Center, Leo

A light-heavyweight, Center boxed professionally in the 1940s.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. September 11, 1919

Career Highlights:
Born in Savannah, Center was an outstanding schoolboy athlete and participated in football, baseball, and basketball. In 1940, as a 21-year-old novice, he began boxing and won the Southeastern Golden Gloves title. Following a trip to New York for the Golden Gloves Eastern championships -- where he knocked out an opponent at Madison Square Garden -- Center decided to turn professional. He finished his amateur career with 62 victories in 65 bouts.

After signing with manager Meyer Sable, Center began his professional career in May 1941 with a fourth round knockout of Billy Ball. Over the next number of months, he fought in Beaufort, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida, and Miami, winning his first 12 fights (8 by knockout). He was then knocked out in the sixth round by Tommy Gomez in December 1941. Center entered the Navy during World War II and his boxing career ended.

Origin:
Savannah, Georgia

Physical description:
6'0"

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