Alexander DiSalvio

Alexander DiSalvio, who boxed professionally as Al Daley, was born in Camden around 1914 to Michael (born Michele) DiSalvio and his wife, the former Rose Spinogatti, both of whom had been born in Italy. The family was already living at 815 South 3rd Street in South Camden and kept that address through 1920. There were at that time seven children ranging in age from 15 to 8 months. The children were Anna, Frank, Harry, Mary, Alec (as recorded in the Census record), Daisy, and Albert. A daughter, Donata, had passed prior to the 1920 Census enumeration, another daughter, Rose would come shortly afterwards. Michael DiSalvio worked at Camden Forge as a laborer in the summer of 1918; by January of 1920 he was working as a laborer in a carpet factory. By 1924 the family had purchased a home at 1140 South 3rd Street.

Alexander DiSalvio was one of the many fine boxers to come out of South Camden in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily featherweights and lightweights. He was already fighting professionally by the fall of 1931.

By 1947 Alexander DiSalvio had married. He was then living with his wife Gilda at 1472 South 4th Street. He was then working as a barber. The New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory from 1959 indicates that he had moved to 1115 Langham Avenue in Parkside. The 1969 Directory shows an “A. DiSalvio” in Merchantville.

Alexander DiSalvio—still Al Daley to his boxing friends, of which there were many—remained interested in boxing and served as an officer of the Veteran Boxer Association Ring 6, who had a clubhouse at 868 Mt. Ephraim Avenue in Camden during the 1950s and 1960s.

Alexander DiSalvio died on September 14, 1976, survived by his wife Gilda and son Michael. Gilda DiSalvio joined her husband in 1990.

Daisy DiSalvio, the last of his brothers and sisters, passed away in 2006.

Camden Boxer May Find Kensington Star Hard to Defeat Tonight

Millville, June 5. Teddy Berman, shifty Kensington slugger, and Johnny Lucas, fair-haired Camden puncher, will feature the eight-round windup attraction at the Taubel Arena here tonight. Five bouts are on the program as arranged by the Millville Athletic Club.

Berman, who made a name for himself at various Philadelphia fight clubs, is given at least an even chance to stop the rising Camden lightweight, although local fans who have seen Lucas in action many times and seldom when the latter has been on the losing end, are pulling for him to get by the Kensington threat.

A pair of hard hitters, Kid Rose, of Atlantic City, and Freddy Kid Wilson, of Chester, are down for the semi-windup number of six sessions or less. Both are noted for their ability to stop their rivals in short order and it is doubtful if this affair will go the limit.

Three other bouts are on the program. Billy Cranmer, a local puncher and favorite, meets Frankie Burns of Clayton, in the main preliminary. In the other scraps, Jack Sharkey, of Vineland, opposes Marty Moore, of Woodbine, while Solly Blair, of Chester, tangles with Al Daley, of Camden, in the opening number.

Paulsboro, Oct. 15.—Boxing will make its indoor appearance here on Thursday night, October 22, when six bouts will be staged at the Paulsboro Arena, which has been renovated to such an extent that it will seat 1200.

It was announced yesterday by Matchmaker Jack Fitzgerald that he has signed Mickey Blair, popular Camden lightweight, and Dick Clark, of Memphis, Tenn., to clash in the main event of six rounds.

Joe Lawson, of Camden, is scheduled to take on “Baby Face” Cramer, of Millville, in the six-round semifinal. Larry Jackson, hard-hitting Millville southpaw, is slated to meet Frankie Robertson, of Camden, in the main preliminary of four rounds.

Al Daley, of Camden, the most promising featherweight in South Jersey, faces Solly Blair, of Vineland, in the third four-rounder. Marty Moore, of Woodbine, mingles with Buddy Pascoe, of Verga, in the second scrap of four rounds, while Mike Duca, of Paulsboro, and Kid Lee, of Millville, come together in the four-round opener.

Lightweights Feature Opening Indoor Card of Six Bouts Tonight

Paulsboro, Oct. 22.—Indoor boxing will make its debut here tonight at the Paulsboro Arena when Promoter Jack Fitzgerald presents a card of six all-star matches. The first bout is timed to start at 8.30 p. m.

Mickey Blair, pride of South Camden, is down to oppose Dick Clark, of Memphis, Tenn., in the feature bout of six rounds. A semi-final, also of six sessions, and four four-rounders, round out the program.

Blair, who is again fighting in his old form, is favored to take the measure of the boxer from Dixie due to his vast experience in the fight game. He has trained hard for the fight, but may run into the unexpected in Clark who is reputed to be a good, fast puncher with a liking for infighting.

Clark has been fighting in this section for some time and has walked off with a number of important decisions in Millville and at seashore fight clubs. Blair, on the other hand, recently decided to stage a comeback after a long absence from the ring, and his host of followers feel that he is in better shape at present than at any time in his career.

Joe Lawson, another Camden mauler, is scheduled to battle “Baby Face” Cramer, of Millville, in the six-round semi-final. Cramer is rapidly forging to the front, while Lawson is a veteran of many tough encounters.

Larry Jackson, of Millville, and Frankie Robinson, of Camden, meet in the preliminary of four rounds. Al Daley, another Camdenite and one of the most promising featherweights in South Jersey, takes on Solly Blair, of Vineland, in a return four-rounder, the first bout having resulted in a draw.

Marty Moore, of Woodbine, and Buddy Pascoe, of Verga, mingle in the second bout of four rounds, while Mike Duca, of Paulsboro, and Kid Lee, of Millville, clash in the four-round opener.

Camden Lightweight Easy Winner Before 1200 Fans at Indoor Show — Lawson-Cramer Draw

April 20, 1959

Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers — Also Extend Best Wishes to Sergeant Ray Smith

Joseph Grochowski • Al Bunker • Ed Kaszycki • Andy Friday • John Skiba • John Dombrowski • Walter Szalanski • Nick Pawlak • Wm. O’Brien • Bill Neil • Wm. Schultz • Tom Scarduzio • Peter Paull • Barney Tracey • Dave Hainsworth • Walter Zimolong • Edward Shapiro • Thomas McLaughlin • John Opfer

Vallie Francesconi • Tom Ryan • Leon Lucas • Jesse Urban • Bobbie Zimmerman • Joe (Kid) Murphy • Pee Wee Wilson • Jackie Gleason • Joe Vitarelli • Al Daley • Frankie Youker • Joe McEvoy • Frank Valenti • Jim McFadden • Charles Bauer • George Ballantine • James O’Neill • Dorothy Dougherty • Agnes McHenry • Vicky Dangler • Francis Souders • Loretta and Reds • Bart • Roger Cotton • Leon McCarthy • Kenneth Geitz • Joe Daubman • Norman Jacobson • Nick Colofrancisco • Chris Rago • Charles Myers • Ray Cohand • Paul Harduk • Charles Wells • Carl Stolinski • Walter Wilson • Steve Straub • Charley Kmiec • Jimmy Tyler • Joe Dorfy • William Vogel • John Campbell

Steve O’Keefe • Sam Laird • Ed Rickter • Don Cragin • John Odorisio • Michael Przywara • Walter Paleszewski • Watson Burdalski • Stanley Snajkowski • Frank Drabik • John P. Kawczak • Frank Kulesa • Steve Kirby • James R. Asher • Polack Tony • Stephen Yakopczyna • Helen and Chick • Don Wilson • James Monaghan • George Carr • Bill Jentsch • John Greenan • Charles Galasso • Don’s Barber Shop • Joe Shaw • Ben Gutowski • Tom Bristow • Joseph Stelmach • Leon Hood • George Saunders • Mike Borman • Anthony Cirelli • Bob Hardy • Frank Hardy • Benny DePalma • Frank Padulla • Mike Yack • Stanley Powell • George Kroecker • A Friend • The Fox • Tom Fish

Thanks to Michael DiSalvio, son of Alexander DiSalvio, for his help in creating this web-page.