[CONN CHRIS]

GEORGE "Sonny" HORNE MW

Hometown - Niles, Ohio, USA

74(11)-34-5

Horne was a multiple Golden Gloves title holder during his amature days. He lost only 3 of his first 44 pro bouts and was 72-15-5 before a 2-19-0 finish bruised his final record. Sonny was only stopped three times over a 113 bout career, among those who stopped Sonny were Joey DeJohn and Artie Levine. He avenged the Levine stoppage a mere four months later with a ten round decision over Al. It may seem odd, but that 2-19-0 streak at the end of his career may be his most impressive stretch. Of the 21 bouts, Sonny failed to push his opponent to the final bell only in the fight with DeJohn. The list of men that he fought hard against in losing efforts include Bobby Dykes, Jimmy Herring, Danny Nardico, Kid Gavilan, Earl Sabotin, Major Jones, Ralph Zannelli, Rocky Graziano, Laurent Dauthuille, Tommy Bell, Rocky Castellani, Anton Raadik, Lee Sala, and DeJohn (a second bout). He did manage to out point Raadik in this stretch as well. Earlier in his career, he had beaten Augie Arellano, Levine, Larry Fontana, Henry Chemel and Jerry Fiorello among others.

Shortly after retirement, he was diagnosed with Lou Gerhig's disease which eventually took his life in 1959 at the age of 35. The early effects of his illness may have been in play during this run where he fought gallantly in so many losing efforts against great fighters.