[CONN CHRIS]

AL DIAMOND MW (1930-1938)

Hometown - Newark, New Jersey, USA

12(3)-25-1; 1 NC

Although he lacked power, Al Diamond had a good chin and boxing skills. He began his career 11(3)-4-0, mostly against less than stellar competition. However, a ten round decision over Ben Jeby catapulted him to an NBA and NYSAC World Middleweight Title bout with Vince Dundee in 1934. The two met in Diamond's home state of New Jersey and fought a full fifteen rounds with Dundee taking the decision. I am sure that most assumed that more would be heard from Diamond, but what followed was an epic losing streak that would see Diamond descend into ranks of the professional opponents. Over the four years that followed the world title fight, Al lost decision after decision en route to a 1-21-1 finish to what had been a promising career.

Diamond lost bouts to Paul Pirrone, Ken Overlin, Tait Littman, Young Stuhley, Frank Battaglia, Marcel Thil, Manuel Abrew, Eddie Pierce, Solly Krieger and Popeye Woods among others. With the exception of Krieger and Woods at the very end, Diamond pushed every one of these good to great fighters to the final bell but simply could not extract another victory to rival the win over Jeby.