Marty Servo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mario "Marty" Servo (born in Schenectady, New York November 3, 1919, died in Pueblo, Colorado February 9, 1969) was the former world welterweight boxing champion. Servo began boxing in the mid-1930s. He became a professional boxer in 1938 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1989.
Servo had an impressive amateur career. He captured the Golden Gloves and Diamond Belt Featherweight Titles, and ended his career with an impressive record of 91-4.
He turned professional as a lightweight and, in his first three years as a professional boxer, managed a 43-0-2 record. As a welterweight he lost two close decisions to the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson.
Servo’s boxing career was interrupted when he served in the United States Coast Guard in World War II. He resumed his career after the War and won the World Welterweight Title by knocking out Freddie "Red" Cochrane in the fourth round on February 1, 1946.
Servo and his manager, Al Weill, then made a bad career decision. He agreed to fight middleweight contender Rocky Graziano in a non-title match. Graziano was a big favorite in New York City and the bout was viewed as a big money fight. The two fought on March 29, 1946.
Unfortunately for Servo, this bout effectively finished him as a top-line fighter. The heavier and stronger Graziano knocked Servo out and severely injured his nose. Servo never recovered from the injuries suffered in the Graziano bout and he was forced to relinquish his title and retire. His final ring record, including a knockout loss suffered in an ill-advised comeback attempt, was 48 wins (15 knockouts), 4 losses, and 2 draws.
