Laszlo Papp: The Lost Years

[professordp]

Washington Examiner

October 1, 1949



McCarthy Charges Boxer is "Red"
Senator Claims Papp is a Communist

By Chase MacLean

Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarfhy today charged that Hungarian middleweight boxer Laszlo Papp is a registered member of the Communist Party. Papp, who won a gold medal at the London Olympics last year, was among thousands of Hungarians who have sought asylum in the United States recently to escape their homeland's repressive policies under Matyas Rakosi, the county's Communist leader.

McCarthy claimed that he has documentation that Papp was an active member of the Hungarian Communist Party and demanded that the fighter's boxing license be suspended pending a full investigation by the FBI. A first term Republican, McCarthy has accused the Truman adminsitration of being "soft" on communism.

His office released the following statement.

"This is just one more example of the laxity of this administration when it comes to protecting America from the threat of Communism. President Truman and his Secretary of State Dean Achenson have been asleep at the wheel. What will it take to wake them up?

"Last year the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities uncoverd a snakes' nest of Communists in the motion picture industry. Red spies like Alger Hiss have infiltrated the highest levels of the federal government. Communist espionage at Los Alamos has given Stalin the a-bomb, and treason has turned China over to Mao and his Red Army.

"When he was boxing for the Rakosi regime, Laszlo Papp was a card carrying member of the Communist Party. Yet he's been allowed to enter this country without any questions asked and begin a career as a professional fighter.

"The youth of America look up to our athletes as role models. What American sports figures do on the playing fields and arenas has considerable influence upon our young people.

"If we allow Communists the opportunity to enter the spotlight of American sports, they'll use their position to promote their anti-American propaganda and distort the values of our children."

Papp is scheduled to fight in Madison Square Garden next week in an eight round match. The New York Boxing Commission indicated that it will respond to McCarthy's call for the boxer's suspension by the end of the week.

Al Weill, Papp's manager, was obviously angered by McCarthy's charges.

"This guy's a nut," said Weill, "he's just trying to grab some headlines and make political hay."

Weill did admit, however, that Papp had been a member of the Hungarian Communist Party before coming to the United States last year but said that party membership was mandated for all who performed in the arts and participated in sports.

"Laszlo rejected Communism when he left Hungary to come to the United States. He was forced to join the party to be a member of the Hungarian Olympic team. In America you don't work construction unless you are a union member. In Hungary, you can't box if you don't join the Communist Party."

Below: Senator Joseph McCarthy (left) has charged boxer Laszlo Papp (right) of being an active member of the Communist Party and is seeking to have the fighter's license to box suspended pending a full investigation.

[professordp]

Washington Examiner

October 4, 1949


Acheson Clears Papp of Red Charge
Boxing Commission Will Not Review License

By Chase MacLean

U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson today released FBI reports and immigration documents clearing boxer Laszlo Papp of any current affiliation with the Communist Party.

Earlier this week, Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy charged that Papp is a member of the Hungary's Communist party and called upon the New York Boxing Commission to revoke Papp's boxing license.

Based upon information sent by Secretary Acheson to the state's boxing commission, the fight board found no gounds to review Papp's license. Papp's bout at Madison Garden later this week will go on as scheduled.

In his statement, Acheson indicated that while Papp was in Hungary as a member of that nation's boxing team, he was indeed enrolled in the country's Communist party. But he went on to point out that party membership was mandatory for all government sponsored athletes.

The Secretary stated the Papp renounced communism when he immigrated to the United States this past fall. The boxer is among thousands of Hungarians who have fled the repressive policies of the nation's dictator, Matyas Rakosi.

Acheson was highly critical of McCarthy's allegations.

"Once more," he stated. "Senator McCarthy has demonstrated that he is totally reckless in his supposed concerns for our national security. In this instance, he displayed his typical disregard for the truth and has smeared Laszlo Papp without any justification."

Senator McCarthy's office declined to respond to Secretary Acheson's comments.


Below: U.S. Secretary of Stat Dean Acheson released documents revealing that Hungarian-born boxer Laszlo Papp is no an active member of the Communist Party.

[professordp]

New York Daily Star


October 11, 1949


PAPP TAKES ALL ROUNDS IN WIN
Scores Lopsided Victory Over Costa

By Jimmy Wallwork

In what looked more like a brisk sparring session than it did a professional boxing match, Hungarian Laszlo Papp racked up his eighth win with an easy eight round decision over Bronx journeyman Vic Costa last night a Madison Square Garden.

Throughout the match, Papp hit Costa at will with the Bronx boxer demonstrating little in terms of a counter offensive. In the second round, it appeared that the contest would be halted after Papp pounded Costa for the full three minutes, but referee Bily O'Brien declined to intervene.

For the next five rounds, it looked like Papp was carrying Costa. Landing hooks to the head and body, Laszlo seemed to let up a little when his opponent looked to be in trouble.

When Papp came out for the eighth and final frame, he looked intent on finally ending the mismatch. He walloped Costa around the ring, periodically looking at O'Brien to call an early end, but the third man in the ring just looked on until the final bell.

Although Papp won every round on all three judges' cards, the victory won't do much to enhance his image in the boxing community. Costa came into the bout with a 29-33-5 record. He's actually a welterweight, but poor training habits have forced him to fight in the middleweight ranks recently.

Papp has now been boxing professionally for a year and had eight wins with no losses. He looked subpar in his July match against Chet Vinci although his manager, Al Weill, contended that Papp suffered a muscle tear in his chest a week prior to the match.

Boxing critics have increased their calls for the Hungarian middleweight to start facing stiffer competition. Weill announced that Papp's next opponent will be Sal Belloise, the younger brother ranking middleweight contender Steve Belloise.

The two will meet in December at Madison Square Garden for a ten round main event. This will be Papp's first ten round fight, and the general consensus among boxing insiders is that Belloise will provide a true test of Laszlo's abilities.

[professordp]

Broadway Bulletin


December 15, 1949



PAPP DEMOLISHES BELLOISE
Contest Halted in First Round


By Max Gold

Those who doubted Laszlo Papp's ability to make his mark in professional boxing were silenced, at least for the moment, after the Hungarian middleweight's total destruction of Sal Belloise in one round last night at St. Nicholas Arena.

Belloise, the younger brother of former featherweight champ Mike and top contender Steve, came into the contest as a promising prospect in the middleweight ranks. He never had a chance against the determined Papp.

Less than twenty seconds into the first heat, Papp drove Belloise into the neutral corner with a blasting hook to the jaw and there Sal remained until referee Johnny Del Grecco mercifully halted the slaughter at the 2:47 mark.

For more than two minutes, Papp relentlessly pounded the trapped Belloise scoring with virtually every punch he launched. Taking blows to both body and head, Belloise offered nothing in the way of offense or defense, and Del Grecco was wise to stop the bout.

The win gives Papp his ninth victory, and he remains unbeaten. Belloise was to be a true test of the Hungarian's talents and came into the match with a record of 15-3. Needless to say, Laszlo passed the test with flying colors based upon last night's performance.

A winner of the Olympic gold medal last year, Papp immigrated to the United States and began fighting as a professional a little over a year ago. Boxing insiders had raised questions about his skills and his somewhat lackluster performance against low quality opponents in his previous bouts.

After last night's fight, however, those questions may have been answered.

As might be expected, the Belloise camp had a different take on the fight. Although young Sal appeared to still be stunned in his dressing room, older brother Steve was quite vocal.

"Papp caught Sal cold," he argued. "The referee should have let him continue. Papp couldn't put him down so he wasn't hurt all that badly. Del Grecco's decision to stop it so early stinks."

The elder Belloise went on and issued a challenge to Papp.

"I'd like to get into the ring with this guy. He's nothing more than a rank amateur who's been getting a lot of publicity by fighting easy marks. My brother would have beaten him if the fight wasn't stopped. I know I can beat Papp!"

Papp's manager, Al Weill, brushed off Belloise's challenge.

"I'm not going to direct my fighter's career to satisfy Steve Belloise's sense of family honor. We have a set plan for Laszlo's development and we're sticking to it. Down the road, Belloise might get his wish, but remember that they say be careful what you wish for!"

Papp's next bout will be against Brooklyn slugger Vinnie Cidone in late January at Madison Square Garden. Cidone is a hard hitter and a rough brawler. Boxing insiders are unanimous in their view that he'll present Papp with his greatest challenge to date.

[professordp]

The Ring Ratings for the Month

(From The Ring December 1949)

Jake LaMotta, Champion

1) Ray Robinson

2) Marcel Cerdan

3) Dave Sands

4) Laurent Dauthuille

5) Tiberio Mitri

6) Art Towne

7) Steve Belloise

8) Carl Olson

9) Lee Sala

10) Rocky Graziano

[professordp]

New York Daily Star


January 31, 1950


Papp Makes Short Work of Cidone
Laszlo Picks Up Tenth Win Via TKO In First

By Jimmy Wallwork

In a repeat of his perfomance against Sal Belloise six weeks ago, undefeated middleweight Laszlo Papp came out like a tiger in the first round and destroyed Brooklyn's Vinnie Cidone last night at Madison Square Garden.

Referee Tommy Quinn halted the contest at the 2:50 mark as Cidone was headed to the canvas for the second time in the round.

At the opening bell, Papp came right at Cidone and hurt the Redhook native with wicked body blow followed by a quick combination to the head that floored Vinnie.

Cidone was on his feet at the count of five but was far from clear-headed. When the action continued, Papp pinned his opponent in the neutral corner and just flailed away at the increasingly defenseless Cidone.

Papp blasted Cidone with a right uppercut and Vinnie was slumping to the floor. He never made it. Referee Quinn stepped between the two fighters, grabbed Vinnie, and ended the match.

Last month, Papp put on a similar display when he stopped Sal Belloise in the first round. Prior to that match, many boxing insiders were starting to question Papp's ability to take out an opponent.

If they weren't convinced by his total destruction of Belloise, last night's performance should resolved any questions that they might have about Papp's power.

There has been increased interest in Papp and his progress as a professional. At ringside last night was former middleweight king Rocky Graziano who is currently on the comeback trail. Always up for a good brawl, Rocky said he'd be more than willing to meet Papp.

Not so fast said Laszlo's manager Al Weill who indicated that although he has no problems matching his man against Graziano some time in the future, he has a specific game plan for Papp and plans to follow it.

"Laszlo has the talent to be one of boxing's all-time greats," said Weill. "And we are going to bring him along at the right pace."

Commenting on Papp's performance last night, the Hungarian's trainer, Charley Goldman offered the following.

"Cidone is a tough fighter and a hard puncher. Our plan was to take him out early before he could warm up and so some damage. Laszlo executed our strategy perfectly."

Right now Papp seems to have everything going his way. Although expectations in the boxing world are high, few think he'll have a quick night against his next opponent, Coney Island's Herbie Kronowitz.

A ring veteran with more than eighty professional fights under his belt, Kronowitz is a clever boxer with a decent punch. Several years ago he was a ranked contender for the world middleweight crown.

He and Papp will meet in the Garden on March 28th.

[professordp]

I've posted below a couple of clips taken from YouTube showing Laszlo Papp in action both during his amateur and professional years.

As you can see, Laszlo was far from the typical, stand-up-straight European fighter. At 5'5" he was short for a middleweight, usually giving up several inches to his opponents.

Like Dempsey, Frazier, and Marciano who also generally faced height and reach disadvantages, Papp adpated to the situation by crouching, bobbing & weaving, and working his way inside to deliver some pretty nasty punishment. Thus his style was much more similar to American sluggers than it was to the standard European boxer.


This is a photo/video montage giving a visual history of Papp. Beware! If you can't take loud, hard punk rock, turn off your speakers!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i89p8sLE10o&feature=related


Next is an overview of Laszlo's amateur years including a clip from his win over Jose Torres in the 1956 Olympics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoDjZ...eature=related


You really have to pity poor Peter Mueller in this next one. He take some sort of beating from Papp in their October 13, 1961 meeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkhzcPRF_xk&feature=related


Finally Luis Folledo's height advantages didn't give him any edge against Laszlo when the two fought on December 6, 1963.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iStIvJruZ7c&feature=related


I hope that those of you who follow this thread but are not all that familiar with Papp get a better sense of just how great he was in the ring.

If any of you have additional clips of Laszlo's fights, pleae post them here!

[professordp]

Here's one of the better articles on Papp. It appeared in Sports Illustrated in 1962.


The middleweight champion of Europe is Laszlo Papp, a - 12.03.62 - SI Vault

[professordp]

The Brooklyn Bugle

March 16, 1950



PAPP HALTS HERBIE IN SIX!

By Larry Rubin

Unbeaten Hungarian middleweight Laszlo Papp picked up his eleventh win and third straight TKO victory by stopping Coney Island ring veteran Herbie Kronowitz in the sixth heat of their scheduled ten rounder last night at Madison Square Garden.

Kronowitz had nearly a six inch edge in height over the stocky Papp but was unable to make it work to his advantage. From the opening bell, Kronowitz tried to use his jab to set up the right cross in an effort to keep the soutpaw Papp at bay but had little success.

The shorter Papp proved to be a small target and worked his way inside Kronowitz's defenses to wreck havoc. Papp, who won an Olympic gold medal in 1956, punished his opponents body with hooks in the early rounds before shifting his attack to the head.

Kronowitz, a ring veteran of more than eighty pro fights and a savvy boxer, could not hold Papp off. Bobbing and weaving, Laszlo cut off the ring and effectively neutralized Kronowitz's reach advantage.

As he came out for the sixth round, Herbie looked like he had gone through a meat grinder. He had cuts both above and below his left eye while his right eye was starting to close. This made him an easy target for Papp's power punches.

With a minute remaining in the round, Herbie's face was covered with gore, and he was taking a severe beating from Papp, offering little in the way of a defense. With the clock at 2:22, referee Vince DeMattia stepped in and stopped the slaughter.

The crowd at ringside was impressed by Papp's performance. Kronowitz, who was a top ten contender for the world title a few years ago, is a polished and accomplished fighter. Laszlo's demolition of Herbie makes him a serious presence in the middleweight division.

In his last two fights he dispatched Sal Belloise and Vinnie Cidone with first round stoppages. The fact that it took him six rounds to put away Kronowitz wasn't seen as a step backwards by any stretch of the imagination. Herbie is the most skilled fighter that Papp has faced to date.

Al Weill, who manages Papp, was not definite about his fighter's next opponent, but indicated that he expects to have Laszlo back in the ring in late June against a "name" fighter.

Some of the names that have been frequently mentioned are former world champion Rocky Graziano and hard-hitting Syracuse slugger Joey DeJohn. A victory for Papp over either man would almost certainly assure Laszlo a place in the world rankings.

Weill, however, has indicated that he's in no rush to secure his man a title shot. Papp just turned twenty-four and has yet to reach his prime as a boxer.

[professordp]

The Ring Ratings for the Month

(From The Ring March 1950)

Jake LaMotta, Champion

1) Ray Robinson

2) Dave Sands

3) Robert Villemain

4) Tiberio Mitri

5) Steve Belloise

6) Art Towne

7) Laurent Dauthuille

8) Lee Sala

9) Randy Turpin

10) Tuzo Portuguez

[professordp]

Syracuse Standard
June 1, 1950



PAPP STOPS DEJOHN IN FIFTH

By Jack Roarty

Hungarian middleweight Laszlo Papp punched his way to a fifth round TKO win over local favorite Joey "Golden Boy" DeJohn last night at the War Memorial Auditorium.

Papp, who is now undefeated in eleven professional fights,
sent DeJohn to the canvas twice before the contest was stopped by referee Ron Scalzo midway through the fifth frame.

The Hungarian southpaw was able to compensate for his height and reach disadvantages by moving inside and punishing DeJohn with a mixed attack to the head and body.

DeJohn was knocked down near the bell in the first round by a powerful Papp hook to the jaw. In the next heat, Laszlo opened a cut high over DeJohn's right brow causing a steady flow of blood for the remainder of the match.

To add to Joey's problems, his left eye started to swell substantially, blinding him to Papp's incoming right hooks. The severity of the damage to DeJohn's eyes caused Scalzo to briefly halt the action and consult with the ringside doctor who gave the match the green flag.

When the match resumed, DeJohn seemed to come alive. He nailed Papp with several hard rights to the head and as round four came to an end there was a slight puffiness around Laszlo's left eye.

But Joey's comeback was to be short-lived. Papp came out strong in the fifth and decked DeJohn with a perfect uppercut to the jaw thirty seconds into the stanza.

When Joey finally regained his feet at the count of seven, he appeared to be in bad shape. The cut was reopened, and his legs looked like they were made of rubber.

Papp bulled him into the ropes and pounded away. At that point, DeJohn demonstrated little defense and nothing in the way of offense causing Scalzo to halt the match at the 1:40 mark.

Papp has now stopped his last four opponents and looks better with each successive fight. Last night he demonstrated that he could take a punch. DeJohn, recognized as one of the hardest hitters in the middleweight ranks, landed several bombs but couldn't turn the tide against the determined Hungarian.

After the contest, Papp's manager, Al Weill, briefly spoke with the press.

"DeJohn was the toughest guy that Laszlo had faced. He's a powerful puncher and nailed Laszlo with his best shots but couldn't slow him down.

"If there was any question about Laszlo's ability to take a punch it was settled last night."

Weill evaded questions about his fighter's next opponent. It's common knowledge in boxing circles that former champion Rocky Graziano is eager to meet the young Hungarian, but Weill refused to respond to specifics.

"Laszlo is one of the most talented fighters that I've seen in a long time, and I have every confidence that he'll be middleweight champion in the near future.

"He's young and getting better with each match. We're bringing him along at the right pace. I'm not going to ruin his future for the sake of a fat purse."

[professordp]

Philadelphia Tribune

August 16, 1950



Papp Wins With Unanimous Nod

By Ike Connors

Hungarian transplant Laszlo Papp took his professional record to 13-0 with a unanimous ten round decision over journeyman Roy Miller last night at Convention Center.

Papp, who stopped his last four opponents, was frequently frustrated by the more seasoned Miller. A crafty ring veteran, Miller was able to lock Papp up in clinches and prevent the Hungarian soutpaw from mounting a damaging, sustained attack.

At times Papp appeared somewhat puzzled by Miller. Early in the match, Laszlo's timing seemed to be off as he missed a number of punches. Miller took infrequent advantage of the misses and threw occassional counters that put Papp off his pace.

A few times Miller looked to be hurt as Laszlo worked his way inside a scored to the head and body. But time and again, Roy tied Papp up in the corners.

While this wasn't one of Papp's most impressive outings, Miller wasn't overly aggressive in the fight and often seemed to be in a survival mode. During the few times he was willing to exchange with Papp, Laszlo got the upper hand.

All three judges gave the match to Laszlo by wide margins submitting cards registering 98-92, 98-92, and 97-93 in Papp's favor.

After the match, Al Weill, Papp's manager, dismissed the ten round exercise as a "tune up" for his man's next match. Weill indicated that Papp is now ready to move up against ranked middleweights but wouldn't name a specific opponent.

It has been common knowledge in boxing circles that former champion Rocky Graziano and highly ranked contender Steve Belloise have both openly issued challenges to meet Papp.

Whether fights with either materialize, Weill indicated that Papp's next opponent will be announced "shortly."

[professordp]

New York Daily Star


August 30, 1950


Graziano-Papp Set For
Garden in November

By Jimmy Wallwork

Matchmaker Teddy Brenner announced today that former middleweight king Rocky Graziano will meet transplanted Hungarian prospect Laszlo Papp for a ten round contest on November 27th.

Graziano's camp had been pushing hard for a match with Papp who is undefeated in thirteen professional fights. Since losing his title to Tony Zale two years ago, the twenty-eight year old Graziano has slipped out of the word rankings.

Although he has not lost since his defeat at the hands of Zale, his ten round draw with Tony Janiro in March has diminished somewhat in the eyes of the boxing public.

In May, Graziano knocked out Brooklyn's Vinnie Cidone in the third round of their scheduled ten rounder in Milwaukee, but Cidone had Rocky down for a count of nine in the first heat. Graziano's handlers believe that a win over a hot prospect like Papp could propel their man back into contention.

Papp also fought Cidone and made short work of him with a first round TKO win in January. Cidone's "bombs-away" style is very similar to Graziano's.

The Hungarian, who picked up a gold medal in the 1956 London Olympics, is managed by Al Weill, who many view as the smartest man in the sport. Insiders say that Graziano's style is tailor-made for the skillful Papp. Still, Rocky hits a lot harder than Vinnie Cidone. Just ask Tony Zale.

The fight should be a hot ticket since it's a crossroads match for both men. Rocky needs a win to reverse his downward slide. Meanwhile a victory over the former champion would undoubtedly earn Papp a top ten ranking and a possible crack at the word title.

Boxing fans are already chomping at the bit over this one!!!

[Romultiltus]

Welcome back, prof

[bear]

I miss the professor

[rotorhead]

Where is the prof???

[kenyan_cheena]

He was last online on June 18 but hasn't posted since April 22.

[rotorhead]

I hope he is alright.
I recently discovered Papp and did a little research. He is currently the WBC champ in my 1955 uni. I think he will defect and stay in the USA sometime in 1964.

[bear]

The professor responded to a PM I sent. He says he's inching his way back.

[professordp]

I simmed this one a while ago...what a fight!

I'll be posting the results tomorrow.