Rocky Kansas was an Italian-born American tough, short (5'2" tall) former world lightweight champion boxer.

Kansas and his two brothers combined to defeat 189 opponents in the Buffalo, New York area from 1909 to 1937.

Kansas also faced featherweight Champion Johnny Kilbane in a non-title match, but lost the newspaper decision.

Although, Kansas managed to last the full 10 rounds for a No-Decision, he received a boxing lesson from Leonard.

Kansas then landed a non-title shot against Benny Leonard, but was again handily out boxed.

Kansas then came up with another upset victory, this time over southpaw Lew Tendler in a close 10-round decision.

[citation needed] Kansas died on January 10, 1954, of cancer, following abdominal surgery.