Ross, Barney

(Barnet David Rosofsky)

(1909–67)

   US boxing champion. Ross, a native of New York, was the only boxer in the history of the ring to hold both the lightweight and welterweight world titles at the same time, 1933–4. In eighty-two first-class bouts he lost only four and was voted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1956.

   Wounded when fighting with the marines on Guadalcanal, he became a drug addict during his medical treatment. It took him five years to be cured, after which he flung himself into the battle against the traffic in drugs. ROSSI, Salamone de’ 17th century. Italian composer. Rossi began his career as a singer in the service of the Gonzago duke of Mantua in 1587. By 1612 he had his own orchestra and was frequently called upon to play on important occasions, sometimes at neighbouring courts. His compositions, secular and sacred, included Hebrew hymns written in madrigal style. As the Mantuan court composer and instrumentalist he was released from the obligation to wear the Jewish badge imposed on Italian Jewry.