MCCOY, YOUNG KID INK SIGNED ALBUM PAGE

Adam Nicholas Pianga (6-19-19 to 5-1-95) was a welterweight fighter. He debuted on September 19, 1939 and fought until August 9, 1943 amassing a record of 46-7-4. Pianga fought notables in the division including Fritzie Zivic (twice), Al Nettlow, Pete Lello and Paul Junior. According to an item in the November 15, 1940 edition of the Los Angeles Times on Ancestry.com, Adam Pianga, a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, received his ring name, Young Kid McCoy, from Kid McCoy (Norman Selby) himself. Kid McCoy had been a resident of Detroit, Michigan at the time he committed suicide during 1940. A few months before his suicide, Kid McCoy visited the Hollywood Legion Stadium. At the time that the item appeared in the Times, Pianga was scheduled to fight Jack Larrimore at the Legion Stadium. Note- Pianga lost a close 10-round decision to Larrimore in a "bristling nip and tuck fight." According to the U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 database on Ancestry.com, Adam N. Pianga, born in Michigan during 1919, enlisted in the U.S. Army at Camp Upton, which was located Yaphank, New York, on February 4, 1942. According to a news item in the January 22, 1944 edition of the Detroit Free Press on Newspapers.com, Staff Sergeant Adam Pianga of the Army Air Forces received a medical discharge on Thursday (January 20, 1944) after two years of service. During a routine medical exam, it was found that there was something wrong with his kidneys. In addition to receiving his discharge, Pianga was advised to forget about resuming his career as a professional boxer. In his last bout, Pianga was knocked out by Fritzie Zivic in Pittsburgh. In their previous bout, Pianga and Zivic fought to a 10-round draw. After their second bout, Zivic said confidentially that Pianga was far from being the fighter that he was at the time of their first bout. Note- It appears that Pianga never fought again after receiving his discharge from the service. Offered here is an ink signed album page by Young Kid McCoy. From the collection of former Boxing Illustrated writer Ralph Pollack who had the album page signed by Young Kid McCoy in the mid 1940's at Stillman's Gym in New York City.
This is an original paper album page. Bold ink signature, "To Ralph Best Wishes to a great sport fan Young Kid McCoy." Clean with only light toning from aging. Not creased or torn. Edge wear. 4 3/8" x 5 1/4."