Riegel, Norman “Billy”

Norman “Billy” Riegel – (1992)

 

NORMAN “BILLY” RIEGEL

Encouraged by his father to don the gloves and enter the squared circle, “Billy” Riegel joined Lorain County’s amateur boxing ranks in 1928 as a 72 pound 12 year old. Appearing mainly in exhibitions or card openers for sometime, “Billy” still impressed the sports media and boxing aficionados as an upcoming fighter with great promise. He posted convincing victories over young Danny Canalos, Jack Donnelly and Johnnie Malloy in a hectic slugfest.

As time inched by, Billy added inches and pounds to his solid frame until he reached his first goal – 100 lbs. It was then he felt he could compete in the lowest weight class in the Golden Gloves – 105 lbs. In 1931 he won that 105 lb. championship, moved up to the 112 lb. class and captured that trophy in 1932. Steadily moving up in class, Billy slugged his way to titles in the Elks North Central Ohio Tournaments in 1932-1933-1934. The latter two years he also won American Legion Togas.

With family problems, including divorce staring Billy in the face, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1934 at age 18. After boot camp and all the usual preliminaries, Billy was assigned to the carrier Lexington in 1936. In that year he fought his way to the Group Finals in the Fleet. While still on the Lexington in 1937, he won the U.S. Northwest Amateur Middleweight Championship by decision over Rex Carey of Seattle. That same year, Billy was handpicked as a crew member on President Roosevelt’s fishing expeditions.

Transferred to the cruiser Philadelphia in 1937, Billy won five titles in 1939. First he annexed the U.S. Navy Cruiser Division 8 title, then he added the U.S. Navy Atlantic Squadron Toga. Next came the U.S. Fleet Light Cruiser and Destroyer Gonfalons which made him eligible to compete for the U.S. Fleet or All-Navy Championship. The same title won by Gene Tunney who later whipped Jack Dempsey for the World Heavyweight Title. The following article was extracted from the U.S.S. Philadelphia official publication:

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“The Philadelphia’s All-Navy Champ”
By A.J. Condry

Due to the desire of a grand fighter wanting duty on new construction, the Philadelphia has an All-Navy Belt aboard in its first year of Fleet Competition. We are proud to lead the way for the new light cruisers and proud to have Billy Riegel aboard to bring home the bacon.

Riegel is a stranger to the Cruiser Divisions, but is no stranger to the Carrier Divisions, having served on the Lexington. After leaving that carrier Riegel requested new construction and was out of Fleet competition during 1937 and 1938 when the Philadelphia was fitting out and making her shakedown cruise. In our opinion that is the only reason he has not been All-Navy Middleweight for the last two years and repeated this time instead of winning his first belt.

This year he won the Middleweight Belt with five fights. Three fights were won by quick knockouts and two, including the final with Harris of the Houston, were by decision. Riegel showed a clear superiority over the Middleweight group all the way.
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With his Naval enlistment over Billy returned to Lorain and continued his amateur bouts as a middleweight in 1939. One of Lorain’s most memorable brawls, amateur or pro, occurred before 1200 fans at Old City Field when Billy squared off against heavy-fisted Joe Mielcarek. Midway through the first round, Joe caught Billy flush on the chin with his famous right and down went the champion. A short time later he went down again, but while on one knee and holding the ropes, Billy was saved by the bell. The rest before Round 2 revived Billy and with his composure regained he began to tattoo Joe with the left jab and right cross. Finally, Joe left himself open and Billy exploded a right hand on his jaw that dropped Joe to his knees and he plummeted forward on his face, knocked cold.

With an amateur record of 50 wins and 1 split decision loss, Billy and Lorain pro, Ray LaRay decided it was time to turn pro. Ray had not forgotten how Billy at 78 lbs. had approached Louie Nickolette, a former Lorain pro, to teach him a left hook. Climbing into the ring, Louie proceeded to demonstrate the art and then requested Billy to try it. The ensuing hook almost floored Louie. And so, with Ray’s handling, Billy began a pro career shortened by Pearl Harbor. At re-enlistment, right after the “Day of Infamy,” his record was 8-1. His opening loss, on a very unpopular decision, was later avenged on a TKO.

Billy’s last enlistment spanned 22 years and included two wars. For about 10 years he continued to coach Navy boxers, his cortege garnering many individual and team titles. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant J.G. and commanded the tanker USS Navasota. He lost his last fight to cancer in 1971 and was buried at sea with full military honors.