Boardman, Larry

A welterweight from Connecticut in the 1950s, Boardman was a "hard punching, two fisted slugger" who fought 55 professional bouts during his career. In back-to-back fights in 1956, he defeated world champions Wallace "Bud" Smith (lightweight) and Sandy Saddler (featherweight).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. March 21, 1936

Career Highlights:
Born in Connecticut, Boardman stepped into the ring as a professional at the young age of 16. Managed by his father, Sam Boardman, a restaurant owner, Larry began as a semi-pro boxer but quickly turned professional while he and his family vacationed in Florida. In less than one month, he defeated four fighters in West Palm Beach (two on knockouts) and then remained in Florida for over a year. Boardman won his first 14 fights before losing to Ralph Capone in January 1954 in an eight-round decision.

Two months after the loss to Capone, Boardman returned to Connecticut and won another seven fights in a row. He lost to Kenny Lane, but then defeated world lightweight champion Wallace "Bud" Smith in a non-title fight (in a ten-round decision) in February 1956. Two months later, Boardman added the great Sandy Saddler to his list of victims. Larry defeated the world featherweight champion (in another non-title bout) in a ten-round decision -- it was Saddler's final pro fight.

In November 1956, Boardman fought former world lightweight champ Paddy DeMarco and won a ten-round decision. The following February, he then lost a decision to former welterweight champ Tony DeMarco (no relation to Paddy). Boardman continued to fight until 1963, but was never given a title shot. Considered by many to be one of the best lightweights in the world in the mid-1950s, Larry was one of the best Jewish fighters of the era.

Origin:
Marlboro, Connecticut

Physical description:
5'8"

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 44 (23 by knockout)
Losses: 10
Draws: 1

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