Jerry Pellegrini launched his amateur boxing career at St. Mary’s Italian Gym in New Orleans in the 1950’s. After quitting grammar school to attend barber school, “The Boxing Barber” began a professional boxing career that would span nearly a decade. Pellegrini spent the 1960’s thrilling New Orleans area crowds at local boxing venues such as the legendary Municipal Auditorium. He climbed the world welterweight rankings and would ultimately win the Southern Welterweight Title in 1967. Pellegrini retired in 1971 with a record of 28-12 (12 KO) after severely injuring his hand. He worked as a barber in Slidell until his death in 2022. He was 78.