[jofre]

Ross Virgo of Rochester, NY died suddenly on June 29, 2011 in Delray Beach, Florida at age 81. He was born in Rochester, NY on November 9, 1929. The Franklin High School graduate won 46 of 48 amateur boxing matches and was the 1948 champion of the U.S. Army and Air Force before turning pro. He rose to No. 5 (National Boxing Association) and No.8 (The Ring) in the world welterweight ratings before abruptly ending his career in 1953 to raise his family. His record was 26-2-2, with both losses coming by close decision to Lester Felton and Bernard Docusen. Against Felton, Virgo was ahead on points after six rounds but was floored in the seventh and twice in the ninth. The Docusen fight was very close. Both fighters were cut in a classic matchup between two master boxers. Among his 26 victims were Carmen Basilio, Fritzie Pruden, Tony Pellone, Charley Salas, Rolly Johns, Chester Rico, Ted Bussey, Dave Andrews, Johnny Kaufman, Cliff Hart, Al Hersch, and Johnny Cunningham. He fought a draw with Chuck Davey who was 23-0-0 at the time. The Davey fight was a "gruelling and bloody" battle in which Davey was badly cut near both eyes. The other draw on his record occurred in his last fight when Referee Ashton Donza, a former National AAU bantamweight champion, and later a professional boxer, collapsed during the 6th round of his fight with Jackie O’Brien and died of a heart attack. The fight was declared a six round draw.

Its sad that his passing went unnoticed by the general boxing press until boxing historian Bob Collins of the Rochester IVBA and Rochester HOF notified us recently.