Lew Feldman

Lew Feldman faced twelve world champions or claimants to world titles throughout his career, engaging them 25 times. Impressively, he emerged victorious against eight of these champions. Among his notable opponents, Feldman fought Kid Chocolate and Freddie Miller four times each. While Chocolate triumphed in all their encounters, Miller managed three victories against Feldman, ending their final bout in a draw.

Feldman's career, which lasted from 1928 to 1941, saw him compete primarily in the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions. Starting in 1931, he frequently appeared in The Ring magazine's top ten rankings across three weight classes. The last of these rankings came in August 1937, when he was positioned as the world's sixth-best lightweight.

The first significant bout of Feldman's career occurred in November 1931, where he faced junior-lightweight champion Kid Chocolate in a non-title fight, losing by a ten-round decision. In 1932, he met Chocolate twice more, losing a fifteen-round decision in June and getting knocked out in the twelfth round of their October match for the New York State featherweight title. Their final encounter occurred in Havana in May 1936, with Feldman again losing the decision.

In 1933, Feldman battled future featherweight champion Mike Belloise in two six-round bouts, ending in draws. The following year, Feldman faced Belloise again in a ten-round decision, which Belloise won. However, Feldman achieved a measure of redemption in 1939 by defeating Belloise in a ten-round decision.

That same year, Feldman challenged world welterweight champion Henry Armstrong. In their first meeting in 1938, a non-title bout, Armstrong knocked Feldman out in the fifth round. With the title at stake, their rematch saw Armstrong knocking Feldman out in the first round.

Despite never receiving a title shot as a lightweight, Feldman remained a formidable contender. He secured a notable victory over future lightweight champion Lew Jenkins in November 1938 via a ten-round decision. Jenkins, who had bested Feldman in April 1938, would claim the championship two years later.

Throughout his 13-year career, Feldman consistently faced and often triumphed over some of the era's top fighters, including Battling Battalino, Tommy Paul, Chalky Wright, Freddie Cochrane, Midget Wolgast, and Petey Sarron. His ability to defeat a who's who of ranked contenders across three weight classes solidified his reputation as a tough and resilient competitor.

Lew Feldman's final career record stood at 116 wins, 55 losses, and 18 draws. His journey through the ranks of the most competitive divisions of his time, consistently facing and overcoming top-tier opponents, has left an indelible mark on the history of boxing.