Bernie Friedkin

Bernie "Schoolboy" Friedkin (July 10, 1917 – January 18, 2007) was an American lightweight boxer who fought professionally from 1935 to 1941.

Friedkin was one of Morris and Bessie Friedkin's seven children. During that era Brownsville was a rough and tumble neighborhood. As a boy, Friedkin learned to read by concentrating on Ring magazine; he also set up a makeshift boxing ring in his basement. His small stature and youngish face led to his being labeled Bernie "Schoolboy" Friedkin. He may be most remembered for a fight on March 9, 1937, in front of 5,000 fans at the Broadway Arena in Brooklyn. In the eight-round main event, Friedkin fought Kid Chocolate, the former world featherweight champion, to a draw. The draw surprised the fans and resulted in booing.