When I last mentioned heavyweight boxer Johnny Risko (on this post), he was congratulating fellow fighter Tom Heeney on his victory over Gene Tunney in late July 1928.
Well, less than two weeks later, Johnny made the papers again – because he was about to start a brand new career, one of particular local interest.
So what was his new job? Read all about it in the article below, which appeared in the Lorain Times-Herald on August 7, 1928.
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JOHN RISKO APPOINTED MARSHAL OF SHEFFIELD
Johnny Risko, claimant of the world’s heavyweight boxing crown recently vacated by Gene Tunney, now has another title other than that of a “pug.”
For the erstwhile Cleveland baker boy is now a marshal in his home bailiwick of Sheffield Lake, a small village on Lake Erie a couple miles east of Lorain.
That is, he was appointed marshal Monday by Mayor Fred Hosford, and his appointment is expected to be ratified by councilmen when the village solons convene Tuesday night.
Hosford pinned a big gold shield on Johnny’s coat Monday afternoon, and with no little ceremony put him through the official hand-raising, oath-taking ritual. Johnny accepted the appointment with a big smile on his face.
It seems that the summer resort which is located near Johnny’s home on the east Lake-rd is the "hanging-out” place for a gang of “drunks” as the mayor termed them, and he expects the appointment of Risko as marshal of the village to scare them out.
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| The Risko name continues to live on in Sheffield Lake, at the location of Johnny Risko’s home |
Johnny went from a "pug" to an outdoor bouncer!
ReplyDeleteThere was another world famous boxer with a local area connection.Ezzard Charles father used to live in Lorain.In fact he worked for the city of Lorain as a garbage collector back in the "60s-"70s.I think he used to live on the eastside of Lorain.I remember my mother saying that back in the "50s a limo could be seen outside of the house often and that would be Ezzard paying a visit to his father.But I forgot what street she said it was and mom has since passed.I bet it was a sight to see.Sadly Ezzard had Lou Gehrig disease and passed away in "75.But his father lived on until the early "80s.And so another bit of useless trivia.
ReplyDeleteI only have a few city directories at home on my book shelf, but a gentleman with the same name (William) of Ezzard’s father can be found in both the 1950 and 1964 Lorain city directory listings, living at 217 Florida Avenue on the east side and employed as a janitor.
ReplyDeleteIf you've ever seen the famous photo of Rocky Marciano with his nose split open,guess where he got it from?Ezzard Charles gave it to him,that's who.Ezzard fought Marciano 2 times,both in 1954.Marciano beat Ezzard both times but Ezzard gave Rocky a run for his money.Some critics even consider both bouts to be in the top 5 of all boxing fights ever.
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