Joe Glick (1903-1978) was an American boxer from Brooklyn who established himself early as a top contender among junior lightweights. He had two Junior Lightweight Title shots against Tod Morgan in 1926–27, but was unable to take the championship. Moving up in weight class, he also excelled as a Lightweight. His long career spanned twenty-three years and included over two hundred verified bouts.
Early boxing career
Joe Glick was born in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, on February 22, 1903, and began training as a boxer in his teens. He worked as a tailor prior to his boxing career.
Barely eighteen in 1921, he won nine of his first eleven fights in the Brooklyn area, showing exceptional promise at an early age. Six of his first eleven wins were won by knockout. He lost only two of his better publicized fights in 1922, setting an exceptional early fight record. On January 26, 1923, he was knocked out by Petey Hayes at the 9th Coast Defense Armory in New York, but did not incur another loss until June 9, 1923, against Jimmy Hutchinson. He had only two additional losses in 1923, as the quality of his competition continued to steadily improve.[2]
Boxing career as jr. lightweight contender and top lightweight
At 23, in a ten-round bout on January 29, 1926, Glick defeated Johnny Dundee, the former 1923 Featherweight and Junior Lightweight champion who was nearing the end of an exceptional career. According to the Milwaukee Sentinel, the rising Glick was a 2–1 favorite against Dundee, who, despite his reputation, had been retired from the ring for six months prior to his bout with Glick.[3] Partly as a result of this win, Glick was matched with Tod Morgan, Junior Lightweight Champion on September 30 of that year and was decisively defeated in his first fifteen-round title shot in Madison Square Garden. According to the Associated Press, Glick took only one round of the fifteen-round match.
Close match with Jr. Lightweight Champion Tod Morgan
In a second World Junior Lightweight Title on December 16, 1927, Glick fared better against Morgan in a controversial match. Glick lost the bout as a result of punching Morgan below the belt in the fourteenth round. At least one source, Oregon's Bend Bulletin wrote that for each of the three times Morgan was down on the canvas, "it was from a questionable body blow which was struck near the foul line." The Bulletin also noted that the "9000 fans started yelling low blow as early as the second round". Glick dropped Morgan for nine counts once in the second and twice in the fifth, and may have won the bout had he not been disqualified for a low left to the groin in the fourteenth by referee Eddie Forbes. Morgan was hurt by loops to the head, often to the jaw, and digs to the body at several points in the bout. Glick began the first with a strong and effective attack against Morgan. Glick was first warned of a low blow in the third round, and had lost previous fights to low blows.[4][5] Though he was ahead on points prior to the foul, Glick subsequently lost his second chance at the Junior Lightweight title. He would never get a third opportunity.[2][6]
In between these two bouts with Morgan between January 1926 and December 1927, Glick stayed busy fighting exceptional boxers including Benny Bass and Jack Bernstein. Future Boxing Hall of Fame recipient Bass would at one time hold both the World Jr. Lightweight and Featherweight Title. Bernstein had briefly taken the World Jr. Lightweight Title on May 30, 1923, at the Coney Island Velodrome against Johnny Dundee. Glick was unable to beat Bass in his three meetings, but did obtain one no decision. Shortly before his second bout with Morgan, he defeated Bernstein in a widely attended ten-round match on November 14, 1927, at Madison Square Garden.[2]
Brief boxing suspension and bout with Baby Joe Gans
Oddly, Glick was suspended for a full year from boxing by the Philadelphia Boxing Commission for stalling during his bout with Al Gordon in Philadelphia on February 13, 1928. The suspension applied only to Philadelphia, and Glick fought extensively in New York and New Jersey the remainder of the year, meeting elite lightweights.[7] On November 16, 1928, in one of his most well attended bouts, Glick met Baby Joe Gans in Madison Square Garden in New York before a crowd of nearly 19,000. The United Press expressed distaste in the quality of the match, though the local New York Times was quite impressed with the quality of Glick's fighting, and the crowd ardently supported the ten round points decision in favor of Glick, the New York native.[2]
After the zenith of his early career as a Junior Lightweight in January 1929, Tex Ricard, manager for Jack Dempsey, still rated Glick third among top Lightweights in America.[8]
Exciting bouts with Champions Jimmy McLarnin, Kid Kaplan, Jack "Kid" Berg, and Tony Canzoneri
In January and March 1929, Glick faced the exceptional Jimmy McLarnin, a former Lightweight champion, but lost to him in both bouts. Glick's first bout with McLarnin in Madison Square Garden on January 11, garnered large attendance, and though Glick lost the ten round bout by unanimous decision, McLarnin's nose was broken in the bout. His second bout with McLarnin in the Garden on March 1, attended by nearly 19,000, ended when Glick was knocked out in the second round.[2]
Glick also lost to Louis "Kid Kaplan," former Featherweight champion, in April 1929. In 1930, Glick fought Tony Canzoneri, former World Featherweight champion, and hall of famer Jackie "Kid" Berg, Featherweight World Champion from 1930 to 1931. Canzoneri beat Glick in a ten-round decision, taking the lightweight title later that year. Berg would defeat Glick in two decisions that year.[2][9]
By 1933, Glick's career began to wane, and though he continued to box talented boxers, he lost a number of his bouts, with some by knockout. In 1933–35, he lost twelve well publicized bouts. On September 1, 1934, he was knocked out by Ceferino Garcia, a 1939 World Middleweight champion in only the second round of a ten-round match in Pismo Beach, California. On October 26, 1934, he was knocked out in less than a minute by Freddie Steele in Yakima, Washington. During this period, Glick had begun to appear as a movie extra in the Los Angeles area.
Movie career after professional boxing
Near the end of his professional boxing career around 1933, Glick moved to Los Angeles and appeared in a number of films, primarily as an extra, often appearing in the movie's credits.
In 1933, Glick appeared briefly on screen in 20th Century Pictures' The Bowery. In this rough slice-of-life movie set in the New York Bowery in the East end of Manhattan in the 1890s, several of the characters played thugs or boxers. The film starred actors Wallace Beery and Fay Ray, and Glick appeared with ex-Middleweight World Champion Al McCoy, as well as boxers Jim Flynn, Phil Bloom, Frank Moran, British boxer William Thomas, known as "Kid Broad," Jack Herrick and Abe Hollandersky. The boxing extras were well cast. Bloom, Flynn, Moran, and Hollandersky had all boxed frequently in New York, and several had lived there.[10][11]
Glick also appeared briefly in the 1933 Paramount Productions's, Tillie and Gus, an adventure film about the purchase of a ferry boat, the Fairy Queen.[12]
Another rough slice-of-life movie in which Glick appeared was the black and white 1934 Paramount Productions's film, LimeHouse Blues.[13] Not atypical of the movies in which ex-boxers found roles, the film depicted rough street life. It was set in London's LimeHouse Causeway, a riverfront slum, and the main character, Harry Young ran a smuggling business out of his club.
In 1938, Glick played an extra in MGM's The Crowd Roars. In this successful boxing movie with Robert Taylor as the lead, Glick briefly appeared in a background gymnasium scene with boxers Larry Williams, Maxie Rosenbloom, Jimmy McLarnin, Abie Bain, Frankie Grandetta, Jack Roper, Tommy Herman, Larry Williams, and Abe "The Newsboy" Hollandersky.[14]
Glick also played a small role in Imperial Pictures', May 1957 release of Monkey on My Back, which often included the subtitle The Barney Ross Story. Loosely based on the life of Lightweight, Junior Welterweight, and Welterweight boxing Champion Barney Ross, the film cast Ross as the character Cameron Mitchell in a major role. His real life cornerman Art Winch was played by Richard Benedict. Boxers appearing in the movie included Ceferina Garcia, who both Ross and Glick had boxed with painful results, Joe La Barba, and Tommy Herman. Though the only film ever made about the triple world title holder and recipient of the Silver star, it was a disappointment to Ross and his family who felt it sensationalized Ross's drug addiction.[15][16]
Glick died on September 5, 1978, in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, California.
Professional boxing record
All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[17] unless otherwise stated.
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
104
Win
74–14–14 (2)
Ruby Stein
TKO
7 (10)
Jan 18, 1926
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
103
Win
73–14–14 (2)
Danny Kramer
PTS
10
Jan 8, 1926
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
102
Win
72–14–14 (2)
Billy Kennedy
UD
12
Dec 28, 1925
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
101
Win
71–14–14 (2)
Jose Lombardo
TKO
6 (10), 1:25
Dec 14, 1925
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
100
Win
70–14–14 (2)
Eugenio Fernandez
TKO
5 (10)
Dec 5, 1925
Commonwealth Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
99
Win
69–14–14 (2)
Dick Finnegan
PTS
10
Nov 23, 1925
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
98
Draw
68–14–14 (2)
Jackie Brady
PTS
10
Oct 27, 1925
Knickerbocker A.C. Arena, Albany, New York, US
97
Win
68–14–13 (2)
Johnny Cooney
PTS
12
Oct 20, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
96
Loss
67–14–13 (2)
Tony Palmer
DQ
7 (10)
Aug 27, 1925
Dexter Park, Woodhaven, New York City, New York, US
95
Draw
67–13–13 (2)
Johnny O'Connor
PTS
12
Aug 17, 1925
Stadium, Troy, New York, US
94
NC
67–13–12 (2)
Johnny O'Connor
NC
1 (12)
Aug 10, 1925
Stadium, Troy, New York, US
This bout was stopped due to rain
93
Draw
67–13–12 (1)
Harry Felix
PTS
12
Jul 27, 1925
Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, US
92
Win
67–13–11 (1)
Johnny Kochansky
NWS
10
Jul 10, 1925
Bayonne, Louisiana, US
91
Win
66–13–11 (1)
Bobby Garcia
DQ
7 (10), 1:05
Jun 4, 1925
Dexter Park, Woodhaven, New York City, New York, US
Garcia was DQ'd for punching low
90
Loss
65–13–11 (1)
Johnny O'Connor
DQ
3 (12)
May 27, 1925
Stadium, Troy, New York, US
Glick was DQ'd for punching low
89
Win
65–12–11 (1)
Frankie LaFay
PTS
12
May 12, 1925
Knickerbocker A.C. Arena, Albany, New York, US
88
Win
64–12–11 (1)
Gavino Demair
PTS
8
May 5, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
87
Win
63–12–11 (1)
Johnny Cooney
PTS
12
Apr 30, 1925
102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
86
Draw
62–12–11 (1)
Frankie LaFay
PTS
12
Apr 21, 1925
Knickerbocker A.C. Arena, Albany, New York, US
85
Win
62–12–10 (1)
Petey Hayes
PTS
12
Apr 7, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
84
Win
61–12–10 (1)
Tony Palmer
PTS
12
Mar 24, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
83
Win
60–12–10 (1)
Joey Baker
PTS
10
Mar 12, 1925
Rink S.C., New York City, New York, US
82
Win
59–12–10 (1)
Tony Palmer
PTS
12
Mar 3, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
81
Win
58–12–10 (1)
Jack 'Kid' Bates
KO
7 (12)
Feb 17, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
80
Win
57–12–10 (1)
Tony Palmer
PTS
12
Feb 7, 1925
14th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
79
Win
56–12–10 (1)
Harry Russell
KO
2 (10)
Jan 27, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
78
Win
55–12–10 (1)
Harry Sutton
TKO
6 (10)
Jan 13, 1925
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
77
Loss
54–12–10 (1)
Bobby Garcia
KO
5 (10)
Jan 8, 1925
Manhattan Casino, New York City, New York, US
76
Win
54–11–10 (1)
Jimmy Hutchinson
PTS
6
Dec 6, 1924
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
75
Win
53–11–10 (1)
Frankie Maxwell
PTS
10
Oct 24, 1924
Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
74
Loss
52–11–10 (1)
Joey Silvers
DQ
7 (12), 1:58
Oct 3, 1924
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
73
Draw
52–10–10 (1)
Joey Silvers
PTS
10
Sep 10, 1924
Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, US
72
Loss
52–10–9 (1)
Joey Silvers
PTS
10
Aug 19, 1924
Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, US
71
Win
52–9–9 (1)
Eddie Brady
PTS
12
Jul 23, 1924
Henderson's Bowl, New York City, New York, US
70
Win
51–9–9 (1)
Frankie Garcia
NWS
6
Jun 27, 1924
Sager's Arena, Aurora, Illinois, US
69
Win
50–9–9 (1)
Frankie Schaeffer
NWS
10
Jun 13, 1924
Sager's Arena, Aurora, Illinois, US
68
Win
49–9–9 (1)
Marty Mandeville
PTS
10
May 27, 1924
Knickerbocker A.C. Arena, Albany, New York, US
67
Win
48–9–9 (1)
Jimmy Hutchinson
PTS
6
May 2, 1924
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
66
Loss
47–9–9 (1)
Frankie Edwards
DQ
5 (6)
Apr 5, 1924
Ridgewood Grove SC, New York City, New York, US
65
Win
47–8–9 (1)
Ruby Stein
PTS
12
Mar 31, 1924
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
64
Win
46–8–9 (1)
Edwin Riley
PTS
12
Mar 18, 1924
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
63
Win
45–8–9 (1)
Johnny Kochansky
PTS
6
Mar 14, 1924
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
62
Win
44–8–9 (1)
Young Diamond
PTS
12
Mar 4, 1924
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
61
Win
43–8–9 (1)
Jimmy Hutchinson
PTS
6
Mar 1, 1924
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
60
Loss
42–8–9 (1)
Johnny Kochansky
PTS
6
Feb 16, 1924
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
59
Win
42–7–9 (1)
Jack McGeehan
PTS
6
Feb 9, 1924
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
58
Draw
41–7–9 (1)
Tony Palmer
PTS
6
Jan 19, 1924
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
57
Win
41–7–8 (1)
Tony Palmer
PTS
6
Jan 5, 1924
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
56
Loss
40–7–8 (1)
Johnny Kochansky
PTS
6
Dec 14, 1923
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
55
Win
40–6–8 (1)
Billy Brown
KO
3 (?)
Dec 8, 1923
9th Coast Defense Armory, New York City, New York, US
54
Win
39–6–8 (1)
Harry Sutton
PTS
10
Nov 27, 1923
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
53
Loss
38–6–8 (1)
Jackie Brady
PTS
6
Nov 12, 1923
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
52
Draw
38–5–8 (1)
Joey Silvers
PTS
6
Oct 22, 1923
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
51
Win
38–5–7 (1)
Emil Morrow
PTS
12
Oct 16, 1923
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
50
Draw
37–5–7 (1)
Johnny Kochansky
PTS
6
Oct 11, 1923
Rink S.C., New York City, New York, US
49
Win
37–5–6 (1)
Harry Simmons
TKO
2 (?)
Oct 6, 1923
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
48
Win
36–5–6 (1)
Emil Morrow
PTS
12
Sep 25, 1923
27th Division Train Armory, New York City, New York, US
47
Draw
35–5–6 (1)
Tony Palmer
PTS
6
Sep 22, 1923
Ridgewood Grove SC, New York City, New York, US
46
Win
35–5–5 (1)
Joe 'Kid' Richie
PTS
6
Sep 17, 1923
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
45
Win
34–5–5 (1)
Billy Brown
PTS
6
Aug 10, 1923
Arena, Rockaway Beach, New York City, New York, US
44
Draw
33–5–5 (1)
Joey Silvers
PTS
6
Aug 4, 1923
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
43
Loss
33–5–4 (1)
Jimmy Hutchinson
PTS
6
Jun 9, 1923
Ridgewood Grove SC, New York City, New York, US
42
Win
33–4–4 (1)
Al Ketchell
PTS
6
May 24, 1923
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
41
Win
32–4–4 (1)
Ruby Stein
PTS
6
May 12, 1923
Ridgewood Grove SC, New York City, New York, US
40
Win
31–4–4 (1)
Jack Ricca
PTS
6
May 1, 1923
Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
Exact date and location unknown
39
Win
30–4–4 (1)
Lou Guglielmini
PTS
6
Apr 28, 1923
Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US
38
Win
29–4–4 (1)
Billy Brown
PTS
6
Apr 17, 1923
Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
Exact date and location unknown
37
Win
28–4–4 (1)
Roy Taylor
TKO
3 (?)
Apr 3, 1923
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
36
Win
27–4–4 (1)
Ruby Stein
PTS
12
Mar 6, 1923
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
35
Win
26–4–4 (1)
Sammy Melvin
DQ
10 (12)
Feb 13, 1923
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
34
Win
25–4–4 (1)
Al Kale
PTS
12
Feb 2, 1923
2nd Naval Militia Armory, New York City, New York, US
33
Win
24–4–4 (1)
Ruby Stein
PTS
12
Jan 16, 1923
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
32
Loss
23–4–4 (1)
Petey Hayes
KO
6 (?)
Jan 6, 1923
9th Coast Defense Armory, New York City, New York, US
31
Loss
23–3–4 (1)
Young Diamond
PTS
8
Dec 21, 1922
102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
30
Win
23–2–4 (1)
Al Kale
PTS
12
Nov 21, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
Won vacant National Guard featherweight title
29
Win
22–2–4 (1)
Young Diamond
PTS
12
Nov 16, 1922
102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
28
Draw
21–2–4 (1)
Kid Butler
PTS
12
Nov 4, 1922
2nd Field Artillery Reg. Armory, New York City, New York, US
27
Win
21–2–3 (1)
Thaddeus 'Kid' Bacon
KO
4 (?)
Nov 1, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
26
Win
20–2–3 (1)
Young Diamond
PTS
12
Oct 21, 1922
9th Coast Defense Armory, New York City, New York, US
25
Win
19–2–3 (1)
Red K.O. O'Neil
KO
7 (?)
Oct 12, 1922
102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
24
Win
18–2–3 (1)
Jack McCoy
TKO
4 (?)
Sep 29, 1922
New York City, New York, US
23
Loss
17–2–3 (1)
Jimmy Hutchinson
TD
6 (6)
Aug 19, 1922
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
22
Win
17–1–3 (1)
Joe Stanley
PTS
6
Jul 29, 1922
Ridgewood Grove SC, New York City, New York, US
21
Win
16–1–3 (1)
Battling Burke
KO
2 (10)
Jul 13, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
20
Win
15–1–3 (1)
Joe Eppy
PTS
12
Jun 15, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
19
Draw
14–1–3 (1)
Sammy Kirsch
PTS
12
Apr 22, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
18
Draw
14–1–2 (1)
Sammy Marco
PTS
12
Apr 15, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
17
Loss
14–1–1 (1)
Willie Allen
PTS
12
Mar 25, 1922
Ridgewood Grove SC, New York City, New York, US
16
Win
14–0–1 (1)
Joe Mickel
PTS
10
Feb 11, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
15
Win
13–0–1 (1)
Joe Eppy
PTS
12
Feb 4, 1922
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
14
Win
12–0–1 (1)
Joe Eppy
PTS
10
Jan 21, 1922
69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
13
Win
11–0–1 (1)
Mike Dundee
KO
2 (?)
Dec 31, 1921
47th Battalion Corps of Engineer, New York City, New York, US
12
Draw
10–0–1 (1)
Frankie O'Neill
PTS
4
Dec 15, 1921
New York City, New York, US
Exact date and location not known at this time
11
ND
10–0 (1)
Joe Eppy
ND
12
Dec 3, 1921
47th Battalion Corps of Engineer, New York City, New York, US
No result to date
10
Win
10–0
Sergeant Marshall
TKO
4 (10)
Nov 25, 1921
15th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
9
Win
9–0
Harry Lamar
PTS
10
Nov 19, 1921
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
8
Win
8–0
Ed Monroe
KO
3 (?)
Nov 5, 1921
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
7
Win
7–0
Harry Gardner
DQ
2 (4)
Oct 8, 1921
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
6
Win
6–0
Willie Conway
PTS
10
Oct 1, 1921
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
5
Win
5–0
Jesse Kaufman
KO
2 (?)
Sep 17, 1921
47th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
4
Win
4–0
Kid Specks
KO
3 (4)
Sep 9, 1921
15th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
3
Win
3–0
Kid Cunningham
PTS
4
Sep 2, 1921
15th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, US
2
Win
2–0
Joe Mastara
PTS
10
Aug 1, 1921
New York City, New York, US
Exact date and location unknown
1
Win
1–0
Nate Ripon
KO
5 (?)
Feb 14, 1921
New York City, New York, US
Exact date and location unknown; Professional debut
References
^ abSilver, Mike (2016) Stars in the Ring: Jewish Champions in the Golden Age of Boxing: A Photographic History, Lyons Press, New York, pp. 158-159. ISBN 9781630761394
^"Glick is 2 to 1 Favorite to Beat Johnny Dundee", The Milwaukee Sentinel, Bend, Oregon, 29 December 1926, pg. 10
^"Boro Fighters Tendency to Hit Low Cost Title; Tod's Gameness Counts", Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, pg. 8, 17 December 1927
^Glick had lost other fights from low blows in "Glick Claims He Did not Foul Morgan", The Evening News, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 8, 17 December 1927
^"Joe Glick Loses Chance at Junior Lightweight Crown on Foul", The Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, 17 December 1927, pg. 2
^"Joe Glick Suspended", The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15 February 1928, pg. 22
^Ricard, Tex "How Ricard Ranked Them", The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, 8 January 1929, pg. 36
^Blady, Ken (1988). The Jewish Boxer's Hall of Fame, Shapolsky Publishers, New York, New York, p. 277.
^Hollandersky, Abe (1958) The Life Story of Abe the Newsboy, Hero of a Thousand Fights, Published by Abraham Hollandersky, Los Angeles, pg. 310.