Sammy Fuller

Sammy Fuller
Personal information
NicknameBoston's Pride of Little Italy
BornSabino Ferullo
(1906-06-10)June 10, 1906
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedMay 30, 1979(1979-05-30) (aged 72)
Revere, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height5 ft 3+1⁄2 in (161 cm)
WeightFeatherweight
Super featherweight
Lightweight
Light welterweight
Boxing career
Reach62 in (157 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights76
Wins55
Win by KO22
Losses18
Draws3

Sammy Fuller (June 10, 1906 – May 30, 1979), born Sabino Ferullo, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1924 to 1943. He held the New England featherweight and lightweight titles between 1928 and 1930 and had a claim to the world light welterweight title from 1932 to 1933.

Personal life

Fuller was born and resided in Boston, Massachusetts. Both of his parents were Italian. Fuller was married to Jenny Raffaele, with whom he had four children: two sons, Sabino Jr. and Michael, and two daughters, Joan and Geraldine.

Boxing career

Fuller began his professional career in 1924. By 1926, he was ranked the world's No. 11 featherweight by The Ring magazine in its annual ratings, published in the February 1927 issue, and rose to a career-high No. 7 in the division in May 1928. After moving up to super featherweight, Fuller became the magazine's No. 1 contender in April 1930. He later achieved the same distinction at lightweight, earning the No. 1 ranking in March 1931. In May 1932, Fuller claimed The Ring's light welterweight title.

Fuller won his first professional championship on March 26, 1928, defeating Chick Suggs for the New England featherweight title in the third of their four meetings. Fuller had lost their first encounter before winning each of their final three bouts.

On May 26, 1930, Fuller challenged Andy Callahan for the New England lightweight title in the first of their seven meetings. After a closely contested ten rounds, Callahan staged a wild closing rally to earn a narrow decision victory. Fuller avenged the defeat in their rematch on August 25, outpointing Callahan over ten rounds to capture the title. They met for a third time on November 17, with Callahan defeating Fuller to regain the title.

On March 6, 1931, Fuller faced reigning undisputed world lightweight champion and future three-division world champion Tony Canzoneri in a non-title bout, defeating him by unanimous decision over ten rounds.

Fuller challenged Callahan for the New England lightweight title again in their fourth meeting on November 16, 1931, losing by split decision. The pair went on to meet three more times, with Fuller winning two of their final three bouts.

On April 1, 1932, Fuller fought world light welterweight champion Jack Kid Berg to a draw in a non-title bout. The two met again seven weeks later, with Fuller winning by split decision to claim Berg's Ring magazine light welterweight title.

On November 17, 1933, Fuller challenged future three-division world champion Barney Ross for the world light welterweight title, losing by majority decision over ten rounds.

Fuller also faced several other notable world champions during his career, including Jimmy McLarnin, Lou Ambers, Benny Bass, and Johnny Jadick, defeating Jadick by fourth-round TKO. Fuller retired from professional boxing in 1943 with a record of 55–18–3, including 22 victories by knockout.

Professional boxing record

76 fights 55 wins 18 losses
By knockout 22 2
By decision 33 16
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
76 Loss 55–18–3 Ralph Zannelli TKO 5 (10) Apr 16, 1943 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
75 Win 55–17–3 Bill Speary KO 1 (10) Apr 2, 1943 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
74 Win 54–17–3 Joe De Jesus UD 10 Feb 4, 1943 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
73 Win 53–17–3 Bobby Pacho MD 10 Dec 17, 1937 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
72 Win 52–17–3 Andy Callahan SD 10 May 24, 1937 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
71 Loss 51–17–3 Andy Callahan SD 10 Mar 22, 1937 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
70 Win 51–16–3 Andy Callahan KO 1 (10) Feb 12, 1937 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
69 Loss 50–16–3 Lou Ambers UD 15 Mar 1, 1935 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68 Win 50–15–3 Bobby Pacho PTS 10 Dec 21, 1934 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
67 Win 49–15–3 Eddie Cool PTS 10 Dec 14, 1934 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
66 Win 48–15–3 Johnny Jadick TKO 4 (10) Nov 30, 1934 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
65 Loss 47–15–3 Young Peter Jackson PTS 10 Nov 16, 1934 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
64 Win 47–14–3 Dick Edwards KO 2 (10) Aug 14, 1934 Old Orchard Beach, Maine, U.S.
63 Win 46–14–3 Harry Carlton PTS 10 Apr 2, 1934 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
62 Loss 45–14–3 Barney Ross MD 10 Nov 17, 1933 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For world light welterweight title
61 Loss 45–13–3 Billy Petrolle UD 10 Oct 21, 1933 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
60 Draw 45–12–3 Billy Petrolle PTS 10 Sep 8, 1933 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
59 Loss 45–12–2 KO Castillo NWS 10 Jul 10, 1933 Portland, Maine, U.S.
58 Loss 45–11–2 Jimmy McLarnin KO 8 (10) Dec 16, 1932 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
57 Win 45–10–2 Billy Wallace PTS 10 Dec 6, 1932 Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
56 Win 44–10–2 Jack Kid Berg SD 12 May 20, 1932 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Claimed world light welterweight title
55 Draw 43–10–2 Jack Kid Berg PTS 10 Apr 1, 1932 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
54 Win 43–10–1 Billy Wallace KO 7 (10) Mar 18, 1932 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Win 42–10–1 Eddie Holmes UD 10 Mar 2, 1932 Casino, Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
52 Win 41–10–1 Ray Miller PTS 10 Feb 26, 1932 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51 Win 40–10–1 Ted Kid Drew KO 9 (12) Feb 16, 1932 Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
50 Loss 39–10–1 Andy Callahan SD 12 Nov 16, 1931 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For USA New England lightweight title
49 Draw 39–9–1 Ernie Mandell PTS 10 Nov 9, 1931 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
48 Win 39–9 Mickey Blair KO 2 (10) Oct 26, 1931 Convention Hall, Rochester, New York, U.S.
47 Win 38–9 Babe Herman KO 1 (10) Jul 20, 1931 Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, U.S.
46 Loss 37–9 Pancho Villa PTS 10 Jul 13, 1931 Battery Park, New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
45 Win 37–8 Steve Halaiko PTS 10 Jun 29, 1931 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
44 Win 36–8 Tony Canzoneri UD 10 Mar 6, 1931 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
43 Win 35–8 Bruce Flowers TKO 6 (6) Feb 9, 1931 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
42 Win 34–8 Young Montreal PTS 10 Jan 23, 1931 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
41 Loss 33–8 Andy Callahan PTS 10 Nov 17, 1930 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Lost USA New England lightweight title
40 Win 33–7 Andy Callahan PTS 10 Aug 25, 1930 Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, U.S. Won USA New England lightweight title
39 Win 32–7 Augie Pisano KO 1 (10) Jul 28, 1930 Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, U.S.
38 Win 31–7 Billy Lynch PTS 10 Jul 15, 1930 Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, U.S.
37 Loss 30–7 Andy Callahan PTS 10 May 26, 1930 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For vacant USA New England lightweight title
36 Win 30–6 Benny Bass DQ 5 (10) Feb 7, 1930 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
35 Win 29–6 Johnny Farr PTS 10 Nov 29, 1929 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 28–6 Jake Zeramby PTS 10 Oct 25, 1929 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
33 Win 27–6 Midget Kilburn TKO 1 (10) Oct 7, 1929 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
32 Loss 26–6 Jake Zeramby DQ 3 (10) Jun 20, 1929 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
31 Win 26–5 Chick Suggs TKO 8 (10) May 30, 1929 Mark's Stadium, Tiverton, Rhode Island, U.S.
30 Win 25–5 Johnny Harko TKO 2 (10) Jan 7, 1929 Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
29 Loss 24–5 Dick Finnegan PTS 10 Jul 2, 1928 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
28 Win 24–4 Chick Suggs PTS 10 Mar 26, 1928 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Won USA New England featherweight title
27 Win 23–4 Johnny Sheppard PTS 10 Aug 29, 1927 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
26 Win 22–4 Chick Suggs PTS 10 Apr 22, 1927 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
25 Win 21–4 Red Chapman PTS 10 Feb 28, 1927 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
24 Win 20–4 Tony Thomas KO 1 (10) Jan 17, 1927 Casino, Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
23 Win 19–4 Johnny Sheppard UD 10 Oct 18, 1926 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
22 Win 18–4 Johnny Brown TKO 1 (10) Sep 16, 1926 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Brown is reported as the featherweight champion of New England
21 Win 17–4 Carl Tremaine PTS 10 Jun 28, 1926 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
20 Loss 16–4 Chick Suggs PTS 10 May 18, 1926 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For USA New England featherweight title
19 Win 16–3 Mickey Blaine TKO 3 (8) Apr 1, 1926 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
18 Win 15–3 Tony Thomas KO 6 (10) Jan 19, 1926 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
17 Win 14–3 Matty Cordes PTS 8 Dec 18, 1925 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
16 Win 13–3 Mike Castle PTS 10 Oct 23, 1925 Winter Garden, Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
15 Loss 12–3 Mike Castle PTS 10 Oct 5, 1925 Winter Garden, Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Win 12–2 Tony Carney TKO 6 (10) Sep 11, 1925 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
13 Win 11–2 Matty Cordes PTS 8 Aug 28, 1925 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
12 Win 10–2 Johnny Vacca PTS 10 May 18, 1925 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
11 Win 9–2 Tony Carney PTS 10 Apr 11, 1925 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
10 Win 8–2 Pat Kneeland KO 4 (10) Mar 30, 1925 Infantry Hall, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
9 Win 7–2 Joe Clifford PTS 10 Mar 12, 1925 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
8 Win 6–2 Clovis Durand KO 1 (10) Mar 6, 1925 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
7 Loss 5–2 Tony Carney PTS 10 Feb 3, 1925 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
6 Loss 5–1 Johnny Vacca PTS 8 Jan 20, 1925 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Charlie Baxter PTS 8 Nov 5, 1924 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Willie Woods PTS 8 Oct 3, 1924 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Benny Nelson TKO 4 (?) Aug 15, 1924 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Frankie Hebert PTS 8 Jun 13, 1924 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jimmy Manning TKO 4 (4) May 17, 1924

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sammy Fuller - Sport & Note". sportnote.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "BoxRec: Sammy Fuller". BoxRec. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "BoxerList: Sammy Fuller". boxerlist.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Sammy Ferullo, page 128 of 174" (PDF). digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ "The Boston Directory". ldsgenealogy.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Ross Sidesteps Ambers and Fuller" (PDF). ecode360.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Joan U. (Ferullo) Buccini". vertuccioandsmith.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Hugo Buccini Obituary". legacy.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ "The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1926". BoxRec. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Featherweight boxing rankings - May 1928". box-rank.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Super Featherweight boxing rankings - April 1930". box-rank.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Lightweight boxing rankings - March 1931". box-rank.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Super Lightweight boxing rankings - May 1932". box-rank.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Fuller Wins New England Crown". New York Times. March 27, 1928. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Suggs Wins, Keeps Title.; New England Featherweight Champion Beats Fuller in Boston". New York Times. May 19, 1926. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Fuller Outpoints Suggs". New York Times. April 23, 1927. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ "BoxerList: Chick Suggs". boxerlist.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Closing Rally Enables Callahan To Beat Fuller". newspaperhub.mnhs.org. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Andy Callahan – IRBO". ibroresearch.com. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Fuller and Berg Will Fight Tonight; Boston Lightweight Favored to Defeat English Rival in 12-Round Bout at Garden". New York Times. May 20, 1932. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  21. ↑ Dawson, James P. (April 2, 1932). "Berg and Fuller Battle to a Draw; English Boxer Survives Knockdown to Deadlock Boston Rival Before 8,000 in Garden". New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  22. ↑ Dawson, James P. (May 21, 1932). "Fuller Outpoints Berg in the Garden; Boston Lightweight Receives Decision After Dynamic Struggle of 12 Rounds". New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Sport: Lightweight Gore". Time. May 30, 1932. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  24. ↑ "This Day in Boxing History: The Fights That Helped Define November 17". The Sweet Science. November 17, 2025. Archived from the original on December 23, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  25. ↑ "World Light Welterweight Title Fights". BoxRec. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Fuller Knocks Out Jadick at Garden; Boston Boxer Floors Opponent Three Times Before Referee Halts Bout in Fourth". New York Times. December 1, 1934. Retrieved October 28, 2026.