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The Petrolle
family moved to Fargo, ND when Billy was a child. He began
boxing as a pro in 1922. Dubbed “The Fargo Express,”
Petrolle, who was managed by Jack Hurley, honed his skills
by boxing frequently. In fact, it was not uncommon for him
to box as often as two or three times a month.
On January 13, 1928, he went 10 rounds with lightweight
champion and Hall of Famer Sammy Mandell in a no-decision,
non-title bout. Later that year he first drew with Hall of
Famer Jackie "Kid' Berg before scoring a 5th round TKO in
the rematch. In late 1930, Petrolle hit his stride,
decisioning Hall of Famers Tony Canzoneri and Jimmy McLarnin
within 2 months of each other. In 1932, he won back to back
bouts with Battling Battalino. On November 4, 1932 he lost a
15-round lightweight title match to Tony Canzoneri in the
only championship fight of his career. Following a loss to
Barney Ross in 1934, he retired from the ring.
In each of his bouts, (credited at 160 bouts, but strongly
believed to be over 250), he entered the ring with a red and
green Navajo blanket as a good luck charm. During his career
he fought ten current or past world champions and was
victorious against five of them.
In retirement Petrolle ran a foundry and later owned and
operated a religious goods shop. Petrolle died on May 14,
1983 in Vero Beach, FL. |
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