Born to Sicilian immigrants Vincent and Giacomina, Tony DeMarco grew up in Boston’s North End, a neighborhood that would later immortalize him as one of its most beloved sons.

Because professional boxing required a minimum age of eighteen, the teenage DeMarco—then sixteen—used the birth certificate of another boxer, Tony DeMarco, in order to compete. On October 21, 1948, he made his professional debut, knocking out Mestor Jones in the first round.

Throughout the 1950s, DeMarco established himself as one of the premier welterweights in the world, defeating a string of top contenders including Paddy DeMarco, Teddy “Red Top” Davis, Chico Vejar, and Don Jordan. His greatest triumph came on April 1, 1955, when he stopped Johnny Saxton in the 14th round to capture the world welterweight championship.

DeMarco’s reign, however, is most remembered for his two epic title bouts against Hall of Famer Carmen Basilio later that same year. Both fights were brutal, back-and-forth battles that thrilled fans with their nonstop action. In their first meeting, DeMarco entered as champion and battled courageously before Basilio forced a 12th-round stoppage. The rematch was equally dramatic—DeMarco staggered Basilio with a thunderous left hook, but Basilio rallied to win again by 12th-round TKO.

After a long and respected career, DeMarco fought his final bout on February 6, 1962, earning a ten-round decision over Stefan Redl in Boston. Over the years, he continued to be honored in his hometown. He trained under Boston legend Frankie Waters and routinely sold out the Boston Garden, setting attendance records. A local favorite, DeMarco was later honored by Mayor Thomas Menino with “Tony DeMarco Way,” a street named after him in the North End, and a statue at the corner of Hanover and Cross Streets, unveiled on October 20, 2012. The bronze monument, created by renowned sculptor Harry Weber, stands as a lasting tribute to Boston’s “Kid from the North End.”

Beyond the ring, DeMarco once owned the Living Room Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona, and appeared in documentaries including Boston’s North End: An Italian American Story and The Flame and Fury of Fleet Street. His autobiography, Nardo: Memoirs of a Boxing Champion, inspired a forthcoming documentary by filmmaker Marino Amoruso.

Over his lifetime, DeMarco received numerous honors, including induction into the Official National Italian American Hall of Fame in Chicago. In 2019, his career achievements were further immortalized when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Looking back, DeMarco summed up his legacy simply and fittingly: “Mainly, I consider myself a slugger.”