Inducted on September 12, 1971
From Paterson, N. ]., Paul Cavalier, called the cleverest heavyweight in the world by Gene Tunney, was active in the squared circle for 15 years as a lightheavy and heavyweight contender. Started his boxing career in 1920 and won 15 straight bouts before losing his first fight in Madison Square Garden.
In 1927 at Arcola Park in Paramus, Paul de’ cisioned Jimmy Braddock for the light heavyweight championship of New Jersey, after Jimmy had a winning streak of 21 consecutive knockouts. As a heavyweight Paul won over Humberto Arce, Pietro Corri, Jack Roper, Phil Mercurio and defeated Tony Galento for the state heavyweight championship, after the famed Tony had scored 13 straight knockouts. Paul boxed over 100 rounds with Joe Louis while touring the New England states and Canada with the champion.
Feared and respected for his boxing talents by champions and top contenders, to remain active, Cavalier helped train seven former world champions, Gene Tunney, Jack Sharkey, Max Baer, Jack De’ laney, Mickey Walker, Primo Camera and Joe Louis.
Engaged in 11 5 bouts, won 111, lost three and boxed one draw. Knocked down only twice during his entire career, Paul arose and won both fights. Gene Tunney was certainly right.
Married in 1930 to the former Florence Lota, an active bowler and golfer, the Cavaliere’s reside in Wayne, N.]. They have a son, Paul Jr., a practicing lawyer in Paterson, N. ]. and four grandchildren.
Today Paul is a top boxing referee in New Jersey, and has worked the last four championship bouts held in our state. Also, he is Chief of the Attendance Dept., Board of Education, Paterson School System.
Welcome into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, Paul Cavaliere, congratulations and good luck.
(Boxing name Cavalier, real name Cavaliere.)
Paul Cavalier was a clever, sharp-punching heavyweight, noted as a “master of defense.” He claimed to have been knocked down only twice, by Englishman Charley Smith and by George LaRocco.
After retiring from the ring, he also was an attendance officer in the Paterson, New Jersey, school section, rising to become chief of the attendance section. Cavalier is best known as an outstanding referee in his home state, working “hundreds” of main events according to his own estimate. His officiating career was chronicled in Boxing Illustrated’s December 1961 issue.
An article on Cavalier, by Lester Bromberg, appeared in the New York Post, August 31, 1968.
Boxing Record: click
Judging Record: click
Refereeing Record: click