Dov-Ber Rasofsky (born December 23, 1909–January 17, 1967), better known as Barney Ross, was a Jewish-American boxer who was a three time world champion and war hero from World War II. December 23 is the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (358th in leap years). ... 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A Jewish American (also commonly American Jew) is an American (a citizen of the United States) of Jewish descent or religion who maintains a connection to the Jewish community, either through actively practicing Judaism or through cultural and historical affiliation. ... Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Dominguez (left) versus Rafael Ortiz. ... Combatants Allies: • Poland, • UK & Commonwealth, • France/Free France, • Soviet Union, • USA, • China, ...and others• Axis: • Germany, • Italy, • Japan, • ...and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total: 50 million Full list Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total: 12 million Full list World War II...

Rasofsky was born in New York City. His family later moved to Chicago, living on its west side, which at the time was a Jewish ghetto. His ambition in life was to become a Jewish teacher and a Talmudic scholar. Something that happened when he was 14, however, changed his life forever: Barnet's father Isidore "Itchik" Rasofsky, a rabbi and store owner, was shot to death during a robbery. This event split the rest of his family, his mother Sarah Epstein Rasofsky losing her mind in her grief for some time, and his siblings being sent to stay with different members of his extended family. Nickname: The Big Apple Official website: City of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... A ghetto is an area where people from a specific ethnic background or united in a given culture or religion live as a group, voluntarily or involuntarily, in milder or stricter seclusion. ... Jews (Hebrew: יהודים, Yehudim) are followers of Judaism or, more generally, members of the Jewish people (also known as the Jewish nation, or the Children of Israel), an ethno-religious group descended from the ancient Israelites and converts who joined their religion. ... The Talmud (תלמוד) is a record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories, which Jewish tradition considers authoritative. ... Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbī;; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbī) in Judaism, means teacher, or more literally great one. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root-word RaV, which in biblical Hebrew means great or distinguished, (in knowledge). In the ancient Judean schools the sages were addressed as רִבִּי (Ribbi...

Ross became vindictive towards everything around him and he became a brawler, thief and money runner; for a time he was even employed by Al Capone. He thought that he would need good money to try to get his family back together. When Ross became an amateur boxer, he pawned a series of awards and set the money aside for his family. Before he turned professional, his mother had returned to her senses and, as she deeply opposed boxing, he started using the name of "Barney Ross" as an alias. FBI mugshot of Capone, 1931 Alphonse Gabriel Capone (January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947), popularly known as Al Scarface Capone, was an infamous American gangster in the 1920s and 1930s, although his business card reportedly described him as a used furniture dealer. ...

Boxing career

His first paid fight was on September 1, 1929, when he beat Ramon Lugo by a decision in six rounds. After ten wins in a row, he lost for the first time, to Carlos Garcia, on a decision in ten. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Carlos Jes s Garc a Guerrero (born October 15, 1967 in T chira State, Venezuela), best known as Carlos Garc a, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and right-handed batter who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1990-96), Toronto Blue Jays (1997), Anaheim Angels (1998) and San...

Over the next 35 bouts, his record was 32–1–2, including a win over former world champion Bat Battalino, and, interestingly enough, one over a boxer named Babe Ruth, like the legendary baseball player. Then, in March 26, 1933, Ross was given his first shot at a world title, when he faced world Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight champion and fellow three divisions world champions club member Tony Canzoneri in Chicago. In only one night, Ross became a two division world champion when he beat Canzoneri by a decision in ten rounds. It should be pointed out that Ross campaigned heavily in the city of Chicago. After two more wins, including a knockout in six over Johnny Farr, Ross and Canzoneri boxed again, and Ross won again by decision, but this time in 15. Professional boxing bout featuring Ricardo Dominguez (left) versus Rafael Ortiz. ... For the band named Babe Ruth, see Babe Ruth (band). ... Baseball is a team sport in which a player on one team (the pitcher) attempts to throw a hard, fist-sized ball past a player on the other team (the batter), who attempts to hit the baseball with a tapered, smooth, cylindrical stick called a bat. ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Tony Canzoneri (November 6, 1908-December 9, 1959) was an Italian-American boxer who was born in the town of Slidell, Louisiana. ... Knockout (K.O.), or simply knock, is a winning criterion of many ring sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and others. ...

Ross was known as a smart fighter with great stamina. He retained his title by decision against Sammy Fuller to finish 1933, and against Peter Nebo to begin 1934. Then he defended against former world champion Frankie Klick, against whom he drew in ten. Then came the first of three bouts versus Jimmy McLarnin. Ross vacated the Jr. Welter title to go after McLarnin's belt and won by a 15 round decision, joining the three division world champions club. However, in a rematch a few weeks later, McLarnin beat Ross by a decision recovering the title, and after that, Ross went back down to the Jr. Weterweights and reclamed his title in a fight for the belt left vacant by himself, with a 12 round decision over Bobby Pacho. After beating Klick and Henry Woods by decision to retain that title, he went back up in weight for the last fight in his trilogy with McLarnin, and recovered the title by outpointing McLarnin again over 15 rounds. He won 16 bouts in a row after that, including three over future world Middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia, and one against Al Manfredo. His only two defenses, however, on that stretch were against Garcia and againt Izzy Jannazzo beaten on points in 15. 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jimmy Archibald McLarnin, (December 19, 1907-October 28, 2004), was a two-time welterweight boxing champion of the world. ... Bobby Pacho, an American boxer from Yuma, Arizona fought many well known fighters during his career, including Barney Ross, and Henry Armstrong. ... Ceferino Garcia, the inventor of the bolo punch and world boxing middleweight champion in 1939-40. ... Izzy Jannazzo [1915-01-31][1995-06-18]fought in the Welterweight Division. ...

In his last fight, Ross defended his title, on May 31, 1938, against the fellow member of the three division world champions' club Henry Armstrong who beat him by a decision in 15. May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Henry Jackson Jr. ...

Ross retired with a record of 72 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws and 2 no-contests, with 22 wins by way of knockout.

U.S. Marine

In retirement in his early thirties, Ross decided to fight in World War II and joined the United States Marine Corps. However, the Marines wanted to keep him stateside, because they wanted him to teach boxing the trainees. He waived off the licensing, however, choosing to go to training instead, and, upon graduation, he was sent to fight overseas. He was sent to Guadalcanal, where one night, he and three other comrades were trapped under enemy fire. All three of his fellow marines were wounded, as was Ross, but he withstood the attack, shooting about 400 bullets and throwing 22 grenades at his attackers, killing 20 of the enemy. Two of the marines with him had died in the battle, but he carried the remaining man on his shoulders to safety; the other man weighed 230 lb (104 kg) compared to Ross' 140 lb (64 kg). Because of his heroism, Ross was awarded America's second highest military honor, the Silver Star. United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military. ... Guadalcanal, a 2,510 square mile (6,500 km²) island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Islands, is largely a jungle. ... The Silver Star is a United States military decoration and is the third highest medal for valor. ...

Drug addiction and recovery

During his recovery at the hospital from his wounds suffered in that battle, Ross developed a habit for the morphine administered for pain. This habit became so bad he would sometimes spend $500 a day on the drug. Ross went to a recovery center and beat his addiction. He gave lectures to high school students about the dangers of drug addiction. Monkey on My Back, a movie based on the Ross' life including his battle with addiction, would later be produced by Hollywood as a major motion picture. See Morphia for the Dutch metal band. ... ...

Final days

Ross spent his last days doing a few things outside boxing. He was happy he reached the two goals he had set to reach: reunite his family and become a world champion in boxing. He wrote an autobiography titled No Man Stands Alone, and he had a role as an actor in the movie Requiem for a Heavyweight. He was also a strong advocate for the creation and survival of the State of Israel. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Summary Originally a 1956 teleplay by Rod Serling(Twilight Zone creator) written for the live television show Playhouse 90, Requiem for a Heavyweight was turned into a movie with Anthony Quinn in the role originated by Jack Palance. ...

Ross died in his hometown Chicago when he was 57 years old. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta. ...

References

• Barney Ross by Douglas Century, 2006. ISBN 0805242236
• Interview with Ross biography Barney Ross author Douglas Century on Eight Forty-Eight radio program, WBEZ public radio; Chicago, Illinois; March 9, 2006. MP3 file available for free download.