Lee Sala
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
Lee Sala | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lee Sala May 26, 1926 |
| Died | December 3, 2012 (aged 86) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Middleweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 83 |
| Wins | 76 |
| Wins by KO | 48 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 0 |
Lee Sala (May 26, 1926 – December 3, 2012) was a leading contender for the middleweight boxing crown in the 1940s and 50s. His professional career spanned from 1946 until 1953, with a record of 76 wins, 7 losses, 0 draws, and 48 knockouts.[1]
Early life
Lee was born to a working-class family of Italian descent in Donora, Pennsylvania. He was brought up during the Great Depression, with a house full of relatives, including five siblings, and two of his cousins. His father, a bricklayer by trade, worked very hard to put food on the table, even when there were no jobs available. Lee accredits his desire to box to his cousins Bruno and Libro Sala, who were both professional boxers in the 1920s and 1930s, both of whom were top contenders. The Salas were a very athletic family. Lee's older brother Tony was an All-American football player at Villanova University, as well as intercollegiate boxing champion four years in a row. His younger brother Fritz was a baseball prospect in his youth.
U.S. military service
Lee enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. He served on the USS Iowa for two years, and saw action in the South Pacific. During his tenure in the Navy, he won the Navy Olympic amateur championship of north Japan.
Professional career
After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, Lee turned professional. Winning his first bout against Sonny Hope by knockout in round 4. Lee then went on a 47-fight winning streak,
After Lee retired from boxing, he and his wife had two children. He started working in the whiskey distribution business, and later became a deputy sheriff for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He lived in Tampa, Florida, with his wife, daughter and grandson, and died on December 3, 2012.[7]
References
- ^ a b BoxRec: Lee Sala
- ^ De Micco Outpoints Lee Sala NY Times
- ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Feb 22, 1949
- ^ a b Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Jun 19, 1948
- ^ Robinson, Mims Meet Tonight in Non-title Bout [1] Chicago Daily Tribune, Apr 5, 1951
- ^ Montalvo, Eddy (January 4, 2013). "Obituary: Lee Sala, Donora native who gained fame in boxing ring – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ Montalvo, Eddy (January 4, 2013). "Post Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.