Pinky Silverberg: The Forgotten Flyweight Boxing Champion
Pinky Silverberg was a Connecticut-based American boxer who briefly held the National Boxing Association (NBA) World Flyweight title in late 1927. Born on April 5, 1904, in the Bronx, New York, Silverberg began his professional boxing career at the tender age of 16 to support his family.
Boxing career and major results
Despite his small stature, standing at just 5’4″ tall, Silverberg was known for his efficient defense and remarkable durability. Throughout his career, he was knocked out only once, by Willie LaMorte in 1926. Silverberg’s boxing style was characterized by his quick footwork, counter-punching abilities, and a relentless determination to outmaneuver his opponents.
In October 1927, Silverberg won the vacant NBA world flyweight title when Ruby “Dark Cloud” Bradley was disqualified in the seventh round at Bridgeport’s State Armory. Silverberg held the belt for seven weeks. The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame records that he was then stripped after a poor performance in a non-title bout, under a decision made by the NBA president.
Silverberg’s career was marked by numerous notable bouts against some of the greatest flyweights and bantamweights of his era, including Dark Cloud Bradley, Kid Chocolate, Panama Al Brown, and Midget Wolgast. Despite facing formidable opponents, Silverberg’s tenacity and skill earned him respect and admiration from fans and fellow boxers alike.
After a career spanning over a decade, Silverberg retired from professional boxing in 1937. He settled in Ansonia, Connecticut, where he became a beloved figure in the local community. In recent years, Silverberg’s legacy has been celebrated through annual amateur boxing shows and the permanent display of his championship belt at the Ansonia Library.
Although often overlooked in the annals of boxing history, Pinky Silverberg’s remarkable journey from the streets of the Bronx to the pinnacle of the flyweight division reflects his unwavering determination, skill, and passion for the sport he loved.
Sources
Sources: Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame biography; Cyber Boxing Zone career record.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
