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About Charlie
"Blood" Benanti
Charlie gained his
nickname "Charlie Blood" at a young age from his reputation as a
street tough fighter during his school days. He began profressional
boxing at the age of 16 to aid his family in the pre-Depression
years. Weighing in at 127, standing 5' 4", and earning a pro salary
of $10 for 4 rounds, Charlie was known to box in a roughhouse
manner. He was never knocked off his feet.
Many of his fights were held in Garfield, Jersey City, and Paterson,
and in Monticello and Herkemine, New York. He gained the New Jersey
Lightweight crown in 1928 from Cy Roberts. Among the fighters that
Charlie hels victories over were Lou Ambers, Petey Mack of Jersey
City, Nick Salvatore of Newark, and Joey Bliss of Garfield. With a
winning record of 65-5, he retired in 1931. When asked why he
retired so soon, Charlie was quoted as saying, " I gave up fighting
after a Garfield boy, Joey Bliss, stood up for 8 rounds of pounding.
I was mad because I couldn't knock him out - and the depression had
cut my purses from $300 and $400 to $50 and $75 - not worth it"
In 1940, Charlie took over a tavern in Garfield from his
father-in-law. It is knwon as "Charlie Bloods" and is owned and run
by his son Sal Benanti, and his family. After his boxing retirement,
Charlie became Superintendent of Weights and Measures in Garfield.
He also served as President of the local liquor dealers association,
President of the Garfield Rotary, a member of the Foresters of
America, and the 20th Century A.C. He married Nettie Garrone and had
2 children, Rosalie and Sal, and 4 grandchildren.
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