Rocky Kansas


Rocky Kansas was an Italian-born American tough, short former Undisputed World Lightweight Champion boxer. He was born Rocco Tozzo on April 21, 1893, in Italy and came to America in 1898. Rocky Kansas was the brother of champion Joe "Kid" Kansas whom he combined with at an attempt to become a champion in 1938.

Background

Rocky was the younger brother of Joe "Kid" Kansas, and older brother of boxer Tony Tozzo. Kansas and his two brothers combined to defeat 189 opponents in the Buffalo, New York area from 1909 to 1937. Father to Kenneth and Vincent Tozzo and husband to Jessie Tozzo.

Pro career

Kansas turned pro in 1911 and lost just two official decisions in his first 75 fights. In 1914, he faced his first contender, Johnny Dundee, losing a newspaper decision. Kansas also faced featherweight Champion Johnny Kilbane in a non-title match, but lost the newspaper decision.
During his career Kansas faced the cream of the featherweight and lightweight divisions. On February 28, 1916, Kansas fought the all-time great Benny Leonard. Although, Kansas managed to last the full 10 rounds for a No-Decision, he received a boxing lesson from Leonard.
In 1921 he met Richie Mitchell, a highly regarded Lightweight out of Milwaukee. In the first round Kansas pinned Mitchell against the ropes and knocked him out. Kansas then landed a non-title shot against Benny Leonard, but was again handily out boxed.
Kansas then came up with another upset victory, this time over southpaw Lew Tendler in a close 10-round decision. The victory landed him a title shot at Leonard's lightweight crown. In an exciting fight, Leonard was awarded the unanimous decision.
The two fought yet again. This time Leonard TKOed him in the eleventh round.
Leonard retired and Kansas was given his third title shot at Broadway Auditorium against Jimmy Goodrich, who claimed the title after Leonard's retirement. Kansas was able to get inside on Goodrich and won all but one of the first 13 rounds. Kansas was awarded the 15-round decision, and after over 14 years of professional fighting, Rocky Kansas was finally a champion.
His glory was short lived. On July 3, 1926, he defended against 22-year-old Sammy Mandell. Mandell outboxed Kansas to win the title.

Retirement and death

Kansas retired after the loss. Like many others, he was wiped out in the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Kansas worked for the city of Buffalo in New York State. He had a job there for a few years. Then, in 1952, news got out about a cancer that he had developed. Kansas died on January 10, 1954, of cancer, following abdominal surgery. He was 60 years old.

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.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
166Loss64–11–6 Joe TrippeUD6Sep 30, 1932Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
165Loss64–10–6 Sammy MandellPTS10Jul 3, 1926Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
164Loss64–9–6 Pal MoranNWS10Apr 12, 1926Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Florida, U.S.
163Win64–9–6 Joe TiplitzNWS10Mar 25, 1926Fleetwood Arena, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
162Win64–9–6 Freddie JacksTKO6 Mar 5, 1926Benjamin Field Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
161Win63–9–6 Jimmy GoodrichUD15Dec 7, 1925Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles
160Win62–9–6 Fred KellyTKO1 Nov 2, 1925Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
159Win61–9–6 Joe JawsonKO2 Sep 28, 1925Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
158Win60–9–6 Joe JawsonUD6May 11, 1925Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
157Loss59–9–6 Sid TerrisDQ5 Apr 27, 1925Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
156Win59–8–6 Red Cap WilsonPTS6Feb 16, 1925Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
155Win58–8–6 Jack BernsteinUD10Nov 26, 1924Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
154Win57–8–6 Luis VicentiniPTS10Oct 13, 1924Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
153Loss56–8–6 Luis VicentiniKO11 Jul 14, 1924Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens, New York, U.S.
152Win56–7–6 Freddie JacksUD6May 20, 1924Johnson Field, Johnson City, New York, U.S.
151Win55–7–6 Johnny DundeeUD10Apr 21, 1924Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
150Draw54–7–6 Jack BernsteinPTS10Feb 18, 1924Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
149Win54–7–5 Teddy MeyersPTS10Jan 1, 1924Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
148Win53–7–5 Freddie JacksPTS6Dec 10, 1923Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
147Loss52–7–5 Jack BernsteinUD15Oct 12, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
146Win52–6–5 Johnny MendelsohnNWS10Jul 11, 1923Arena Ice Gardens, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
145Win52–6–5 Alex HartNWS8Apr 30, 1923Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
144Win52–6–5 Charley WhitePTS15Feb 9, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
143Win51–6–5 Chubby BrownPTS12Jan 26, 1923Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
142Win50–6–5 Sammy BernePTS10Jan 1, 1923Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
141Win49–6–5 Johnny DonnellyNWS10Dec 15, 1922Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
140Win49–6–5 Pete HartleyPTS10Nov 30, 1922Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
139Loss48–6–5 Benny LeonardTKO8 Jul 4, 1922Floyd Fitzsimmons' Arena, Michigan City, Indiana, U.S.
138Win48–5–5 Johnny HarveyTKO4 May 12, 1922Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
137Win47–5–5 Gene DelmontUD10Mar 10, 1922Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
136Loss46–5–5 Benny LeonardUD15Feb 10, 1922Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For NYSAC and NBA lightweight titles
135Win46–4–5 Johnny RayNWS10Dec 26, 1921Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
134Draw46–4–5 Sid BarbarianPTS10Dec 17, 1921Armouries, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
133Win46–4–4 Barney AdairPTS10Dec 9, 1921Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
132Win45–4–4 Johnny MendelsohnNWS10Nov 22, 1921Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
131Win45–4–4 Packy HommeyTKO2 Nov 16, 1921Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
130Win44–4–4 Lew TendlerPTS15Oct 21, 1921Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
129Win43–4–4 Frankie BrittPTS10Oct 3, 1921Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
128Win42–4–4 Mixer MitchellKO8 Sep 12, 1921Star Park, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
127Win41–4–4 Frankie SchoellUD12Jun 27, 1921Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
126Loss40–4–4 Benny LeonardNWS12Jun 6, 1921Federal League Baseball Park, Harrison, New Jersey, U.S.NYSAC and NBA lightweight titles at stake;
125Win40–4–4 Gene DelmontPTS12May 30, 1921Walker AC, Astoria, New York, U.S.
124Win39–4–4 Harlem Eddie KellyKO2 May 6, 1921Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
123Loss38–4–4 Johnny DundeeNWS10Apr 26, 1921Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
122Win38–4–4 Bobby WardKO5 Apr 4, 1921Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
121Win37–4–4 Willie JacksonPTS12Mar 21, 1921Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
120Win36–4–4 Richie MitchellNWS10Mar 9, 1921Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
119Win36–4–4 Richie MitchellKO1 Feb 18, 1921Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
118Win35–4–4 Lockport Jimmy DuffyKO1 Jan 21, 1921Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
117Win34–4–4 Larry HansenTKO10 Nov 20, 1920Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
116Win33–4–4 George ChaneyPTS12Aug 23, 1920Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
115Win32–4–4 Pinky MitchellNWS10Jun 30, 1920Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
114Win32–4–4 Allentown DundeeNWS10Jun 14, 1920Buffalo Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
113Win32–4–4 Matt BrockNWS10Jun 9, 1920Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
112Win32–4–4 Joe WellingNWS10May 24, 1920Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
111Win32–4–4 Frankie BullKO6 Apr 28, 1920Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
110Win31–4–4 Ralph BradyPTS12Apr 23, 1920Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
109Win30–4–4 Babe PicatoNWS10Apr 16, 1920Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
108Loss30–4–4 Babe PicatoNWS10Mar 19, 1920Convention Hall, Rochester, New York, U.S.
107Win30–4–4 Westside Jimmy DuffyNWS10Mar 17, 1920Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
106Draw30–4–4 Pete HartleyPTS12 Dec 26, 1919Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
105Draw30–4–3 Benny ValgerNWS10Dec 9, 1919Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
104Win30–4–3 Frankie BrittNWS10Dec 1, 1919Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
103Win30–4–3 Ralph BradyNWS10Nov 18, 1919Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
102Win30–4–3 Joe TiplitzNWS6Nov 15, 1919National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
101Win30–4–3 Eddie DorseyTKO9 Nov 6, 1919Massey Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
100Win29–4–3 K.O. MarsNWS10Nov 3, 1919Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
99Win29–4–3 Artie O'LearyNWS6Sep 22, 1919Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
98Loss29–4–3 Lew TendlerNWS10Jan 1, 1919Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
97Loss29–4–3 Frankie BrittPTS12Dec 17, 1918Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
96Draw29–3–3 Benny ValgerNWS6Nov 9, 1918National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
95Draw29–3–3 Frankie BrittPTS12Nov 5, 1918Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
94Draw29–3–2 Johnny DundeePTS12Sep 10, 1918Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
93Win29–3–1 Joe ThomasNWS4Aug 23, 1918Baseball Park, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
92Win29–3–1 Phil BloomNWS8Jul 24, 1918Wrightstown, New Jersey, U.S.
91Draw29–3–1 Patsy ClineNWS12Jul 8, 1918Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
90Win29–3–1 Jake SchifferNWS10Jun 24, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
89Win29–3–1 Eddie 'Kid' BlackKO2 Jun 6, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
88Win28–3–1 Fighting ZunnerNWS10May 27, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
87Win28–3–1 Lockport Jimmy DuffyNWS10May 3, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
86Win28–3–1 Artie O'LearyTKO5 Apr 27, 1918National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
85Loss27–3–1 Patsy ClineNWS10Apr 10, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
84Win27–3–1 Young Terry McGovernNWS6Apr 2, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
83Win27–3–1 Willie JacksonNWS10Mar 11, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
82Draw27–3–1 Willie JacksonNWS10Feb 18, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
81Win27–3–1 Clonie TaitNWS10Jan 18, 1918Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
80Loss27–3–1 Lew TendlerNWS6Oct 29, 1917Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
79Draw27–3–1 Frankie CallahanNWS10Oct 18, 1917Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
78Loss27–3–1 Willie JacksonNWS6Oct 8, 1917Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
77Win27–3–1 George ChaneyNWS6Sep 10, 1917Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
76Win27–3–1 George ChaneyNWS10Jul 23, 1917Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
75Loss27–3–1 Babe PicatoNWS10Jun 11, 1917Opera House, New Castle, Pennsylvania, U.S.
74Loss27–3–1 Johnny DundeePTS12May 29, 1917Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
73Win27–2–1 Freddie WelshNWS10Apr 20, 1917Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
72Win27–2–1 Red DolanNWS10Apr 12, 1917Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
71Win27–2–1 Phil VirgetsNWS10Mar 28, 1917Gray's Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
70Win27–2–1 Johnny KilbaneNWS10Feb 26, 1917Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
69Win27–2–1 Cal DelaneyNWS10Feb 8, 1917Central Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
68Win27–2–1 Pete HartleyNWS10Jan 29, 1917Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
67Win27–2–1 Jake SchifferNWS10Jan 9, 1917Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
66Win27–2–1 Henry CherryTKO8 Nov 30, 1916Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
65Win26–2–1 Gene BelmontPTS10Nov 22, 1916Windsor A.C., Windsor, Ontario, Canada
64Win25–2–1 Johnny O'LearyNWS10Nov 10, 1916Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
63Win25–2–1 Harry CondonNWS10Nov 6, 1916Flower City A.C., Rochester, New York, U.S.
62Win25–2–1 Shamus O'BrienNWS10Sep 11, 1916Urban Liberty Park, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
61Win25–2–1 Gene DelmontNWS10Sep 1, 1916Urban Liberty Park, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
60Win25–2–1 Pete HartleyNWS10Jul 7, 1916Rochester, New York, U.S.
59Win25–2–1 Jack WhiteTKO2 Jun 30, 1916Welland, Ontario, Canada
58Loss24–2–1 Jake SchifferNWS10May 29, 1916Majestic Theater, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
57Win24–2–1 Frankie NelsonNWS10Apr 3, 1916Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
56Win24–2–1 Tickle SandersNWS10Mar 16, 1916Garden Theater, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
55Loss24–2–1 Benny LeonardNWS10Feb 28, 1916Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
54Win24–2–1 Patsy DrouillardPTS10Feb 23, 1916Windsor A.C., Windsor, Ontario, Canada
53Win23–2–1 Frankie CallahanNWS10Feb 4, 1916Garden Theater, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
52Loss23–2–1 Frankie RussellPTS15Nov 15, 1915Orleans A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
51Win23–1–1 Frankie RussellPTS15Oct 25, 1915Orleans A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
50Draw22–1–1 Joe MandotNWS10Oct 6, 1915Buffalo, New York, U.S.
49Draw22–1–1 Joe MandotNWS10Sep 6, 1915Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
48Win22–1–1 Ad WolgastNWS10Jul 23, 1915Buffalo, New York, U.S.
47Win22–1–1 Frankie DaleyNWS10Jun 8, 1915Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46Loss22–1–1 Johnny DundeeNWS10May 3, 1915Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
45Loss22–1–1 Joe GoldbergNWS10Apr 12, 1915Garden Roller Rink, Rochester, New York, U.S.
44Win22–1–1 Eddie MorganNWS10Mar 24, 1915Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
43Win22–1–1 Eddie MorganNWS10Feb 22, 1915Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
42Loss22–1–1 Johnny KilbaneNWS10Feb 1, 1915Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
41Win22–1–1 Harry BoyleNWS10Jan 11, 1915Miller's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
40Win22–1–1 Kid JulianNWS10Jun 8, 1914Alhambra Rink, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
39Win22–1–1 Bobby ReynoldsNWS12May 25, 1914Liberty A.C., Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
38Win22–1–1 Harry CondonNWS10May 11, 1914St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
37Win22–1–1 Tommy BresnahanKO2 Feb 24, 1914Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
36Win21–1–1 Johnny DundeeNWS10Feb 24, 1914Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
35Win21–1–1 Joe GoldbergNWS10Feb 6, 1914Elmwood Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
34Win21–1–1 Jimmy CavanaughKO3 Feb 3, 1914Miller's Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
33Win20–1–1 Eddie WallaceNWS10Dec 26, 1913Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
32Win20–1–1 Eddie SentryTKO5 Dec 22, 1913Grand Opera House, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
31Win19–1–1 Johnny SokolTKO9 Nov 28, 1913Elmwood Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
30Win18–1–1 Jack DexterTKO5 Nov 14, 1913Elmwood Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
29Win17–1–1 Young JoeyNWS10Oct 27, 1913Alhambra, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
28Win17–1–1 Harry BoyleKO2 Oct 17, 1913Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
27Win16–1–1 Johnny HarrisNWS6Sep 29, 1913Elmwood Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
26Win16–1–1 Jack DexterTKO4 Jul 3, 1913Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
25Draw15–1–1 Oscar WilliamsPTS10Jun 20, 1913Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
24Loss15–1 Jack DexterNWS6May 2, 1913Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
23Win15–1 Danny McCabeNWS6Apr 28, 1913Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
22Win15–1 Oscar WilliamsTKO10 Mar 25, 1913Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
21Loss14–1 Stanley ScullyNWS6Jan 1, 1913Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20Win14–1 Sammy BakerNWS6Dec 5, 1912Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
19Draw14–1 Joe ClarkNWS6Nov 21, 1912Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
18Win14–1 Jack DexterNWS6Nov 11, 1912Convention Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
17Win14–1 Joe SteinTKO8 Sep 24, 1912International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
16Draw13–1 Jack DexterNWS6Sep 13, 1912International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
15Win13–1 Dick ClancyKO3 Sep 2, 1912Convention Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
14Win12–1 Jack JoyntKO1 Aug 30, 1912International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
13Win11–1 Jack WhiteKO3 Mar 1, 1912Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time
12Win10–1 Jack WhiteKO3 Feb 17, 1912Welland, Ontario, Canada
11Win9–1 Jack HarrisKO1 Feb 1, 1912Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time
10Win8–1 Young NelsonKO2 Jan 1, 1912Buffalo, New York, U.S.Venue unknown
9Loss7–1 Jack DexterTKO3 Nov 24, 1911Convention Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
8Win7–0 George RossPTS6Oct 28, 1911Welland, Ontario, Canada
7Win6–0 Young TuttleKO1 Jul 14, 1911Convention Hall, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
6Win5–0 Willie O'NeillKO1 Jun 23, 1911International A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S.
5Win4–0 Battling KlineKO2 Jun 1, 1911Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time
4Win3–0 Young GreenKO2 Mar 1, 1911Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time
32–0 Kid GeorgeND4Feb 25, 1911Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time
2Win2–0Young ThomasKO2 Feb 1, 1911Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time
1Win1–0Young ThomasKO3 Jan 1, 1911Buffalo, New York, U.S.Precise date of bout unknown at this time