COULDHAVEBEEN
09-03-2008, 07:42 AM
What a tragedy Laszlo Papp had his career cut short for political reasons!
Hungary's Laszlo Papp, a skillful, hard-punching southpaw, won the Olympic middleweight title in 1948, and the light-middleweight crown in 1952 & 1956. His finest amateur victory was in the 1956 Olympic final when he defeated José Torres (USA), who went on to become world light heavyweight champion. Papp become the first boxer to win three Olympic gold medals.
Papp also won European amateur titles in 1949 and 1951.
Papp was the first fighter from the Soviet bloc permitted to turn pro, after accumulating a 288-12 amateur record, and he won the European middleweight title in 1962.
However, after a professional record of 27-0-2 (15 KOs), the Hungarian authorities withdrew their permission for him to fight professionally. Papp's chance of a world title challenge was thus denied him.
Papp later served as the coach of the Hungarian national boxing team in the early 70's.
Surely Papps story is one of the biggest what-ifs in boxing history?
Hungary's Laszlo Papp, a skillful, hard-punching southpaw, won the Olympic middleweight title in 1948, and the light-middleweight crown in 1952 & 1956. His finest amateur victory was in the 1956 Olympic final when he defeated José Torres (USA), who went on to become world light heavyweight champion. Papp become the first boxer to win three Olympic gold medals.
Papp also won European amateur titles in 1949 and 1951.
Papp was the first fighter from the Soviet bloc permitted to turn pro, after accumulating a 288-12 amateur record, and he won the European middleweight title in 1962.
However, after a professional record of 27-0-2 (15 KOs), the Hungarian authorities withdrew their permission for him to fight professionally. Papp's chance of a world title challenge was thus denied him.
Papp later served as the coach of the Hungarian national boxing team in the early 70's.
Surely Papps story is one of the biggest what-ifs in boxing history?