Gordon, Al

Albert Gordon

Gordon, a lightweight from Philadelphia, fought professionally in the 1920s and 1930s. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gordon retired in 1933 and bought a ranch in the West, but after the Depression wiped out his money, he returned to Philadelphia and became a salesman and cab driver. He was also active in Ring 1 of the Veterans Boxers Association and the Elks Club.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. July 3, 1903 - d. November 2, 1983

Career Highlights:
Born in Philadelphia, Gordon was the youngest of five children and first fell in love with boxing as a teenager when he went with his older brothers to clubs around the city. At the age of 15, he decided to box himself and fighting under an assumed name so his family would not know, fought for a number of years before one of his older brothers happened to see him box. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gordon grew up idolizing Philadelphia lightweight Lew Tendler and patterned his style of boxing after the great Jewish fighter. A member of the Cambria Athletic Club as a teenager, Gordon fought for his first serious purse in 1921.

In 1923, Gordon fought another young Philadelphia boxer named Benny Bass (the first boxer from Philadelphia to win a world title). They battled to a draw (although the newspapers gave the decision to Bass) and became life-long friends, although they never fought again. A southpaw, Gordon fought throughout the eastern United States for a number of years in such cities as Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, and New York. In February 1928, he fought top lightweight contender Joe Glick and won a ten-round decision. Nevertheless, Gordon fought a series of low to mid-level boxers over the next five years before retiring in 1933.

Origin:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Physical description:
125-135 pounds

Career Statistics:
Professional record (incomplete):
Wins: 68 wins (21 by knockout)
Losses: 13
Draws: 20

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