Career
Berlenbach was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1971 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. Known as the "Astoria Assassin", Berlenbach was known for his punching power. Described by writer Paul Gallico as "untutored, unlettered, slow-witted, slow-moving, and wholly lacking in animation or imagination", Berlenbach was, nevertheless, a formidable fighter.
As Gallico noted, he possessed "a numbing, paralyzing body punch that caused his opponents suddenly to crumple up" as though shot.
Retirement
He retired with a record of 40 wins (33 KOs), 8 losses, and 3 draws. He was named #93 on the Ring Magazine"s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Upon his retirement, he owned and operated Paul Berlenbach"s Ringside Restaurant in Sound Beach, New York in the 1950s.