Kid Kaplan
Encyclopedia
Louis Kaplan better known as Kid Kaplan, was a professional boxer
in the Featherweight
division. He has been described as one of the greatest Ukrainian boxers.
when he was five years old and settled in Meriden, Connecticut
. He began boxing as a teenager at the Lenox Athletic Club in Meriden, and turned professional in 1919.
before scoring a 10-round win over future world lightweight champ Jimmy Goodrich.
By late 1924 featherweight champion Johnny Dundee
vacated his title and a tournament was arranged to determine a successor. "Kid" kayoed Angel Diaz in three stanzas, outpointed Bobby Garcia over 10-rounds and then halted Joe Lombardo in four rounds to advance to the finals. On January 2, 1925 he knocked out Danny Kramer in nine rounds at Madison Square Garden
to become the new champion. His first two defenses were against the familiar Babe Herman (D15 and W15) in late 1925. Kaplan next decisioned Hall of Famer Billy Petrolle
over 12 rounds in a non-title bout.
However, Kaplan's reign as champion was nearing its end. Despite standing 5 ft 4 in., he was experiencing difficulty making the featherweight limit and decided to relinquish the crown to campaign as a lightweight in 1927. As a 135-pounder, he scored wins over Jackie Fields
, Johnny Jadick
, Billy Wallace
, Joe Glick, Battling Battalino
and Sammy Mandell, among others. Amongst the wins were loses to Wallace, Eddie Ran, and Hall of Famer Jimmy McLarnin
. In 1933 he lost to Cocoa Kid and promptly retired from the ring with a 108-17-13D- 12 ND (26KOs) record.
Known as a rugged, pressing boxer who possessed tremendous stamina, the crowd-pleasing "Meriden Buzzsaw" died on October 26, 1970 in Norwich, CT.
in 2003.
Kaplan, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
in 1986.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the Featherweight
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
division. He has been described as one of the greatest Ukrainian boxers.
Background
Kaplan and his family emigrated to the United States from the Russian EmpireRussian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
when he was five years old and settled in Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.-History:...
. He began boxing as a teenager at the Lenox Athletic Club in Meriden, and turned professional in 1919.
Professional career
A busy fighter, he engaged in over 50 bouts in his first four years in the paid ranks. In 1923 he twice drew with rival Babe HermanBabe Herman
Floyd Caves "Babe" Herman was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who was best known for his several seasons with the Brooklyn Robins ....
before scoring a 10-round win over future world lightweight champ Jimmy Goodrich.
By late 1924 featherweight champion Johnny Dundee
Johnny Dundee
Johnny Dundee was a featherweight and junior lightweight boxer who fought from 1910 until 1932. Dundee was born Giuseppe Curreri in Sciacca, Sicily, but was raised in the United States....
vacated his title and a tournament was arranged to determine a successor. "Kid" kayoed Angel Diaz in three stanzas, outpointed Bobby Garcia over 10-rounds and then halted Joe Lombardo in four rounds to advance to the finals. On January 2, 1925 he knocked out Danny Kramer in nine rounds at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
to become the new champion. His first two defenses were against the familiar Babe Herman (D15 and W15) in late 1925. Kaplan next decisioned Hall of Famer Billy Petrolle
Billy Petrolle
William Michael Petrolle was a world lightweight boxing title contender.-Personal:Brother of fellow boxers Pete Petrolle and Frank Petrolle...
over 12 rounds in a non-title bout.
However, Kaplan's reign as champion was nearing its end. Despite standing 5 ft 4 in., he was experiencing difficulty making the featherweight limit and decided to relinquish the crown to campaign as a lightweight in 1927. As a 135-pounder, he scored wins over Jackie Fields
Jackie Fields
Jackie Fields was an American professional boxer who won two world championship titles.-Personal life:...
, Johnny Jadick
Johnny Jadick
John J. Jadick, better known as Johnny Jadick was an American light welterweight boxer. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.- Professional career :...
, Billy Wallace
Billy Wallace
William Joseph Wallace , usually known as Billy Wallace, was a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He was a member of the legendary 1905 Original All Blacks. Wallace won his first Test cap for New Zealand on 15 August 1903 against Australia...
, Joe Glick, Battling Battalino
Battling Battalino
Christopher Battaglia better known as Battling Battalino, was an American former world featherweight boxing champion...
and Sammy Mandell, among others. Amongst the wins were loses to Wallace, Eddie Ran, and Hall of Famer Jimmy McLarnin
Jimmy McLarnin
James McLarnin, known as Jimmy McLarnin , was an Irish Canadian professional boxer who became two-time welterweight world champion and an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.-Background:McLarnin was born in Hillsborough, County Down, Ireland, into a large Methodist family who emigrated...
. In 1933 he lost to Cocoa Kid and promptly retired from the ring with a 108-17-13D- 12 ND (26KOs) record.
Known as a rugged, pressing boxer who possessed tremendous stamina, the crowd-pleasing "Meriden Buzzsaw" died on October 26, 1970 in Norwich, CT.
Halls of Fame
Kaplan was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of FameInternational Boxing Hall of Fame
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...
in 2003.
Kaplan, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1986.