On This Day In Boxing History!

1988: Kid Chocolate Passes!

Kid Chocolate   

Born: January 6th, 1910

Birth Name: Eligio Sardinias Montalvo

Birth Place: Cerro, Havana, Cuba

Residence: Havana, Cuba

Pro-Debut: October 22nd, 1927

Alias:  Cuban Bon Bon

Division: Featherweight

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 6″  

Reach: 65″  

Bouts: 152

Rounds: 1188

Record: 136-10-6, 51Ko’s

Ko’s: 34%

Died: Age 78, August 8th, 1988

Kid Chocolate, born Eligio Sardiñas Montalvo on January 6, 1910, in Cerro, Havana, Cuba, began boxing as a teenager, gaining technique by watching fight films and sparring with champions like Benny Leonard and Jack Johnson before starting his amateur career, where his undefeated record—often claimed as 100 wins—was likely exaggerated for publicity.

He officially began his professional career on December 8, 1927, in Havana, though some sources cite prior paid bouts. His first twelve fights took place in Cuba before relocating to New York in 1928, where he achieved rapid prominence by winning most early bouts, including a long streak of victories. By 1929, he was a top featherweight contender and continued his undefeated run with 23 wins that year, overcoming increasingly skilled competitors like Fidel LaBarba and future champion Al Singer.

In 1930, after further wins and a rematch loss against LaBarba, his first career defeat was handed to him by Jackie Kid Berg. Later that year, he unsuccessfully challenged Battling Battalino for the world featherweight title. Chocolate rebounded by winning four consecutive bouts in early 1931 and then realized his dream on July 15, 1931, by knocking out Benny Bass in seven rounds to become Cuba’s first world boxing champion, taking the world junior lightweight (super featherweight) title. He attempted to claim the world lightweight crown from Tony Canzoneri later in 1931 but lost via decision.

Chocolate started 1932 with eight straight wins, including a successful title defense against Davie Abad in Havana. He then lost a rematch to Berg, followed by a series of victories, and on October 13, 1932, he won the New York world featherweight title by knocking out Lew Feldman in 12 rounds—a title recognized only by the New York State Athletic Commission. He defended his featherweight crown twice, including a third contest with LaBarba, then voluntarily vacated it during a successful European fighting tour with victories in Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris.

Upon returning to America, he suffered knockout losses—first in a lightweight title rematch against Canzoneri in 1933, then losing his junior lightweight world championship to Frankie Klick on December 25, 1933, after which it was revealed, he was suffering from syphilis. Briefly retired, Chocolate returned in 1934, fighting mostly lesser opposition, winning 47 of his next 50 bouts, but never again secured a world title shot before retiring in 1938.

Throughout his peak, Kid Chocolate was known for his vibrant nightlife and status as a socialite, but after his career ended, he returned to Cuba and led a quieter life.

During the Cuban Revolution, his achievements were initially ignored, but he was later honored and provided state support. He died in Havana on August 8, 1988, at age 78, from complications related to syphilis that had affected him since his boxing career.

Kid Chocolate’s final professional record was 136 wins (51 by knockout), 10 losses, and 6 draws. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, inspired Clifford Odets’ character Chocolate Drop in “Golden Boy,” and was posthumously recognized by The Ring as one of the greatest featherweights of all time.

August 8th

1889: John L. Sullivan KO75 Jake Kilrain

1931: Former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey signed a contract for a six-bout tour of the northwestern US He was to be paid $35,000 or 50 percent of the gross receipts, whichever was more.

1933: Maxie Rosenbloom TKO6 Meyer Christner

1934: Sixto Escobar W15 Eugene Huat

1939: Denny Moyer was born in Portland, Oregon

Ceferino Garcia KO5 Bobby Pacho

1947: Charley Burley TKO8 Larry Cartwright

1963: Leo Gámez is born in San Juan de Los Morros, Venezuela.

1966: Chris Eubank was born in Dulwich, London, England

1973: Eddie Gazo KO5 Oscar

1981: Thulani Malinga age 26 debuts TKO1 Victor Zulu

1987: Baby Sugar Rojas W12 Santos Laciar

1988: Kid Chocolate Passes age 78

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2004: David Lopez W12 Quirino Garcia

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