RCM Historical Boxing: Who Was Melio Bettina?
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Melio Bettina was a southpaw light heavyweight out of Beacon, New York, who fought between 1934 and 1948, with a record of 83-14-3 with 36 knockouts. He won the New York version of the World Light Heavyweight title in 1939 by stopping Tiger Jack Fox in the ninth round, then lost it, as well as not winning the NBA version of the world light heavyweight title as well, in two 15 round decision matches with Billy Conn in 1939.
In 1941, Bettina lost a bid to regain the vacant NBA title again Anton Christoforidis by 15 round decision. Bettina fought 44 more times but never got another world title shot. After getting knocked out in December 1948 by Johnny Flynn, Bettina retired for good. Bettina was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995, a year before he passed away at age 80 in 1996. An amateur Golden Gloves champion, according to legend, Bettina turned to southpaw stance while still an amateur because nobody wanted to fight him otherwise.
A known sports name during the World War II wartime period, Bettina, like so many others in the ring, faded from public view into obscurity after his boxing career ended.
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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].
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