Chapman, Red

Morris Kaplan

Chapman is best remembered for his legendary, and brutal, title fight against Benny Bass. On September 12, 1927, this bout was held for the world featherweight crown that had been vacated by the retirement of the Champ, Louis "Kid" Kaplan, in 1925. Elimination bouts had reduced the field to two top contenders: Bass and Chapman. In the third round, Bass suffered a bad gash from a head butt, and his blood almost blinded him. But he fought cleverly and gamely, and in the seventh round, Bass' hard punches opened a bloody gash over Chapman's eye. The two proud gladiators continued exchanging savage punches, and in the ninth round, there was a double knockdown. Bass staggered to his feet first. Chapman also managed to beat the count, and then backed away from the exhausted Bass long enough to avoid a knockout. In the tenth and last round, the two blood-soaked warriors traded unforgiving blows; at the end of the bout, both men were standing, but barely. Bass won the decision and the crown; but both men won a place in boxing lore for one of the greatest, and bloodiest, of championship fights.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. August 16, 1901 - d. October 1979

Career Highlights:
A top featherweight in the 1920s, Chapman's first big fight was against Hall of Famer Johnny Dundee. Chapman won the 10-round decision over Dundee, who had vacated the world title the previous year. Two years later, Chapman fought Benny Bass in their legendary title fight described above. The two boxers had fought earlier in the year, and would fight again in 1929, with Bass winning all three of their fights.

Origin:
Boston, Massachusetts

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