Billy “The Kid” Arnold Sonnet

A nineteen-year-old boxing prodigy,
Billy Arnold fought with no apology.
Twenty-eight knockouts in first thirty-two bouts,
The tough South Philly native, left few doubts.
 

Hailed as the next Joe Louis by the press,
Billy's punches packed power and finesse.
In pursuit of making the Belt his own,
Favored against Graziano, an unknown.
 

Madison Square Garden with Truman ringside,
Tokyo Firebombings launched, countless died.
Rocky the challenger came out with a flurry,
The high school kid, knocked out in a hurry.
 

Graziano's destiny marked for boxing fame,
Arnold drifted away, never to be the same.
 

Richard C. Welch, Jr. 11/1/12