Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
Melio Bettina (November 18, 1916 – December 20, 1996 in Beacon, New York) was a professional boxer.
Amateur career
Bettina won the 1935 Intercity Golden Gloves at light-heavyweight (2nd Div.) by decision over Tony Zale.
Pro career
According to local legend Melio changed to a southpaw stance after he couldn't find any amateur challengers. Bettina was recognized as World Light Heavyweight champion by the New York State Athletic Commission in 1939. Bettina won the title on February 3, 1939, when he scored a 9th round TKO over favorite Tiger Jack Fox at Madison Square Garden in New York. Bettina would lose the title in his first defense, when he lost a unanimous decision to National Boxing Association champion Billy Conn on July 13. Later that same year on September 25, he lost another unanimous decision to Conn at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field.
In 1940 he would lose a decision Middleweight champion Fred Apostoli, which he would revenge by stopping Apostoli in the 12th round. Other highlights in 1940 included a loss to Al McCoy, and wins over Solly Krieger and Gunnar Barlund. On January 14, 1941, Bettina faced Anton Christoforidis for the vacant National Boxing Association Light Heavweight title in Cleveland, Ohio. Christoforidis would win a unanimous decision.
A year before his death in 1995 Melio was inducted into the World Boxing Hall Of Fame