By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com
Back in the late 1970’s, I was introduced to a man that was the outstanding editor and publisher of the monthly Official Boxing Record, Dick Mastro. Although I did not know Dick personally as he was based out of Hollywood, California, I always admired his dedication to a publication that offered boxers’ ring records, world ratings, international champions, the mail box, a classified directory, and my favorite features, Down Cauliflower Alley by Noble “Kid” Chissell and Squaring the Round by Dick Mastro.
Through the years, I have subscribed and collected over 100 copies of his fine (digest size) product. I have always contended that the greatest boxing historians that I have met are Al Nelson, Nat Fleischer, Bert Sugar, Hank Kaplan, Don Fraser, and Emanuel Steward; but it just might be appropriate to add Dick Mastro to that list of men who collectively knew boxing to the highest degree.
Dick Mastro was born on April 23, 1913 in Illinois. He was an actor, known for his bit roles in Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts (1948) and The Golden Gloves Story (1950). He passed away (R.I.P.) on June 5, 1995, at age 82, in Los Angeles, California.
In my ten year tenure (1997-2007) serving the World Boxing Hall of Fame as a member of the Board of Directors and also Boxing Historian, I regret not doing my homework on two people and not recommending them as inductees. The first was one of the greatest middleweights of all time, Tommy Ryan; and the second – Dick Mastro!
