"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Panama Al Brown

Panama Brown is a former Batamweight Champion from Panama, who made history by becoming boxing's first Hispanic World Champion. Brown fought during the early 20th century, when boxing records where not accurately kept. Brown was said to have fought 164 times professionally. He was six feet tall and had long arms, two things that contributed to his success in the ring.

While Brown clerked for the United States Shipping Board at the Panama Canal Zone as a young adult, he saw American soldiers boxing and was intrigued. In 1902, he turned pro under the guidance of manager Dave Lumiansky, on March 19, 1922, he defeated Jose Moreno by decision in the 7th. In December 13th, of that same year, he beat Sailor Patchett by decision to earn the Isthmus Flyweight title. Traveling abroad, Brown had his first fight in the U.S. in New York City, which ended in a draw. He established a presence and relocated to New York in 1923.

His career took off rapidly, and in that same year, Brown was rated 3rd best flyweight in the world by The Ring magazine. Brown also began to travel the U.S. fighting and winning until he suffered his first loss against Tommy Russo. In his debut in Paris, France, in 1926, Brown KO'd Antoine Merlo during their bout. Panama loved Paris so much that he decided to live there. He became very popular while fighting and living in France.

Landing a 15 second knockout in one his bouts, Brown made history for this feat, as it was never done before. He made history again on June 18th by beating Gregorio Vidal in a 15 round decision for the vacant Batamweight title, and becoming the first Hispanic to do so.

At the end of career, Panama Brown had retained his title nine times. He died unfortunately of tuberculosis in New York in 1951, homeless and penniless. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and is one of the best boxers of his era.