George Nichols

George Nichols (born Phillip John Nicolosi) (10 July 1907 – 1986) was an American boxer who took the National Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight title by defeating Dave Maier on March 18, 1932, in Chicago. Early life and career highlights Phillip John Nicolosi, was born on July 10, 1907, in Sandusky, Ohio, to Italian immigrant parents Ida and Thomas. During their lives, the family used more than one Anglicized spelling of their Italian surname, though Nicolosi's public and ringname remained George Nichols. He would become a quite capable boxer with good ringcraft who fought the best competition of his era. On January 30, 1928, he lost to the exceptional black middleweight contender Jack McVey in Rochester, New York, in a ten-round technical knockout. The bout was stopped by the referee in the final round with Nichols hanging helplessly on the ropes. McVey won every round, efficiently landing both head and body shots. Nichols lost again to McVey in a ten-round points decision in Buffalo, New York, in October of that year with both boxers fighting as welterweights. On August 25, 1931, Nichols finally defeated McVey, at least by newspaper decision, in a ten-round battle in Sandusky, Ohio. Nichols used speed, timing and a strong right to control the bout. The Associated Press gave Nichols every round, with the possible exception of the first and sixth. Nichols began to take a deciding margin on points in the third and fourth with consistent attacks. Nichols seemed on the verge of a knockout in the eighth through tenth, but McVey stayed on his feet throughout the bout using great defensive skills. Osk Till, a Light Heavy contender, fell to Nichols in a six-round points decision at the Broadway Ballroom in Buffalo on November 25, 1929.