A former Hamilton Spectator newsboy Jackie Callura had to fight other kids on the streets to keep his prime location downtown to sell the local paper.
His talent with his fists soon became apparent and he used those skills to take him to the top of the boxing world.
At only 5-foot-6 and 126 pounds Callura captured the national featherweight title in 1931 and was an Olympic team member the following year.
Known for his punching power and rock-like stance Callura had a professional ring record of 57-33-10 including 13 knockouts wins.
The high point of Callura’s career came in 1943 when he beat Jackie Wilson in 15 rounds to bring the World Featherweight crown home to the Hamilton. He successfully defended the title twice.
Callura, who became a steelworker in Buffalo before returning to his roots in Hamilton, was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1969.
2010 Inductee Video