[professordp]

For Papp's first opponent I took a little creative license and selected a person I knew rather well. Johnny "Kid" Caruso was the father and uncle of very close friends from a period of my life that is now far too in the past.

Over the past decade, I pretty much lost touch with my friends, and the Kid (who we referred to as Uncle Johnny) moved his clan to another part of out state. I recently learned that he had passed on last year and thought it would a be fitting tribute to use him to start Papp's professional career in my sim. Below is a rating I have created for him.

We all have a good time here with the "tomato cans", but we shouldn't forget that they were real people who are an important part of the sport. Kid Caruso retired in 1947 ( I extended his career for the sim by one year) and fought professionally twenty-eight times with a career record of 11 (KO 3)-15 (8 by KO) and two draws.

Caruso family legend was that his clan pressured him to retire after being knocked cold for ten minutes in the second round by Jimmy Milligan. After his boxing career ended, he married, raised five children, worked hard (he always had at least two jobs!) and owned a home.

Unlike the popular image of old pugs, Kid Caruso didn't talk much about his ring days. He was, however, very proud of the fact that he did fight twice in Madison Square Garden. If you really pressed him on the subject of boxing, he would be inclined to tell you about his two fights with Bayonne rival Mickey Makar with whom he split via decisions.

Among my many memories of "Uncle" Johnny Caruso was watching the Ali-Cooper match with him and my friends back in 1966. His insighful commentary during the match was far superior to that provided by the network that broadcast the fight.

For those of you who like to work "tomato cans" into your unis, please give due consideration to Johnny "Kid" Caruso. Personally, I think he would have been very proud to have entered the ring against the great Laszlo Papp, regardless of the ultimate outcome.