Sport: Boxing
Born: May 6, 1915
Died: January 1, 1993
Town: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Frederick James Cochrane was born May 6, 1915, in Elizabeth, NJ, to Walter and Agnes Cochrane. Nicknamed “Red” for his hard-to-miss hair color, he was born with one arm several inches shorter than the other.
Red boxed professionally beginning in 1933 as a welterweight after winning New Jersey Golden Gloves as a lightweight. In 1941, he became the Welterweight world champion after out-pointing Fritzie Zivic in an outdoor bout in Newark’s Ruppert Stadium. Red held this title for four years, although he did not fight in 1943 and 1944 while serving in the Navy. Ironically, because of his mismatched arms, he was not allowed to see combat, but fought exhibitions as part of an entertainment unit instead.
In 1945, Red fought legendary Rocky Graziano in what The Ring proclaimed the “Fight of the Year.” Red outboxed Graziano for the first eight rounds until he was knocked down in the 9th round. Red was saved by the bell from a knockout, only to be dropped again in the 10th round for the full count.
Two months later, Red fought Graziano again, and was knocked out in the 10th round for a second time. Red had been knocked down seven times to the nine count before he finally took the full ten. Critics accused Graziano of grabbing Red by the throat in the fight, choking him with his left hand and hitting him with his right.
In 1946, Red fought Marty Servo for the world Welterweight title and lost on a 4th-round knockout. Servo relinquished the title in September of that year due to an “aching nose” and Sugar Ray Robinson took the vacant title.
Red did not box professionally again. In 116 fights as a professional, he had 72 wins, 36 losses and 8 draws. He was credited with 26 knockouts. A popular figure in Northern New Jersey, Red became a liquor salesman and operated his own bar in Hillside. Red died on New Year’s Day in 1993 at the age of 77.