Attell lost to Young Zulu Kid on June 24, 1916 in a ten-round newspaper decision of the "New York Evening Telegram" at the Fairmont Athletic Club in the Bronx. Despite a significant reach advantage over the diminutive Italian boxer, Attell lost the bout to the Kid who fought several quality competitors but lacked a winning record against them. The Kid had contended for the world flyweight title unsuccessfully on December 16, 1916, and would later contend for the American flyweight title.