Dave Levin Career record Book
Created on: May 5th, 2020 | Updated: December 21st, 2024 | This is a work in progress
All research and pictures were located using newspapers.com or Geneologybank.com
Nicknamed the "Jamacia Butcher Boy," Dave Levin's career spanned from 1934 to 1954. The Brooklyn Times Union said prior to his debut match that Levin was a “wrestling prodigy” discovered by Lloyd Rose. Rose stated that Levin is “a miniature of the old Russian Lion, George Hackenschmidt.” Jack Pfeffer praised Levin and states the discovery was really Mrs. Rose and not her husband. Mrs. Rose is said to have visited a local butcher shop in Jamaica, NY for her husband’s favorite meal, lamb chops. She noticed Levin and then told Lloyd who checked Levin out. Lloyd then sent Levin to Pfeffer who told Herb Freeman to take Levin to Bothner’s Gym to try him out. After an hour Freeman told Pfeffer they had a “real find.”
Understanding Result Notes:
W = Win
L = Lose
D = Draw
DQ = Disqualified
COR = Count Out of Ring
KO = Knockout
DKO = Double Knockout
Curfew = Certain states at this time had a time all shows had to end, usually 11pm or midnight. If a match did not end prior, it was considered the same as a time limit draw.
(00:00) = Time of the match/fall or stipulation
Att: = Attendance
1934
----------------------------------------------------------------
November 1, Jamaica, NY: vs. Sammy Gold (sub for Dick Griffin) - W (24s)
- Listed as Dave Levin’s debut.
November 2, New York, NY: vs. Joe Gubiski - W (14s)
November 8, Jamaica, NY: vs. Patsy Faletti - W (38s)
November 9, New York, NY: vs. Antonio Giglo - W
November 12, New York, NY: vs. John Gudeski - W (12:09)
November 13, New York, NY: vs. Johnny Carlin - W (31s)
November 14, New York, NY: vs. Angelo Martini - W
November 15, Jamaica, NY: vs. Max Martin - W (14:06)
November 16, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (24:46) Att: 2,000
November 19, Bronx, NY: vs. Hans Schnabel - W (27:36)
November 20, Brooklyn, NY: vs. John Gudeski - W (2:15)
November 22, Jamaica, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - L (45:07)
November 23, New York, NY: vs. Max Martin - W
November 26, New York, NY: vs. Tony Morelli - W (40s)
November 27, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Max Martin - W (8:01)
November 29, Jamaica, NY: vs. Jackie “Dynamite” Brown - W (9:12)
November 30, Jamaica, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (27:14)
December 3, New York, NY: vs. Tiger “Flowers” Johnstone - W
December 6, Jamaica, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (32:46; DKO)
- Both men went for a tackle in the center of the ring and collided with their heads. Referee Andy Kanadrat counted both men out.
December 7, New York, NY: vs. Joe Banaski - W (22:58)
December 10, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (23:46)
December 11, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Peppy Oberhoffer - W (18:00)
December 13, Jamaica, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D (20:00)
December 14, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W
December 17, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (30:18)
December 18, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (20:00)
November 30, Jamaica, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (27:14)
December 3, New York, NY: vs. Tiger “Flowers” Johnstone - W
Picture was taken the day before Dave Levin's wrestling debut.
Picture of Leo Wallick from 1934. One of the first rivals of Dave Levin
A very young Hans Schnabel from 1934. Another rival in Levin's early career.
Picture taken in 1935 of Dave Levin with unknown championship belt. In 1935, Levin's team claimed he was the Jewish Light-Heavyweight Champion; however, no records exist this was a legitimate championship.
Another regular competitor of Dave Levin in his early years. Picture was from 1934.
December 6, Jamaica, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (32:46; DKO)
- Both men went for a tackle in the center of the ring and collided with their heads. Referee Andy Kanadrat counted both men out.
December 7, New York, NY: vs. Joe Banaski - W (22:58)
December 10, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (23:46)
December 11, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Peppy Oberhoffer - W (18:00)
December 13, Jamaica, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D (20:00)
December 14, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W
December 17, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (30:18)
December 18, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (20:00)
December 18, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (20:00)
December 19, Hempstead, NY: vs. Angelo Abbatem - W
December 20, Jamaica, NY: vs. Hans Schnabel - W (12:20)
December 21, New York, NY: vs. Paddy Mack - W
December 24, New York, NY: vs. Hans Schnabel - W
December 26, New York, NY: vs. Eddie Pope - W
December 27, Jamaica, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (16:44)
- Brooklyn Times Union reporter JJ McAlester reports that Levin is too reckless in the ring, and it will eventually catch up to him as he suffered a cut above his right eye after missing a tackle during this match.
December 28, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - L
December 31, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D
1935
----------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, New York, NY: vs. Carl von Zuppe - W
January 2, New York, NY: vs. Paddy Mack - W
January 3, Jamaica, NY: vs. Charles Fischer - Cancelled.
- Levin was not allowed to wrestle by city doctors because of his eye injury from the previous week. Levin was replaced by Henry Snyder who lost. Listed for the World’s Light Heavyweight Championship.
January 8, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Victor Weber - L
January 10, Jamaica, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - L (21:41; COR)
January 11, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D
January 14, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D
January 17, Jamaica, NY: vs. Jack Bassette - W (22s)
January 18, New York, NY: vs. Hans Schnabel - W
January 21, Bronx, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W (30:23)
January 22, New York, NY: vs. Henry Snyder - W (16:10)
January 23, New York, NY: vs. Paddy Mack - W
January 24, Jamaica, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - Cancelled because of snow.
January 25, New York, NY: vs. Carl von Zuppe - W
January 28, New York, NY: vs. Hans Schnabel - W
January 29, New York, NY: vs. Gene Bruce - W (5:33)
January 30, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D
February 1, Manhattan, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W (45:15) Att: 4,000
February 5, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hymie Fischman - D
February 6, New York, NY: vs. Lloyd Stewart - W
February 7, Jamaica, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D
- The winner to be considered number one contender for Charles Fischer’s World’s Light Heavyweight Title.
February 8, New York, NY: vs. Charles Fischer - L (40:18)
February 11, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - L
February 12, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Lloyd Stewart - W
- Levin substituted for Curly Donchin.
February 15, New York, NY: vs Hymie Fischman - W
February 18, New York, NY: vs. Lloyd Stewart - W
February 19, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W (52:16)
- The winner to be considered number one contender for Charles Fischer’s World’s Light Heavyweight Title.
February 20, New York, NY: vs. Hans Schnabel - W
February 21, Jamaica, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - W (22:53)
February 22, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D
February 25, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - L
February 26, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - L (1:04:12)
February 27, New York, NY: vs. Giuseppe Ferrone - W
February 28, Jamaica, NY: vs. Hymie Fischman - W
March 4, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - L (13:19)
March 5, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Charles Fischer - L (52:10; for the World’s Light Heavyweight Championship)
March 7, Jamaica, NY: vs. Lloyd Stewart - W (14:46)
March 8, New York, NY: vs. Wilhelm Wagner - W
March 11, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W
March 12, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W (23:10)
March 13, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W
March 15, New York, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - L
March 19, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Wilhelm Wagner - L (44:58)
March 20, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W
March 21, New York, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - D
March 22, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D
March 25, New York, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - W
March 26, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Wilhelm Wagner - L (43:46)
- Winner to get a World’s Light Heavyweight Title shot.
March 27, New York, NY: vs. Eddie Malone - W
March 29, New York, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - D
April 2, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - W (21:52)
April 3, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D
April 4, Jamaica, NY: vs. Hymie Fischman - W (10:27)
April 5, New York, NY: vs. Eddie Malone - W
April 8, New York, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - W
April 10, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (47:10)
April 11, Jamaica, NY: vs. Bill Rudy - W (14:08)
April 12, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D
April 15, New York, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - W
World Light-Heavyweight and Middleweight Champion Charles Fischer as recognized by the Midwest Wrestling Association. This picture was from 1935.
Long time contender for the World Light-Heavyweight and Middleweight Championships, Herman "Curly" Donchin would become a gatekeeper for Dave Levin as he continued moving up in the card.
April 16, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (1:21:19 curfew)
April 17, New York, NY: vs. Wilhelm Wagner - W (44:32)
April 19, New York, NY: vs. Eddie Malone - W
April 22, New York NY: vs. Curly Donchin - D
April 23, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hans Schacht - D (1:16:00; DCOR)
April 24, New York, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W
April 26, New York, NY: vs. Les Ryan - W
April 29, New York, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - W
April 30, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hans Schacht - L (31:45)
May 1, New York, NY: vs. William O’Brien - W
May 2, Jamaica, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - D
May 3, New York, NY: vs. Buddy O’Brien - W
May 6, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - L
May 7, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Buddy O’Brien - W (11:10; DQ)
May 9, Jamaica, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - Cancelled.
- Levin was replaced by John Bognar who lost. No reason given.
May 10, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W
May 14, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - Cancelled.
- Levin was replaced by Jim Spencer who lost. No reason given.
May 16, Jamaica, NY: vs. Wilhelm Wagner - L (55:29)
May 17, New York, NY: vs. Hans Schact - D
May 20, New York, NY: vs. Buddy O’Brien - W
May 21, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - D
May 22, New York, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W
May 24, Coney Island, NY: vs. Sammy Cohen (sub for Buddy O’Brien) - W (21:35)
- This was the first show ever at Coney Island’s Luna Park. Shows are promoted by Jess McMahon and Manny Sachs.
May 28, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D
May 29, Coney Island, NY: vs. Jackie Brown - W (11:51)
May 30, Jamaica, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - D (1:17:00 curfew)
June 3, Coney Island, NY: vs. Hans Schact - L
June 4, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Bobby Blake - W (25:01; DQ)
June 5, Coney Island, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (36:14)
June 10, New York, NY: vs. Hans Schact - W
June 11, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Eddie Malone - W (22:52)
June 12, Coney Island, NY: vs. Curly Donchin - W (27:21)
- After the match, Levin claimed ownership of the Jewish Light-Heavyweight Championship.
June 13, Queens, NY: vs. Bobby Blake - W (9:10)
June 17, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D
June 18, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hans Schact - L (44:10)
June 19, Coney Island, NY: vs. Tony Morelli - W (28:16) Att: 2,200
- Show was nearly cancelled due to rain but the number of people who showed up prior left promoter Jess McMahon to go on with the show regardless of the weather.
June 24, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W (41:04)
June 25, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Eddie Malone - W (29:14)
June 26, Coney Island, NY: vs. Eddie Malone - W (22:35)
July 1, Freeport, NY: vs. Johnny Bognar - W (18:00)
July 2, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W (22:21)
July 9, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hans Schact - D (30:00)
July 10, Coney Island, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - D (1:26:00 curfew)
July 15, New York, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W
July 16, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Eddie Pope - W (17:46)
Image of Everett Marshall from January 1935. Less than a year into the wrestling business, Dave Levin would receive his first World Heavyweight Title opportunity in July 1935. Everett was the World Heavyweight Champion, recognized by the Midwest Wrestling Association.
After his first full year in professional wrestling, big things are expected for Levin as throughout the year he's been a regular contender for the World Light-Heavyweight Championship and had also challenged for the World Heavyweight Championship. This was printed on November 20, 1935.
Al Getz, like Levin was a regular contender for the World's Light-Heavyweight Championship held by Charly Fischer and would become a rival of Levin's in the latter part of 1935.
July 18, New York, NY: vs. Everett Marshall - L (for the World’s Heavyweight Championship) Att: 2,500
- This was a special event that took place at Dyckman’s Oval to showcase the new World Champion.
July 19, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - D (30:00)
- This was a special Friday show to accommodate the new World’s Heavyweight Champion, Everett Marshall.
July 23, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W (30:13)
July 24, Coney Island, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W (35:25)
July 29, New York, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - D (1:05:15 curfew)
July 31, Coney Island, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D (1:02:00; DCOR)
August 1, New York, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - No Result, Dexter Park
August 6, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Eddie Pope - W (22:31)
August 8, New York, NY: vs. Franz Schuman - W
August 14, Coney Island, NY: vs. Tony Siano - W (34:25)
August 15, New York, NY: vs. Eddie Pope - L
August 20 Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Dr. John “Dropkick” Murphy - Cancelled.
- Dave Levin was replaced by Eddie Pope who lost. No reason given.
August 21, Coney Island, NY: vs. Irving Halpern - Cancelled.
- Dave Levin was replaced by Maurice LaChappelle who wrestled to a draw. No reason given.
August 29, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D (60:00)
September 2, New York, NY: vs. John Bognar - W (11:04) Att: 2,000
September 3, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Jack Conley - Show Cancelled due to rain. The same show is booked for the following week.
September 4, Coney Island, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (41:44)
September 10, Pennsauken Township, NJ: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D (30:00)
September 11, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Charles Fischer - L
- Charles Fischer was to take on Johnny Perkins and Levin to face Zimba Parker. Both Perkins and Parker failed to appear.
September 18, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Eddie Pope - W (12:02)
September 19, New York, NY: vs. Eddie Pope - W
September 25, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - D (30:00)
October 1, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W
October 2, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Charles Fischer - Cancelled when Fischer failed to appear.
October 8, New York, NY: vs. Tony Siano - D
October 9, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Al Getz - L (36:10)
October 14, New York, NY: vs. King Kong - W
October 15, New York, NY: vs. Sammy Nichols - D (30:00)
October 16, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Al Getz - W (43:45)
October 22, New York, NY: vs. Jack Conley - W
October 23, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Charles Fischer - L (49:42; for the World’s Light Heavyweight Championship)
October 28, New York, NY: vs. Franz Schuman - W
October 29, New York, NY: vs. Al Getz - W
October 30, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Jim Spencer - W (10:40)
November 1, Passaic, NJ: vs. King Kong - Cancelled.
- Levin was listed as injured from his Ridgewood Grove match. He was replaced by Irving Halpern who lost.
November 4, New York, NY: vs. Salvatore Balbo - L (37:16) Att: 2,000
November 6, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Franz Schuman - W (18:21)
November 11, New York, NY: vs. Al Getz - W
November 13, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hans Schact - W (30:41)
November 19, New York, NY: vs. Tony Siano - D (30:00)
November 20, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Hans Schact - W (30:01)
November 21, Passaic, NJ: vs. Jack Conley - W
November 25, New York, NY: vs. Salvatore Balbo - No result. NY Coliseum.
November 27, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Leo Wallick - W (47:12)
December 3, New York, NY: vs. Al Getz - W
December 4, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Henri Lasartes - W (13:01)
December 10, New York, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W
December 11, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. George Becker - L (11:08; COR)
December 12, Passaic, NJ: vs. Tony Morelli - W (COR)
December 17, New York, NY: vs. Al Getz - W
December 18, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. George Becker - D (23:01; DCOR)
December 23, New York, NY: vs. Benny Katz - W
December 27, Ridgewood Grove, NY: George Becker - L
- This was a special Friday show as Christmas Day fell on Wednesday.
December 30, New York, NY: vs. Benny Katz - L
From the January 22nd, 1936, Passaic Times-Herald in anticipation of his matchup on the 23rd against Salvatore Balbo. Levin was noted to have grown quite a female following in the city.
March 5th, 1936, advertisement hyping Dave Levin against Stanley Zawadski.
1936
----------------------------------------------------------------
January 2, Passaic, NJ: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - W (31:00)
January 3, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Tony Siano - W (20:41)
- This was a special Friday show as New Year’s Day fell on Wednesday.
January 7, New York, NY: vs. Salvatore Balbo - D
January 8, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Vic Weber - L (32:04)
January 9, Passaic, NJ: vs. Tony Morelli - W (20:00)
January 14, New York, NY: vs. King Kong - D
January 15, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Henri Lasartes - W (11:02)
January 16, Passaic, NJ: vs. Curly Donchin - W (26:00)
January 22, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Everett Marshall - L (15:31)
January 23, Passaic, NJ: vs. Salvatore Balbo - W (43:00)
January 29, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Tony Morelli - W (6:14)
January 30, Passaic, NJ: vs. Sammy Nichols - Cancelled.
- Salvatore Balbo replaced Levin and won. No reason given.
February 3, New York, NY: vs. Wendell O’Dell - W
February 4, New York, NY: vs. Henri Lasartes - W
February 5, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Karl von Zuppe - W (10:04)
February 6, Passaic, NJ: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - L (35:00)
February 11, New York, NY: vs. Dr. Jack Murphy - Cancelled.
- Levin was replaced by George Becker who lost. No reason given.
February 12, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - Cancelled.
- Levin was replaced by Benny Katz who lost. No reason given.
February 24, New York, NY: vs. Louis Allair - W
- Listed as Dave Levin’s return to wrestling after an “absence of nearly three weeks due to a throat infection.”
February 26, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Cowboy Hughes - W (30:00 decision)
February 27, Passaic, NJ: vs. The Arabian Jumbo - D (Double KO)
February 28, Flushing, NY: vs. Maurice LaChappelle - No result Main St. Armory
March 2, New York, NY: vs. Mike Lucas - W
March 4, Ridgewood Grove, NY: vs. Lloyd Stewart - W (13:20)
March 5, Passaic, NJ: vs. Stanley Zawadski - L (31:00)