Maurice Sposato, better known in fistic circles as “Kid Sharkey” has been on the boxing beat for many years, while working with some of the very best ring gladiators plying their fistic wares. For many years Sharkey has been one of the mainstays in the very popular Boxing Club, The CAGE in White Plains, NY.

  The CAGE was operated by the late Charlie Caserta, who handled more Glove Champions than anyone in the history of the great Amateur Tournament. Sharkey is the Fistic Guru at the Westchester Boxing Academy in Scarsdale, NY. Of all the good boxers he has taught, he still has not pocketed any of the big money that is floating around the sport today. But he continues to plug away at the sport he dearly loves.

  His fistic career began in 1932 at the YWHA in White Plains while racking up a 12-9 career, scoring 2 knockouts. He then turned his thoughts to “Bootleg” boxing, which in a sense is professional boxing in disguise. Bootleg boxing was not listed as a professional endeavor, but none the less the gladiators were being paid for their ring services. The shows were generally known as “smokers” in unsanctioned bouts.

  Sharkey crossed gloves with many top notch leather slingers most notably with the great Sugar Ray Robinson and former lightweight King Lew Ambers.  This very talented little Tiger measured a mere 5’4’’ in height while scaling 118 pounds, but gave every one of his opponents a run for their money. He compiled a very impressive 58 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw record.

  World War II interrupted his ring activities and off to war our hero went. During the Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific, he was badly wounded with fragments of shrapnel in his legs and side and lost two toes. This caused him to have difficulty in the balance while attempting to resume his boxing career. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Battle Star and a Presidential Citation.

  These injuries forced his retirement, and he decided to enter New York University, and from there became a private detective with the Pinkerton Agency. Even while doing his duty as a detective, he continued to train fighters. Among the boxers he has lent his expert knowledge to were Buster Mathis, Larry Holmes, Carl Williams, Jose Torres, Renaldo Snipes, Cleo Daniels, Jeff Miller, Jimmy Williams, Bill Cook and Herschel Jacobs. These ring warriors showed their deep appreciation to Sharkey by presenting him with a corner jacket inscribed with these words, “Greatest Trainer of All Times”. A very benefitting gesture to one of the best in the “beak busting” business.

  Your writer became acquainted with Sharkey many years ago when he was handling the very talented Herschel Jacobs, and I handled the hard punching Welterweight Ronnie Cohen. We would travel nightly to Connecticut where the very capable former pugilist Eddie Mach operated a gymnasium. Eddie was confined to a wheelchair due to an accident years before that left him unable to walk. It was amazing how a man so handicapped could successfully train and tutor young boxers.

  The latest “rising” star that gained from Sharkey’s fistic knowledge is Heavyweight Lou Savarese. The big money that escaped Sharkey all these years may be just around the corner. His handlers of this young fisticuffer are gunning for a Title joust against Champion George Foreman. Sharkey is not only a great trainer but a classy individual with never a harsh word spoken of anyone. It is always a pleasure whenever he and his pal Neal stop by to chat with me. Sharkey, may all your days be filled with Good Health, Happiness and eventually, a World Championship