Mosberg, Sam

Samuel Mosberg

A member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Mosberg won the gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1920 Olympic Games.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. June 14, 1896 - d. August 1967

Career Highlights:
Mosberg, who fought 250 amateur fights and 57 professional fights in his career, began boxing in 1912 in New York City. While serving in the Navy during World War I, he was a boxing instructor and the Newport Naval Station lightweight champion. Following the war, Mosberg continued his amateur career and won an Eastern Olympic tryout tournament. He went to the finals, where he later said: "I didn't see why I should have to beat the same fellows I had taken in the Easterns. However, one of those fellows did get a decision over me, and when the team was picked I was left off. I was given a chance to go to Antwerp for the Olympics as an alternate with no guarantee that I would fight in Belgium."

After earning a shot at competing in the Olympics after defeating a rival on the boat ride over to the Games, Mosberg registered a knockout seconds into a preliminary fight against a South African opponent. He went on to capture the gold medal in the lightweight division. His coach, Spike Webb -- who was the U.S. Olympic coach during the first half of the twentieth century -- later said, "Sammy Mosberg is the greatest Olympic champion I ever coached." Mosberg turned professional following his Olympic triumph, but had an undistinguished career. After retiring, he went into the furniture business; he later coached the U.S. boxing team at the 1953 Maccabiah Games. Mosberg is a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Origin:
New York City

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