Elm City Italians

Joey Iannotti

Eddie Compo

Real Name - Edward Campagnuolo

Born-September 27, 1928 Died-January 3, 1998 West Palm Beach Florida

Record-75-10-4 (13 Ko) Division-Featherweight

Manager-Bob Mele Trainer-Charlie Pilkington

Eddie Compo was born as one of eleven children to Felix and Rose Campagnuolo. Eddie's parents were Italian immigrants from Naples. Felix raised his large family at 385 Blatchley Avenue in Fair Haven as he worked as a farmer and a construction laborer.

As a young boy, Eddie was religious and he served as an altar boy at St. Donato's Church on Lombard Street. He also sold newspapers and he worked as a delivery boy and a caddy. A solid natural athlete, Compo played baseball (he was a switch hitter) and football. While attending Hillhouse High School, he took up boxing and he trained out of the Elm City Gym. Eddie graduated from high school in 1946.

Compo stood only 5'4 and he was a natural southpaw who fought right-handed. As a prizefighter, he had quick hands and feet, and he possessed a good jab. However, he had limited power.

In September of 1944, at fifteen years old, Compo turned professional. Early in his career, Eddie fought on cards at St. Nicholas Arena, Westchester County Center, Madison Square Garden, Ridgewood Grove Arena and the New Haven Arena.

On April 25, 1946, Compo defeated Joey Iannotti on points at the New Haven Arena. Later in that same year, he bested Iannotti (8/2/46) in a rematch of the two popular Elm City pugilists. Compo completed 1946 by beating the experienced Joey Fontana in Providence.

For the next two years, Compo fought well. He scored impressive victories over Archie DeVino, Chico Morales, Tommy Collins, Johnny Juliano, Jock Leslie, Phil Terranova and Bobby Polowitzer. In January of 1949, he defeated Julie Kogon. These victories enabled Eddie to earn a top ten ranking. Around this time, he trained at Stillman's Gym with his friend Rocky Graziano.*

Compo met Willie Pep at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury (9/20/49) for the World Featherweight Title. Over ten thousand spectators watched the bout including Connecticut Governor Chester A. Bowles.

Despite a gallant effort, Compo was knocked down twice in the fifth round and once in the seventh round. After the third knock down, Referee Bill Conway halted the action. After the bout, Eddie went to West Palm Beach Florida to relax. There he met his future wife Christina who was of Greek-American descent. They later moved to Wooster Square and then East Haven.

Despite the loss to Pep, Eddie was far from spent as a fighter. Until he retired in 1955, he was a difficult opponent. He grinded out victories over Dan Bowman, Pat Marcune, Jackie Weber, and Harry LaSane. On September 21, 1951, Compo bested an undefeated Chico Vejar at Madison Square Garden.

The victory over Vejar rejuvenated his career. In 1952, Eddie defeated Teddy "Redtop" Davis. However, Compo lost two fights to rising Italian star Paolo Rossi in 1953 and 1954. He retired after losing to Joey Cam (4/23/55) of Boston.

After boxing, Eddie worked in the New Haven area as a liquor salesman, an ironworker, and for the city. Later in life, he refereed fights in Florida and he helped to train his nephew. Eddie and his wife had one child named Edward Jr.

*Interview Mrs. Eddie Compo. December 3, 2005.

**In some publications, Compo's date of birth is recorded as January 4, 1927. This is incorrect. He used his brother Freddie's license so that he could box underage.

Amateur and Professional fighters from Wooster Square, The Hill Section and Fair Haven.