Figure 1.--Here we see Ferruccio bxing during March 1948. It looks to us like it was during his American tour. We are not sure if it was a publicity shot or if Ferruccio had a real nterest in boxing. |
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Unlike many child prodigies, little information on Ferruccio turns up on internet searches. And virtually nothing about his childhood. Ferruccio was born in 1939. His father was Russian. Mis mother was a gifted soprano. We are not sure why he was in Italy, presumably he was a Russian emigree, opposed to the Soviet regime. His name sounds Italian. The images we have found of Ferruccio show him at his performances. We do not see many snapshots of him in everyday life. We do note one image of him boxing. We do not know to what extent this was an activity he especially enjoyed. A reader writes that it is an interesting indication as to the boy's character.
Another readr writes, "I thought the same about it being a photo set up for Ferruccio to show boyish activities.
From working with children who take an interrst in boxing I would saw Ferruccio liked this sport. His movements and positions of his boxing movements are those of a boy experienced in boxing technique. His American partner is less experienced. It was most likely a publicity shot in which passing boys were invited to join in the boxing game. Ferruccio may not have been to boxing matches but simple enjoyed it has a work out or as something he found relaxing." It is also possible that he was being hosted by an American family and the boys are the host children, fiends, or neighbors. We beliwve that he would have been best knownin the Italian-American community so the American boys are likely to be Italian-Americans. Amother reader writes, "Due to Fernuccio wearing the particular outfit which I doubt he would wear to box if it were not a publicity stunt or maybe someone wanted him to try
it and have fun with the other boy, I think it is staged. What are your thoughts?" We think the photograph
definitely a publicity shot. Staged is a little more difficult to answer. What we don't know is how he was dressed when not on stage or not touring. This may have been the outfits mom brought along for the tour. I just don't know. I do agree with the comment that he does seem to know how to box based on his posture. It is possible that they just let him have a little fun and snapped some publicity shots. Actually, we think a Life Magazine photographer took the picture. Our reader replied, "If that is the case, I remember reading something like 30 years ago that Life would tell the photographer to take 100s of images hoping for one that is good. So it is probable they just let the kids have fun and took the shot, but I have no way of knowing if that is true."
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