Inducted on November 5, 1978
Tony Berlin was born on April 25, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York.
Tony began his career in boxing merely by chance, he with a few friends of his went to the Adelphia A.C. in Elizabeth to see the “fights” when George Kobb the promoter needed a substitute opponent for Phil Costanzio, a local boy who was fighting. Tony volunteered for the four round bout and won even thought he did not train or aspire to be a boxer. The few dollars that Tony received came in handy since it was the beginning of the depression of 1929 through the thirties. He retired from boxing in 1932.
Most of his bouts engaged in were at Moose Hall, South Broad Street Arena Elizabeth promoted by George Kobb, Linden Sporting Club, Cranford, Morristown, ~V;restfield Armory, Plainfield, Newark, Highland Park, New York Rings, Allentown, Pa., Pittsburgh, Detroit, Minneapolis and S1. Paul.
In all, he boxed 52 times, winning 46, losing 4, and boxing 2 draws. He boxed such men as Bobby Hamilton, Eddie Marks, Dom Rizzo, Jimmy McWilliams, Ralph Aquino, Andy Teleymondi, Jessie Jones, Lugi Ughitto and Jimmy Cavalone.
After his boxing career he was employed at Standard Oil Co., Bayway Refinery in Elizabeth for several years, then was appointed to the Linden Police Department from which he retired. He was recruited to the Police Dept. in March 1937.
He is presently active with the PAL and various other youth organizations. Tony is also an active member of the Union County Boxers Association. He is married to the former Vera Hergenhan. They have two children and three grandchildren. He resides in Linden, New Jersey.
Boxing Record: Tony Berlin