BY THE NUMBERS: RALPH ZANNELLI By Don Stradley • Illustration by KronkAAArt
rounds with Henry Armstrong » In May of 1940, Zannelli earned his first and only shot at the welterweight championship. It was his misfortune
years old when he bid Boston adieu » In 1949, Massachusetts set the age limit for fighters at 35. This was considered a safety measure, but Zannelli went into a sort of panic. Zannelli’s camp had been
When the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame inducted him in 1987, Ralph Zannelli was an odd fit alongside area politicians, military figures and even a famous watercolorist. Yet he somehow belonged. Though born in Seneca Falls, New York, Zannelli had been one of Rhode Island’s most revered fighters, a tough and relentless puncher who thrilled fans during the 1940s. If earning nicknames from the press is a sign of love, then few were more adored than Zannelli, whose raft of monikers included “The Ripper,” “Ralph the Rock,” “The Wild Man from Providence,” “Roughhouse Ralph” and “The Great Z.” Here’s his story by the numbers.
that the champion was the magnificent Henry Armstrong, who was in his absolute heyday. Coming to Zannelli’s first adopted home of Boston, Armstrong floored Zannelli four times en route to a fifth-round stoppage. In 1944, “Homicide Hank” and Ralph the Ripper fought twice more, with the now ex-champion Armstrong taking both bouts by 10-round decision. Though Armstrong would praise Zannelli for his guts, The Great Z was less complimentary toward his three-time conqueror, comparing him unfavorably to Robinson. “When Robinson hits you, you feel it all over,” Zannelli said, calling Robinson’s style “real sharpshootin’.” He denied Armstrong ever hurt him, even when Zannelli lost by TKO in 1940. “I wasn’t knocked out. I was exhausted. [...] Alongside Ray Robinson, why, Armstrong couldn’t break an egg as a puncher.”
lying about his age for a long time, knocking a few years off to make The Great Z seem younger. When the Bay State created the new limit, Zannelli was practically 35 already. Now he’d have to forsake the 15,000-seat Boston Garden for the much smaller Providence Auditorium, meaning smaller gates and lighter paydays. Worst of all, he’d just beaten Cesario in a dual- title bout for the New England welterweight and middleweight championships. He was probably envisioning some big Boston crowds in his future. It wasn’t to be. “I don’t think this rule should apply to champions,” Zannelli said, dreading the loss of that potential Boston income. The win over Cesario would be his final appearance in a Boston ring. Things worked out, though. After years of splitting his time between Massachusetts and Rhode Island rings, Zannelli began fighting in Providence on a regular basis. It was said that he was more popular during this late stretch than he’d ever been, and that he helped establish a rebirth of Providence boxing. The Great Z had come home to roost.
years as a professional boxer »
Zannelli (real name: Onorato Zannella) began his pro career in June of 1936, fighting on the undercard of a Fenway Park
bouts with George Martin » Some sources claim Zannelli had beaten Martin seven times in their amateur days, but apparently things changed when there was money involved. Martin, a Boston fighter
show headlined by former heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey. Zannelli had enjoyed a successful amateur career throughout New England and became a favorite in Massachusetts as well as Rhode Island. Zannelli defeated his opponent, Gabby Poulin, by decision, but if his hometown fans were angry over missing his debut, the pair fought again in Providence three weeks later. Again, Zannelli got the win. He’d go on to become the personification of a New England fighter, virtually unknown outside the area but a ticket-seller at home. “I wish I could’ve made more of it,” Zannelli later said of his career. He often worked in shipyards and on construction sites to make ends meet, but in the meantime, he fought … and fought … and fought …
known for being colorful and crafty, had Zannelli solved in the pro ranks. They fought three times in 1938, Martin winning each bout on points. Martin also tallied decision wins over Zannelli in 1942 and 1943. The bouts were usually competitive, and the 1943 verdict for Martin was loudly booed by the Boston Garden customers. “When the decision was announced,” reported the International News Service, “part of the crowd surged around the officials to dispute the vote.” In a 1946 bout, the sixth and final of their professional contests, Zannelli managed to get a draw.
losses and out » Zannelli (1915-2006) reached the end of his career in 1952 after dropping decisions to Kid Gavilan, Bobby Dykes and Johnny Bratton. He retired from the ring near Christmas as a gift to his wife. By 1954, however, he began petitioning local athletic boards and committees, arguing that he was as fit as ever and wished to fight again.
victories » Between 1936 and 1952, Zannelli put up a record of 93-49-7 with 33 knockouts. He scored wins over some reputable boxers,
times New England middleweight champion » During the 1947-1951 period, Zannelli engaged in a grueling series of bouts against some of the best New Englanders of the time, including Al
Though Zannelli fell short against the elite fighters, he always fought like a tiger and even put a few scares into the visiting royalty. For instance, Ike Williams, a future Hall of Famer recognized at that point as NBA lightweight champion, was dropped twice in a 1947 bout with Zannelli, though he came back and won the decision. Zannelli, reported the Globe, “went out gloriously, still on his feet at the finish.” State Commissioner Clerk Conlon recalled the “wildest” fight he’d ever seen in a Massachusetts ring. It involved Zannelli and Garvey Young in 1946. “It ended up with both fighters down on the canvas punching each other – and the cops in the ring,” Conlon said.
The State Supreme Court of Rhode Island eventually denied him a license because of his age. He was 40. A reporter once asked Zannelli if he’d do anything differently if he could start all over again. Zannelli said no. “I’d still plan on being a fighter,” he said. “I’d have to. It’s just in me, I guess.” But he wouldn’t recommend the business to youngsters. “If my own boy thought about it, why, I guess I’d feel like shooting him.”
including Johnny Jadick, Sammy Fuller, Izzy Jannazzo and the legendary Fritzie Zivic (twice), who had passed his prime but was still a rough night for anybody. During the 1940s, Zannelli became the Boston Garden’s most reliable workhorse, with promoters luring in top talent from elsewhere, including the superlative Sugar Ray Robinson, and pitting them against the hard-headed Rhode Islander. “Zannelli’s Willingness to Battle All-Comers Keeps Hub Boxing Alive,” roared a Globe headline in December of 1944.
Priest, Johnny Cesario, Norman Horton, Joe Rindone and Jackie Lovatt, often with the New England middleweight championship at stake. Though regional titles are often forgotten about and end up in cold storage, the N.E. titles were coveted in those years. Some accounts say Zannelli won the N.E. middleweight title five times and even had some turns as the N.E. welterweight titlist. Zannelli often said beating Priest for the N.E. middleweight title in 1947 was among his proudest moments.
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