Goldman, Charley

Israel Goldman

A professional fighter as a bantamweight, Goldman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992 as a trainer. His greatest training achievement was turning Rocky Marciano into the world heavyweight champion; Marciano is to this day the only heavyweight champ to retire undefeated.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. December 21, 1887 - d. 1968

Career Highlights:
Goldman grew up in the tough Red Hook section of Brooklyn, and said: "I was the only Jewish kid in the neighborhood and the other kids used to holler at me and chase me and beat me when they caught me. I had to learn how to fight." And learn he did. He left school after the fourth grade, and began fighting behind bars to earn money. At the age of 16, Goldman fought a 42-round bout with a man 10 years his senior. That fight was stopped by police; but he estimated that he subsequently fought over 400 bouts, 60 of which were against George Kitson (the two once fought three times in one night at three different clubs). Goldman also faced Hall of Famer Kid Williams, losing a 15-round decision in May 1912. While incomplete, Goldman's known professional record was 36 wins (20 by knockout), 11 draws, 6 losses, and 84 no decisions.

In 1914, Goldman retired from fighting to become a trainer, and quickly found success. That year, he trained the Jewish fighter Al McCoy, who won the world middleweight title. In 1925 he left boxing but returned in the mid-1930s as a full-time professional trainer of fighters, working with champions Lou Ambers (lightweight), Marty Servo (welterweight), and Joey Archibald (featherweight). It was when he began to train Rocky Marciano, though, that Goldman gained his greatest fame as a boxing trainer. Goldman saw Marciano's punching power and crude style, and worked to improve Rocky's defense, left jab, and left hook. Marciano was the world heavyweight champion from 1952-1956 and retired undefeated, with a spotless 49-0-0 record. Goldman continued to spend hours each day at Stillman's Gym, training young fighters.

Origin:
Warsaw, Poland

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