William BOSSIO

Bill Bossio was in the US Navy when he qualified for the 1948 Olympic boxing team. Bossio was the first successful fighter to be trained by Angelo Dundee, later famous as the trainer for Muhammad Ali. Bossio fought professionally from April 1949 to October 1954, almost exclusively on the East Coast. He was hampered by his size, as he stood only a shade over 5 feet tall (152 cm). Bossio finished with a career record of 42 wins, 16 losses, and 3 draws. He never fought for a major title, but he did twice defeat Pappy Gault, who later coached the US Olympic boxing team in 1968. Bossio later worked in maintenance although he was an avid oil painting hobbyist. He also volunteered as a boxing trainer at the Boys' Club in White Plains, NY.