Born Raffaelo Tomaso Jan.24,1895 in Italy. Came to Cleveland OH at age 16. Changed his name to Ralph Thomas. His brother Anthony came to join him in 1913. Played Football in Cleveland for the Favorite Knits football team 1920-1923. Moved to the Bronx in New York and went into boxing until his death in the ring in Yonkers, NY.Oct.27,1924 at the age of 29. Blow to the heart was fatal. Fought Alberto Icochea from Peru. Never married. No children. Has family in Cleveland OH that still remember him from the stories that his brother Tony use to tell. Although they never met him they carry on his memory.His name continues-his nephew Ralph D. and great nephew Ralph M. carry it proudly. RIP love one.
~~~The Fatal Bout~~~
Fatal bout: October 27, 1924
Date of death: October 27, 1924
Cause of death: Acute dilation of the heart
Promoter of last fight: Columbus Athletic Club
Last fight location: Yonkers Armory, on Waverly Street, in Yonkers, New York
Opponent: Alberto Icochea
Best weight: Middleweight
Aliases: Ralph Tomasa
Trainer: Tommy Furey
From 1921-1923, Thomas, an Italian immigrant who changed his name in the USA, played semi-pro football for a Cleveland, Ohio, factory team called the Favorite Knits. Following the 1923 football season, he moved to New York, where he took up boxing.
In New York, he had at least one prior pro fight (against Mickey Crusco, in March 1924).
His day job was as a plumber, and he worked the day of the fatal fight.
He was not scheduled to fight that night; instead, he volunteered to fill in for a boxer who did not show up.
During the first round of the fight, the match was relatively even, but during the second round, Thomas was hit hard under the heart.
Thomas backed up, and then suddenly collapsed. He was counted out and failed to revive.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Cause of death was listed as acute dilation of the heart.
~~~The Fatal Bout~~~
Fatal bout: October 27, 1924
Date of death: October 27, 1924
Cause of death: Acute dilation of the heart
Promoter of last fight: Columbus Athletic Club
Last fight location: Yonkers Armory, on Waverly Street, in Yonkers, New York
Opponent: Alberto Icochea
Best weight: Middleweight
Aliases: Ralph Tomasa
Trainer: Tommy Furey
From 1921-1923, Thomas, an Italian immigrant who changed his name in the USA, played semi-pro football for a Cleveland, Ohio, factory team called the Favorite Knits. Following the 1923 football season, he moved to New York, where he took up boxing.
In New York, he had at least one prior pro fight (against Mickey Crusco, in March 1924).
His day job was as a plumber, and he worked the day of the fatal fight.
He was not scheduled to fight that night; instead, he volunteered to fill in for a boxer who did not show up.
During the first round of the fight, the match was relatively even, but during the second round, Thomas was hit hard under the heart.
Thomas backed up, and then suddenly collapsed. He was counted out and failed to revive.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Cause of death was listed as acute dilation of the heart.
Born Raffaelo Tomaso Jan.24,1895 in Italy. Came to Cleveland OH at age 16. Changed his name to Ralph Thomas. His brother Anthony came to join him in 1913. Played Football in Cleveland for the Favorite Knits football team 1920-1923. Moved to the Bronx in New York and went into boxing until his death in the ring in Yonkers, NY.Oct.27,1924 at the age of 29. Blow to the heart was fatal. Fought Alberto Icochea from Peru. Never married. No children. Has family in Cleveland OH that still remember him from the stories that his brother Tony use to tell. Although they never met him they carry on his memory.His name continues-his nephew Ralph D. and great nephew Ralph M. carry it proudly. RIP love one.
~~~The Fatal Bout~~~
Fatal bout: October 27, 1924
Date of death: October 27, 1924
Cause of death: Acute dilation of the heart
Promoter of last fight: Columbus Athletic Club
Last fight location: Yonkers Armory, on Waverly Street, in Yonkers, New York
Opponent: Alberto Icochea
Best weight: Middleweight
Aliases: Ralph Tomasa
Trainer: Tommy Furey
From 1921-1923, Thomas, an Italian immigrant who changed his name in the USA, played semi-pro football for a Cleveland, Ohio, factory team called the Favorite Knits. Following the 1923 football season, he moved to New York, where he took up boxing.
In New York, he had at least one prior pro fight (against Mickey Crusco, in March 1924).
His day job was as a plumber, and he worked the day of the fatal fight.
He was not scheduled to fight that night; instead, he volunteered to fill in for a boxer who did not show up.
During the first round of the fight, the match was relatively even, but during the second round, Thomas was hit hard under the heart.
Thomas backed up, and then suddenly collapsed. He was counted out and failed to revive.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Cause of death was listed as acute dilation of the heart.
~~~The Fatal Bout~~~
Fatal bout: October 27, 1924
Date of death: October 27, 1924
Cause of death: Acute dilation of the heart
Promoter of last fight: Columbus Athletic Club
Last fight location: Yonkers Armory, on Waverly Street, in Yonkers, New York
Opponent: Alberto Icochea
Best weight: Middleweight
Aliases: Ralph Tomasa
Trainer: Tommy Furey
From 1921-1923, Thomas, an Italian immigrant who changed his name in the USA, played semi-pro football for a Cleveland, Ohio, factory team called the Favorite Knits. Following the 1923 football season, he moved to New York, where he took up boxing.
In New York, he had at least one prior pro fight (against Mickey Crusco, in March 1924).
His day job was as a plumber, and he worked the day of the fatal fight.
He was not scheduled to fight that night; instead, he volunteered to fill in for a boxer who did not show up.
During the first round of the fight, the match was relatively even, but during the second round, Thomas was hit hard under the heart.
Thomas backed up, and then suddenly collapsed. He was counted out and failed to revive.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Cause of death was listed as acute dilation of the heart.
