Danny DiLiberto (born in Buffalo, New York) is an American retired professional pool player nicknamed "Buffalo Danny".

A veteran player from the Johnston City era, a teacher, an author, and previously working as a commentator for Accu-Stats, DiLiberto is an active member of the pocket billiards community. He was elected into the One Pocket Hall of Fame in 2004 for his "outstanding contribution to the legacy of the game of one pocket".

Danny DiLiberto

Early boxing days

Before DiLiberto became interested in pocket billiards, he was a professional boxer from 1957-1959 with a 14-0-1 record, with 12 knockouts, until he was forced into retirement after breaking his hands four times. Muhammad Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee remarked that “Danny was a heck of a fighter”, “Whoever I put in front of him he knocked out. If it weren’t for his brittle hands he would have been a champion." In 2006, he was inducted into Buffalo's Boxing Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the sport.

Danny DiLiberto

Professional career

The 1981 BCA National Eight-Ball Championship was a memorable victory for DiLiberto when he faced Nick Varner in the finals. Running out the deciding match was most appropriate for DiLiberto in what was until then a neck-and-neck race to 7 for the win.

Danny DiLiberto

DiLiberto was a member of the International Pool Tour.

A book was written by pool journalist Jerry Forsyth about Danny DiLiberto entitled "Road Player, the Danny DiLiberto Story".

On October 20, 2011, DiLiberto was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place alongside the 36th annual US Open 9-Ball Championships.

DiLiberto had won tournaments in four different divisions of professional pocket billiards: straight pool, one pocket, 8 ball, and 9 ball.

From 1989 to 2020 DiLiberto was a commentator for Accu-Stats Video Productions.

Career titles & achievements

1961 New York City 14.1 Championship

1962 New York State 14.1 Championship

1965 Florida State 14.1 Championship

1966 Florida State 14.1 Championship

1968 Florida State 14.1 Championship

1969 U.S. Masters Straight Pool Championship

1972 Ohio State 14.1 Championship

1972 Johnston City Straight Pool Championship

1972 Johnston City All-Around Championship

1974 Florida State 14.1 Championship

1981 BCA National 8-Ball Tournament

1982 Busch Open 9-Ball

1983 Florida Open 9-Ball

1983 Florida One Pocket Championship

1984 Classic Cup IV 9-Ball

1985 Austin One Pocket Championship

1985 Eastern States Open 14.1

1989 Western States Open 9-Ball

1996 Senior Tour Nine Ball Tournament

1997 French National Nine Ball Tournament

1998 French National Nine Ball Tournament

2004 One Pocket Hall of Fame

2006 Buffalo Boxing Hall of Fame

2011 Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame

2017 Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame

References

American pool players

Living people

Sportspeople from Buffalo, New York

1935 births