Small Montana

Benjamin Gan was born on February 24, 1913 in Negros, in the Philippines. He stood 5 feet 4 inches and weighed 112 lbs. Son of the local chief of police, he carried a photo of the legendary Pancho Villa in his wallet at all times. He changed his same to Small Montana ("little mountain") and ran away from home to become a professional prizefighter in 1931. He won the American flyweight championship by beating Midget Wolgast twice in 1935. He also went abroad to claim the world title, which he lost to Benny Lynch in a 15 round bout in London on January 9, 1937. He won 79 of his 110 professional fights, scoring 10 knockouts. He retired in 1941.