Background
Laurie was born to an Italian father and a Slovak mother in Cleveland, Ohio.
Laurie was born to an Italian father and a Slovak mother in Cleveland, Ohio.
Lou graduated from East Technical High School and went to work as a service station attendant.
So impressive was Laurie"s boxing style that he was requested to give an exhibition. He remained in Germany two months and was presented with the Val Barker trophy for being the most scientific boxer in all classes that year. From Berlin, Lou travelled to Hamburg.
Then he went to Le Havre, France.
Then to Cobb, Ireland, Plymoth, England and parts of Holland. Defeated Rudolf Bezděk (Czechoslovakia) points Defeated Asbjørn Berg-Hansen (Norway) points Defeated Edmund Sobkowiak (Poland) points Lost to Gavino Matta (Italy) points Defeated Alfredo Carlomagno (Argentina) points (Bronze medal match) When Laurie came back home in 1937, he turned pro under the care of Sam Barber, who had started Paul Perrone.
Under Sam, Lou fought eight battles, losing two of them. He went to Chicago where he had six bouts under Jack Hurley"s banner.
After defeating Eddie Lander, he returned home, got his old job back pumping gas and gave up boxing for one year.
Jack Bluman, manager of Julie Kogan, was then handling the affairs of the clever battler. He continued as a featherweight though his ambitions were to compete in the bantamweight division. Laurie returned to Europe and re-entered the ring briefly while serving in the Army during World World War World War II After the war, Laurie worked as a machinist.
Laurie, 85, died December 26, 2002, at Beachwood Nursing and Health Care Center.
Survivors included one son, Joseph. Laurie was one of five athletes from Cleveland"s East Technical High School to compete in the 1936 Olympics.
Ted Kara also performed well, reaching the quarterfinals in featherweight boxing.
Laurie, at 18 was the youngest member of the United States. boxing team at Berlin.