Born in Italy, to Massimo and Lucia Merlo Tappero. They immigrated to California in 1906, when Domenick was a toddler. In the spring of 1909, the family relocated to Bingham Canyon, Utah, where his father found employment as a miner.
He had an older sister, Lucy, and a younger sister, Mary.
A love for boxing was ignited in Domenick at a young age. In his youth, he would work by day as a teamster at the Citizen's Coal and Supply company in Bingham, and participated in boxing matches at night. He trained in Utah and California, fighting for a very short time under the name "Young Nelson." He had his professional debut at the Hippodrome Theater in Salt Lake City on April 17, 1922, under the name "Kid Tappero." He won his very first match, knocking out his opponent. Most of his boxing matches throughout Domenick's career would take place at theatres in Salt Lake City.
Earning the nickname "Tap," he quickly drew local fame, and had many admirers who would come and watch every one of his matches. He was viewed as surprisingly kind and caring despite his chosen profession, always doing whatever he could to help his parents and sisters at home.
Less than a year after his debut, Domenick had to undergo nasal surgery to repair the damage caused by breaking his nose so often. But it didn't slow the young boxer down, and he was soon back in the ring. By 1924, he was the state bantamweight champion.
On September 7, 1925, he had his first match outside of Utah, as the main attraction of a Labor Day celebration in Great Falls, Montana. He was set up against Billy DeFoe, a much more accomplished boxer than Domenick had ever faced before, and 10 years his senior. The match ended with DeFoe winning by a points decision in the 12th round.
After the match, Domenick went to his dressing room in good spirits despite the loss, receiving congratulations from his friends and colleagues for putting on a good show. However, while removing his boxing togs, Domenick suddenly fell unconscious. He was rushed to Columbus Hospital where he soon died, never having woken back up. He was twenty-one years old.
Though it was most likely a brain injury received during the match that caused Domenick's death, it was also reported that Bright's disease was a large contributing factor.
His funeral was held at Holy Rosary Church in Salt Lake City, and the number in attendance overflowed the chapel. Two cars were needed to transport the variety of floral offerings.
Following his death, his whole home town of Bingham Canyon mourned him. A poster-sized photo of him in his fighting togs was hung up in the local billiard parlor, and charity boxing night benefiting his parents and sisters was announced at the Princess Theatre in Salt Lake City, where Domenick had often fought. The benefit was a huge success.
According to one of the articles following his death, "Dominic Tappero was beloved by all who knew him, always numbering his friends by the hundreds. It was said of him that he had no enemies, and was ever ready to help all in need."
He had an older sister, Lucy, and a younger sister, Mary.
A love for boxing was ignited in Domenick at a young age. In his youth, he would work by day as a teamster at the Citizen's Coal and Supply company in Bingham, and participated in boxing matches at night. He trained in Utah and California, fighting for a very short time under the name "Young Nelson." He had his professional debut at the Hippodrome Theater in Salt Lake City on April 17, 1922, under the name "Kid Tappero." He won his very first match, knocking out his opponent. Most of his boxing matches throughout Domenick's career would take place at theatres in Salt Lake City.
Earning the nickname "Tap," he quickly drew local fame, and had many admirers who would come and watch every one of his matches. He was viewed as surprisingly kind and caring despite his chosen profession, always doing whatever he could to help his parents and sisters at home.
Less than a year after his debut, Domenick had to undergo nasal surgery to repair the damage caused by breaking his nose so often. But it didn't slow the young boxer down, and he was soon back in the ring. By 1924, he was the state bantamweight champion.
On September 7, 1925, he had his first match outside of Utah, as the main attraction of a Labor Day celebration in Great Falls, Montana. He was set up against Billy DeFoe, a much more accomplished boxer than Domenick had ever faced before, and 10 years his senior. The match ended with DeFoe winning by a points decision in the 12th round.
After the match, Domenick went to his dressing room in good spirits despite the loss, receiving congratulations from his friends and colleagues for putting on a good show. However, while removing his boxing togs, Domenick suddenly fell unconscious. He was rushed to Columbus Hospital where he soon died, never having woken back up. He was twenty-one years old.
Though it was most likely a brain injury received during the match that caused Domenick's death, it was also reported that Bright's disease was a large contributing factor.
His funeral was held at Holy Rosary Church in Salt Lake City, and the number in attendance overflowed the chapel. Two cars were needed to transport the variety of floral offerings.
Following his death, his whole home town of Bingham Canyon mourned him. A poster-sized photo of him in his fighting togs was hung up in the local billiard parlor, and charity boxing night benefiting his parents and sisters was announced at the Princess Theatre in Salt Lake City, where Domenick had often fought. The benefit was a huge success.
According to one of the articles following his death, "Dominic Tappero was beloved by all who knew him, always numbering his friends by the hundreds. It was said of him that he had no enemies, and was ever ready to help all in need."
Born in Italy, to Massimo and Lucia Merlo Tappero. They immigrated to California in 1906, when Domenick was a toddler. In the spring of 1909, the family relocated to Bingham Canyon, Utah, where his father found employment as a miner.
He had an older sister, Lucy, and a younger sister, Mary.
A love for boxing was ignited in Domenick at a young age. In his youth, he would work by day as a teamster at the Citizen's Coal and Supply company in Bingham, and participated in boxing matches at night. He trained in Utah and California, fighting for a very short time under the name "Young Nelson." He had his professional debut at the Hippodrome Theater in Salt Lake City on April 17, 1922, under the name "Kid Tappero." He won his very first match, knocking out his opponent. Most of his boxing matches throughout Domenick's career would take place at theatres in Salt Lake City.
Earning the nickname "Tap," he quickly drew local fame, and had many admirers who would come and watch every one of his matches. He was viewed as surprisingly kind and caring despite his chosen profession, always doing whatever he could to help his parents and sisters at home.
Less than a year after his debut, Domenick had to undergo nasal surgery to repair the damage caused by breaking his nose so often. But it didn't slow the young boxer down, and he was soon back in the ring. By 1924, he was the state bantamweight champion.
On September 7, 1925, he had his first match outside of Utah, as the main attraction of a Labor Day celebration in Great Falls, Montana. He was set up against Billy DeFoe, a much more accomplished boxer than Domenick had ever faced before, and 10 years his senior. The match ended with DeFoe winning by a points decision in the 12th round.
After the match, Domenick went to his dressing room in good spirits despite the loss, receiving congratulations from his friends and colleagues for putting on a good show. However, while removing his boxing togs, Domenick suddenly fell unconscious. He was rushed to Columbus Hospital where he soon died, never having woken back up. He was twenty-one years old.
Though it was most likely a brain injury received during the match that caused Domenick's death, it was also reported that Bright's disease was a large contributing factor.
His funeral was held at Holy Rosary Church in Salt Lake City, and the number in attendance overflowed the chapel. Two cars were needed to transport the variety of floral offerings.
Following his death, his whole home town of Bingham Canyon mourned him. A poster-sized photo of him in his fighting togs was hung up in the local billiard parlor, and charity boxing night benefiting his parents and sisters was announced at the Princess Theatre in Salt Lake City, where Domenick had often fought. The benefit was a huge success.
According to one of the articles following his death, "Dominic Tappero was beloved by all who knew him, always numbering his friends by the hundreds. It was said of him that he had no enemies, and was ever ready to help all in need."
He had an older sister, Lucy, and a younger sister, Mary.
A love for boxing was ignited in Domenick at a young age. In his youth, he would work by day as a teamster at the Citizen's Coal and Supply company in Bingham, and participated in boxing matches at night. He trained in Utah and California, fighting for a very short time under the name "Young Nelson." He had his professional debut at the Hippodrome Theater in Salt Lake City on April 17, 1922, under the name "Kid Tappero." He won his very first match, knocking out his opponent. Most of his boxing matches throughout Domenick's career would take place at theatres in Salt Lake City.
Earning the nickname "Tap," he quickly drew local fame, and had many admirers who would come and watch every one of his matches. He was viewed as surprisingly kind and caring despite his chosen profession, always doing whatever he could to help his parents and sisters at home.
Less than a year after his debut, Domenick had to undergo nasal surgery to repair the damage caused by breaking his nose so often. But it didn't slow the young boxer down, and he was soon back in the ring. By 1924, he was the state bantamweight champion.
On September 7, 1925, he had his first match outside of Utah, as the main attraction of a Labor Day celebration in Great Falls, Montana. He was set up against Billy DeFoe, a much more accomplished boxer than Domenick had ever faced before, and 10 years his senior. The match ended with DeFoe winning by a points decision in the 12th round.
After the match, Domenick went to his dressing room in good spirits despite the loss, receiving congratulations from his friends and colleagues for putting on a good show. However, while removing his boxing togs, Domenick suddenly fell unconscious. He was rushed to Columbus Hospital where he soon died, never having woken back up. He was twenty-one years old.
Though it was most likely a brain injury received during the match that caused Domenick's death, it was also reported that Bright's disease was a large contributing factor.
His funeral was held at Holy Rosary Church in Salt Lake City, and the number in attendance overflowed the chapel. Two cars were needed to transport the variety of floral offerings.
Following his death, his whole home town of Bingham Canyon mourned him. A poster-sized photo of him in his fighting togs was hung up in the local billiard parlor, and charity boxing night benefiting his parents and sisters was announced at the Princess Theatre in Salt Lake City, where Domenick had often fought. The benefit was a huge success.
According to one of the articles following his death, "Dominic Tappero was beloved by all who knew him, always numbering his friends by the hundreds. It was said of him that he had no enemies, and was ever ready to help all in need."
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