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Lew Jenkins (December 4, 1916 - October 30, 1981) was an American boxer and Lightweight Champion of the World. He was born in Milburn, Texas and was raised in Depression
Great Depression

File:International depression.pngThe Great Depression was a worldwide economic Recession starting in most places in 1929 and ending at different times in the 1930s or early 1940s for different countries....
-era Texas. He began fighting in carnivals and the US Army ultimately defeating Lou Ambers
Lou Ambers

Luigi Giuseppe d'Ambrosio, AKA Lou Ambers was a lightweight boxer who fought from 1932 to 1941.Managed by Al Weill and trained by Charley Goldman, the "Herkimer Hurricane", as he was known, began his career losing only once in more than three years when he faced future hall of fame lightweight champion Tony Canzoneri on May 10, 1935....
 in New York City
New York City

The City of New York is the List of United States cities by population in the United States, while the New York metropolitan area ranks among the List of urban areas by population....
 on May 10,1940 to become champion.

Professional career
Jenkins was a terrific puncher for a lightweight
Lightweight

The word lightweight usually refers to a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight. It is also a slang term, indicating insignificance or ineptitude, for example having a low tolerance for liquor....
, and scored knockout victories over noted fighters Lou Ambers, Tippy Larkin
Tippy Larkin

Tippy Larkin was a boxer from New Jersey who appeared on the cover of The Ring magazine in 1944 on July. From 1935 to 1946 Tippy Larkin's record was 114-9....
, and Mike Belloise.






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Lew Jenkins (December 4, 1916 - October 30, 1981) was an American boxer and Lightweight Champion of the World. He was born in Milburn, Texas and was raised in Depression
Great Depression

File:International depression.pngThe Great Depression was a worldwide economic Recession starting in most places in 1929 and ending at different times in the 1930s or early 1940s for different countries....
-era Texas. He began fighting in carnivals and the US Army ultimately defeating Lou Ambers
Lou Ambers

Luigi Giuseppe d'Ambrosio, AKA Lou Ambers was a lightweight boxer who fought from 1932 to 1941.Managed by Al Weill and trained by Charley Goldman, the "Herkimer Hurricane", as he was known, began his career losing only once in more than three years when he faced future hall of fame lightweight champion Tony Canzoneri on May 10, 1935....
 in New York City
New York City

The City of New York is the List of United States cities by population in the United States, while the New York metropolitan area ranks among the List of urban areas by population....
 on May 10,1940 to become champion.

Professional career


Jenkins was a terrific puncher for a lightweight
Lightweight

The word lightweight usually refers to a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight. It is also a slang term, indicating insignificance or ineptitude, for example having a low tolerance for liquor....
, and scored knockout victories over noted fighters Lou Ambers, Tippy Larkin
Tippy Larkin

Tippy Larkin was a boxer from New Jersey who appeared on the cover of The Ring magazine in 1944 on July. From 1935 to 1946 Tippy Larkin's record was 114-9....
, and Mike Belloise. After winning the championship from Ambers Jenkins went wild. He spent his money as fast as he made it on whiskey, women and cars. He rarely went to sleep before dawn, drank recklessly and crashed several motorcycles and cars.

On December 19, 1941 Jenkins defended his title against Sammy Angott
Sammy Angott

Sammy Angott was born Samuel Engotti in Pennsylvania. He was known as a clever boxer who liked to follow up a clean punch by grabbing his opponent, causing him to be known as "The Clutch."...
. Fighting with an injured neck he suffered from a motorcycle crash, Jenkins was outpointed over 15 rounds. From then on he hit the skids, and lost more often than he won.

Military career


Jenkins served in World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
. Jenkins served in the United States Coast Guard, participating in troop deployment, and in the thick of several enemy fires during the Allied invasions of North Africa and Europe. He reportedly was in the D-Day invasion. Jenkins was decorated for gallantry and his actions, including the Silver Star, and saved several men after they were cut off behind enemy lines. When the Korean Conflict broke out he re-enlisted in the infantry.

Boxing Comeback


He attempted a comeback after WWII, but was unable to regain his status as a top lightweight and welterweight. He retired from boxing in 1950.

In 2003, Jenkins made the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

Jenkins died October 30, 1981 in Oakland, CA, USA. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia is a United States National Cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, The Robert E....
.

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