Lee Sala

Infobox_Boxer
name = Lee Sala
nationality = Flagicon|USA American
realname= Lee Sala


caption =
nickname =
weight = Lightweight
birth_date = 1926
birth_place = Donora, Pennsylvania, U.S.
home = Tampa, Florida, U.S.
style = Orthodox
total = 83
wins =76
KO = 48
losses = 7
draws = 0
no contests =

Lee Sala (1926-) born Donora, Pennsylvania was a leading contender for the middleweight boxing crown in the 1940s and 50's. His professional career spanned from 1946 until 1953, with a record of 76 wins 7 losses 0 draws and 48 knockouts.

Early life

Lee was born to a working class Italian family in Donora, Pennsylvania. He was brought up during the heart of The Great Depression, with a house full of relatives including 5 siblings, and two of his cousins. His father, a brick layer by trade worked very hard to put food on the table, even when there were no jobs available. Lee accredits his desire to box to his cousins Bruno and Libro Sala who were both professional boxers in the 1920s and 30's, Both of whom were top contenders. The Sala's were a very athletic family. Lee's older brother Tony was an All American football player at Villanova University, as well as intercollegiate boxing champion 4 years in a row. His younger brother Fritz was a baseball prospect in his youth.

U.S Military Service

Lee enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 During WWII. He served on the U.S.S Iowa for 2 years, and saw action in the south pacific. During his tenure in the Navy, he won the Navy olympic amateur championship of north Japan.

Professional career

After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, Lee turned professional. Winning his first bout against Sonny Hope by knockout in round 4. Lee then went on a 47 fight winning streak, finally losing a decision to Tony DeMicco. He avenged his loss 2 weeks later.Lee fought many top contenders of his time, and newspaper articles reveal that he was in line for a title shot on several occasions. Some say that Lee "hit to hard" and that is why those matches never came to fruition. A Washington Post article from June 19, 1948 reveals that Promoter Jack McGinley offered Rocky Graziano $25,000 for a non title shot against Sala, the offer was declined. At one point Sala had outstanding offers to fight both Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta for the title. LaMotta received offers from Sala's manager Bunny Buntag upwards of $50,000. Sala was next in line for a title shot against Robinson after LaMotta's loss to "Sugar" Ray in 1951, however Robinson signed to fight Holly Mims. Sala moved on to a rematch with rival Joey DeJohn, who he had knocked out 2 yrs earlier in what was considered one of the best fights of 1949.

Sala remained a top 10 middleweight contender for the majority of his career, and finally retired after a few setbacks to big name fighters such as Carl "bobo" Olson. Sala, had also just married Florida beauty queen Adeline Mondello, and was planning on starting a family.

Post Boxing

After Lee retired from boxing, he and his wife had 2 children. He started working in the whiskey distribution business, and later became a deputy sheriff for the Hillsborough County Sherrif's Office. He currently resides in Tampa, Fl with his wife, daughter and grandson.