Reputations, unwarranted or not, can establish a career, even when a bit of a slight, as with Al Davis’s nickname “Bummy.”  Born Abraham Davidoff, Davis could brawl in the neighborhoods of New York as well as the ring with the best, possessing one of the most powerful left hooks ever seen, later rated one of the best punches of all-time. Here in the Garden in September of ’40, Davis faced another New York lad, welterweight Tony Marteliano to headline a strong Friday night card.  With Marteliano going down for a 9 count with merely 10 seconds left in the 10th and final round, referee Art Donovan awarded the split decision to Brooklyn's own "Bummy."  In almost 80 professional fights, Davis lost only 10 to the finest of his size and generation: Ambers, Armstrong, Zivic, Beau Jack, and in May of 1945, to Rocky Graziano.  Davis's luck never held on the streets where he'd earned his name though, as the brave boxer would die defending a friend's tavern from a robbery in November of 1945, 3 bullets not enough to stop his pursuit, a 4^th finally ending his life at age 25.
   Also battling for 10 rounds, the struggling "Region Rat" from northwestern Indiana Pete Lello defeated the lightweight New Yorker Irving Eldridge, with his next challenge a shot a Lew Jenkins world title in November.  The undefeated future light heavy and heavyweight contender Tami Mauriello, “The Bronx Barkeep,” captured his 21st, downing Gene Molnar, a Detroit journeyman, again, this time by a TKO in the 7th of 8 on his way to true fame facing Joe Louis in Yankee Stadium after the war.  In less notable bouts down the card, a rematch would be required in one, as 6 rounds were not enough time to determine who the better boxer was, Terry Young or Charley Varre, with a draw the final score.  Brooklyn bore Danny Bartfield but 20 years before, and the undefeated lightweight lad needed but 3 to show Artie DiPietro the error of his arrogant challenge to the unbroken string of wins.