A professional light heavyweight prizefighter, Dick Wagner retired in 1953 after eight years in the ring. His pro record consisted of 33 wins (22 by KO), 20 defeats (5 by KO) and 5 draws. He fought the likes of middleweight contender Billy Fox, middleweight champion Jake LaMotta (losing a 1950 non-title 10-rounder by TKO in the 9th), and future heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, whom he fought twice.