| Biography | Barney Williams (born Barney Lebrowitz, 10June 1891 12 February 1949, and better known as Battling Levinsky), was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1916 to 1920. Battling Levinsky began his boxing career under the name Barney Williams. However, he received little attention until he took on a manager named Dumb Dan Morgan in 1913, who changed Barneys name and his boxing fortunes.
Battling Levinsky fought 37 times in 1914 9 times in the month of January alone. In January 1915, he began the year with two 10-round bouts on New Years Day 1 each in Brooklyn, New York City and 12 round bout in Waterbury, Connecticut.
After two title-match losses to light heavyweight champion Jack Dillon, (April 1914 and April 1916), Levinsky wrested the crown from Dillon on October 24, 1916. Fifty-nine bouts later, almost four years to the day, he lost his championship to Frances Georges Carpentier.
In an era when boxing titles changed hands only because of a knockout non-KO championship fights were labeled no decision Levinsky fought all comers, including heavyweight champions to-be Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey (losing both matches). Levinsky loved to fight, although his claim to having fought as many as 500 bouts is impossible to substantiate.
His official professional record: 287 bouts won 196 (30 KOs), lost 54, drew 37.
In his early career, Levinsky was managed by Fred Douglas (191011) and Jack Hanlon (191113). Al Lippe managed him in his comeback, 19261929.
He died on February 12, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Levinsky was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Levinsky, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. |