Billy “The Kid” Arnold
Sonnet

A young welterweight 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.
First two rounds, Arnold dominated the fight,
Round three, Rocky shocked the boxing world that night.
 

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

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