Rocky Fratto

Ralph "Rocky" Fratto (born October 29, 1958), "The Pride of Geneva",[1] is a former Italian-American professional boxer from Geneva, New York.[2] Fratto was rated as the No. 1 Junior Middleweight in the United States by the USBA, and the second best Junior Middleweight in the world by the WBA.[3][4] On April 25, 1981 Fratto became the North American Champion when he won the NABF Super Welterweight title, by defeating Rocky Mosley Jr. in Rochester, New York.[5][6] Mosley was rated as the 4th best Junior Middleweight in the world by Ring Magazine prior to the fight.[7] Ring Magazine crowned Fratto as the U.S. Junior Middleweight Champion in 1981 and 1982.[8]

Rocky Fratto
Fratto wearing NABF belt in 1981
Statistics
Real nameRalph Vincent Fratto
Nickname(s)The Pride of Geneva
Weight(s)Light middleweight
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1958-10-29) October 29, 1958 Geneva, New York
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins28
Wins by KO9
Losses4
Draws0

Early life

Fratto was the first of three children born to Ralph and Concetta Fratto in Geneva, New York.[9] His father Ralph Fratto Sr. was born in Taverna, Calabria, Italy, in 1936, emigrating to the United States in 1948.[10][11] Ralph Sr. was a local boxing coach and would bring his son along to watch the fights. On June 11, 1971 the Geneva Boxing Team had lost every fight and the young Fratto begged his father to let him in the ring.[12] His father said his son would have to learn a lesson the "hard way."[12] Rocky Fratto would win his first fight that night, and receive a trophy for the "fighter of the night."[12] This was the start of his boxing career at the age of 12.[12][13]

Amateur career

Rocky Fratto had an amateur record of 73 wins, 3 losses and 28 knockouts.[14] Fratto won the New York State Golden Gloves Championship in 1973 at age 14 and the New York State AAU Championship in 1974 and 1975.[14][13][15]

At the age of 17, in November 1975, Fratto enlisted in the United States Army.[16] In 1976 Fratto won the US All-Army Championship in the Middleweight division. When Rocky won the All-Army crown, the Army Times called it the "biggest upset of the tourney and the best fought final."[16] He went on to defeat the US Air Force champion and Olympic Team alternate Henry Bunch, to become the US Armed Forces Interservice Champion. This title qualified Fratto for the 1976 US Olympic Boxing Trials.[12][17] Army Boxing Coach Sergeant Brown said of Fratto "He came right in here and handled these guys. It's unusual for someone to just walk in and beat the fighters we have in the service. In fact, I don't think it has ever been done before. We usually recruit our boxers."[18] Fratto was honorably discharged from the Army in 1976.[19]

Professional career

Fratto turned pro in November, 1976 and reeled off 24 straight wins without a loss.[5] In 1979 Fratto was called in to be a sparring partner for Marvelous Marvin Hagler in preparation for his first middleweight world title fight with Vito Antuofermo. Hagler's team said they were "impressed with Fratto's style and boxing ability."[20] Veteran referee and boxing judge Jay Edson witnessed some sparring sessions between Fratto and Hagler, calling them "real wars," and stated that "Everyone watching was amazed at this unknown kid from Geneva, who was matching Hagler shot for shot."[21]

Fratto was scheduled to face WBA Super Welterweight world champion Ayub Kalule in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 6, 1980.[22] However, the fight was pushed back as Kalule was obligated to defend his title against his mandatory challenger, Bushy Bester. Fratto traveled to Denmark to watch the fight.[23] While abroad Fratto met with boxing promoter Mickey Duff about a possible title fight with WBC champion Maurice Hope.[24] During the interim, Sugar Ray Leonard challenged Kalule and the Fratto fight fell through, after Leonard's camp was able to come up with a better offer.[25]

By April 1981 Fratto was fighting for the North American Boxing Championship.[26] He defeated Rocky Mosley Jr. to win the NABF strap on April 25, 1981.[5] After this victory Fratto was rated the number two Super Welterweight in the world.[4][27]

World title fight

Sugar Ray Leonard vacated his WBA Super Welterweight world title after beating Thomas Hearns for the WBA Welterweight world title in September 1981.[27] This fight set the stage for Fratto to face Tadashi Mihara, who was the number one rated Super Welterweight by the WBA.[27][28]

The fight would take place in Rochester, New York on November 7, 1981. This would be the first World Title fight ever held in Rochester, New York.[28] The fight went the full 15 rounds and Fratto lost a one-point majority decision. Two judges scored for Mihara and Harold Lederman scored it 142-142, a draw.[29]

Retirement and comeback

Fratto retired in 1982 to start a family with his wife Sally. However, a surprise visit from his old friend and sparring partner "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler got him back in the ring. Rocky was Hagler's sparring partner in 1979 for his first World Title fight with Vito Antuofermo.[9] The two became friends, and Hagler promised if he was ever in the area to stop and see Fratto. Hagler made good on his promise and stopped into Fratto's Lounge in Geneva, New York in 1983.[30] Fratto would fight two more times before retiring for good in 1986.[5]

Boxing manager, trainer and promoter

Fratto stayed involved with boxing, managing Robert "Push-up" Frazier to a World Title bout with Ronald "Winky" Wright in 2001.[31][32]

Personal life

Rocky Fratto currently resides in Geneva, New York with his wife Sally Ann Pitifer. They have three sons, Raffaele (born 1983), Mario (born 1984), and Frank (born 1987).[30][33]

gollark: Has anything been happening during my ~5 day absence?
gollark: 3dd6
gollark: Hι.
gollark: I made a second at some point for unknown reasons and never put it back.
gollark: I always carry two neural connectors for no good reason.

References
  1. Jollow, Norm (September 18, 1978). "Rocky Gets Late Starting Fight Over on Time". Finger Lakes Times.
  2. "Category:Italian American Boxers - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  3. "30 Aug 1981, Page 23 - The Star Press at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  4. "Fratto primed for title shot". UPI. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  5. "BoxRec - Rocky Fratto". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  6. Leo, Tom (April 24, 1981). "North American Championship on line tomorrow". The Finger Lakes Times.
  7. "Rings Magazine Ratings" (Page 4F - The Scoreboard). Detroit Free Press. April 3, 1981.
  8. "United States Ratings". Ring Magazine: 56. January 1982.
  9. Associated Press (April 15, 1981). "Upstate Boxer's dream, take Sugar's Title". The Evening Press.
  10. sbuchiere@fltimes.com, STEVE BUCHIERE. "MONUMENTAL effort: Fratto family's gift of 9/11 stone at home on Geneva's lakefront". Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  11. "Genevans to visit Italy". The Geneva Times. June 19, 1972.
  12. Perritano, Fran (November 24, 1978). "It's a good thing Fratto was pesky" (PDF). Observer-Dispatch.
  13. Hayes, Charles (April 2, 1973). "Rocky Fratto scores 27th Victory, then retires". The Geneva Times.
  14. Sennett, Rollie (May 7, 1979). "Barone, Fratto Honored Guests at Boxing fete" (PDF). The Citizen.
  15. Carucci, Vic (September 28, 1976). "Fratto's Time Comes; He's Ready to Be Pro". The Observer-Dispatch.
  16. Hayes, Charles (April 7, 1976). "Known Now". The Geneva Times.
  17. Associated Press (April 3, 1976). "Rocky reigns as interservice champ". The Geneva Times.
  18. Fowler, Mike (April 25, 1976). "Former Geneva student Olympic boxing hopeful". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
  19. Hayes, Charles (October 1, 1976). "Turning Pro". The Geneva Times.
  20. Pinckney, Leo A. (October 14, 1979). "In The Pink" (PDF). The Citizen.
  21. Leo, Tom (November 5, 1981). "Top Rank coordinator predicts Fratto victory". Finger Lakes Times.
  22. "Fratto waiting, Title Shot Pushed Back". Finger Lakes Times. August 13, 1980.
  23. Leo, Tom (September 15, 1980). "Fratto's title shot off till January". Finger Lakes Times.
  24. Leo, Tom (September 15, 1980). "Fratto's title shot off till January". Finger Lakes Times.
  25. Leo, Tom (September 19, 1981). "Fratto Fight is Called Off". Finger Lakes Times.
  26. "NABF Light Middleweight Champion - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  27. Associated Press (September 24, 1981). "Leonard Gives Up One Title". The Daily Press.
  28. "First Title Fight for Rochester". Finger Lakes Times. November 6, 1981.
  29. "Tadashi Mihara vs. Rocky Fratto - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  30. Leo, Tom (July 25, 1983). "Marvelous visit may get Rocky in ring". Finger Lakes Times.
  31. "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York on September 6, 2001 · Page 25". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  32. "BoxRec - Robert Frazier". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  33. "Births". Finger Lakes Times. March 19, 1987.
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