Remembering Lew Jenkins, The Sweetwater Swatter
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Correspondent
His name was Lew Jenkins. Hailing from Sweetwater, Texas, he was originally called ‘The Abiline Antelope’ when he began his career in 1935 as lightweight Verlin Jenkins, and later ‘The Sweetwater Swatter’. A first round knockout of Tippy Larkin propelled Jenkins into a world title fight with Lew Ambers, who he stopped in three rounds to win the World Lightweight title on May 10, 1940, at Madison Square Garden. Though unable to beat Henry Armstrong in a nontitle bout, Jenkins defended his World Lightweight title against Pete Lello, and Fritzie Zivic, before losing his title to Sammy Angott at Madison Square Garden on December 19, 1941.
Jenkins went up to welterweight, but lost his talent to alcoholism. Jenkins loved whiskey, women, cars and motorcycles, and crashed them frequently, and rarely went to sleep before dawn. His habits caused him to lose nine consecutive bouts, and lose 12 of 13 bouts. This including losing rematches to Fritzie Zivic and Henry Armstrong. Jenkins fought 34 more times between 1946 and 1950, winning 22 times and losing 12 times. Jenkins never received another title shot, and after losing his last four bouts, including losing a 10 round majority decision to Carmen Basilio, Jenkins retired from the ring for good after losing on a fifth round stoppage to Beau Jack, being unable to recover from a low blow on April 4, 1950, after five minute rest period.
Jenkins also served in the U.S. Army before World War II, and served in the U.S. Coast Guard from October 1942 to October 1945 during World War II. On August 19, 1950, Jenkins reenlisted in the U.S. Army Second Infantry Division, and was awarded the Silver Star and other medals for bravery for saving the lives of fellow soldiers from enemy fire during the Korean War. Jenkins retired from the U.S. Army on May 31, 1963. Jenkins died on October 30, 1981, in Oakland, California. First Sergeant Jenkins is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In the ring, and in battle, Jenkins was tough as nails. He was later inducted in the International and World Boxing Halls of Fame.
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