GREB, Edward Henry ("Harry")
(b. 6 June 1894 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; d.22 October 1926 in Atlantic City, New Jersey), professional boxer who won both the world middle-weight and American light heavyweight titles in the 1920s.
Greb was born Edward Henry Berg to Pious and Anne Berg in a Pittsburgh street car on the corner of Fitch and Dauphin Streets. Legend has it that he was a fighter from the start, giving his mother an inadvertent black eye when he was just a day old. He grew up in a strict household to parents who, according to record, never went to see him fight in the ring.
After winning his first five amateur bouts, Berg was signed to a professional boxing contract by James M. "Red" Mason. He fought his first pro match under the name Harry Greb (reversing the letters of his last name) on 29 May 1913, a six-round no-decision against Frank Kirkwood.
>> So Edward Berg as he was born and changed his pro name to Harry Greb. Harry which was a ***ish first name was his stage name, and was his last name Berg was changed to Greb. He did need to be fighter. He father made some money.
Gene Tunney referred to him as a ***ish fighter . You have to take Tunney word on that one. He was a well read guy and obviously kew him as he fought him five times and was his pal bearer. The ***s had quite a few boxing champions back in the day. In fact the ***'s originally put Greb in their hall of fame for athletes. So was he ***ish or not? Greb was not a religious type of fellow. He lived fast, chased dames and died young.
I am open for all opinions on this topic.
(b. 6 June 1894 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; d.22 October 1926 in Atlantic City, New Jersey), professional boxer who won both the world middle-weight and American light heavyweight titles in the 1920s.
Greb was born Edward Henry Berg to Pious and Anne Berg in a Pittsburgh street car on the corner of Fitch and Dauphin Streets. Legend has it that he was a fighter from the start, giving his mother an inadvertent black eye when he was just a day old. He grew up in a strict household to parents who, according to record, never went to see him fight in the ring.
After winning his first five amateur bouts, Berg was signed to a professional boxing contract by James M. "Red" Mason. He fought his first pro match under the name Harry Greb (reversing the letters of his last name) on 29 May 1913, a six-round no-decision against Frank Kirkwood.
>> So Edward Berg as he was born and changed his pro name to Harry Greb. Harry which was a ***ish first name was his stage name, and was his last name Berg was changed to Greb. He did need to be fighter. He father made some money.
Gene Tunney referred to him as a ***ish fighter . You have to take Tunney word on that one. He was a well read guy and obviously kew him as he fought him five times and was his pal bearer. The ***s had quite a few boxing champions back in the day. In fact the ***'s originally put Greb in their hall of fame for athletes. So was he ***ish or not? Greb was not a religious type of fellow. He lived fast, chased dames and died young.
I am open for all opinions on this topic.
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