Henry Pylkowski, known in his boxing career as Babe Risko, and Eddie Risko, (July 14, 1911 – March 8, 1957) was a Lithuanian-Polish-American boxer who became Middleweight boxing champion of the world in portions of 1935–36. While boxing in his early career with the US Navy, he was known as Sailor Puleski. He was managed by Gabe Genovese of Syracuse, New York. After winning the World Middleweight Title, his professional career declined rapidly, perhaps because of his lengthy amateur career with the Navy.

Early life and amateur career Risko was born Henry Pylkowski on July 14, 1911 in Syracuse, New York, the son of a struggling Lithuanian family of five. He attended school in Syracuse. He had a long and impressive amateur boxing career in the United States Navy, which he joined at only 16 in 1927, and fought around 125 matches as Sailor Puleski."Babe Risko, Past Champ, Dead at 46", Star-Gazette, Elmira, New York, pg. 43, 7 March 1957 Risko won the Navy Middleweight Title in a Panama Bullring in 1931, and was undefeated in his fights with the Navy."Ex-Middleweight Champ Babe Risko Dies", News-Press, Fort Myers, Florida, pg. 12, 8 March 1957

Professional boxing career Risko's rapid rise in the boxing world On New Years Day 1935, bursting on the world scene in a stunning upset, Risko defeated defending World Middleweight Champion Teddy Yarosz in a technical knockout, though the bout was not for the title. Yarosz was down five times before his manager ended the bout early in the seventh round. A crowd of only 2300 witnessed the bout that demonstrated Risko's mastery of the reigning champion."Risko Kayoes Yarosz in Non-Title Bout", Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Evening Edition, pg. 17, 2 January 1935

On January 25, 1935, Risko met the great Vince Dundee, losing in a fifteen round split decision at New York's Madison Square Garden. Due to an error by one of the two judges, Risko was first announced as the winner, but the mistake was soon corrected by boxing commissioners present at the fight. Though Risko's closing rounds were strong and demonstrated his youthful endurance, Dundee's consistent aggressiveness and body punching convinced judges to vote in his favor. The Associated Press gave six rounds to Dundee and four to Risko."Vince Dundee Trims Syracuse Lad", Elmira Star-Gazette, Elmira, New York, pg. 9, 26 January 1935

Taking the World Middleweight Championship

Risko won the NYSAC World Middleweight Title and National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title with a win over Teddy Yarosz on September 19, 1935. Risko knocked Yarosz to the mat twice for counts of nine in the sixth and seventh rounds, and several judges gave Yarosz only the first round."Dethroned King of Middleweights Flattened Twice for Count of Nine", The Scranton Republican, Scranton, Pennsylvania, pg. 16, 20 September 1935 On December 21, 1935 Risko was knocked out in the first round by Jock McAvoy after being floored six times. The match was a non-title bout, with both men weighing in over the 160 pound middleweight limit.

On February 10, 1936, Risko successfully defended his World Middleweight championship for the only time against Tony Fisher in ten rounds in Newark, New Jersey. Risko was awarded eight of the ten rounds in a title bout considered "drab" by some reporters. Only one round was awarded to Fisher, a 21 year old Newark native."Babe Risko Defends Middeweight Crown", The Pottstown Mercury, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 11 February 1936

Losing the World Middleweight Championship Risko lost the belt on July 11, 1936 to Freddie Steele via a fifteen round unanimous decision in Seattle, Washington before an impressive crowd of 25,000. Steele scored the only knockdown in the bout when he put Risko to the mat with a right to the jaw for a count of six in the first round. Steele damaged both of Risko's eyes during the bout which hampered the reigning champions ability to defend himself. The Associated Press gave Risko only three rounds of the well attended bout."Risko Loses Decision to Fred Steele", The Ogden Standard Examiner, Ogden, Utah, pg. 9, 12 July 1936

On February 19, 1937 Risko attempted another shot at the title against Steele at Madison Square Garden but lost in a fifteen around unanimous decision. The Associated Press gave Steele nine rounds, with five to Risko, and one even. The bout, fought before a crowd of 11,600, was described as tedious by many reporters."Steele Whips Babe Risko", The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee, pg. 32, 21 February 1937

Retirement and life after boxing Risko married Sally Ciborowski of Syracuse in 1936 and eventually had a daughter.

After losing five straight fights by knockout, Risko retired from boxing in 1939, only three years after holding the crown. He recruited for the Navy during WWII and served as Deputy Sheriff in Onondaga County. He later worked as a sales manager for the U. S. Hoffman Machinery Corp. of New York. On March 7, 1957, he died unexpectedly in his sleep in his home in Syracuse at age 46. He was still working for the machinery firm at the time of his death."Babe Risko, Ex-Middleweight Champion Dies", The Decatur Herald, Decatur, Illinois, pg. 18, 8 March 1957

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes103Loss Lloyd MarshallKO5 (10)May 17, 1939102Loss65–25–12 Walter FranklinKO6 (8), Feb 7, 1939101Loss65–24–12 Billy SooseKO3 (10), Oct 5, 1938100Loss65–23–12 Ben BrownKO9 (12)Sep 26, 193899Loss65–22–12 Larry LaneKO2 (10), Sep 19, 193898Draw65–21–12 Ben BrownPTS10Jul 18, 193897Loss65–21–11 Ralph DeJohnKO7 (8)Jun 27, 193896Draw65–20–11 Al QuaillPTS10Jun 6, 193895Win65–20–10 Gorilla JonesPTS10May 10, 193894Loss64–20–10 George BlackKO5 (10), Aug 17, 193793Loss64–19–10 Al HostakKO7 (10)Jul 13, 193792Loss64–18–10 Billy ConnUD10Mar 11, 193791Loss64–17–10 Freddie SteeleUD15Feb 19, 193790Win64–16–10 Butch LynchKO8 (10)Dec 18, 193689Win63–16–10 Tony TozzoUD10Nov 27, 193688Win62–16–10 Harry BalsamoUD10Oct 28, 193687Loss61–16–10 Teddy YaroszSD10Sep 21, 193686Loss61–15–10 Freddie SteeleUD15Jul 11, 193685Loss61–14–10 Fred ApostoliPTS10May 8, 193684Win61–13–10 Mike PayanPTS10Apr 9, 193683Loss60–13–10 Freddie SteeleUD10Mar 24, 193682Win60–12–10 Tony FisherPTS10Feb 10, 193681Loss59–12–10 Jock McAvoyKO1 (10), Dec 20, 193580Win59–11–10 Frank BattagliaSD10Dec 9, 193579Win58–11–10 Chester PalutisUD10Oct 21, 193578Win57–11–10 Jackie AldarePTS10Oct 4, 193577Win56–11–10 Teddy YaroszUD15Sep 19, 193576Loss55–11–10 Paul PirronePTS10Jul 8, 193575Win55–10–10 Frank BattagliaUD12May 22, 193574Loss54–10–10 Jimmy BelmontSD8Mar 25, 193573Win54–9–10 Sammy SlaughterPTS10Mar 18, 193572Win53–9–10 Benny LevineTKO2 (10)Mar 11, 193571Win52–9–10 Paul PirroneUD10Feb 25, 193570Draw51–9–10 Solly DukelskyPTS10Jan 31, 193569Loss51–9–9 Vince DundeeSD10Jan 25, 193568Win51–8–9 Teddy YaroszTKO7 (10)Jan 1, 193567Win50–8–9 Pete SuskyUD6Dec 7, 193466Win49–8–9 Al SalbanoPTS10Nov 26, 193465Win48–8–9 Freddie SallusKO8 (10)Nov 5, 193464Win47–8–9 Weiner WilchKO2 (6)Oct 26, 193463Win46–8–9 Chester PalutisUD6Oct 19, 193462Draw45–8–9 Freddie SallusPTS8Oct 15, 193461Win45–8–8 Pete SuskyPTS8Sep 17, 193460Win44–8–8 Weiner WilchTKO3 (8)Sep 10, 193459Draw43–8–8 Larry WagnerPTS6Aug 9, 193458Win43–8–7 Joe DesmondPTS6Aug 6, 193457Draw42–8–7 Paulie SykesSD6Jul 18, 193456Win42–8–6 Thomas LawlessKO5 (6)Jun 8, 193455Win41–8–6 Thomas LawlessPTS6May 14, 193454Win40–8–6 Jackie FlowersPTS6May 7, 193453Win39–8–6 Jackie FlowersPTS6Apr 20, 193452Win38–8–6 Joe LyonsKO3 (4)Apr 16, 193451Win37–8–6 Jackie FlowersPTS6Apr 3, 193450Win36–8–6 Steve WolaninPTS6Mar 27, 193449Win35–8–6 Frank LaSpinaKO2 (4)Mar 26, 193448Loss34–8–6 Swede BerglundKO4 (10), Jan 12, 193447Win34–7–6 Nick UresKO3 (6)Dec 8, 193346Win33–7–6 Johnny 'Bandit' RomeroPTS10Oct 20, 193345Win32–7–6 Deacon Leo KellyPTS6Sep 22, 193344Loss31–7–6 Dutch WeimerPTS4Sep 3, 193343Win31–6–6 Johnny CavosTKO3 (6)Aug 18, 193342Win30–6–6 Ray GriffithsTKO3 (6), Aug 4, 193341Win29–6–6 Miles MurphyTKO6 (6)Jun 15, 193340Win28–6–6 Guy McKinneyTKO5 (6)May 19, 193339Loss27–6–6 Grant WillardsonDQ3 (6)Mar 10, 193338Win27–5–6 Guy McKinneyPTS6Mar 3, 193337Win26–5–6 Jack O'NeillPTS6Jan 13, 193336Win25–5–6 Johnny ReedPTS6Dec 23, 193235Win24–5–6 Tony PenaPTS4Nov 4, 193234Win23–5–6 Billy McMullenPTS6Oct 7, 193233Draw22–5–6 Harry WaltonPTS4Sep 16, 193232Loss22–5–5 Leroy BrownKO6 (10)Jul 6, 193231Win22–4–5 Jack McCarthyPTS8Jun 30, 193230Win21–4–5 Vic SuqueraTKO3 (6)Jun 23, 193229Win20–4–5 Joe SmallwoodPTS6Apr 14, 193228Loss19–4–5 Joe ColucciPTS8Feb 26, 193227Win19–3–5 Chick WilliamsPTS6Feb 18, 193226Draw18–3–5 Leroy BrownPTS10Nov 23, 193125Loss18–3–4 Rufus MilesPTS10Oct 29, 193124Win18–2–4 Bud SpittlePTS10Oct 12, 193123Win17–2–4 Carl SchlieperPTS6Jun 19, 193122Win16–2–4 Frank SumterPTS10May 20, 193121Loss15–2–4 Charlie BrownPTS10Jan 6, 193120Draw15–1–4 Bud SpittlePTS10Dec 19, 193019Draw15–1–3 Rufus MilesPTS10Dec 5, 193018Win15–1–2 Larry LeavittPTS10Nov 27, 193017Win14–1–2 Rufus MilesUD10Nov 14, 193016Win13–1–2 Wendell WeeksPTS10Nov 11, 193015Win12–1–2 Bob AllisonPTS10Nov 5, 193014Win11–1–2 Bob AllisonPTS10Oct 27, 193013Win10–1–2 Larry LeavittPTS10Oct 17, 193012Win9–1–2 Wendell WeeksPTS10Oct 10, 193011Win8–1–2 Freddy BrewerKO4 (6)Jul 22, 193010Loss7–1–2 Eddie CavanaughKO2 (6)May 8, 19309Draw7–0–2 Johnny BaruzziPTS6Apr 10, 19308Win7–0–1 Tony DallasPTS6Mar 27, 19307Win6–0–1 Roy LaDucaTKO3 (6)Dec 19, 19296Win5–0–1 Charlie McKainPTS4Dec 12, 19295Draw4–0–1 Mule BrownPTS8Dec 6, 19294Win4–0 Roy LaDucaPTS6Dec 5, 19293Win3–0 Wendell WeeksPTS6Nov 20, 19292Win2–0 Young MurrayTKO5 (10)Nov 9, 19291Win1–0 Diaz MusicPTS4Oct 26, 1929

Titles in boxing Major world titles NYSAC middleweight champion (160 lbs) NBA (WBA) middleweight champion (160 lbs)

Undisputed titles Undisputed middleweight champion

References

External links

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