|
Johnny Vacca
JOHNNY VACCA (photo in other thread)
Born - Italy
Hometown - Boston, MA
30(2)-21-5; 2 NC
Vacca's record is deceptive due to the quality of the opponents that he faced. He squared off against the best of his era: Panama Al Brown, Kid Chocolate, Fidel LaBarba, Newsboy Brown and Pete Zivic.
Most Impressive were Vacca's three bouts with Fidel LaBarba. Although the title was not on the line, Vacca defeated LaBarba in two consecutive 10 round decisions early in 1927. When they met for a third time in August of the same year, LaBarba got the better winning a 10 round decision.
In between the first two and the final fights with LaBarba, Vacca faced Newsboy Brown in Los Angeles for what both hoped would be a launch pad to the World Flyweight Title. Brown won a ten round decision, but LaBarba was in the midst of stalling with the title in his back pocket as he took eight consecutive non-title bouts including the three with Vacca.
Vacca had a tough time financialy, despite his good showings in the ring and for much of his career worked the Boston streets with his trained monkey as an organ grinder to make ends meet.
|