Journal
of Combative Sport, Nov 2007
Death under the Spotlight:
The Manuel
Velazquez Boxing
Fatality Collection
Text copyright ©
EJMAS 2007. Image courtesy Ralph Thomas. All rights reserved. Please
submit additions or corrections to Joseph Svinth at
jsvinth@ejmas.com.
Professional
Fatal
bout: October 27, 1924
Date
of death: October 27, 1924
Cause
of death: Acute dilation of the heart
From
1921-1923, Thomas, an Italian immigrant who changed his name in the
USA, played semi-pro football for a Cleveland, Ohio, factory team
called the Favorite Knits. Following the 1923 football season, he
moved to New York, where he took up boxing. In New York, he had at
least one prior pro fight (against Mickey Crusco, in March 1924). His
day job was as a plumber, and he worked the day of the fatal fight.
He was not scheduled to fight that night; instead, he volunteered to
fill in for a boxer who did not show up. During the first round of
the fight, the match was relatively even, but during the second
round, Thomas was hit hard under the heart. Thomas backed up, and
then suddenly collapsed. He was counted out and failed to revive. He
was pronounced dead at the hospital. Cause of death was listed as
acute dilation of the heart.
Sources:
New York Times, October 28, 1924, 19; New
York Times, October 29, 1924; e-mail from Ralph Thomas
(the deceased's nephew), November 24, 2006
Statistics
Professional
record before fatal bout
: 0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws
Promoter
of last fight: Columbus Athletic Club
Last
fight location: Yonkers
Armory,
on Waverly Street, in Yonkers, New York
Opponent:
Alberto Icochea
Best
weight: Middleweight
Aliases:
Ralph Tomasa
Trainer:
Tommy Furey
