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It’s hard to think of our parents and grandparents as having full lives before we came along, but they most certainly did, and some are more surprising than others.
One Twitter user discovered his grandfather was boxer with a potentially successful career ahead of him, only to have it cut short by the mob.
Check out this Goodfellas meets Pulp Fiction tale below. The story begins at his grandfather’s end.
At my grandpops funeral, I learned that he was a professional welterweight boxer in NYC in the 40’s. The question was why he never told us & how nobody knew. I continued to dig & discovered the sad reasons why. https://t.co/qwoSgbUQTu
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
While looking through his grandfather’s history, he had questions.
I sat and stared at medals won and articles from my grandpops bouts in NYC in the 40’s. But no one had any intel as to why his boxing career had been such a secret. I only learned the truth about 10 years ago. My grandpops passed in ’88.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
He had started boxing during WWII.
He had fought professionally in NY in the 40’s before being drafted into the Army. He did 2 1/2 years of military service & returned home to continue his pro boxing career.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
He was becoming famous.
In looking up his record online, I saw a string of 11 straight wins. Then suddenly a few losses and a career ending DQ at Madison Square Garden.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
When he quit, not even his grandmother knew why. He just…stopped.
My grandmoms said she had no idea why my grandpops quit boxing. Only to say he told her he wanted to go to culinary school. She said he swore her to never discuss boxing again when he abruptly quit.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
Before the man’s uncle died, he called him over for a deathbed confession.
When my uncle (grandpops brother) got sick years ago, he told me we needed to talk. He told me that he knew why his boxing career ended the way it did.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
It turns out the mob didn’t like his grandfather’s trajectory.
He got excited as he talked of how my grandpops was “whooping the shit outta them white boys” in the ring. But that in itself was a huge issue for the mob and money lost when my grandpops won.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
They paid him a visit and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
He spoke of a moment before a fight where members of the mob came into the locker room and told my grandpops that he was going to lose or else his family be in danger.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
It was in that moment he made a decision.
I’m not sure what the results of those fights were, but my uncle claims that my grandpops refused to lose. Yet, when the big fight at MSG came up, he abruptly told his trainer that he was retiring.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
He decided to save his family.
So basically, due to pressure from the mob my grandpops gave up his boxing career to protect my grandmoms and my mom who was his only child at the time. He went on to be a chef at Howard Johnson for some 30 years.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
The man wanted more information about his grandfather.
I had only known that grandpops was one hell of a cook and nothing else until he died. About 5 years ago I began searching for more info in hopes I could find something. I found a boxing historian in Washington state who was selling old magazines on eBay.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
He found more than he bargained for!
In his listing of Referee magazines was one with my grandpops on the cover. I was stunned. I emailed dude with my story and he told me he had other articles and magazines with my grandpops featured.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
His grandfather’s story moved him deeply.
I sent him money via PayPal and be sent me the items overnight. I opened up that envelope and listen, I cried like a baby. There he was, my grandpops as a young prizefighter in NYC on the cover of this boxing magazine. I’d never seen this before.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
And he wanted to share what he had learned.
I spent the next few hours reading through all the articles and feeling proud. This cat was damn good. He had a career stripped away and it made me sad. But I appreciated why he quit.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
He decided to tell his mom and gave her something special to remember her dad by.
I made copies of all the newspaper clippings and magazines. I then took all the originals and had them framed. I presented the framed magazines and articles to my mom on her birthday.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
She had no idea that her father was the man he was before she was born.
Man, listen. I ain’t never seen my mom cry like that. I’m sure she had a bit of the same emotions that I had. But that was her father. She had never seen those magazines and articles either.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
Most of all, he was proud of what his grandfather had accomplished.
I keep framed copies of the articles and magazines on the wall in my man cave, while my mom has the originals in her home. Bittersweet memories of what could have been, but I’m extremely proud of my grandpops, his accomplishments & for loving and protecting for our family.
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
And he couldn’t love him more.
My grandpops, my hero ?? ? pic.twitter.com/svqJjyloSn
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) August 10, 2018
Just look at those pics!
I owe a debt of gratitude to the historians & boxing enthusiasts who helped me find more images & articles from the 40’s of my grandpops pro boxing career. ? pic.twitter.com/UPwSrQuV6s
— ManSitChoAzzDown (@AngryManTV) October 13, 2018
Everyone has stories of their families that have yet to be uncovered; ask questions while you can.
Do you have any family stories that are new to you? Let us know in the comments below!
