The Career of Boxer Young Joe Firpo

“Young Joe Firpo” was the ring name of Joseph Bracale, an Italian-born boxer who settled in South Jersey. The New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame says he began boxing in 1925, fought until 1932, and was inducted into its Hall on September 22, 1974.

A name shared by two different boxers

The video above is about Guido Bardelli, a different boxer known as “Young Firpo,” who fought as a light-heavyweight in the Pacific Northwest. Bardelli was inducted into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame; he was not Joseph Bracale. Bracale and Bardelli had separate boxing careers.

Bracale’s record

The New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame reports that Bracale had 69 wins, 19 losses, nine losses by foul, and 14 draws, including 30 knockout wins. BoxRec’s profile lists 120 bouts and a 59–53–8 record. Those totals differ substantially, so both are identified here by source rather than combined into one career record. BoxRec identifies his birth name as Joseph/Guiseppi Bracale and lists Penns Grove, New Jersey, as his residence.

For more boxer profiles, visit MMA USA’s Boxing section.

Career Milestones

The New Jersey Hall of Fame records Bracale’s birth in Italy on February 10, 1910, and his family’s later settlement in South Jersey. It dates the beginning of his boxing career to 1925, when he was fifteen, and the end to 1932. Its account explains the Firpo nickname through his powerful build at a lighter weight. The Hall’s induction in 1974 came decades after his competitive career. That honor recognized Bracale himself, not Guido Bardelli, whose similar ring name belongs to a separate Pacific Northwest boxing story. Keeping the birth name, home region and induction record together provides a practical way to distinguish the two men when consulting historical sources.

His induction honored a career rooted in South Jersey’s boxing community.

Sources

BoxRec: Young Joe Firpo (Joseph Bracale); New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.

Article Tags

Young Joe Firpo, Boxing, Sports History