Ambers, Lou [Luigi d'Ambrosio]
Boxing
b. Nov. 8, 1913, Herkimer, NY
d. April 24, 1995
Ambers was a tough fighter who made up for lack of boxing skill with gutsiness. The "Herkimer Hurricane" had lost only once in more than three years as a professional when he met lightweight champion Tony Canzoneri on May 10, 1935. He lost a 15-round decision, then won his next 15 fights and took the lightweight championship by decisioning Canzoneri in 15 rounds on Sept. 3, 1936.
He lost the title in what might have been his greatest fight. Matched against Henry Armstrong on Aug. 17, 1938, Ambers was knocked down twice, in the fifth and sixth rounds, and appeared to be badly beaten, but he came back strongly and lost a controversial split decision.
He regained the title with a 15-round decision over Armstrong on Aug. 22, 1939, then was knocked out in the 3rd round by Lew Jenkins on May 10, 1940. In his last fight, a rematch, he was knocked out by Jenkins in the 7th round on Feb. 28, 1941.
In 102 fights, Ambers won 88, 29 on knockouts; lost 8, 2 by knockouts; and had 6 draws.
