Calvin Coolidge Lytle (January 24, 1924 – January 26, 1990), better known by his professional names Bert Lytell and Chocolate Kid, was an American boxer and middleweight contender in the 1940s and early 1950s.[1] Recognized as a member of the famous Murderers' Row, the 5'8" Lytell fought (and often won) against other top black middleweights of his time, including Charley Burley, Herbert "Cocoa Kid" Lewis Hardwick, Holman Williams, and Charley Doc Williams, as well as other notable fighters including Archie Moore and Sam Baroudi.[1]

Like many of his contemporaries, Bert Lytell was denied a chance to fight for a world title largely due to his race.[2]

Lytell was born in Victoria, Texas. He enlisted in the Naval reserves in 1942 in San Antonio, Texas, and was discharged in 1944.[3] He resided in New York City[2] for most of his career, later moving to Oakland, California to be closer to his family, including brother Loyal Lytle. During his career, he was known as The Beast of Stillman's Gym.[3][4] He was one of the members of the famous Black Murderers' Row,[2] a group of world-class African American welterweights and middleweights who were avoided by most top white fighters of their era and never got the chance to fight for a world title, despite being well-regarded by the boxing community.

The "Chocolate Kid" died on January 26, 1990, 2 days after his 66th birthday.

Professional boxing record

102 fights 71 wins 23 losses
By knockout 24 1
By decision 46 22
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 7
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
102 Loss 71–23–7 (1) Clinton Bacon PTS 10 Apr 16, 1951 Turner's Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
101 Win 71–22–7 (1) Lajuin Burks KO 2 (?) Apr 6, 1951 Roswell, New Mexico, U.S.
100 Win 70–22–7 (1) Clinton Bacon UD 10 Feb 19, 1951 Carlsbad, New Mexico, U.S.
99 ND 69–22–7 (1) Oakland Billy Smith NC 10 (10) Nov 15, 1950 County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
98 Loss 69–22–7 Artie Towne SD 10 Aug 15, 1950 Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
97 Loss 69–21–7 Jimmy Slade SD 10 Jul 31, 1950 Gannon College Auditorium, Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
96 Win 69–20–7 Bob Amos UD 10 May 26, 1950 Outdoor Sports Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
95 Loss 68–20–7 Archie Moore UD 10 Jan 31, 1950 Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
94 Win 68–19–7 Billy Davis PTS 10 Jan 11, 1950 Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
93 Win 67–19–7 Alvin Williams PTS 10 Jan 4, 1950 Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
92 Loss 66–19–7 Harold Johnson MD 10 Dec 7, 1949 Memorial Hall, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
91 Win 66–18–7 Charley Williams KO 8 (10) Nov 14, 1949 Memorial Hall, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
90 Win 65–18–7 Jerome Frazier UD 10 Oct 25, 1949 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
89 Win 64–18–7 Bob Amos UD 10 Aug 18, 1949 Collins Sports Acre, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
88 Loss 63–18–7 Charley Williams UD 10 Aug 1, 1949 Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
87 Loss 63–17–7 Jimmy Hooper UD 10 Jun 30, 1949 Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S.
86 Win 63–16–7 Chubby Wright PTS 10 Jun 22, 1949 Scranton-Dunmore Stadium, Dunmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.
85 Draw 62–16–7 Gentle Daniel PTS 10 Apr 30, 1949 Mucurapo Stadium, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
84 Win 62–16–6 Gentle Daniel KO 1 (10) Apr 1, 1949 Mucurapo Stadium, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
83 Loss 61–16–6 Henry Hall PTS 8 Mar 18, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
82 Loss 61–15–6 Henry Hall UD 10 Mar 2, 1949 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
81 Win 61–14–6 Al Johnson KO 7 (10) Feb 16, 1949 Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
80 Draw 60–14–6 Henry Hall PTS 10 Feb 7, 1949 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
79 Win 60–14–5 Jerome Frazier KO 5 (10) Jan 1, 1949 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
78 Win 59–14–5 Sylvester Perkins UD 10 Dec 14, 1948 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
77 Win 58–14–5 Gentle Daniel PTS 10 Oct 30, 1948 Mucurapo Stadium, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad And Tobago
76 Win 57–14–5 José Basora UD 10 Oct 20, 1948 Sixto Escobar Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
75 Win 56–14–5 Cyril Francis PTS 10 Oct 1, 1948 Mucurapo Stadium, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad And Tobago
74 Loss 55–14–5 Charley Williams UD 10 Sep 16, 1948 Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S.
73 Win 55–13–5 Roy Williams UD 10 Aug 16, 1948 Queensboro Arena,New York City, New York, U.S.
72 Win 54–13–5 Oakland Billy Smith UD 10 Jul 14, 1948 Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
71 Win 53–13–5 Roy Miller UD 10 Jun 22, 1948 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
70 Win 52–13–5 Jackie Darthard RTD 6 (10) Apr 21, 1948 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. Darthard died of injuries sustained in the fight[5]
69 Win 51–13–5 Major Jones UD 10 Apr 5, 1948 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
68 Win 50–13–5 Watson Jones TKO 5 (10) Mar 24, 1948 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
67 Draw 49–13–5 Jackie Darthard PTS 10 Feb 16, 1948 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
66 Loss 49–13–4 Leonard Morrow SD 10 Feb 11, 1948 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
65 Win 49–12–4 Oakland Billy Smith PTS 10 Jan 21, 1948 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
64 Win 48–12–4 Joe Blackwood PTS 8 Jan 9, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
63 Win 47–12–4 Major Jones SD 10 Nov 25, 1947 Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
62 Loss 46–12–4 Archie Moore UD 10 Jul 14, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
61 Win 46–11–4 Holman Williams UD 12 Jul 4, 1947 Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
60 Win 45–11–4 Bobby Lakin TKO 5 (10) Jun 21, 1947 Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
59 Win 44–11–4 Herbert Lewis Hardwick RTD 6 (10) May 18, 1947 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
58 Win 43–11–4 Juan José Fernández KO 6 (10) Apr 21, 1947 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
57 Win 42–11–4 Sam Baroudi UD 10 Apr 7, 1947 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
56 Win 41–11–4 Eddie O'Neill UD 10 Mar 18, 1947 Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
55 Win 40–11–4 Anthony Jones TKO 9 (10) Mar 3, 1947 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
54 Win 39–11–4 Charley Burley UD 10 Feb 17, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
53 Win 38–11–4 George Smith TKO 3 (8) Jan 21, 1947 Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
52 Win 37–11–4 Henry Hall PTS 10 Jan 13, 1947 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
51 Win 36–11–4 Deacon Johnny Brown PTS 8 Nov 8, 1946 Fayette Street Garden, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
50 Win 35–11–4 Johnny Taylor KO 3 (10) Oct 28, 1946 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
49 Win 34–11–4 Johnny Eagles UD 10 Oct 17, 1946 Crystal Palace Rink, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
48 Loss 33–11–4 Deacon Johnny Brown TKO 2 (10) Sep 2, 1946 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
47 Win 33–10–4 Saint Paul UD 10 Aug 30, 1946 Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
46 Loss 32–10–4 Charley Burley UD 10 Aug 5, 1946 Zivic Arena, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45 Win 32–9–4 Herbert Lewis Hardwick PTS 10 Jul 30, 1946 Sixto Escobar Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
44 Win 31–9–4 Roy Miller PTS 10 Jun 28, 1946 Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
43 Win 30–9–4 Holman Williams UD 10 Apr 15, 1946 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
42 Draw 29–9–4 Jackie Cooper PTS 10 Apr 5, 1946 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
41 Win 29–9–3 Johnny Lawer PTS 10 Apr 2, 1946 Rayen-Wood Auditorium, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
40 Win 28–9–3 Herbert Lewis Hardwick PTS 10 Mar 25, 1946 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
39 Loss 27–9–3 Walter Woods PTS 10 Feb 4, 1946 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
38 Win 27–8–3 Cyril Gittens KO 2 (10) Jan 21, 1946 New Britain, Connecticut, U.S.
37 Win 26–8–3 Douglas Rhone KO 3 (10) Jan 7, 1946 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
36 Loss 25–8–3 Aaron Wade SD 10 Oct 1, 1945 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
35 Win 25–7–3 Mario Raul Ochoa UD 10 Sep 24, 1945 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
34 Loss 24–7–3 Holman Williams PTS 12 Aug 31, 1945 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
33 Draw 24–6–3 Holman Williams PTS 10 Aug 17, 1945 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
32 Win 24–6–2 Ellis Stewart KO 9 (10) Aug 6, 1945 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
31 Win 23–6–2 Deacon Logan TKO 10 (10) Jul 9, 1945 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
30 Win 22–6–2 Anthony Jones PTS 10 Jul 2, 1945 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
29 Win 21–6–2 Joe Reddick PTS 10 Jun 25, 1945 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
28 Loss 20–6–2 Walter Woods PTS 10 Jun 8, 1945 Boston Garden, Massachusetts, U.S.
27 Win 20–5–2 Lige Drew UD 10 May 28, 1945 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
26 Win 19–5–2 Mayhew Smith TKO 4 (10) May 21, 1945 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
25 Loss 18–5–2 Jake LaMotta SD 10 Apr 27, 1945 Boston Garden, Massachusetts, U.S.
24 Win 18–4–2 Joe Reddick PTS 10 Apr 20, 1945 Elk's Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
23 Win 17–4–2 Johnny Ryan KO 3 (10) Apr 12, 1945 Mechanics Building, Massachusetts, U.S.
22 Win 16–4–2 Jimmy Hayden TKO 3 (10) Apr 4, 1945 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
21 Win 15–4–2 Johnny Finazzo UD 10 Mar 1, 1945 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
20 Win 14–4–2 Charley Jones DQ 9 (10) Feb 26, 1945 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
19 Win 13–4–2 Coolidge Miller PTS 10 Feb 19, 1945 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
18 Loss 12–4–2 Henryk Chmielewski SD 10 Feb 5, 1945 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
17 Win 12–3–2 Van McNutt UD 10 Jan 12, 1945 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
16 Win 11–3–2 Henry Jordan RTD 3 (8) Jan 6, 1945 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Loss 10–3–2 Henryk Chmielewski UD 10 Jan 4, 1945 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Win 10–2–2 Johnny Brown RTD 7 (10) Dec 11, 1944 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Loss 9–2–2 Johnny Finazzo SD 10 Nov 17, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
12 Win 9–1–2 Ossie Stewart PTS 8 Nov 13, 1944 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Draw 8–1–2 Berlie Lanier PTS 10 Nov 3, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 George Brown PTS 8 Oct 30, 1944 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 7–1–1 Rudy Giscombe PTS 8 Oct 16, 1944 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 6–1–1 Coolidge Miller PTS 10 Sep 29, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
7 Draw 5–1–1 Coolidge Miller PTS 10 Sep 15, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Bob Wade UD 10 Sep 1, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Bob Wade PTS 10 Aug 18, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Verne Patterson TKO 5 (10) Aug 4, 1944 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Lew Perez KO 4 (6) Jul 31, 1944 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 1–1 Joe Curcio PTS 6 Jul 24, 1944 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 Artie Towne PTS 6 Jul 17, 1944 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.

References

  1. ^ a b "Bert Lytell - Boxer". Boxrec.com. 1990-01-26. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  2. ^ a b c "Bert Lytell". Charley Burley. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  3. ^ a b "Bert Lytell - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  4. ^ "The Beast of Stillman's Gym, Part 4...TOLEDO". TheSweetScience.com. 2012-01-23. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  5. ^ "Jackie Darthard - BoxRec".

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