 in Washington drawing in six and losing in four rounds respectively. DePinto was a skilled Italian lightweight a shade below the skill of a serious contender. Their June 12 bout was only a preliminary for a bout between Jimmy Sacco and Joe Gorman in Aberdeen. Ballerino would not make the top of boxing cards often until taking the championship, though near the end of his career he would fight a number of name boxers in front of larger audiences.
On October 25, 1922, he fought Seattle bantamweight Buddy Ridley at the Auditorium in Tacoma, in a bout that was pre-determined as a six-round draw at the insistence of Ballerino's manager Eddie Tait. The bout was a good draw, and spectators from Seattle flocked to Tacoma, as Balerino was "a rip snorting battler." Leo Lassen of the Seattle Star noted that Ballerino "had always gone over big in every one of his scraps in the Northwest." Ballerino's manager Eddie Tait had worked as a boxing matchmaker, and referee, and had once been a boxer in contention for the featherweight championship. Tait had managed a boxing club in Honolulu in 1908.

Moving to Bayonne, New Jersey, from the West Coast

He settled in Bayonne, New Jersey, the state of his birth, and set out to find worthy opponents. Shortly after his move to New Jersey, he impressively fought twice at New York's Madison Square Garden. On January 5, 1923, he met Frankie Jerome in a twelve-round draw and on January 19, he met Carl Tremaine in a second round loss by technical knockout.
On June 18, 1923, he lost to Jewish lightweight Charley Goodman in a six-round points decision at the Polo Grounds in New York, a venue for well-attended, popular bouts. The fight was described as a "slugging match all the way."
On July 21, 1923, he gave an "artistic trimming" to boxer Joe O'Donnell in an eight-round win at Shetzline Ballpark in Philadelphia. One source noted that in his typical style, "Ballerino slammed Joe with nearly everything in sight, but the Gloucester blacksmith took his punishment without a whimper". The fight was a preliminary to an historic bout between his former opponent Pancho Villa and Kid Williams. Pancho Villa's feature fight received far more newspaper coverage. After the move, he would find larger audiences, better known opponents, and more income boxing in New England and the Midwest where he primarily focused his career after January 1923.

Boxing management in New York

He was managed by Frank Churchill from New York when he moved to Bayonne, New Jersey, and Mel Cooke, who was also a New York-based manager and promoter with boxing clubs in Brooklyn. Like his previous manager, Eddie Tait, Churchill had managed boxers in Manila and the Far East around 1920.

Ramp up to the World Jr. Lightweight Title

He first fought Steve "Kid" Sullivan, who would soon take the Jr. Lightweight Championship, on May 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, winning impressively in a twelve-round points decision.
He 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. Martin was considered a top New York based contender for the Jr. Lightweight Championship.

Steve "Kid" Sullivan takes Jr. Lightweight Title

Steve "Kid" Sullivan took the Jr. Lightweight Title on June 20, 1924, against champion Johnny Dundee.
Still in line for a shot at the title, on July 15 and August 5, 1924, Ballerino fought Jr. Lightweight Championship contender Allentown Johnny Leonard in Brooklyn, New York, winning both non-title fights in 10 and 12 round points decisions.
Fighting in Brooklyn again, on September 10, 1924, he beat Tony Vacarelli, another Jr. Lightweight Championship contender, in a ten-round points decision.

Ballerino's first World Jr. Lightweight Title bouts with Steve "Kid" Sullivan

Ballerino fought Sullivan, now the new World Jr. Lightweight Champion, on October 15, 1924, in a Jr. Lightweight Title fight in New York, losing in a fifth-round knockout in their first meeting.

Taking and defending the World Jr. Lightweight Title

Ballerino fought a Jr. Lightweight Championship against Steve "Kid" Sullivan on December 15, 1924, at the Auditorium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in a ten-round newspaper decision.
In a World Jr. Lightweight rematch on April 1, 1925, 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. Several sources attribute Ballerino first taking the title from Sullivan at this bout, not his former bout with Sullivan in Milwaukee. One source wrote, "Ballerino took the lead at the opening of the fight and kept it up to the end, beating his foe in almost every round." Both judges agreed that Sullivan took only the first and seventh rounds.
He fought a ten-round World Jr. Lightweight Title fight resulting in a No Contest with the highly rated Jewish lightweight Frankie Callahan of Brooklyn in Columbus, Ohio, on June 1, 1925. Ballerino risked the title if he could not last the full ten rounds with Callahan.
On June 24, 1925, he retained his championship going ten full rounds to a draw with local boxer Babe Ruth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Phillies Baseball Park before 10,000 satisfied fans. The fight was close, but in his typically aggressive style Ballerino won enough rounds to prevent his loss of the title. as many as half the rounds may have gone to Ruth, but Ballerino landed many hard body shots throughout the bout, and managed to gain the victory.
He 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. Martin was recognized at the time as a top American Jr. Lightweight contender.

Losing the Jr. Lightweight Title one year later

Ballerino lost the Jr. Lightweight Title on December 2, 1925, in a ten-round technical knockout against Tod Morgan at Olympic Auditorium in Los, Angeles. Though putting up a typically aggressive and tireless display, the Lincoln Star wrote that Ballerino only won the first round decisively. He 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. The Associated Press wrote that Ballerino's seconds had his manager Frank Churchill threw in the towel, though they already knew Morgan had clinched the bout on points. Ballerino held the title nearly a year, a significant period in the competitive world of East Coast American boxing.

Boxing after loss of the Jr. Lightweight Title

After losing his title, Ballerino fought Allentown Johnny Leonard twice more on June 5 and July 21, 1926, in Queens, New York, and his hometown of Bayonne, New Jersey. He lost the June 5 bout on a ten-round points decision, but received a ten-round draw from his July 21 bout in Bayonne.
On September 30, 1926, he fought highly rated boxer Eddie Lord at Nutmeg Stadium in New Haven, Connecticut, winning in a ten-round points decision.
He fought Jewish boxer Joe Glick twice in November and December 1926 to ten-round draws in Brooklyn.

Boxing decline and retirement

On March 18, 1927, Ballerino began a five-match losing streak that ended with his last fight against Maxie Strub in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, on June 27, 1928. He lost to reigning World Featherweight Champion Benny Bass, in a fast ten-round points decision on October 17, 1927. "Bass, who was outweighed by seven pounds punched hard and accounted for a knockdown in the fourth round but Ballerino was up at the count of eight". Bass would take the World Junior Lightweight Championship from Tod Morgan in late 1929.
Getting out of boxing at the relatively early age of twenty-six was a wise choice for Ballerino, and not one every boxer was able to make. He had only five losses by knockout in his career, so he may have fared better than many champions who left the ring having suffered greater physical injury.
By 1938, near the end of the Depression, he was taking down tents at the Tennessee State Fair as a "canvas" man. He 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.
He eventually retired to Tampa, Florida, where he died on April 4, 1965, at the relatively early age of 63. With 98 bouts to his credit, his prolific boxing schedule with many top-rated opponents may have contributed to a somewhat early death.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
100Loss44–37–17 Young DominickTKO6 Dec 6, 1934Legion Arena, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
99Loss44–36–17 Patsy BernardellaTKO2, 2:26Sep 6, 1932Englewood Arena, Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
98Loss44–35–17 Maxie StrubPTS10Jun 27, 1928Academy of Music, Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, U.S.
97Loss44–34–17 Tommy GroganTKO4 Jan 20, 1928Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
96Loss44–33–17 Mike DundeeTKO10 Nov 21, 1927Memorial Hall, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
95Loss44–32–17 Joey MedillPTS10Nov 11, 1927Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
94Loss44–31–17 Benny BassPTS10Oct 17, 1927Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
93Loss44–30–17 Bobby BurnsPTS6Sep 3, 1927Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
92Loss44–29–17 King TutNWS10Apr 26, 1927Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
91Loss44–28–17 Jack DuffyNWS10Apr 19, 1927Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
90Loss44–27–17 Nat KawlerPTS10Mar 18, 1927Van Curler Theatre, Schenectady, New York, U.S.
89Draw44–26–17 Marty SilversPTS6Mar 5, 1927Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
88Draw44–26–16 Maxie HolubNWS10Feb 2, 1927Amory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
87Loss44–26–15 Al ForemanPTS10Jan 24, 1927Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
86Draw44–25–15 Joe GlickPTS10Dec 20, 1926Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
85Win44–25–14 Georgie BalducPTS10Nov 29, 1926Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
84Draw43–25–14 Joe GlickPTS10Nov 13, 1926Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
83Loss43–25–13 Tommy HermanPTS10Nov 8, 1926Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
82Win43–24–13 Eddie LordPTS10Sep 30, 1926Nutmeg Stadium, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
81Win42–24–13 Johnny KochanskyNWS10Sep 15, 1926Bayonne Stadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, U S.
80Loss41–24–13 Georgie DayPTS10Aug 30, 1926Nutmeg Stadium, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
79Win41–23–13 Allentown Johnny LeonardNWS10Jul 21, 1926Bayonne Sadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
78Loss40–23–13 Augie PisanoPTS6Jul 9, 1926Stadium, Long Beach, New York, U.S.
77Win40–22–13 Petey MackNWS10Jun 25, 1926Bayonne Stadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.Inaugural USA New Jersey State super featherweight title at stake;
76Loss39–22–13 Allentown Johnny LeonardPTS10Jun 5, 1926Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
75Loss39–21–13 Tod MorganTKO10 Dec 2, 1925Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Lost NYSAC and The Ring super featherweight titles
74Loss39–20–13 Ace HudkinsPTS10Oct 21, 1925Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
73Win39–19–13 Billy HenryNWS10Aug 14, 1925Bayonne Stadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
72Win38–19–13 Vincent MartinUD15Jul 6, 1925Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC and The Ring super featherweight title
71Draw37–19–13 Babe RuthPTS10Jun 23, 1925Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
70Win37–19–12 Billy HenryNWS10Jun 16, 1925Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
69Draw36–19–12 Frankie SchaefferNWS10Jun 12, 1925Aurora Bowl, Aurora, Illinois, U.S.
68Win36–19–11 Frankie CallahanPTS10May 30, 1925Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
67Win35–19–11 Mickey BrownNWS12May 15, 1925Bayonne Stadium, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
66Win34–19–11 Steve SullivanUD10Apr 1, 1925108th Field Artillery Amory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won NYSAC and The Ring super featherweight titles
65Win33–19–11 Vincent MartinKO11, 1:16Feb 5, 1925Rink S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
64Loss32–19–11 Frankie MonroeNWS10Jan 1, 1925Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
63Win32–18–11 Steve SullivanNWS10Dec 15, 1924Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.NYSAC and The Ring super featherweight titles at stake;
62Loss31–18–11 Steve SullivanKO5 Oct 15, 1924Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For NYSAC and The Ring super featherweight title
61Win31–17–11 Tony VaccarelliPTS10Sep 10, 1924Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.
60Win30–17–11 Allentown Johnny LeonardPTS12Aug 4, 1924Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.
59Win29–17–11 Allentown Johnny LeonardPTS10Jul 15, 1924Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.
58Win28–17–11 Vincent MartinPTS12Jun 24, 1924Nostrand A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
57Win27–17–11 Steve SullivanPTS12May 30, 1924Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S.
56Win26–17–11 Joe CelmarsNWS12Apr 22, 1924Strand Theatre, Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
55Win25–17–11 Joe RyderPTS12Mar 14, 1924Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
54Win24–17–11 Joe SouzaPTS10Feb 21, 1924Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
53Win23–17–11 Mickey BrownPTS10Dec 28, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52Win22–17–11 Al MarkieNWS8Nov 19, 1923Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
51Win21–17–11 Joe NelsonPTS10Aug 22, 1923Velodrome, New York City, New York, U.S.
50Win20–17–11 Joe O'DonnellNWS8Jul 31, 1923Shetzline Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49Win19–17–11 Harry FoleyPTS8Jul 20, 1923Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
48Loss18–17–11 Charley GoodmanPTS6Jun 18, 1923Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.
47Loss18–16–11 Cuddy DeMarcoNWS10May 28, 1923Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46Draw18–15–11 Cuddy DeMarcoNWS8Apr 30, 1923Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45Loss18–15–10 Bobby WolgastNWS8Mar 19, 1923Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
44Loss18–14–10 Harvey BrightPTS10Mar 16, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
43Win18–13–10 Billy FitzsimmonsPTS10Feb 13, 1923Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
42Loss17–13–10 Carl TremaineTKO2 Jan 19, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
41Draw17–12–10 Frankie JeromePTS12Jan 5, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
40Draw17–12–9 Young Bud RidleyPTS6Oct 25, 1922Auditorium, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
39Draw17–12–8 Vic FoleyPTS10Oct 13, 1922Arena, Vancouver, Canada
38Draw17–12–7 Vic FoleyPTS6Sep 28, 1922Auditorium, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
37Draw17–12–6 Sammy GordonPTS6Sep 14, 1922Auditorium, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
36Win17–12–5 Ernie DaleyPTS6Sep 7, 1922Legion Hall, Olympia, Washington, U.S.
35Loss16–12–5 Mike DePintoPTS4Jun 26, 1922Fort Lewis, Washington, U.S.
34Draw16–11–5 Mike DePintoPTS6Jun 12, 1922Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.
33Loss16–11–4 Sammy GordonPTS4May 18, 1922Auditorium, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
32Win16–10–4 Kid LaRosePTS4May 4, 1922Eagles Hall, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
31Win15–10–4 Frank PantleyPTS4Apr 25, 1922Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
30Win14–10–4 Soldier TothTKO3Mar 30, 1922Camp Lewis, Washington, U.S.Pacific Northwest Military elimination tournament
29Win13–10–4 Soldier SheaTKO3Mar 28, 1922Fort Lewis, Washington, U.S.Pacific Northwest Military elimination tournament
28Win12–10–4 Mike MitchellPTS4Mar 23, 1922Tacoma Washington, U.S.
27Loss11–10–4 Mirillo GuidaPTS8Feb 22, 1922Fort Lewis, Washington, U.S.Fort Lewis's boxing elimination series
26Win11–9–4 Jimmy ColePTS4Feb 1, 1922U.S.Exact date and location unknown.
25Win10–9–4 Eddie MoorePTS6Jan 12, 1922Eagles Hall, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
24Draw9–9–4 Frankie BrittPTS6Dec 29, 1921Eagles A.C., Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
23Loss9–9–3 Pancho VillaPTS20Oct 5, 1921Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
22Draw9–8–3 Pete SarmientoPTS8Sep 10, 1921Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
21Loss9–8–2 Pancho VillaPTS20Aug 23, 1921Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
20Loss9–7–2 Cowboy ReyesPTS8Aug 13, 1921Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
19Draw9–6–2 Pancho VillaPTS15Jul 25, 1921Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
18Loss9–6–1 Pancho VillaPTS15May 8, 1921Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
17Loss9–5–1 Pancho VillaPTS10Mar 5, 1921Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
16Win9–4–1 Tip O'NeillPTS8Feb 5, 1921U.S.Exact date and location unknown
15Win8–4–1 Young GivinniKO1Feb 1, 1921U.S.Exact date and location unknown
14Draw7–4–1 Pancho VillaPTS15Jan 10, 1921Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
13Loss7–4 Irineo FloresPTS4Jul 3, 1920Olympic Stadium, Manila, Philippines
12Loss7–3 Syd KeenanPTS8Jul 1, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
11Win7–2 Eddie MoorePTS10Jun 20, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
10Win6–2 Leoncio BernabePTS6Jun 10, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
9Win5–2 Kid TaylorPTS4Jun 1, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
8Win4–2 Kid PonzoPTS4May 1, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
7Loss3–2 Pancho VillaPTS6Apr 10, 1920Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesExact date unknown
6Win3–1 Kid SaundersPTS4Apr 1, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
52–1 Pancho VillaNC6 Mar 25, 1920Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesExact date unknown
4Loss2–1 Pancho VillaPTS6Mar 10, 1920Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesExact date unknown
3Win2–0 Kid AquilaPTS4Mar 1, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown
21–0 Pancho VillaNC6 Feb 25, 1920Manila, Metro Manila, PhilippinesExact date unknown
1Win1–0Kid PonzoKO3Jan 1, 1920U.S.Exact date and location unknown

Primary boxing achievements and honors

Ballerino was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on September 12, 1971.