Kaplan, Louis “Kid”, 1925 - 2011

This file covers Louis "Kid" Kaplan's career as a featherwieght boxer as well as his inuction into several halls of fame including the JHSGH Sports Hall of Fame. Kaplan took up fighting in Russia as a boy to defend himself because he was so small and poor (his father was in the junk business and Louis peddled various items), and continuted when his family moved to Meriden, CT when he was 19. His young age led to his nickname "Kid". He became the featherweight champion on January 2, 1925 when he defeatef Danny Kramer for the title. He once was offered $50,000 to throw the title fight by the mob, but refused even though he could have used the money. He moved to the lightweight category but no one would fight him for the title. He was known as the "Meriden Buzz Saw" because of his persistance in the ring. Kaplan retired from boxing in 1933.

His daughter said that people knew that he was Jewish and that Jewish people took great pride in his success. He even wore a Jewish star on his boxing trunks in the ring.

After his retirement, he coached and refereed boxing and did public speaking. He also started Kid Kaplan's Restaurant on Church and Trumble Streets in Hartford, a menu for which is included in the file. He also engaged in various business endeavors, from insurance to the DMV to being a salesman.

The research paper in the file contextualizes Kid Kaplan's career within the broader scope of Jewish boxers.

The file contains about 23 8.5x11 photocopied pages of predominantly black and white photographs, all unidentified and undated, though they all seem to feature Kaplan in various capacities. One image is of a post card, and one image appears to have been signed (the original).

Also in folder is "A Salute to Manny Leibert", a boxing promoter, however his connection to Kaplan/why it's in this file is unclear. Possibly was part of the Boxing Hall of Fame materals.