Editing Lew Jenkins

{{Short description|American boxer}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name=Lew Jenkins
|weight=[[Lightweight]]
|realname=Verlin E. Jenkins
|image= Lew.Jenkins.jpeg
|nickname=The Sweetwater Swatter
|birth_date=December 4, 1916
|birth_place=[[Milburn, Texas]], US
|death_date={{death date and age|1981|10|30|1916|12|4|mf=y}}
|death_place= [[Oakland, California]], US
|style=Orthodox
|total=120
|wins=74
|KO=52
|losses=41
|draws=5
|}}

'''Lew Jenkins''' (December 4, 1916 – October 30, 1981) was an American boxer and [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] and [[list of The Ring world champions#Lightweight|''The Ring'' lightweight champion]] from 1940 to 1941. He was born in Milburn, Texas and was raised during the [[Great Depression]]. He began fighting in carnivals and later continued his boxing in the [[US Coast Guard]]. He was an exceptionally powerful puncher and 51 of his 73 wins were by knockout.  His managers included Benny Woodhall, Frank Bachman, Hymie Kaplan, and Willie Ketchum and his trainer was Charley Rose.<ref name=CBZ>{{cite web|title=Lew Jenkins Cyber Boxing Zone Biography|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/jenkins-l.htm|publisher=Cyber Boxing Zone|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref>

His punching power was legendary, and so was his drinking, carousing, and penchant for high-speed motorcycles. "The two toughest opponents I had were Jack Daniels and Harley Davidson," Lew Jenkins stated.<ref>{{Cite book|title=From Boxing Ring to Battlefield: The Life of War Hero Lew Jenkins|last=Pantalone|first=Gene|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2018|isbn=978-1538116746|location=Lanham, MD}}</ref>

Jenkins took the World Lightweight Championship on May 10, 1940, in a third-round TKO against Lou Ambers at New York's Madison Square Garden.<ref name="BR">{{cite web|title=Lew Jenkins Boxing Record|url=http://boxrec.com/boxer/9466|publisher=BoxRec|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref>

Jenkins was admitted to the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1977, the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1983 and in 1999, the International Boxing Hall of Fame.<ref name=CBZ/>

==Early life==
Verlin E. Jenkins was born on December 4, 1916, in Milburn, Texas, to Artie James and Minnie Lee, formerly Minnie Lee White. He was the third of four children and had two older and one younger sisters. He started professional boxing around 1935 in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, but by 1938 was boxing regularly in Dallas.  The biggest fights of his early career took place after he moved to New York in 1939.<ref name=BR/>

==Professional career highlights==
Jenkins defeated Lew Feldman on April 8, 1938, in a ten-round split decision at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas. Oddly, the Dallas crowd booed loudly after the decision of the judges and referees for Jenkins, the Texas native.<ref>"Jenkins Beats Lew Feldman", ''Reno-Gazette Journal'', Reno, Nevada, pg. 12, 9 April 1938</ref>

===Win over Mike Belloise, November 1939===
On November 21, 1939, Jenkins scored a seventh-round technical knockout against Mike Belloise, a former World Featherweight Champion, before a crowd of 12,000 at the Bronx's New York Coliseum.<ref>"Jenkins Defeats Mike Belloise", ''Valley Morning Star'', Harlingen, Texas, pg. 12, 22 November 1939</ref> Belloise was unable to answer the call of the bell for the eighth round due to the severe punishment he had taken to the body in the sixth and seventh rounds.<ref>"Belloise Kayoed By Lou Jenkins", ''Arizona Republic'', Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 11, 23 November 1939</ref> It was later confirmed that Belloise suffered a broken rib from the bout.<ref>"Breaks Rib, Loses", ''News-Journal'', Mansfield, Ohio, pg. 6, 23 November 1939</ref>

On January 24, 1940, Jenkins convincingly defeated Cuban boxer Chino Alvarez in a knockout only around fifteen seconds into the first round at the Sportatorium in Dallas. Jenkins landed only two or three punches and the rowdy Dallas crowd booed when the ten count was completed, with several climbing into the ring. The victory was Jenkin's ninth straight with six by knockouts. Jenkins sudden rise to prominence as a serious World Lightweight contender was not unprecedented, as he had been fighting professionally at least five years, but the quality of his opposition had increased dramatically in the last two years as many newspapers noted.  When he defeated Tippy Larkin in a first-round knockout at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1940, he was finally scheduled for a World Lightweight Title bout with reigning champion [[Lou Ambers]]. In the impressive win over Larkin, Jenkins started cautiously, then flicked a few straight lefts. After Jenkins blasted with both hands, and in "2:41 of the first round Larkin was left flailing around in his own corner and down for the count."<ref>"Larkin Kayo Victim", ''Asbury Park Press'', Asbury Park, New Jersey, pg. 9, 9 March 1940</ref><ref>Miller, Tom, "Dallasites Boo As Lew Jenkins Gets Quick Kayo", ''El Paso Herald'', El Paso, Texas, pg. 10, 25 January 1940</ref>

===Taking the World Lightweight Championship, May 1940===
Jenkins defeated [[Lou Ambers]] in [[New York City]] on May 10, 1940, to become World Lightweight Champion.<ref name=BR/><ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|title=Lew Jenkins Is Dead at 64; Held Lighweight {{sic|hide=y|reason=error in original}} Title in 1940|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/01/obituaries/lew-jenkins-is-dead-at-64-held-lighweight-title-in-1940.html|work=New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=November 1, 1981|page=40|access-date=November 23, 2018}}</ref> Ambers was down for a count of five in the first, briefly down again from a left in the second, and was down in the third before the referee stopped the bout when Jenkins landed a final solid right to Ambers' jaw.<ref>Ferguson, Harry, "Lew Jenkins Blasts Way To Lightweight Laurels", ''Cumberland Evening Times'', Cumberland, Maryland, pg. 6, 11 May 1940</ref>

After winning the World Lightweight Championship from Ambers, Jenkins lost his boxing discipline and spent time carousing at night and buying expensive automobiles. He drank recklessly, sometimes before bouts, and crashed several motorcycles and cars.<ref name=BR/><ref name=CBZ/><ref name=BRB>{{cite web|title=Lew Jenkins Boxing Biography|url=http://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Human:9466|publisher=BoxRec|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref>

On March 8, 1940, Jenkins scored a first-round knockout of [[Tippy Larkin]] in a non-title bout at New York's Madison Square Garden before a crowd of 11,542.<ref>"Lou Jenkins Kayoes Tippy Larkin in First", ''Arizona Republic'', Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 60, 9 March 1940</ref> "Tearing out with the bell, the slugger from the Southwest (Jenkins) took command immediately. He threw both fists without a stop, finally connecting with a series of solid lefts and rights and Larkin dropped in his corner."<ref>Feder, Sid, "Tippy Larkin Goes to Sleep During First Round", ''Santa Cruz Sentinel'', Santa Cruz, California, pg. 4, 9 March 1940</ref> The knockout occurred at the end of the first, 2:41 into the round. Jenkins had scored five straight knockouts in his most recent New York fights. A noteworthy opponent, Larkin would take the World Light Welterweight Championship in 1946.<ref name=BR/>

On September 16, 1940, Jenkins managed to win a decision against [[Bob Montgomery (boxer)|Bob Montgomery]] in a non-title, ten-round decision, before a crowd of 12,900 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Jenkins was down in the third round for a count of nine. The United Press gave Jenkins five rounds to four for Montgomery, though ring officials gave Jenkins a somewhat wider margin.<ref name=BR/><ref>Cuddy, Jack, "Lew Jenkins Shows Heart in Rough Bout", ''The Pittsburgh Press'', Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 22, 17 September 1940</ref>  Montgomery would twice hold the NYSAC World Lightweight Championship in May 1943 and November 1944.

====World Lightweight Championship defense, November 1940====
On November 22, 1940, Jenkins successfully defended his World Lightweight Title against Pete Lello in a second-round knockout at New York's Madison Square Garden before a largely hostile audience of around 11,000. Jenkins knocked Lello down four times in the second, usually with strong blows to the jaw and at least twice for counts of nine. He said after the bout that he had little memory of the bout after his first knockdown in the second.<ref>"Pete Lello Put Away in Second Stanza", ''Ames Daily Tribune'', Ames, Iowa, pg. 3, 23 November 1940</ref> Lello had formerly knocked out Jenkins in a close bout that ended in an early seventh round victory in Chicago on March 24, 1939.<ref name=BR/>

===Losing the World Lightweight Championship, December 1941===
<!-- [[WP:NFCC]] violation: [[Image:Sammy Angott.jpg|170px|left|thumb|Sammy Angott]] -->
On December 19, 1941, Jenkins lost his World Lightweight Title against [[Sammy Angott]] before a crowd of 11,343 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Fighting with a neck injury he may have received from motorcycle and car crashes, he was outpointed over 15 rounds. From then on he lost a significant percentage of his remaining bouts, though often against quality competition.<ref name=BR/><ref>Feder, Sid, "Louisville Slugger Scores Easy Win Over Lou Jenkins", ''The Ottawa Journal'', Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, pg. 28, 20 December 1941</ref>

On September 30, 1949, Jenkins defeated Eddie Giosa in a ten-round unanimous decision at the Arena in Philadelphia. He had Giosa down for a count of eight in the second from a left hook, then put him to the mat again with a right to the head. He had Giosa down again in the tenth with a left hook to the head for a count of eight, though the fight continued and was determined by a points decision.<ref>Webster, John, "Giosa Outpointed by Lew Jenkins", ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pg. 17, 1 October 1949</ref> Both men fought at 139 in the [[welterweight]] range. He had formerly lost to Giosa on May 2, 1949, in a fairly close split decision at the same location. The May victory was Giosa's fourth straight win.<ref name=BR/><ref>Fourth straight win for Giosa in "Lew Jenkins Loses Decision to Giosa", ''Arizona Republic'', Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 24, 3 May 1949</ref>

==Military career==
Jenkins served in the Coast Guard in [[World War II]], where he participated in troop deployment, and found himself in the thick of battle during the Allied invasions of North Africa and the [[D-Day]] invasion of Normandy, France. He re-enlisted in the infantry at the outbreak of America's involvement in the [[Korean War]] around 1950 and was awarded the [[Silver Star]] for saving several men from enemy fire.<ref name=BRB/>

==Boxing comeback==
He attempted a comeback after World War II, but was unable to regain his status as a top lightweight and welterweight. He retired from boxing in 1950. In 2003, Jenkins made the Ring Magazine's list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time.<ref name=BRB/>
[[File:ANCExplorer Lew Jenkins grave.jpg|alt=Lew Jenkins's headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Upright marble headstone, cross at top. Reads "LEW JENKINS, 1st SGT, US ARMY, WORLD WARR II, KOREA, DEC 4 1916, OCT 30 1981"|thumb|Lew Jenkins's headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.]]
Jenkins died October 30, 1981, at the Oakland Naval Regional Medical Center after a long illness. He is buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref name="nytimes.com"/>

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=5
|ko-wins=52
|ko-losses=12
|dec-wins=21
|dq-wins=1
|dec-losses=29
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|120
|{{no2}}Loss
|74–41–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Beau Jack]]
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Apr 14, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|-
|119
|{{no2}}Loss
|74–40–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Carmen Basilio]]
|MD
|10
|Mar 6, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|State Fair Coliseum, Syracuse, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|118
|{{no2}}Loss
|74–39–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Rafael Lastre
|TKO
|10 (10)
|Jan 31, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|-
|117
|{{no2}}Loss
|74–38–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Walter Haines
|UD
|8
|Jan 25, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|116
|{{yes2}}Win
|74–37–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Al Pennino
|KO
|3 (8)
|Jan 9, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|115
|{{yes2}}Win
|73–37–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Iggy Vaccari
|TKO
|9 (10)
|Dec 19, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
|
|-
|114
|{{yes2}}Win
|72–37–5 
|style="text-align:left;"| Johnny DeFazio
|KO
|8 (8)
|Dec 5, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|113
|{{no2}}Loss
|71–37–5 
|style="text-align:left;"| Calvin Smith
|PTS
|10
|Nov 14, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|112
|{{yes2}}Win
|71–36–5 
|style="text-align:left;"| Issac Jenkins
|UD
|8
|Oct 20, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|111
|{{yes2}}Win
|70–36–5 
|style="text-align:left;"| Eddie Giosa
|UD
|10
|Sep 30, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|110
|{{no2}}Loss
|69–36–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Don Williams
|UD
|10
|Sep 21, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
|
|-
|109
|{{no2}}Loss
|69–35–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Bob Sandberg
|UD
|10
|Sep 1, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.}}
|
|-
|108
|{{yes2}}Win
|69–34–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Don Williams
|UD
|10
|Aug 17, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
|
|-
|107
|{{yes2}}Win
|68–34–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Louis Joyce
|SD
|8
|Aug 1, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Fair Grounds Arena, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. }}
|
|-
|106
|{{no2}}Loss
|67–34–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Guiseppe Colasanti
|SD
|10
|Jul 1, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Long Beach, California, U.S. Stadium, Long Beach, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|105
|{{yes2}}Win
|67–33–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Mario Moreno
|KO
|2 (8)
|Jun 21, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Fair Grounds Arena, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|104
|{{yes2}}Win
|66–33–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Jimmy Collins
|MD
|8
|Jun 6, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|103
|{{no2}}Loss
|65–33–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Eddie Giosa
|SD
|10
|May 2, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|102
|{{yes2}}Win
|65–32–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Bobby Timpson
|TKO
|10 (10)
|Apr 11, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|101
|{{yes2}}Win
|64–32–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Joey Carkido
|KO
|4 (10)
|Mar 28, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|100
|{{yes2}}Win
|63–32–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Santa Bucca
|KO
|4 (10)
|Mar 17, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|99
|{{no2}}Loss
|62–32–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Percy Bassett]]
|UD
|10
|Feb 28, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|98
|{{yes2}}Win
|61–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Chuck Burton
|TKO
|9 (10)
|Jan 31, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|97
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Rene Camacho
|TKO
|2 (10)
|Jan 17, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|96
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Andres Balderas
|KO
|3 (10)
|Dec 10, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Liberty Hall, El Paso, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|95
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Nick Castiglione
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Dec 20, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|
|-
|94
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Hubert Gray
|KO
|10 (10)
|Dec 13, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|93
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Ted Garcia
|TKO
|9 (10)
|Nov 20, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|92
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Tony Davila
|KO
|1 (10)
|Sep 26, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wright's Arena, Waco, Texas, U.S. }}
|
|-
|91
|{{no2}}Loss
|55–31–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Louis Flyer
|KO
|6 (10)
|Jun 14, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S. }}
|
|-
|90
|{{no2}}Loss
|55–30–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Henry Majcher
|PTS
|10
|May 21, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|89
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–29–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Johnny Cool
|DQ
|2 (10)
|Jan 29, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Cool DQ'd for "not trying"}}
|-
|88
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–29–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Jack Garrity
|KO
|1 (10)
|Jan 25, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Young Men's Catholic Club Hall, Danbury, Connecticut, U.S. }}
|
|-
|87
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–29–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Jerry Zullo
|KO
|2 (10)
|Jan 1, 1946
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Salem Arena, Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
|
|-
|86
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–29–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Jimmy Doyle (boxer)|Jimmy Doyle]]
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Dec 3, 1945
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|-
|85
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–28–5
|style="text-align:left;"| John Thomas
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Dec 22, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|84
|{{no2}}Loss
|52–27–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Henry Armstrong]]
|TKO
|8 (10)
|Dec 4, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
|
|-
|83
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–26–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Chato Gonzalez
|KO
|2 (10)
|Nov 18, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. }}
|
|-
|82
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–26–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Al Tribuani
|UD
|10
|Sep 22, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. Park, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.}}
|
|-
|81
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–25–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Carmen Notch
|SD
|10
|Aug 27, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. }}
|
|-
|80
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–24–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Cosby Linson
|PTS
|10
|Aug 17, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.}}
|
|-
|79
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–23–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Fritzie Zivic]]
|TKO
|10 (10)
|May 25, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|78
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–22–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Jackie Byrd
|PTS
|10
|May 13, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Rix Stadium, Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.}}
|
|-
|77
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–21–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Mike Kaplan
|UD
|10
|Mar 27, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
|
|-
|76
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–20–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Marty Servo]]
|UD
|10
|Feb 17, 1942
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|75
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–19–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Sammy Angott]]
|UD
|15
|Dec 19, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost NYSAC and ''The Ring'' lightweight titles;<br>For [[list of WBA world champions#Lightweight|NBA lightweight title]]}}
|-
|74
|{{no2}}Loss
|51–18–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Freddie Cochrane]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 6, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|73
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–17–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Cleo McNeal
|KO
|3 (10)
|Sep 12, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., Minnesota, U.S.}}
|
|-
|72
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–17–5
|style="text-align:left;"| Joey Zodda
|KO
|3 (10)
|Aug 4, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|71
|{{no2}}Loss
|49–17–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Bob Montgomery (boxer)|Bob Montgomery]]
|UD
|10
|May 16, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–16–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Lou Ambers]]
|TKO
|7 (10)
|Feb 28, 1941
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|69
|{{draw}}Draw
|48–16–5
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Fritzie Zivic]]
|PTS
|10
|Dec 20, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|68
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–16–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Pete Lello
|KO
|2 (15)
|Nov 22, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC and ''The Ring'' lightweight titles}}
|-
|67
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–16–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Bob Montgomery (boxer)|Bob Montgomery]]
|UD
|10
|Sep 16, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|66
|{{no2}}Loss
|46–16–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Henry Armstrong]]
|TKO
|6 (12)
|Jul 17, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Lou Ambers]]
|TKO
|3 (15)
|May 10, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[List of world lightweight boxing champions|NYSAC]] and [[list of The Ring world champions#Lightweight|''The Ring'' lightweight titles]]}}
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Tippy Larkin]]
|KO
|1 (15)
|Mar 8, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|63
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Chino Alvarez
|KO
|1 (10)
|Jan 24, 1940
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[William Marquart]]
|KO
|3 (8)
|Dec 15, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Mike Belloise
|TKO
|7 (8)
|Nov 21, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Primo Flores
|TKO
|5 (8)
|Oct 10, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Primo Flores
|TKO
|4 (8)
|Sep 12, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Ginger Foran
|KO
|4 (8)
|Sep 5, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Quentin Breese]]
|PTS
|8
|Aug 15, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Joey Fontana
|PTS
|8
|Aug 1, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Quentin Breese]]
|PTS
|8
|Jul 18, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|54
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Jorge Morelia
|PTS
|10
|Jun 19, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Walkathon Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Roberto Gomez
|TKO
|2 (10)
|Jun 5, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Walkathon Arena, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|52
|{{no2}}Loss
|33–15–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Manuel Villa II
|PTS
|10
|May 31, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|51
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–14–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Jimmy Hatcher
|KO
|4 (10)
|May 26, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S. }}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|50
|{{no2}}Loss
|32–14–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Carlos Malacara
|PTS
|10
|May 13, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–13–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Panchito Campos
|KO
|1 (10)
|May 6, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico }}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|48
|{{no2}}Loss
|31–13–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Pedro Ortega
|PTS
|10
|Apr 29, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|47
|{{no2}}Loss
|31–12–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Pete Lello
|KO
|7 (8)
|Mar 24, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–11–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Sammy Musco
|KO
|6 (10)
|Mar 15, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–11–4
|style="text-align:left;"| KO Borrado
|KO
|2 (10)
|Mar 8, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–11–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Jack Darcy
|PTS
|6
|Mar 3, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|43
|{{no2}}Loss
|28–11–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Willie Joyce]]
|SD
|8
|Feb 24, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. }}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|42
|{{no2}}Loss
|28–10–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Willie Joyce]]
|SD
|8
|Feb 17, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. }}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–9–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Kid Leyva
|KO
|3 (10)
|Feb 10, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. }}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–9–4
|style="text-align:left;"| Sammy Scully
|KO
|5 (10)
|Jan 31, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|39
|{{draw}}Draw
|26–9–4
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Willie Joyce]]
|SD
|10
|Jan 20, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–9–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Joe Law
|PTS
|6
|Jan 6, 1939
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–9–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Ted Tallos
|PTS
|6
|Dec 29, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|36
|{{no2}}Loss
|24–9–3
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Wesley Ramey]]
|PTS
|10
|Dec 16, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost USA Texas State lightweight title}}
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–8–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Sammy Musco
|UD
|10
|Dec 2, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–8–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Young Ernest
|KO
|2 (10)
|Nov 22, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|34 East Concho Arena, San Angelo, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|33
|{{no2}}Loss
|22–8–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Lew Feldman
|MD
|10
|Nov 17, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|32
|{{draw}}Draw
|22–7–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Sammy Musco
|PTS
|10
|Nov 9, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Carl Faust
|KO
|8 (15)
|Nov 3, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant USA Texas State lightweight title}}
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Carl Faust
|TKO
|8 (10)
|Oct 20, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Luis Orozco
|KO
|1 (10)
|Oct 6, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Don Eddy
|TKO
|8 (8)
|Sep 30, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Jack Griffin
|PTS
|6
|Sep 16, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Cullen Williams
|KO
|3 (10)
|Sep 7, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Zeke Castro
|PTS
|6
|Aug 23, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|24
|{{no2}}Loss
|15–7–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Chino Alvarez
|TKO
|8 (10)
|Jul 29, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–6–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Willard Brown
|KO
|4 (10)
|Jul 22, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|22
|{{no2}}Loss
|14–6–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Bobby Britton
|KO
|7 (10)
|May 27, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–5–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Chief Evening Thunder
|KO
|8 (10)
|May 13, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|20
|{{no2}}Loss
|13–5–2
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Wesley Ramey]]
|PTS
|10
|Apr 28, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Lew Feldman
|SD
|10
|Apr 8, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Jackie Sharkey
|KO
|2 (10)
|Apr 1, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Ramon Serrano
|KO
|2 (10)
|Mar 18, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Louis Arriola
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Mar 11, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Frankie Graham
|TKO
|4 (10)
|Feb 18, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Jackie Conway
|KO
|2 (6)
|Feb 4, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Young Ernest
|KO
|5 (6)
|Jan 28, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Kid Leyva
|TKO
|5 (8)
|Jan 14, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|11
|{{draw}}Draw
|5–4–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Ramon Serrano
|PTS
|6
|Jan 11, 1938
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Olympiad Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|10
|{{no2}}Loss
|5–4–1
|style="text-align:left;"| Midget Mexico
|PTS
|6
|Sep 22, 1937
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|40 & 8 Arena, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–3–1
|style="text-align:left;"| Billy Firpo
|PTS
|8
|Jul 4, 1937
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Silver City, New Mexico, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–3–1
|style="text-align:left;"| Alberto Pena
|TKO
|2 (8)
|Apr 24, 1937
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Silver City, New Mexico, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|7
|{{draw}}Draw
|3–3–1
|style="text-align:left;"| Billy Firpo
|PTS
|10
|Apr 15, 1937
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Silver City, New Mexico, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Cullen Williams
|PTS
|4
|May 21, 1936
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Sailor Fay Kosky
|PTS
|4
|Mar 5, 1936
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Silver City, New Mexico, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|4
|{{no2}}Loss
|1–3
|style="text-align:left;"| Ray Carrillo
|PTS
|4
|Dec 13, 1935
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Lee Mullins
|PTS
|4
|Dec 2, 1935
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|2
|{{no2}}Loss
|0–2
|style="text-align:left;"| Gene Noble
|TKO
|4 (4)
|Jul 22, 1935
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|West Texas Open Air Arena, Abilene, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|1
|{{no2}}Loss
|0–1
|style="text-align:left;"| Bobby Reed
|PTS
|8
|Jul 8, 1935
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|West Texas Open Air Arena, Abilene, Texas, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|}}
|-
|}

==Boxing achievements and honors==

{{S-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Lou Ambers]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=World Lightweight Champion|
 years=May 10, 1940 – Dec 19, 1941}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sammy Angott]]}}
{{s-end}}

==See also==
*[[Lineal championship]]
*[[List of lightweight boxing champions]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{boxrec|id=009466}}
*https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1941
*https://titlehistories.com/boxing/na/usa/ny/nysac-l.html
*[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ljenkins.htm Arlington National Cemetery]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jenkins, Lew}}
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:1981 deaths]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Texas]]
[[Category:Lightweight boxers]]
[[Category:World lightweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World boxing champions]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]