Bobby “Buzz-Saw” Zimmerman
Bobby “Buzz-Saw” Zimmerman, 1927
BOBBY “BUZZ-SAW” ZIMMERMAN was a boxer from Camden, New Jersey. He was the original “Camden Buzz-saw,” a tag adopted many years later by Dwight Braxton aka Dwight Muhammed Qawi, world-champion light heavyweight and cruiserweight in the 1980s. The “Black Bill” that Bobby Zimmerman fought was a Cuban fighter, Eladio Valdes who fought as “Black Bill,” primarily out of Havana and New York City. He was not Claude “Black Bill” Brooks, a Camden heavy-weight who had retired prior to Zimmerman turning professional.
Bobby Zimmerman’s Known Boxing Record
| Date | Opponent | Opp. Record | Location | Result | Rds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934-04-13 | Ruby Budman | 9–3–3 | Convention Hall, Camden, NJ | L NWS | 6 | Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) |
| 1934-02-09 | Benny Victor | 15–16–3 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, PA | L PTS | 6 | Philadelphia newspapers (Jack Kincaid) |
| 1934-01-26 | Norman Rahn | 8–2–0 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, PA | D PTS | 6 | |
| 1934-01-12 | Charley Rhodes | 7–1–1 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, PA | W KO | 1 | Philadelphia newspapers (Jack Kincaid) |
| 1933-12-25 | Norman Rahn | 8–1–0 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, PA | W PTS | 6 | Philadelphia newspapers (Jack Kincaid) |
| 1930-12-05 | Freddie Lattanzio | 12–17–1 | Convention Hall, Camden, NJ | L PTS | 6 | Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) |
| 1930-10-10 | Black Bill | 122–23–12 | Unknown | L PTS | ? | Exact date in October, number of rounds & location unknown |
| 1930-08-08 | Lew Zell | 8–3–0 | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, NJ | W KO | 4 | |
| 1930-03-01 | Johnny Ladao | 4–2–1 | Millville Arena, Millville, NJ | W PTS | 8 | |
| 1930-02-17 | Sammy Tucker | 20–8–0 | Arena, Trenton, NJ | D PTS | 6 | Referee: Danny Sullivan, Trenton Evening Times |
| 1930-02-11 | Midget Ambrose | 0–1–0 | Belmont Fire Hall, National Park, NJ | W PTS | 6 | |
| 1929-04-12 | Bill McNulty | 0–1–0 | South Jersey A.A., Camden, NJ | W TKO | 2 | Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) |
| 1929-02-15 | Frankie White | 0–1–0 | South Jersey A.A., Camden, NJ | W PTS | 6 | Philadelphia Inquirer (Jack Kincaid) |
Record: W 7 (3 KO’s) | L 4 | D 3 | Total 14. Sources: BoxRec and Camden Courier-Post. Note: this record may be incomplete/inaccurate.
Charity Battles Attract Big Crowd
Camden Courier-Post —
St. Joan of Arc Church Bouts Furnish Plenty of Action Throughout
Fifteen sizzling amateur boxing bouts, together with nine acts of vaudeville, were presented to a capacity crowd in the St. Joan of Arc Church gym, Fairview. The proceeds derived from the affair will go toward the church building fund.
In the feature bout, Bob Zimmerman, of Fairview, unintentionally fouled Eddie O’Tell of South Camden, in the first round and Referee Joe Bonnell immediately stopped the fuss. Zimmerman was in the lead when O’Tell, in attempting to avoid a left hook to the body, leaped into the air with the result that the punch landed low. Zimmerman, in order not to disappoint the crowd went three rounds with Mickey Murtha. Battling Mack and Pee Wee Ross staged a clown act, while Johnny Lucas met Billy De Lue; Tommy Lyons clashed with Jack Stanley; “Peaches” Gray tackled Terrible Pine; Joe Colon faced Billy Osborne, and George Anderson encountered Milton Bamford. All bouts were limited to three rounds.
Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh attended the affair, and when introduced by Announcer Bill Kennedy received an ovation that lasted fully five minutes. Mrs. Mary Walsh Kobus, a member of the city board of censors also was present. Sergeant Ray Smith assisted Bonnell in refereeing, while John McGraw was timekeeper. It was one of the most successful affairs ever conducted by the church athletic association.
Zimmerman Is Victor Over Midget Ambrose
Camden Courier-Post —
NATIONAL PARK, Feb. 12.— Bobby Zimmerman, of Fairview, who holds the South Jersey flyweight championship, defeated Midget Ambrose, of Vineland, in the six-round windup here last night at the Belmont Fire Hall.
Indian Russell, of Philadelphia, knocked out Davey Taylor, of Merchantville, in the third round of the semi-final. Joey Allen, of Camden, scored a technical knockout over Davey Winters, of Philadelphia, in three rounds. Joe Hillsee, of Philadelphia, won the referee’s decision over Battling Buster, of Vineland, in four rounds. Dominick Fusco, of Camden, stopped Terrible Pine, of Gloucester, in the second round.
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Camden Courier-Post —
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and Past South Jersey Boxers Go Through Paces in Charity Show
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts are exhibition matches as the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in action in the heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, are on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling around 165, while Frankie weighed around 160. Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first two rounds; a felt hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting about this bout, but still is in good physical shape. Frankie Blair, one of Camden’s well-known heavyweights, showed three fast rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years ago, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Battling Mack met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another Attell.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus McGuire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor; Jackson in short four-round bouts. Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who fought four of the best featherweights in the East in short time. Pee Wee Ross and Attell clash with Billy Marino.
…is dotted with knockouts. He will take on Joey Allen, South Camden featherweight who never fought a slow bout and who never side-stepped a match.
Pee Wee Ross undoubtedly was the best bantamweight ever developed in this city. Ross fought ’em all 10 years ago and finished with a great record. He meets Bobby Zimmerman, another local product who also was a pleasing performer and who was known as the “buzz saw” because of his rapid-fire punching.
Nick Nichols, one of the hardest-hitting welterweights ever to hold forth here, takes on Tommy McCann, East Camdenite who had one of the best left hands in the city.
Lucas Vs. Straiges
Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight who still could go to the wars, faces Joey Straiges, also of South Camden, who also could compete in featherweight ranks if it were necessary for him to continue boxing. In the other bout on the card, Young Palmer and Tommy Dundee, former featherweights, clash.
Jim Braddock, former world heavyweight champion, is expected to be on hand to referee at least one bout. Others invited to referee are: Sgt. Ray Smith, Harry Shaw, Tom Walters, Al Ettore, Joey O’Donnell, Mike DeLeece, Young Lawrence, Charley Harris, Bill McFarlane and Walter “West” Kennedy.
Nearly 4000 Witness Old-Timers in Action
Camden Courier-Post —
Nearly 4000 Witness Old-Timers in Action
Past and Present South Jersey Boxers Go Through Paces in Charity Show
No Decisions Rendered
By Frank Kopesky
They turned back the sporting page, month after month, year after year. And out of the staring type and fading newsprint stepped the shadows of all the names you’ve been reading about these past weeks.
With nearly 4,000 in attendance, the United Democratic Clubs of Camden sponsored a charity boxing show at Convention Hall last night that turned into a sentimental journey through the years for most of the fans.
Braddock Gets Big Hand
The feature attraction and a man who received a thunderous reception from the gallery was popular James J. Braddock, former heavyweight champion of the world, who refereed the final two bouts.
Roxie Allen and Jackie Hindle, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, were paired on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder. However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights. Walcott eventually knocked out Allen; Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first round, a left hook to the jaw sending him down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent their greatest days in out-of-town fights. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
The veteran of the card is Battling Mack, one of the finest characters ever to enter the fight game among South Camden featherweights in the East shortly after the World War. George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Battling met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another Attell.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus Maguire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor; Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who fought four of the best featherweights in the East in short time. Pee Wee Ross and Attell clash with Billy Marino.
Firpo is a lightweight who packed a great left hook and has in recent years been known to all South Jersey fight addicts.
Veterans Boxing Association Ring 6 — 11th Annual Banquet
Joey Powell’s Well-Wishers Also Extend Best Wishes to Sergeant Ray Smith
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
Sergeant Ray Smith — Nick Pawlak — Wm. O’Brien — Bill Neil — Wm. Schultz — Peter Paull — Barney Tracey — Edward Shapiro — John Opfer — John Odorisio — James R. Asher — Charles Galasso