Berlenbach, Paul
Boxing, Wrestling
b. Feb. 18, 1901, New York, NY
Stricken with scarlet fever when he was four years old, Berlenbach lost his hearing and could speak little. About seven years later, he climbed a telegraph pole, touched a live wire, and fell to the ground. His hearing returned as a result of the accident and he soon learned to talk.
Berlenbach began wrestling at a YMCA and later became a member of the New York Athletic Club. He won the national 175-pound championship in 1922 and 1923. In the meantime, he had also taken up boxing. Although left-handed, he was taught to fight right-handed. A devastating left hook, his best punch, earned him his nickname, the "Astoria Assassin."
He turned professional in October of 1923 and won his first 10 fights, all by knockout, before being knocked out by Jack Delaney in March of 1924. On May 30, 1925, he won the world light heavyweight championship with a 15-round decision over Mike McTigue. After three defenses, he lost the title to Delaney on a 15-round decision, June 16, 1926.
Berlenbach was knocked out twice in 1927, by McTigue and Delaney, and the New York State Athletic Commission ruled him physically unfit to keep boxing, but he was awarded a wrestling license in 1929. After that career didn't work out, he returned to boxing briefly, winning two fights by knockout in 1931. He didn't fight in 1932 and retired for good after losing his only 1933 fight.
Record: 37 wins, 30 by KO; 7 losses, 3 by KO; 3 draws, 1 no-decision, and 1 no-contest.