Thomas Lawless

Thomas William Lawless (March 3, 1908 – June 19, 1966), better known as Bucky Lawless, was an American welterweight boxer from Auburn, New York who fought 131 professional bouts between April 30, 1925 and October 9, 1936.[1] He was known for his hair-trigger left-handed punch. Bucky was one of the first boxers to be approved by the New York State Athletic Commission to box in professional bouts before he was 18 years of age.[2] During his boxing career, sports writers have called Lawless the “Uncrowned Welterweight Champion of the World” by virtue of his non-title victories over four champions.[3]

Thomas William Lawless
Statistics
Nickname(s)Bucky, The Irish Terrier, The Terror, Uncrowned Welterweight Champion of the World, The Auburn Wildcat
Weight(s)Welterweight, Middleweight
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born(1908-03-03)March 3, 1908
Auburn, NY, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 1966(1966-06-19) (aged 58)
Ovil, NY, U.S.
Boxing record
Total fights131
Wins78
Wins by KO9
Losses46
Draws6
No contests1

Early life

Thomas "Bucky" Lawless was born on March 3, 1908 in Auburn, New York. His parents were Martin J. Lawless 1869 – 1941) and Francis T. Lawless (née O’Brien, 1883 – 1946).[4] His father was born in Ireland and emigrated to the U.S. in 1882. He worked for the New York Central Railroad. His mother was born in Ontario, Canada and emigrated to the U.S. in 1889.[5] Thomas was nicknamed ‘Bucky’ by his friends soon after he began grade school at Holy Family School in Auburn. One of his first jobs was a news carrier for the Auburn Citizen. Bucky learned to fight while engaging in alley brawls with other newsies. Bucky left school while still in junior high school in order to learn to box.[6] On September 18, 1924, at 16 years of age, Bucky made his lightweight debut in Moravia, New York where he fought Red Curry from Binghamton, NY. After three rounds, Lawless was awarded the decision.[7]

Boxing career

Bucky Lawless’s professional boxing debut occurred on September 28, 1925 when he fought Tony Occipenti at Town Hall, Scranton, PA. Lawless won this bout by points after six rounds.[8] He won 14 consecutive matches between September 1925 and May 1926. These consecutive victories included winning the Champion Lightweight of Central New York title from Sailor Pacilio (Ralph Rocco Pacilio) on April 12, 1926 at the Syracuse Arena in Syracuse, NY.[9] His first professional loss occurred the next month on May 28, 1926 in the Syracuse Arena, when he lost his match by points against Jackie Brady (Amedio Pizzica), also giving up his title to Brady. The crowd of over 5,000 was not pleased with the decision of the two judges and greeted it with boos and catcalls. The Auburn Citizen, reporting on the fight, declared that favoritism was shown to Brady by the judges, and that Lawless had been robbed of his title.[10] Lawless lost by points in a rematch against Brady on July 16, 1926 at Star Park in Syracuse.[11] The rematch nearly did not occur for several reasons. Initially it was rumored that Bucky Lawless and boxer Canastota Bob (Joseph Kanafolo) had been "given a vacation" (suspended) by the New York State Boxing Commission after Lawless and Bob had recently worked in the corners of amateur boxers at a match in Ithaca, NY. Deputy State Commissioner Hodges, however, stated that he would not interfere and that Lawless would be able to fight Brady.[12] After two postponements, Edward Epstein, Lawless’s manager stated that Lawless would be unable to meet the stipulated weight and that taking off too much weight quickly would weaken him, leaving him in no shape to fight. During a scheduled conference, Charlie Celli, Brady’s manager, stated that if Lawless did not meet the weight standard, he would consider it a forfeit. Epstein retorted that if another agreement was not reached, he would not permit Lawless to fight. A second conference was scheduled the next day that was also attended by Lawless and Brady. The argument between Epstein and Celli during this conference became so heated that Marc Buckland, president of the Syracuse Arena Athletic Club, had to intervene several times to prevent Epstein and Celli from physically fighting each other. After over three hours of negotiations, an agreement was finally reached and the match was scheduled.[13] Joe Netro, of the Syracuse Arena Athletic Club, joked with reporters that he was thinking of calling off the upcoming match at Star Park because he had heard there would be a "Lawless element there."[14]

Lawless won the Welterweight Title of Central New York on October 14, 1927 when he defeated Billy Leonard at the Syracuse Arena in six rounds. Bucky carried all the rounds except for the second and fourth. This was called a grudge match after Leonard and his manager were “nasty” to Lawless while in the dressing rooms before the match, calling him a “small town pug” and a “country boy.” During the sixth round, Leonard stood in the center of the ring, challenging Lawless to “come on.” Lawless accepted the challenge and effectively won the sixth round and the bout.[15]

1931

Match Date: December 2, 1931. Opponent: Lou Brouillard (Lucien Pierre Brouillard). Venue: Boston Garden, Boston, MA. Results: Brouillard Win (KO). Rounds: 03/10.[16]

Newspaper Report Fight Summary: “Promises that Lou Brouillard of Worcester, Mass., the new welterweight champion, would provide a worthy title holder were upheld today. He knocked out Bucky Lawless of Syracuse in a nontitle bout here last night in the third round. The champion set a fast pace. He put Lawless down in the first for a nine count and also floored him in the second. The ether was applied in the third with four left crosses. Both men weighed about three pounds over the welterweight limit. Lawless, previous to last night’s battle, had beaten three ring champions in nontitle bouts during his ring career, but he proved no match for Brouillard. The Syracusan started after the champion with a rush at the opening bell, but a stiff left to the ribs sent him down for a count of nine and he had trouble getting by the remainder of the round. Revived after the rest, Lawless came back strong and traded punches with the champion, but after two minutes of fighting he went down again, this time from a left to the face. The finishing blow came after 1 minute and 20 seconds of the third round, after Lawless had made a hard attempt to ward off defeat only to run into a straight left followed by two more lefts, which sent him down for the full count.”[17]

1930


Match Date: November 3, 1930. Opponent: Jackie Horner (Walter Jack Horner). Venue: Convention Hall, Rochester, NY. Results: Lawless Win (Points). Rounds: 10/10.[18]

Newspaper Report Fight Summary: “Bucky Lawless set out on a punching spree in the old battle pit at Convention Hall last night and at the end of ten furious rounds the chunky, curly-haired terrior from Auburn walked away from the ring unscathed and with the name of Jackie Horner numbered among his many Rochester victims. Setting a hurricane pace most of the route, Lawless whaled the ever-willing Horner in seven of the ten sessions, tossed him about like a Notre Dame tackle handling a rival lineman, and seemed to get a greater kick out of the uneven contest than any of the fight faithful numbered among the crowd of 2,000. Like the good workman that he is, “Bucky” lost no time in whirling into action and he was all over Horner, pelting him with leather, in the first half minute of the opening round. Ripping punches with all the power that is packed in his broad, muscular shoulders, Lawless continued his pace through the greater part of the struggle and only in spasmodic bursts did Horner cut loose with an offensive drive that made his adversary give ground. SECOND ROUND EXCITING Somewhat bewildered by Lawless’ opening salute, Horner boxed cautiously in the opening round, apparently trying to see just how much force there was behind those ripping left hooks and overhead rights that “Bucky” rained in his direction. Jackie held his own in the second with a late rally that had the crowd in an uproar. The boys were mixed in a wild exchange at the bell and it was nearly ten extra seconds before Referee [King] Mahoney could pry them apart as they clawed at each other like a pair of wildcats. “Bucky” sent Jackie spinning into the ropes in the third as if he were a bag of feathers, and the crowd responded with a lusty “boo.” Horner had the sympathy of the fans last night, but they got few opportunities to cheer the stout-hearted Missourian. The fourth was another exciting frame with Lawless starting the fireworks by flipping Horner to the canvas after a wild exchange in the center of the ring. They sailed into each other and hammered away to the bell with honors even. HORNER WINS NINTH The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rounds were clean sweeps for Lawless, who pummeled the tiring Horner with both of his dynamic fists. The seventh brought out Lawless’ best punching exhibition and he raked Horner with sweeping left hooks and jolting right-hand smashes. Horner opened up in the ninth, the lone round in which he appeared to have the best of the milling. Jackie pounded his foe around the ribs and “Bucky” seemed content to take it easy for the round. The tenth was fairly even, with Lawless finishing strong for an edge. Horner, although he was willing, couldn’t trade punches with the rugged Lawless and when the openings came, he was not quick enough to take advantage of them. Jackie rushed Lawless time and again, but his punches lacked power when they found their target. Lawless directed much of his fire at Horner’s mid-section and as early as the third round Jackie was sporting red blotches on his stomach. It was Lawless’ fifth straight victory in a Rochester ring since last January. “Bucky’s” other victims here were Jack Thompson, Sergeant Sammy Baker, Joe Dundee and Abe Lichenstein.”[19]


1929

Match Date: March 18, 1929. Opponent: Willie Lavin (William Cleary). Venue: Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, NY. Result: Lawless Win (Points). Rounds: 10/10.[20]

Newspaper Report Fight Summary: “Lawless, strong as a bull, crowded Lavin, lashing away with both hands, and when they got near the ropes did a world of slugging. Willie protected himself pretty well, but there was no end to the punches Bucky threw, and many of them landed. Head to head exchanges were so frequent the crowd was in an uproar, heavy punches every one of them. In the fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth Lawless stood Willie up against the ropes and gave him severe punishment. Lavin’s best round, curiously enough, was the last, in which he caught Lawless with a couple of right crosses that spun Bucky around and one swelled his left eye. Lavin cut loose and took the offensive for the round, but Lawless, fighting back and liking the sort of opposition he finally provoked in the local lad, swung in like a wild man, getting home a pair of terrific rights. Lavin bounced a score or more rights off Lawless’ chin, but only in the last round did they seem to effect the Syracuse boy.”[21]

It was after this fight that it was reported that Bucky Lawless had a singing talent. Charley Murray of the Buffalo Times wrote "Bucky Lawless has something to fall back on when his fighting blade becomes dull and useless. Bucky has an operatic voice. He can outsing a lot of fellows who are getting by in musical comedy roles. A bunch of the boys discovered after the fights Monday evening that Lawless not only has a right good voice but he can imitate Al Jolson to perfection. Lawless renders "Sonny Boy" with a few heart-throbs. He can make you sniffle when he dips into "Sally." Offhand I'd say Bucky is the world's best SINGING fighter."[22]


Match Date: February 18, 1929. Opponent: Gorilla Jones (William Jones). Venue: Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, NY. Result: Lawless Win (Points). Rounds: 10/10.[23]

Newspaper Report Fight Summary: “Lawless swarmed over Gorilla when they began and had (Jones) playing careful and giving ground. Slamming one to the head, Bucky rushed Jones to the corner in cyclonic fashion, socking right and left to head in the second. Lawless’ left to face shot Gorilla into the ropes and he ran into a right as he came out. Lawless’ two-handed attack drove Jones along the ropes and into a corner at the bell. Lawless continued to rush in the third and sent Gorilla flying about, another left knocking Gorilla into a corner. The customary smile was missing from Jones’ face and he looked subdued, but towards the close of the round he unloosed two corking rights to the head. Bucky continued to force a fast pace in the fourth, but again caught two sharp ones on the jaw. In a tangle Jones swung Lawless to the floor. He smiled as Gorilla helped him up. Jones kept inviting Bucky to lead into a right cross in the fifth and once Lawless fell into the trap. They exchanged rights and Lawless suffered. Gorilla was doing more fighting now, but Bucky nearly dropped him with a solid right to the jaw. The action looked hard and fast, but the referee urged them to fight as they got into the sixth. Lawless forced two hot exchanges. Lawless drove Jones into a corner, punching at the bell. Bucky’s right in the seventh surprised [Jones] and Lawless kept driving in. Another right to the jaw wheeled Gorilla. It was a wicked exchange of rights at the bell. With the decision apparently slipping away to [Lawless], Gorilla was desperate in the eighth, but Lawless kept going in hard. Shaking off all returns, Bucky’s left to the mark had Gorilla tottering on one foot. Despite his exertions Lawless looked the fresher of the two in the corner. Gorilla went in hard in the ninth and complained to the referee, Bucky was holding. Lawless whipped hard right to the head and put a left to wind as Jones crossed right to head. Lawless drove Gorilla into the ropes and had him running at the bell. Gorilla’s early blows looked the heaviest, but Bucky’s attack was driving Jones about, in apparent trouble. Bucky held a lot, but slugged Gorilla and had him running again at the final bell.”[24]


1928


Match Date: April 20, 1928. Opponent: Sammy Vogel. Venue: Syracuse Arena. Result: Vogel Win (Points). Rounds: 10/10.[25]

Newspaper Report Fight Summary: "Bucky started slower than usual, but had the edge during the first three rounds. In the 4th round, Vogel sent a right to Lawless’ body which slowed him considerably and Vogel took the 4th round by a wide margin. In the 5th ground, Lawless came back strong and used much of his reserve strength rushing his opponent around the ring. While he struck few blows himself, Vogel continued his punishment to Bucky’s kidneys. Vogel came back and took the 6th round giving Bucky straight rights to the jaw while dodging return blows. During the 10th round, Vogel immediately snapped over his left and then crossed his right to Bucky’s jaw. As the crowd stood up and cheered for Bucky to stick it out, he took a 9-count and fought to stay on his feet. A few seconds later he went down again, more from exhaustion than from a punch. Again taking the full benefit of the nine seconds, Lawless came up to remain partly covered and Vogel was unable to make a finishing blow. When the final bell came it found a very tired Bucky standing up only through the best exhibition of gameness he has ever shown in the local ring.”[26]



Lawless fought seven World Welterweight Boxing Champions during his career, but never held the title himself.[27] Sports writers during this period editorialized about “overweight farces.” Robert Edgren, the nationally syndicated American sports reporter, wrote in 1931 that welterweight champions “have been dodging the tough ones by making good contenders come in overweight. And they fought Bucky Lawless without any great success...That old gag again. Making Lawless come in overweight so that [Lou] Brouillard couldn’t lose his title.”[28] The fight to which Edgren was referring was the ten round welterweight contest between Bucky Lawless and Lou Brouillard at Boston Garden on December 2, 1931. At the time, Brouillard was the world welterweight boxing champion. Although Brouillard won this match by KO in the third round, both fighters came in over the weight limit, so his title was never at risk.[29] Fighting Lawless in a title bout would have been risky for Brouillard because Lawless had appeared in four previous overweight matches and defeated them all. He won decisions over Joe Dundee, Tommy Freeman, and two over Young Jack Thompson (Cecil Lewis Thompson).[30] One of the earlier non-title matches against Young Jack Thompson was held seven months earlier, on May 8, 1931 at Chicago Stadium. Lawless won this match and although Thompson was the world welterweight champion at the time, Lawless was forced to come into the match overweight so that Thompson’s title was not at risk.[31] Lawless fought American Middleweight Champion Gorilla Jones (William Landon Jones) six times between 1928 and 1931 defeated him in four of these matches.[32] During his professional boxing career, Lawless fought at venues across the country including Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, Brooklyn, NY, Atlantic City, NJ, Seattle, WA, New Orleans, LA, Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Boston, MA, Pittsburg, PA, Rochester, NY, and Buffalo, NY. The largest percentage (27%) of his 131 professional matches were fought in Syracuse, NY.[33] By 1927 Lawless was the greatest drawing card for boxing matches in Syracuse.[34]

Personal life

Bucky Lawless moved from Auburn, NY to Syracuse, NY in early 1930. By then he trained in Syracuse, NY where he was managed by Joe Netro. Lawless married Norma Lila Conlin of Potsdam, NY on March 20, 1930 in Syracuse.[35] The Syracuse Journal wrote an article about the newlywed couple’s homelife in their apartment at The James. The article featured four large at-home photographs with captions, e.g., Bucky serving coffee, Bucky washing dishes, and Bucky and Norma listening to the new radio.[36] Lawless moved back to Auburn in 1933.[37]

Bucky Lawless was honored by his home city of Auburn, NY on May 13, 1931. A week after his May 8 victory over Young Jack Thompson, Lawless arrived in Auburn shortly after 8:00 P.M. and met at the Five Points by more than a hundred cars. Bucky sat in an elevated position on his roaders and a parade of three cars abreast escorted him through Fulton Street, to Genesee Street to State Street to Dill Street where the parade ended at the Auburn Fraternal Order of the Eagles. A reception was held in the Eagles Lodge where it was reported that hundreds of fans were turned away because of the limited space. Speakers at the reception included Joseph Hanlon, chairman of the event; City Manager, John Donavan; Syracuse journalists John McGrath and Martin La Chance; and Bucky himself.[38]

After Lawless stopped boxing professionally in 1936, he lived in his hometown of Auburn, NY where he worked as a laborer for public works and for business owner, Thomas J. Hennessy.[39] Lawless stayed active in Auburn local events. For example, a bowling match was held in Auburn at the Roman Alleys on March 10, 1940 in which ex-fighters competed against ex-ball players. Bucky Lawless acted as master of ceremonies during the match and he delighted the spectators with humorous stories and introductions.[40] Thomas ‘Bucky’ Lawless died after a long illness at age 58 on June 19, 1966.[41]

References
  1. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. BoxRec. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  2. "Bucky Lawless". The Citizen-Advertiser. The Citizen-Advertiser. June 22, 1966. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. "Bucky Lawless, Middleweight Now, Has Big Bouts Ahead". The Citizen-Advertiser. The Citizen-Advertiser. March 9, 1934. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. Thomas, Lawless. "1910 U.S. Federal Census". Ancestry.com. 1997-2020 Ancestry. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  5. Lawless, Thomas. "1910 U.S. Federal Census". Ancestry.com. 1997-2020 Ancestry. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  6. "Lawless, Former Citizen Carrier, Fast Gaining Fame in the World of Fistiana". The Auburn Citizen. The Auburn Citizen. May 12, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  7. "Lawless, Former Citizen Carrier, Fast Gaining Fame in the World of Fistiana". The Auburn Citizen. The Auburn Citizen. May 12, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  8. "Bucky Lawless". Box Rec. BoxRec. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. "Lawless, Former Citizen Carrier, Fast Gaining Fame in the World of Fistiana". The Auburn Citizen. The Auburn Citizen. May 12, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  10. "Lawless Wins Fans' Hearts But Loses Title to Brady, Judges Are Roundly Scored". The Auburn Citizen. The Auburn Citizen. May 29, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  11. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. BoxRec. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  12. LaChance, Martin (July 11, 1926). "Commission Permits Bucky Lawless-Brady Fight: Arena A.C. Moves To Star Park". Syracuse American. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  13. LaChance, Martin (July 10, 1926). "Lawless-Brady Fight Friday Is Almost Off". Syracuse Journal. p. 8. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  14. Kenefick, Bob (July 15, 1926). "On The Sport Firing Line". Syracuse Journal. p. 18. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  15. "Bucky Lawless Defeats Leonard to Take Welter Title; Gainor Wins By Kayo". The Auburn Citizen. The Auburn Citizen. October 15, 1927. p. 2. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  16. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  17. "Champ Stops Lawless". Syracuse Journal. International News Service. Dec 3, 1931. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  18. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  19. "Lawless Wins Over Horner". Syracuse Journal. November 4, 1930. p. 17. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  20. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  21. Kelly, Billy (March 19, 1929). "Chocolate And Lawless Take Victories". Syracuse Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  22. Kenefick, Bob (March 21, 1929). "On The Sport Firing Line". Syracuse Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  23. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  24. "Lawless Wins In Buffalo Ring". Syracuse Journal. February 19, 1929. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  25. "Bucky Lawless". Box.Rec. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  26. LaChance, Martin (April 21, 1928). "Vogel Shows Class At Arena". Syracuse Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  27. "Bucky Lawless". Auburn Publishing Company. The Citizen-Advertiser. June 22, 1966. p. 4. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  28. Edgren, Robert (December 16, 1931). "Overweight Fights Are Ring Farce: Edgren Asks What Brouillard, 3rd Round Victor, Feared About Lawless". The Binghamton Press. p. 24. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  29. "Champ Stops Lawless". Syracuse Journal. December 3, 1931. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  30. "Brouillard, Welter Champ, Faces Bucky Lawless". Buffalo Courier-Express. December 2, 1931. p. 13. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  31. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  32. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  33. "Bucky Lawless". BoxRec.
  34. "Bucky Lawless Wins Battle With Cuddy DeMarco At Erie, Pa". Syracuse Journal. December 3, 1927. p. 7. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  35. "Onondaga, New York, Marriage License". Ancestry.com. Syracuse, NY. Archived from the original on March 20, 1930. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  36. Griffin, Eddie (May 14, 1930). "Bucky Lawless, Syracuse's Crack Welterweight Boxer Turns Out To Be Quite A Home Man Since His Marriage". Syracuse Journal. p. 23. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  37. "Thomas William Lawless". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  38. "Bucky Lawless Given Welcome Home Parade and Speeches". The Auburn Citizen. May 14, 1931. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  39. Lawless, Thomas. "1940 U.S. Census". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  40. Pinckney, Lee (March 12, 1940). "Sporting Chances". Auburn Citizen Advertiser. Auburn Citizen Advertiser. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  41. "Bucky Lawless". The Citizen-Advertiser. June 26, 1966. p. 4. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
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