Born Luigi d'Ambrosio, Lou Ambers grew up in Herkimer, New York, during the Great Depression. He and his nine siblings watched their father lose his business. Then they lost their father. Becoming a "bootleg" boxer to support his family, "The Herkimer Hurricane" soon became an undefeated contender, losing only one of more than 50 fights in his first three years as a professional. A keen judge of distance with prodigious hand speed, busily slipping and feinting he then slashed in with hooks and uppercuts. In 1935, he faced his mentor, Tony Canzoneri, and won the world lightweight championship from his former sparring partner in a 15-round decision. Ambers held the title for three years, losing it to Henry Armstrong but regaining it the following year. As the 1930s ended, so did Amber's career, with title and rematch losses to Lew Jenkins. This book chronicles the life of one of the great 20th century lightweights, who retired with a Hall of Fame record of 90-8-6 with 30 KOs.
