Chocolate, Kid
[Eligio Sardinias]
Boxing
b. Jan. 6, 1910, Cerro, Cuba
d. Aug. 8, 1988
Chocolate reportedly won more than 100 fights as an amateur and he had 21 knockouts in 21 professional fights in his native Cuba before coming to the United States in 1938.
Nicknamed the "Cuban Bon Bon" by sportswriters, he combined foot and hand speed with a powerful punch. He went undefeated in 45 fights before losing a decision to Jack "Kid" Berg on August 7, 1930. Chocolate fought Battling Battalino for the world featherweight title on December 12 of that year, but lost a 15-round decision.
On July 15, 1931, Chocolate won the world junior lightweight title with a 7th-round knockout of Benny Bass in Philadelphia. After losing to Tony Canzoneri for the world lightweight title, he won the New York State version of the featherweight championship by knocking out Lew Feldman in the 12th round on October 13, 1932.
Frankie Click won Chocolate's junior lightweight championship by knocking him out in the 7th round on December 26, 1933. Chocolate soon outgrew the featherweight division. He never had another championship fight and retired late in 1938. Chocolate then became a boxing instructor in Cuba, working for the government until Fidel Castro assumed power in 1959.
Chocolate won 145 professional fights, 64 by knockout, while losing only 10, 2 by knockout. He also fought 6 draws.
