Inducted on November 15, 1991
The doors to the New Jerey Boxing Hall of Fame have opened for former lightweight contender Louis J. Muratore better known as Carmine Fatta of Newburgh.
Fatta, remembered as 135 pounds of fighting fury, will be inducted at ceremonies this fall with Gov. James Florio of New Jersey in attendance.
“It is wonderful, II said Italian-American Fatta. II I can’t believe it has happened to me. I fought in New Brunswick and Laure; Gardens in New Jersey. It is nice to know they remember me.
Born in New York city May 28, 1919, he was one of 11 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Muratore. He survived growing up on the East Side, one of the toughest neighborhoods in New York City. Fatta’s first desire was to become a baseball player, but due to his small stature, he was unable to consider such a career.
He asked his uncle, Thomas Fioriglio, to teach him the fundamentals of boxing.
At the age of 17, the 5-6 youth used his cousin’s birth certificate to meet the age requirement of 18 in order to qualify for the New York Golden Gloves.
Thus, the name of Carmine Fatta was adopted and he has used it throughout his boxing career.
In the 1936 Golden Gloves he won five fights before losing via decision in the semifinals of the sub-novice class.
A year later he won four bouts and lost in the semifinals of the open class via decision.
He was presented the Kelvinator Award. in 1937 in recognition of his performances and received a free trip to Cuba.
Fatta turned pro in 1939 and won 29 straight fights before losing a six-round decision to Austin McCann in 1940. He entered the Army in 1940 and resumed his boxing career in 1947 following an honorable discharge.
Over a 12 year span he fought featherweight champions Bobby Ruffin, Tippy Larkin, Sal Bertola, Lou Feldman and Richie Lemos.
He also fought Beau Jack, Spanish champion Carmelo Feney and Maxie Shapiro.
Fatta won 97 professional bouts, losing 18 and battling to a draw in five others. He recorded seven knockouts.
“I was only knocked out five times,” said a proud Fatta. “Three of them were technical knockouts.”
Fatta considers his decision over Richie Lemos as his most outstanding fight.
However, he fractured his right hand with his last punch and was sidelined for nearly a year.
Fatta was managed by Katie Jenkins, former wife of lightweight champion Lew Jenkins. He was later managed by Dominick Laviano and Abe Joseph of Newburgh.
In two bouts with Larkin he lost eight and 10 round decisions.
He closed his career May 9, 1947 following kayoes by Jimmy Warren of Brooklyn and Bill Eddy of Flint, Michigan.
“I thought the time had corne for me to hang up the gloves after those two knockouts that carne in the second and third rounds. When the canvas starts corning up and hitting you, the time has corne to retire.” he said.
Fatta opened his professidnal fistic career January 2, 1939, with a six-round decisionn over Monty Pignatore of Brooklyn. Ten days later he kayoed Jack White of Brooklyn in the first round. In his first year he fought 21 bouts.
He became a ring favorite of Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra, Phil Silvers, Jackie Coogan and many other celebrities who cheered him ringside.
Fatta I retired from stewart Air Force Base, is married to the former Fanny Moresco of Newburgh.
Fatta keeps up his association with boxing as an inspector for the New York state Athletic Commission.
- Reached the semi-finals in the 1938 and 1939 Golden Gloves
- Inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame: 1991
- Photo #2
Boxing Record: Carmine Fatta