Bernie Friedkin
American boxer (1917–2007)
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Bernie "Schoolboy" Friedkin (July 10, 1917 – January 18, 2007) was an American lightweight boxer who fought professionally from 1935 to 1941.
Friedkin was one of Morris and Bessie Friedkin's seven children.[1] He grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn,[2] which was then predominantly Jewish.[3] During that era Brownsville was a rough and tumble neighborhood.[2] At the time Friedkin was growing up, boxing was popular among Jewish American boys from poor families like Friedkin's.[2] The 5' 6" Friedkin took up boxing.[1] As a boy, Friedkin learned to read by concentrating on Ring magazine; he also set up a makeshift boxing ring in his basement.[2]
Starting as a featherweight at 126 pounds, Friedkin bulked up to 135 pounds to become a lightweight.[1] He had success as a lightweight in the late 1930s and the early 1940s.[2] His small stature and youngish face led to his being labeled Bernie "Schoolboy" Friedkin.[4] He may be most remembered for a fight on March 9, 1937, in front of 5,000 fans at the Broadway Arena in Brooklyn. In the eight-round main event, Friedkin fought Kid Chocolate, the former world featherweight champion, to a draw.[5] The draw surprised the fans and resulted in booing.[5] His record was 48 wins, 9 losses, and, unually, 11 draws.[6][1] Friedkin died on January 18, 2007, and was survived by his wife of 60 years, Leonore Bennett, and their two daughters.[1] They lived for many years in the Glenwood Houses in Brooklyn.[7]