Lou Nova

Lou Nova (March 16, 1913 – September 29, 1991) was an American boxer, noted for his "Cosmic" punch, and actor.

Related Topics:
March 16 - 1913 - September 29 - 1991 - American - Boxer - Actor

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Born in Los Angeles, California, the 6' 3 1/2" (1.92 m) Nova was the U.S. and World Amateur Boxing Champion in 1935. After turning pro boxer, he remained undefeated in his first 22 matches.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - California - U.S. - 1935

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Nova defeated Max Baer in the first televised heavyweight prizefight June 1, 1939, on WNBT-TV in New York, and again in 1941. He was injured badly in his fight with Tony Galento and was in the hospital for a while afterward, almost loosing an eye. He fought Joe Louis for the heavyweight title, but was defeated.

Related Topics:
Max Baer - June 1 - 1939 - New York - 1941 - Tony Galento - Joe Louis

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He was the first top rated boxer to practice yoga, and reportedly did headstands in the dressing room before his title bout with Joe Louis.

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Nova won 40 professional fights. After leaving the fight ring, he became an actor. His motion picture debut was as Kid Mandell in MGM's Spring Fever (1943) starring Kay Kyser and Marilyn Maxwell. Other movie roles include that as Hubert in the 20th Century Fox film noir crime drama Somewhere in the Night (1946) starring John Hodiak.

Related Topics:
Motion picture - MGM - Spring Fever - 1943 - Kay Kyser - Marilyn Maxwell - 20th Century Fox - Film noir - Crime - Drama - Somewhere in the Night - 1946 - John Hodiak

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Nova acted in over 20 movies. He appeared in one stage role, that as O'Malley in the Broadway play The Happiest Millionaire (1956) starring Walter Pidgeon, which ran for 271 performances, in which Nova performed the popular baseball poem Casey at the Bat. Nova's guest spots on TV include Space Patrol, Hopalong Cassidy, General Electric Theater, 77 Sunset Strip, Shotgun Slade and Get Smart.

Related Topics:
Stage - Broadway - Play - 1956 - Walter Pidgeon - Baseball - Poem - Casey at the Bat - TV - Space Patrol - Hopalong Cassidy - General Electric Theater - 77 Sunset Strip - Shotgun Slade - Get Smart

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He was inducted into World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, and into the Sacramento City College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

Related Topics:
World Boxing Hall of Fame - 1991 - Sacramento City College - 1999

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Lou Nova died at age 78 in Sacramento, California.

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