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JOHNNY BRATTON - WELTERWEIGHT CHAMP... AND 'REST OF THE STORY' By George Elsasser |
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GEL
Questions? Comments? Write George Elsasser
10-20-2004
Brought to you by Saratogamist
copyright 2001-2004
Gavilan vs Bratton
Johnny Bratton’s career began in 1944 at age 17 … a 4-round decision win over
one Doyle Hirt - ended some ten years and change later on March 17, 1955 in
fight number 86 after TKO loss to Del Flanagan.
The résumé reads like a who’s who of the times with Johnny facing all the best
of the day. The wins included a world welter title that prior champion Ray
Robinson had vacated to move up to middleweight - the date was March 14, 1951 -
a 15-round unanimous decision over New Jersey’s Charlie Fusari.
The reign was short-lived when in first defense loses title by decision to Cuban
special one Kid Gavilan … post-fight word was Bratton’s jaw was broken within
opening five stanzas.
Leading up to the title, and subsequent loss to Gavilan, the Chicago based
Bratton entertained the likes of such talents as Joe "Old Bones" Brown, Ike
Williams, Eugene "Dummy" Hairston, Holly Mims, Bobby Dykes.
You want more, you say? How about Chalky Wright, Willie Joyce, Danny Kapilow,
Sammy Angott, Rocky Castellani, Pierre Langlois, Joe Miceli, Johnny Saxton and
Ralph "Tiger" Jones?
The ever busy schedule against such stellar foes would catch up to the once
slick boxer with better than average punching power - and the mix of welter and
middleweights would take a heavy toll.
Before Bratton’s retirement after the Flanagan loss in 1955, the stat sheet
showed kept appointments to the tune of eight bouts in 1951, eleven in 1952 and
eight in 1953.
The final numbers; won 59 (33 KO’s), lost 24, 3 draws in 86 total bouts.
And then, the rest of the story … a bummer to put it mildly … including a
chapter this fan saw by chance up close and personal - a once classy ring
performer that had hit rock bottom.
Somewhere along the line Bratton had turned migrant farm worker … found himself
at Riverhead town out in Suffolk County - and home to the County slammer where
I was working at the time as corrections officer.
Time eludes me, but good guess it was late 1970s - 80s. Called into Warden’s
office and asked if I had ever heard of a Johnny Bratton. Seems an inmate being
busted for public intoxication on Main St. (perish the thought) was claiming to
be the former boxing champion.
Warden escorts me with duty lieutenant in tow to the Administrative Segregation
housing block … asks what I think. Couldn’t tell from appearance … older,
softer in physique and no longer the sleek one I had recalled when at prime
time.
What bothered me most, and immediately grabbed me, was an out of character look
of fear on a face that once entered the squared circle with the aura of a
special one.
First asked if he knew of a Joe Miceli … and he did - also recalled a Miceli
quote leading up to their fight - one that had Joey saying he’d break the
Bratton jaw - as Gavilan, Beau Jack and Ike Williams once did.
I too remembered the newspaper quote … and we both knew it was Bratton stopping
Miceli in stanza eight … was all I needed, to ask the warden on leaving the
cell block to have Rehab Unit try locating Miceli who was living in Suffolk
County, and ask he visit Bratton at the lockup.
Turned into a front page story … Miceli was contacted … Long Island Newsday
picked it up and ran with it. Bingo! Bratton given a hearing and quickly
released.
Never knew how it went from there … only know the final chapter of the "rest of
the story" reads Johnny Bratton left us on 8-15-93 at age 65.