FINAL BELL

JOHNNY SAXTON

October 7, 2008 - More than 43 years had passed since they last met, back in an era when their boxing match meant something on a national scale. Johnny Saxton had defeated Kid Gavilan that October evening in 1954, but for this get-together, tears replaced sweat and hugs replaced punches. So much had changed, but neither was going to be pushed around by the other. When the frail Gavilan told Saxton he was the champion, Saxton corrected his host, saying he was the champ. Moments later, though, Saxton stepped outside to see his longtime friend, Richard Joselit, who had arranged the 1998 reunion in Hialeah. "He was crying," Joselit said. "He said, 'Why does he have to be like this? Why does he have to be so sick?' I'll never forget that." Joselit recalled the story Tuesday while awaiting word on services for Mr. Saxton, who died Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Good Samaritan's Hospice Unit. Mr. Saxton, 78, spent most of his final 10 years as a resident of the Crystal Palms assisted living facility in Lake Worth. Mr. Saxton was born on Independence Day in 1930, a precursor to the life he would lead. He grew up in an orphanage, had a limited education and was a member of a gang in his younger days, yet he grew up to become a two-time world welterweight champion. His résumé includes victories over legends Gavilan and Carmen Basilio, which would cement any fighter's legacy, if not for extenuating circumstances. "The truth of the matter is nobody really knows where he rates because of the allegations that a lot of his fights were handled by the mob and it wasn't for real," said Joselit, a former inspector with the New York State Athletic Commission. "But he did beat some of the greatest welterweights who ever lived." Boxing journalist and historian Bert Sugar agreed. "Johnny was one of the golden age of sports' good fighters," Sugar said. "He sort of tiptoed on the edge of greatness." He is to be remembered as a welterweight champion who fought the best of them and beat some of them, by whatever means. It's not his fault the judges were in someone's pocket."Mr. Saxton was managed by Frank "Blinky" Palermo, who had ties to mobster Frankie Carbo. "It was the only way in the '50s that you could get ahead," Sugar said. Sugar and Joselit agreed that because of his connections to Palermo, Mr. Saxton never fully enjoyed the financial rewards of his labor. "I think he had several fights under Palermo where he got no money - not even a token to get home on the subway," Sugar said. Resorting back to his difficult younger ways, Mr. Saxton was caught stealing $5 from an apartment in Queens, Joselit said. Mr. Saxton's luck changed about a decade ago after Joselit discovered him in a filthy New York apartment, with no electricity or food. He promptly brought Mr. Saxton to South Florida. Because Mr. Saxton was suffering from fighter's dementia, Joselit placed him in an assisted-living facility, and even though his right leg was badly injured in a hit-and-run auto accident, Mr. Saxton appeared in good spirits and enjoyed teaching kids to box. "I'm feeling fine," Mr. Saxton told The Post in 1998. "Doing good. Real good. Real fine. Yessir." For much of his boxing career, there was little doubt about that. Thirty-seven fights into his professional career, Mr. Saxton was undefeated. On Oct. 20, 1954, he took a 15-round decision from Gavilan in Philadelphia to become world champion, and although he lost the belt six months later to Tony DeMarco in Boston, Mr. Saxton once again was champion on March 14, 1956, when he defeated Basilio via a controversial 15-round decision in Chicago. Sports Illustrated labeled the decision "dubious," and with in a year, Mr. Saxton was knocked out twice by Basilio in title fights. "He was a hell of a fighter, though," Sugar said. "Johnny Saxton was a dynamo in the ring. It just happened that he came along at a time - one of the few times - when boxing was overflowing with talent, and he was one of the talent." Mr. Saxton finished 55-9-2 with 21 knockouts. "He was an overachiever," Joselit said. "Yeah, he grew up in an orphanage and was the leader of a gang in New York, but through it all, he had enough discipline and intelligence to become welterweight champion of the world. "Today there are like 124 champions, but when Johnny was the welterweight champion, there were only eight champions. ... He would walk down the street then and people would say, 'That's Johnny Saxton. That's the champion of the world.'''' Johnny was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame on November 12, 1998. Mr. Johnny Saxton held to "edge of greatness" By HAL HABIB, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

 

AL SPARKS

October 1, 2008 - MANITOBA boxing legend and former Canadian light heavyweight champion Al Sparks passed away at age 75 on September 29, 2008 following a stroke. Al Sparks travelled down one of the most successful roads in Manitoba boxing history. Shortly after moving to Winnipeg from the east coast in 1952, Al Sparks exploded onto the local amateur boxing scene. After just three bouts, he was crowned Manitoba’s Light Heavyweight Champion. Six years, and a number of impressive victories later, Sparks decided to turn professional. It took ten more years before he landed the big fight. In January of 1968, Sparks beat Les Borden of Montreal to become the Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion. 1968 was a whirlwind year inside the squared circle for Sparks. Just six months after winning the Canadian Title, he lost it to Rene Durell. Two months later he regained the belt from Durell, capping off a tremendous Canadian rivalry. Before the ‘68 tour was over, Sparks made his mark on the international boxing scene as well. He travelled to Australia to challenge Bob Dunlop for his Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Title. Despite knocking Dunlop down twice in the 12th round, Sparks lost the bout on a decision. From 1968 until 1975, Sparks travelled across the country successfully defending his Light Heavyweight Title. His reign as Champion came to an end in 1973 when he lost to young boxer Gary Summerhayes. Shortly after that bout, he retired as one of the most celebrated boxers in Manitoba history. More than 40 years after bursting onto the scene, a 61-year old Al Sparks was still a vital part of the local boxing community. He could always be found teaching the finer points of the “Sweet Science” to prospects at a local gym. He also enjoyed a 42-year career with C.N. and Via Rail. A dedicated athlete, Al Sparks trained hard and fought with integrity simply because he loved and respected the sport of boxing. Sparks had more than 50 professional fights and has been called the best boxer Winnipeg has ever produced. He is remembered as... "a dedicated athlete, Al Sparks trained hard and fought with integrity simply because he loved and respected the sport of boxing." He was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

 

TONY LaROSA

October 7, 2008 - Anthony 'Tony The Rock' LaRosa, once an outstanding light-heavyweight and competitive heavyweight from Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood recently passed at the way too young age of 41. LaRosa boxed professionally until 2004 with a final record of 32-23. In a career that had several stumbling blocks due to life in the fast lane, The Rock could be proud of his 1994 victories over Lenny LaPaglia who previously held the IBO light heavyweight strap and his IBO heavyweight title win over Frank Minton. Despite ending his career with several losses, LaRosa did manage to collect wins over some former world champions including Trevor Berbick in 1999, and both Iran Barkley and Dwight Muhammad Qawi in 1998.

 

BOBO RENFROW

  October 3, 2008 - Robert Renfrow passed away at age 59 on October 2, 2008. The 6’ 7” Renfrow was born June 20, 1949 in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He grew up in Washington, D.C. and was a high school football star as a two-way lineman. He played 3 years of semi-pro football and had a tryout with the Washington Redskins. His amateur boxing record included a third round TKO loss to George Foreman in the 1968 National AAU quarterfinals. He boxed professionally from 1968 until 1975 compiling a record of 10-2-0 (9).

 

Vince Bagnato

September 30, 2008 - Vince Bagnato, who knew or promoted every boxer to come out of Toronto during the past 60 years, died Friday, September 26, 2008 at age 76, following a five-year battle with prostate cancer.  Bagnato, the man behind the highly successful Shaw Festival boxing shows for the past 23 years, was a legend, having worked with or promoted fighters such as Bobby (Pretty Boy) Felstein and Nicky Furlano.  "There hasn't been a corner in boxing in which he hasn't lived, including fighting, managing, training, matchmaking and promoting," the late Sun columnist Jerry Gladman wrote after the release of Bagnato's book, Half-a-Buck: Nobody and Me, in 1983. The story, based on Bagnato's life, was transformed into a Toronto musical production, starring Stephen Walsh, at the old Columbus Centre. Bagnato also played a fight manager opposite Tony Curtis in Title Shot, as well as writing some of that movie's boxing dialogue which included gems such as: "You're a piece of garbage wrapped up in a $300 suit ... The first time he gets hit on the button, you'll hear crystal cracking all over town ... I've got so many lawyers you'll get a law degree by association."  But Bagnato, who owned a winery and later in life started a small renovation/restoration company, claimed he never made much money in the boxing game.  "If there has ever been a decent buck to come out of it my way, I haven't seen it yet," he told Gladman. "It's a labour of love. I'm hooked on it like a guy mainstreaming on junk. But I love it because, indirectly, it's led to so many good opportunities for me." Bagnato did, however, help raise millions for the Shaw Festival, with his annual black-tie boxing exhibitions at the Royal York.  "His last show was in April," Bagnato's wife, Sharon, said yesterday. "He was so full of vim and vinegar. He was determined to do it next year, but I knew he couldn't do it." Although there were originally 24 Bagnato children, only 12 survived, seven of them boys -- most of them boxers.  "I witnessed a way of life people just won't see anymore," the always colourful Bagnato once said. "I grew up in a house with 12 kids. Dinner at our place was like some weddings -- only it went on every day."  While Bagnato's brother Joe was a Canadian lightweight champ, and Vic and Paulie held Canadian amateur titles, Vince was a born promoter. While he didn't create a world champ, some of his boxers fought against the best, including Don Mogard, who went 10 rounds with Rocky Marciano, and James J. Parker, who boxed Archie Moore at old Maple Leaf Stadium. Bagnato later became a matchmaker for City-TV's Fight Night shows, and originated the hugely successful but controversial walk-on street fighter tournaments -- So You Think You're Tough -- at the St. Lawrence Market. "They were the most amazing things I ever saw," Bagnato's wife said of the So You Thing You're Tough promotions. "People were climbing up on the roof and crawling through those high windows just to get into the St. Lawrence to see the shows. The lineups went up and down the street." While Bagnato's brainchild was said to be the inspiration behind two movies -- Tough Enough and The Amateur -- the Ontario government moved quickly to shut him down. Bagnato, who was Irv Ungerman's longtime partner with All-Canada Sports , held numerous prestigious positions in his sport, including president of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame and president of the Canadian Professional Boxing Council. By Dave Miller, Toronto Sun Media

 

Marco Minuto

September 29, 2008 - Marco Minuto, 60, former manager of Willie Classen and former World Rated Lightweight Felix Santiago passed away Sunday, September 28th, of a heart attack in New York.

 

Tony Riccio

September 28, 2008 - Tony Riccio who fought such greats as Sugar Ray Robinson,  Freddie Archer, Joe Miceli, Harold Green, Izzy Jannazzo, Jackie Wilson, Lee Sala, Tommy Bell, Charlie Fusari, fought a draw with Rocky Castellani and beat Sammy Angott passed  away on Tuesday, September 23^rd. Riccio boxed professionally from 1942 – 1952, compiling a career record of 55-37-13 (4). He was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006.

 

EDDIE JOHNSON

September 16- 2008 - Eddie Johnson was born and raised in Camden, SC on June 1, 1944 and passed away after an extended illness on September 16, 2008. 

He resided in Paterson, NJ.  He was a former boxer, trainer and referee out of Paterson, New Jersey.    As a referee he worked the Shane Mosley - John John 

Molina bout (IBF Lightweight Title), Paul Ingle - Manuel Medina bout (IBF Featherweight Title) and the Marco Antonio Barrera - Richie Wenton bout (WBO 

Super Bantamweight Title). He was also a trainer of many Amateur Champions in New Jersey, 

and the rest of United States.

 

PETER McCANN

August 27, 2008 - BIRKENHEAD’S first national ABA champion Peter McCann died suddenly at his home in Claughton, Prenton, on Sunday, August 24, 2008. Aged just 62, the former middleweight champion was found dead by his wife Fionuala after earlier complaining of chest pains. McCann, an active member of both the Merseyside and Wirral Ex-Boxers Associations, wore the colours of Birkenhead ABC when he captured the national middleweight title at Wembley back in 1968. Prior to that, he had represented Willaston and Liverpool’s Star ABC, and would later represent the North West Counties division and England. He turned professional shortly after his 1968 ABA success, signing under the banner of Terry Lawless and enjoyed seven straight stoppages wins - including four first round knockouts. However, in his eighth contest he damaged ligaments in his shoulder and forced his eventual retirement. Speaking a couple of years ago, he said: “I am glad to have done what I have done and I wouldn’t change a moment of it.” Aug 27 2008 by Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo

 

Oscar suarez

September 15, 2008 - Popular trainer Oscar Suarez sadly passed away at his home in New Jersey over the weekend. Suarez, who is best known for training Acelino 'Popo' Freitas, Prince Naseem Hamed, Omar Shieka, Jhonny Gonzalez, Aginaldo Nunes, José Reyes, Freddie Cadena, the Toledo brothers and Archek Turmeliksetian among others, passed away at the much too young age of 47 from pancreatic cancer. "Boxing has lost a great trainer, and I have lost a great friend," Freitas told the Brazilian publication Gazeta Esportiva. "We were together for seven years and we won three titles together."

 

JOEY GIARDELLO

September 4, 2008 - Joey Giardello, 78, one of the first in a long line of great Philadelphia middleweight boxers whose 19-year professional career was highlighted by a reign as world champion, died September 4, 2008 at the Cadbury Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Cherry Hill. He had been suffering from congestive heart failure and diabetes, his family said. Mr. Giardello compiled a record of 101 victories, 25 defeats and 8 draws with 33 knockouts, and he was inducted in 1993 into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Although he was not known for a knockout punch, he was considered a fine technician, with a dancing style. Born July 16, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y., as Carmine Tilelli, he adopted the name Joey Giardello when he used the birth certificate of an older friend of his cousin to enlist in the Army in 1946. He was discharged in 1948, moved to Philadelphia, and began a professional boxing career. "I never had amateur fights," he said in a 1993 interview. "I walked into the gym when I was 18, and all I ever wanted to be was a champ. I dreamed about it all the time. I met Joe Louis and I told him, 'I'm going to be the champ one day.' " Mr. Giardello fought the best middleweights of the day in his rise up the ranks. He earned his first title shot in 1960 but failed to win the crown in a disputed draw with Gene Fullmer. He finally broke through to the top of the division Dec. 7, 1963, when he beat Dick Tiger in a 15-round decision in Atlantic City. Mr. Giardello made four successful title defenses before losing the title to Tiger in 1965. One of Mr. Giardello's defenses was a unanimous decision over Rubin "Hurricane" Carter on Dec. 14, 1964, at Philadelphia's Convention Hall. Carter later was convicted of a triple murder and served 19 years in prison before the verdict was set aside. The Carter fight was depicted in the 1999 movie The Hurricane, resulting in a lawsuit by Mr. Giardello. His lawyer said the movie "horribly and falsely depicts Joey as a hapless, no-good fighter who got beat up and had no business being middleweight champion of the world, and that portrayal couldn't be further from the truth." Mr. Giardello and the film's producers later reached an undisclosed financial settlement. Mr. Giardello is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rosalie; four sons; and five grandchildren. By Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer

 

ROCKY CASTELLANI

September 3, 2008 September 3, 2008 - One of the Wyoming Valley’s sports legends, Attilio “Rocky” Castellani, died August 31 in Atlantic City. The son of Italian immigrants, Castellani was born in Luzerne and went on to become arguably the greatest boxer to ever come out of the Wyoming Valley. His exploits in the ring earned him the 11th spot in The Citizens’ Voice Top 100 Athletes in Wyoming Valley. “Simply, he was the best (boxer) ever from here,” said local surgeon Dr. George Moses. “I remember seeing him box at Sandy Beach and at the old South Main Street Armory. Later my father (the late Peter Moses) took me to Cleveland to see him fight against George Fullmer and Rocky went 15 rounds with him.”  Dr. Moses recalled that Castellani was one of the quickest middleweights ever. “He never got hit,” Moses said. “but when he did . . .” Another old friend, Buddy Rush, recalled that Castellani became a local hero in the 1950s. “Everybody watched,” Rush recalled of the times one of Castellani fights would be televised, usually on the popular Gillette Friday Night Fights.” “Boxing gave me the opportunity to be somebody,” Castellani was quoted in a 1985 article in The Citizens’ Voice. Castellani traced his boxing roots to his uncle, Bill Costello, an amateur fighter from Swoyersville, who first laced a pair of gloves on young Attilio at the age of five. “Everything I have today I owe to boxing,” he said. “I made good money climbing into the ring. I tried it as a young kid and liked it. And it wasn’t hard.” His mother, Rose, died when he was 10 and his father, Attilio, did not want him fighting, so he fought under assumed names as a teenager. He joined the Marines at age 16 and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He also continued boxing in the Marines and, upon conclusion of the war, he was chosen to represent his unit in a boxing tournament. Along the way, he earned the title of middleweight champion of the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet and “Champion of all China and Guam.” He turned pro shortly after his discharge and he credited a bout in Scranton with turning him from a brawler into a boxer. During that bout with Billy Kilroy, Castellani recalled he broke his hand. “Some six weeks after that I could only punch with one hand and that’s how I was transformed into a boxer instead of a puncher,” he said. By 1954 he was the No. 1-ranked middleweight contender and earned a championship bout against Carl “Bobo” Olsen. He lost on a split decision, knocking Olsen down in the third round at the former Cow Palace in San Francisco. Perhaps his best known fight came against the great Sugar Ray Robinson in 1955, a fight in which he put Robinson on the canvass for a controversial eight count. Many boxing scholars believed Castellani actually won the fight by knockout only to officially lose by split decision. Castellani often took jabs at two other middleweight greats of his era — Jake LaMotta and Rocky Graziano — hinting the pair ducked fighting him. “Rocky and Jake didn’t want no part of me back then,” he was quoted in that 1985 article. He retired with a 65-14-4 record which included 16 knockouts. Many of his fights continue to be featured on ESPN’s Classic Fight of the Century feature. He was inducted into both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boxing Halls of Fame and was also enshrined into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. After retirement he operated “Rocky’s” bar in Atlantic City for many years served as a judge for the New Jersey Boxing Commission. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Mary Jugus; sons, Deane of Atlantic City, Michael (Chris) of Linwood, N.J., and David (Terri) of Linwood, N.J.; daughter Lisa (Oliver) Knowlto, Denver; 10 grandchildren.

 

Herbert Muhammad

August 26, 2008 - Herbert Muhammad, one of the most powerful figures in boxing in the 1960s and 1970s when he was managing heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali's career, died Monday, August 25, 2008 in Chicago. He never recovered after undergoing triple heart bypass surgery. He was 78. Muhammad, whose father, Elijah Muhammad, was the leader of the Nation of Islam, began managing Ali's career in 1964, shortly after Ali defeated Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title. Muhammad negotiated a $10 million purse for Ali to fight Joe Frazier on March 8, 1971, in a bout many consider the biggest event in the sport's history. It was known as "The Fight of the Century."

Piet van Vuuren

August 21, 2008 - Piet van Vuuren one of South Africa’s outstanding amateur boxers in the 1950’s passed way recently in Montgomery Park near Johannesburg. Piet who was 77 had been in ill health for the past six years. Piet who was born Petrus Hendrik Jansen van Vuuren in Westdene on February 6, 1931 was a good looking fighter with tremendous power in his right hand. He was a dominant force in the early 1950’s, winning the SA middleweight title in 1951 and was light heavyweight champion in 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1956. In 1954 Piet represented South Africa at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games as they were known at the time, in Vancouver, Canada. Van Vuuren beat Tony Madigan of Australia to win the light heavyweight gold medal. Madigan was an outstanding amateur who represented Australia at three Olympics and lost to Cassius Clay who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali, at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. In 1956 Piet was selected to represent South Africa at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne together with one of the strongest amateur teams to fight at the Games. The other members of the team were Eddie Ludick (flyweight), Lennie Leisching (featherweight), Hennie Loubscher (light welterweight), Jumbo Andre (welterweight), Grant Webster (light middleweight) and Daan Bekker (heavyweight). However, despite the high expectations for the team only Hennie Loubscer and Daan Bekker won bronze medals. Unfortunately Piet was outpointed in first bout by Gheorghe Negrea of Romania who subsequently went on to win the silver medal. Hennie Lubbe his brother-in-law and lifelong friend said that Piet was never interested in fighting as a professional and was one of the nicest and kindest men around. He was a teetotaller all his life. Source: Ron Jackson, Fightnews

 

PAUL JORGENSEN

August 18, 2008 - Paul Jorgensen, a University of Houston graduate and local boxer, died Wednesday, August 6, 2008 in Port Arthur. Jorgensen was 74. Highly ranked by Ring Magazine for several years and a headliner for main event contests in some of boxing’s biggest venues, Jorgensen was at the forefront of a comeback of boxing in Houston. In 1955, Jorgensen appeared in Houston’s first mixed prize fight when he knocked out former World Bantamweight Champion Harold Dade. A Professional and Golden Gloves boxer, Paul Jorgenson was born in Tallulah, Louisiana, but lived in Port Arthur, Texas, "his whole life." He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1952, where he did not box. As an amateur boxer from 1950 to 1953, he had three managers including Dick Menchaca. He won Golden Gloves and AAU titles during that time. Jorgenson turned professional in 1953 and stayed active until 1960, while also attending the University of Houston. He won the state featherweight title on August 1, 1955 in the old Sea Hawk Stadium in Port Arthur. He lost the world junior lightweight title fight to Harold Comes at Providence, Rhode Island on 20 July 1959. His career record was 72-8-4 (36).

 

Ronney Vargas
August 15, 2008 - Junior middleweight prospect Ronney Vargas was senselessly killed Saturday, August 15, 2008 by a gun shot to the chest on Saturday morning while sitting in his car in the Bronx. The tragedy occurred after a late night argument at a local deli and the 20-year-old Vargas later passed at St. Barnabas Hospital. He finishes with a pro record of 8-0 with six knockouts after a stellar amateur career.

 

VIC TOWEEL

August 15, 2008 - Former world bantamweight boxing champion Vic Toweel, arguably the best fighter South Africa ever produced, died in Sydney, Australia on August 15, 2008. Toweel, who was 80, settled in Australia about 20 years ago. He was one of the famous Toweel brothers. Willie, the only one who is still alive, fought for a world title, Alan was a top trainer, Maurice an outstanding matchmaker and Jimmy a SA champion. Victor Anthony Toweel was born on the January 12, 1929 in Benoni. He was the second eldest of six brothers and the son of Michael Joseph Toweel, who was of Lebanese descent. Michael Toweel, better known as Pappa Mike, changed the course of SA boxing history in a make-shift corrugated iron gymnasium, at No 12 Balfour Avenue, Benoni. It was there, in the backyard of his home, that he taught his sons, Jimmy, Victor, Alan, Willie and Fraser, the basic rudiments of the gloved art and forged a family legacy that is without parallel in the annals of the ring. Vic Toweel was SA’s first and only undisputed world boxing champion. His greatness as a fighter was expounded by the fact that he fought in an era when there were only 8 divisions with eight world champions compared to today’s 17 divisions and more or less 70 world champions. Vic, in his only fourth fight as a professional, won the SA bantamweight title. In his ninth fight, he became the SA featherweight champion. He captured the British Empire Bantamweight Title, in his 11th fight. On May 31, 1950, in his 14th fight, at the tender age of 21, he won the world bantamweight championship. Vic, beat the great Manuel Ortiz who was recognized as one of the greatest bantamweight champions of all time. At that stage, Manuel Ortiz was a veteran of 110 fights whereas Vic had had only fought 13 contests as a professional. On that night, he placed SA sport in the international limelight. During his reign as a world champion, Toweel, also referred to as ‘The White Henry Armstrong’, had 13 bouts consisting of three successful title defenses and 10 successful non-title fights against world rated contenders. He successfully defended his world title against Danny O’Sullivan (KO 10 round) whom he dropped 14 times, winning him a place in the Guinness Book of Records, for the most knock downs in a world title fight. His second and third title defenses were against Luis Romero (won in 15 rounds) and Peter Keenan (won in 15 rounds). A drastically weight-weakened Vic was dethroned by Jimmy Caruthers in his fourth title defense. He was brilliant as an amateur where he won Springbok colors, fought in the 1948 Olympic Games in London and compiled an unbelievable record of 188 wins with only two losses - 160 by knock out. He was an instinctive boxer /fighter who, at his best, flaunted incredible stamina, perfect balance and a blazing work ethic. His greatest asset as a fighter was his ability to throw non-stop batteries of punches without tiring. He was a gentleman to the core, inside and outside the ring, and to most boxing experts, he remains the greatest pound for pound fighter ever to have been produced in SA. Willie Toweel said, “I’d like on behalf of the Toweel family to thank all the South Africa public for their support over the years. We are heartbroken to see Viccie go but know that he lived life to the full and left his mark in the world. May his soul rest in  peace.” Source: Sport ABC

 

Rhoshii Wells

August 13, 2008 - Rhoshii Shepperd Wells was killed August 12, 2008 in Las Vegas. He was 31 years old. Wells leaves behind six children. According to sources, he was gunned down walking through a bad Las Vegas neighborhood with his son. An altercation broke out leaving Wells with a gunshot wound to the torso. Wells' son was not harmed in the incident. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Coroner's Office both confirm the passing of Wells. According to a police report, officers and emergency medical personnel responded yesterday to a call at 5:42 PM local time that a man had been shot at the apartments at 531 North Lamb Boulevard. That man was later identified as "The Great One" Rhoshii Wells. Wells was transported to University Medical Center where he later died. "He was a friend to everybody," remembered former WBO heavyweight titlist Lamon Brewster, who had been friends with Wells since 1993 and described their relationship as being like brothers. "He was just that type of guy that you liked him in the ring, out of the ring. It's sad because he has six kids and his kids will never get to know how great of a man their father was. "He never got the credit that he should have got. He's a much better fighter than people knew he was. He was like a shining star that never got to shine." A native of Austin, TX, Rhoshii, whose name was a takeoff of Ahmad Rashad, one of his father Frederick's favorite athletes, earned a spot on the 1996 Olympic team as a middleweight at age 19. "This is great," Wells told the Austin American-Statesman in 1996. "Knowing that there are only 12 people going to the Olympics (in boxing) and I'm one of the 12." Though he had little international experience, Wells won his first three bouts before losing to eventual gold medalist Ariel Hernández of Cuba. He would walk away with the bronze. Wells moved his base of operation to Las Vegas to begin his pro career, which kicked off with a four-round decision win over Cordell Parker in July of 1997. The notoriety of being a member of the Olympic squad provided few dividends in the paid ranks for Wells. Often buried on the undercards of better known fighters, Wells wouldn't get his big shot until 2003, when he challenged then-undefeated Alejandro "Terra" Garcia for the WBA light-middleweight title. Wells was stopped after the tenth round. Two years later Wells fought a rematch with Garcia, losing by ninth round stoppage. That would be Wells' final fight, finishing his career with a 18-2-2 (10 KO) record. Wells was tabbed to take part in The Contender Season 3, but never competed after failing a reaction test on the first episode. After being inspired by the Rocky movies, Wells begged his father to let him box. His father relented and at age 11 brought him down to the Pan Am Boxing Center to pursue the sport. At 16 Wells and his family relocated to Riverdale, GA to better acquaint themselves with Atlanta, where the 1996 Olympics were held. There Wells hooked up with Evander Holyfield who agreed to pay for Wells' travel and training expenses for the '96 Games. Reported by Ryan Songali, Boxing Scene

 

KOLU DUKE SABEDONG
Aug. 11, 2008 - Kolu Duke Sabedong, 78, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired Hawaii State Corrections and tour industry employee and professional boxer, died in Hilo Medical Center. He was born in Hilo, HI on June 30, 1930. He is survived by wife Maureen, sons Kalono and David, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Private services. He fought professionally from 1954 to 1964, finishing with a record of Won 17 (KOs 12) Lost 16 Drawn 2 Total 36. He held wins over Howard King and Willie Bean. He also fought Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), Zora Folley, Eddie Machen, Paul Andrews, Mike DeJohn, Tom McNeeley, Willie Besmanoff and Amos Lincoln.
 

KENNY LANE

August 6, 2008 - The Muskegon boxing community lost not only its greatest fighter, but also the "heart and soul" of its youth training program Tuesday with the sudden death of Kenny Lane. Lane, one of the all-time greats in Muskegon area sports history who once fought for the lightweight world championship, died Tuesday afternoon of a heart attack while playing golf. He was 76. News of Lane's death swept through the gym at the Muskegon Recreation Center at Smith-Ryerson Park, where he was in the ring sparring with young fighters as recently as Monday night. "I never got around to thanking him the way I should have for everything he's done for me," said Rocky Smith Jr., Lane's most recent professional fighter. "I can't imagine going to the gym to work out and him not being there. Chronicle file photo Southpaw lightweight professional boxer Kenny Lane, left boxed in 1950s and 1960s. He is shown with Walter "Pete" Petroskey, who boxed from 1923-1939. Lane was the most accomplished boxer in area history, a crafty southpaw, compiling a career record of 77-14-2. As good of a fighter as he was, Lane forged an even greater legacy as a trainer of young men, working with area kids for the past 40 years, freely giving his expertise to several generations. "I've never met anyone who loved kids more than Kenny Lane," said Jack Crowell, who was trained by Lane and then coached with him for years at the Muskegon Area Boxing Club, now known as the Muskegon Recreation Center. "Kenny was the glue of our organization. We are going to miss everything about him so much." Lane, who honed his skills under the guidance of legendary area trainer Pete Petroskey, turned professional in 1953. He was known for his unorthodox style, which is why many top boxers of the day avoided fights with him. He is the only area boxer to ever fight for a world championship, losing a controversial 15-round decision to Joe Brown in 1958. Calls for a rematch were ignored. Lane continued to maintain his top-ranked challenger rating for several more years and won the Michigan version of the world lightweight crown in a 15-round battle with Paul Armstead. In 1964, 51⁄2 years after the first fight, Lane finally earned another title shot against Carlos Ortiz. Once again, the southpaw fighter lost a close 15-round decision. Lane fought for one more year. On Oct. 25, 1965, at the age of 33, after losses to future junior welterweight champion Carlos Hernandez and former junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins, he called it quits. Yet, in 1982, he startled the boxing world by coming out of retirement at age 50 and winning three of four matches against younger opponents. As a result, Lane became the oldest professional boxer to appear in his 100th professional bout. "We all know him now because of his great sense of humor and everything else, but make no mistake, Kenny was one of the greatest left-handed fighters of all time," said Crowell. "I've traveled all over the world with boxing, but no matter where I go, people know about Kenny Lane. He was that good." Lane, who grew up on a farm in Big Rapids, once told The Chronicle that his poor upbringing gave him a special affinity for street kids, who often walked into one of Lane's makeshift gyms around the Muskegon area with nothing more than the shirt on their backs. "He knew how to connect with those kids," said Matt Kolkema, who now runs the Muskegon Recreation Center. "The way the kids related to him was really incredible to watch." Smith remembers that Lane drove young members of his Muskegon team, many of whom had never been out of the city limits, to shows around the state (his van has logged more than 300,000 miles). He would always dig in his wallet and buy McDonald's for everyone, Smith recalled. Joanne (Petroskey) Southland, one of the co-owners of Bent Pine Golf Club where Lane died on Tuesday, was one of Pete Petroskey's daughters and a friend of Lane's for more than 60 years. She was struggling with the thought of not having his quick wit around the course any more. "Kenny loved to putz around the course and go in the woods and look for golf balls," Southland recalled. "He would say: 'It's like Easter.'" Lane, who worked at Continental Motors and later owned a laundromat, is also well-known for his profession later in life -- a television repairman. He was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame's second class in 1988 and the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four grown children. Many people saw Lane for the last time at Saturday's "Kenny Lane Classic" golf tournament at Bent Pine, a fundraiser for the Muskegon Recreation Center. Kolkema said his lasting image of Lane will be when he introduced him at the fundraiser and Lane stood up with his trademark pose, holding both hands clasped above his head. "That's how we'll all remember him ..." said Kolkema, his voice shaking with emotion, "with his hands raised above his head like a champion." By Tom Kendr, MLive.com

 

Baby Vasquez

August 6, 2008 - Former Lightweight contender and Mexican Champion Baby Vasquez died on Saturday, August 2, 2008 in a car accident in Mexico. Vasquez fought for over 24 years (1950-1974) and was in and out of the lightweight rankings from September 1955 until February 1959. Vasquez fought various world champions and defeated among others Ralph Dupas, Paolo Rosi, Teddy Davis, Garland 'Rip' Randall, Jimmy Soo and Alfredo Urbina. He also fought Eddie Perkins, Jose Napoles, Sugar Ramos, and Carlos Hernandez. His ring record was 102-40-2 (34 KOs).

 

MATE PARLOV

July 29, 2008 - Yugoslavian all-time great Mate Parlov has sadly passed away at the age of 60 on July 29 in a hospital in Pula, Croatia, where he resided. No cause of death have been announced but it is believed to be related to the lung cancer Parlov had been diagnosed with. Parlov was an outstanding amateur winning Olympic Gold at light heavyweight in 72, the European champ in 71 and 73 and World champ in 74. With around 300 amateur fights under his belt he turned pro in 75 and did very well although one might suspect he left his best days in the amateurs and Mate probably never could adjust his tricky, southpaw style to the pros. Still, he beat John Conteh, Miguel Angel Cuello, Tony Mundine, lost and drew with Matthew Franklin (who later changed his name to Saad Muhammad) and lost to Marvin Johnson. He held the EBU light heavyweight title in 76-77 and then became WBC ruler in 78. Parlov also fought for the WBC cruiserweight title against Marvin Camel fighting to a draw the first time, then losing the rematch. In 1980 he retired with a record of 24-3-2 and dropped out of boxing. In his later years he moved back to Pula where he owned a cafe. He didn´t follow boxing at all calling modern day pro-boxing a "circus" referring to the many titles. When there was a big show in Pula Parlov didn´t attend despite an invitation. The ring announcer still introduced him and Mate didn´t take it lightly. The champ did however accept the WBC Belt of Honor last year. By Per Ake Persson

 

PAT VALENTINO

July 25, 2008 - San Francisco heavyweight Pat Valentino (Guglielmi)  died Friday July 25^th at the age of 80. Pat fought the fight of his life, on October 14, 1949, for the Heavyweight Title against the great Ezzard Charles before being stopped in the 8^th round. He gave Charles plenty of trouble but just could not match he skills of Ezzard. Pat never saw the money for the Charles fight, and had to sue his manager, Smiling Jack Andrade, a used car salesman  for his cut. Pat fought from 1939 to 1949  with a record 45 (21) 11 (3) 4. He fought and beat most of the top heavies on the west coast. With wins over Turkey Thompson, Tony Bosnich, Freddie Beshore, Bob Nestell, Ralph DeJohn a draw against Joey Maxim and losses to Jimmy Bivins and Mellio Bettina. Valentino spent 45 months in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War ll. After his boxing career he worked for 22 years as maitre d’ at  Soma’s Restaurant, one of San Francisco’s finest, on Fisherman’s Warf. He was a member of The Northern California Veterans Boxers Association. By Stanley Smith, IBRO

 

Joe Miceli

July 19, 2008 - Joseph Miceli, a welterweight boxer who fought 110 professional bouts against the likes of Kid Gavilan and Ike Williams, died Saturday, July 19, 2008 at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore after a battle with lung cancer. He was 79. Born Jan. 8, 1929, in Manhattan, Miceli rose from street fighter in his native Lower East Side to become one of the top 10 welterweight boxers in the world during the 1950s. He beat Williams, then the world lightweight champion, in two of three bouts at welterweight between October 1950 and February 1951, though Miceli never got the chance to fight for a title himself. Known for throwing a devastating left hook, Miceli fought in the golden age of televised boxing. His 37 televised appearances are the third-most in his era, according to boxing historian Ron Ross. "His left hook was just a dynamite punch," said Ross, of Oceanside. "He went in against the very best of them and always gave the crowd their money's worth." In 1961, Miceli finished his 13-year boxing career with a record of 60 wins, 42 losses and eight draws. He won 28 of his fights via knockout. Miceli married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Tuzzo, in 1954. He served in the Army during the Korean War and, after moving to Brentwood in 1963, spent his post-boxing career working odd jobs and entertaining friends with magic and card tricks. "He loved boxing," Catherine Miceli said. "That was his whole life." In addition to his wife, Miceli is survived by two brothers, Dominick and Johnny of Orlando, Fla.; his sister, Marie Carbone of Staten Island; his sons, Joseph Jr., of Brentwood, and Anthony, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank. BY REID J. EPSTEIN of Newsday

 

 

MANDO RAMOS

July 7, 2008 - Mando Ramos, who enjoyed a meteoric career in the boxing ring, winning the lightweight title at 20, then spent his later years helping kids avoid the twin demons of drugs and alcohol that had cut short his career, died Sunday, July 6, 2008. He was 59. Ramos, who was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame two weeks ago, died at his San Pedro home of natural causes, according to his wife, Sylvia. Ramos suffered from a chronic back injury and diabetes. "He loved to watch the fights on television," Sylvia Ramos said, "but I couldn't get him to get up and watch them [Saturday night]. He told me he wanted to sleep, so I taped the fights." On Sunday morning, Ramos, his eyes still closed, began to experience labored breathing. The paramedics were called, but Ramos never regained consciousness. At his peak, Ramos was the Oscar De La Hoya of his day, a talented, handsome L.A. fighter who attracted fans of both sexes. But unlike De La Hoya, Ramos' flame flickered out quickly, extinguished by his addictions. He turned pro in 1965, three days after his 17th birthday, but was finished a decade later. Ramos wound up with a record of 37-11 with one draw and 23 knockouts. Six of his losses were also ended by knockout. "Who knows how good I could have been?" he once told The Times. "I never really trained, not for a single fight. Oh, I went to the gym every day. But I drank every night. Fighters never beat me. But drugs and alcohol [did]. "I really think I could have been the greatest fighter of all time -- except for this." With his index finger, Ramos tapped his temple. "He once went 15 rounds in a fight after training for just one weekend," said former champion Carlos Palomino, Ramos' presenter at last month's Hall of Fame induction. "He was so talented, he could get away with that. It just came natural for him. He was the complete fighter. He could box, he could brawl, he could do it all. He was tall for a lightweight," officially listed at 5 feet 9, though some said he was taller. "He used his length, reach and strength very effectively, had a great chin and a great left hand."  Born Armando Ramos on Nov. 15, 1948, in Long Beach, he got an early start in the ring. "I started to box as soon as I could walk," he said. Ramos' teacher was his father, Ray, a former fighter. Ramos was the quintessential Los Angeles fighter. Twenty-seven of his 49 matches were in the Olympic Auditorium, the landmark venue for boxing in his day. He also fought at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Memorial Sports Arena. "At one point," former Times columnist John Hall said, "I thought Ramos was so quick and so sharp, he could have beaten any lightweight who ever lived." Ramos beat Carlos Teo Cruz on an 11th-round TKO to win the lightweight title in 1969, lost it to Ismael Laguna, then won the championship a second time by beating Pedro Carrasco. Among Ramos' other memorable opponents were "Sugar" Ramos, Raul Rojas, Ruben Navarro and Chango Carmona. "I sold out the Olympic Auditorium in my ninth fight," Ramos said. "Money was everywhere . .. I was 19, 20. What did I know? "By 1974, I was sleeping in cars." Having lost two brothers to heroin overdoses, Ramos checked himself in to a rehabilitation clinic in the early '80s, became sober and remained so for the last quarter-century of his life.When he got out of rehab, he started the Boxing Against Alcohol and Drugs program to work with kids. "He was a man of many great qualities," said his son, Mando Jr. "He had the rough and tough outer exterior of a fighter. But inside, he had a pure heart and a gentle soul. He was a great champion in the ring, but he was an even greater champion in life. He helped a lot of inner-city kids." Ramos recruited fighters and staged exhibitions along with anti-addiction lectures at high schools around Southern California."Once he cleaned up," Hall said, "he made a great comeback, as a human being." "He really found his niche in life," his son said. Ramos is survived by his wife and his son; four grandchildren; a brother, Andrew; and a niece. A participant in the UCLA willed body program, Ramos had stipulated that his vital organs be donated. Source: Steve Springer, LA Times

 

Esau Ferdinand

July 3, 2008 - San Francisco Light Heavyweight Esau Ferdinad, born February 14, 1930, passed away on June 25, 2008 at the age of 78.  Esau who fought from 1948 to 1959 fought Floyd Patterson twice.  He had kind of a strange career of fighting the same opponent over and over. Grover Jackson 8, Cordell Jones 6, Charley Green 6, Bill McGee 4, Oscar Penn 3 and ten fighters 2 times. He fought 47 of his 73 fights against 15 opponents. He compiled a ring record of 48-17-8 (KO 11).  After his ring career ended he worked as an operator for the San Francisco Municipal Railway. By Stanley M. Smith (IBRO).

 

 

 

 

HY MELTZER

July 1, 2008 - Former boxer Hy Meltzer passed away at the age of 79 in Los Angeles. Hy, a popular New York welterweight, fought pro from 1947 to 1953 and compiled a decent 41-7-4 (5 KO's) record in a tough era. Hy was active in the last days of the busy New York club circuit, appearing in main bouts at the Ridgewood Grove, Sunnyside Gardens, Eastern Parkway, Broadway Arena and Coney Island Velodrome. He also appeared 16 times in south Florida rings. Hy defeated Joey Carkido, Tony LaBua, Willie Beltram, Sonny Luciano and in 1949 stopped an aging Tippy Larkin in 2 rounds. In 1953, his last year of campaigning, Hy lost a ten round decision to Baby Vasquez and was stopped by Alan Moody in the Chicago Stadium.  

 

Samora Msophi

June 30, 2008 - Samora Msophi who was stopped in the fourth round of his fight against South Africa junior flyweight champion Mfundo Gwayana on June 28, 2008 at the Orient Theatre in East London died June 30, 2008. Going into the fight there was a lot bad blood between the fighters and at the first bell both boxers threw punches with intent. Even though Msophi was down for counts in the first and third rounds and on unsteady legs at times, he always came back at the champion and staggered him in the second round. However, it was a rampant Gwayana, who is not known as a power puncher, that came out for the fourth round to back up Msophi into the corner and land some ten punches to the head before referee Alan Matekane stepped in to call the fight off at 49 seconds, as the challenger slumped to the canvas. Msophi was attended to by ringside doctors who were unable to revive him before he was taken hospital after lapsing into a coma.  The doctors operated to remove what was described as a clot on the brain, but unfortunately he never regained conscientiousness. Msophi made his pro debut in July 2005 and going into the title fight with Gwayana he had only suffered one loss on his record and that was in November 2007 when he lost on a second round technical knockout to Johnny Oliphant. Early records of ring deaths in South Africa are very sketchy and the only available records are those compiled by the late Manuel Velazquez from Mexico and also those compiled by the writer. Since 1889 including the death of Msophi, 44 professionals and 25 amateurs have died after fights. Reported by Ron Jackson, Fight News.

 

Mario De Persio

June 30, 2008 - Former Italian heavyweight champion Mario De Persio passed away in Rome at the age of 76. Mario De Persio was one of the best Italian heavies of the 50s. Born in Rome on March 3, 1932, he started his career at the famed Audace Gym  where he trained as a pro too. Known as a very quiet man outside the  ring and as a physical specimen with a very good punch inside, De Persio won the Games of the Mediterraneo as an amateur before turning  pro in 1955 under the guidance of well known manager Alfredo Venturi. In his third fight, he defeated future French domestic champion Robert Duquesne. The fight was held in Bologne on the undercard of popular countryman Franco Cavicchiâ’s win against Joe Bygraves. In 1957 De Persio defeated the giant Werner Wiegand of Luxembourg in two rounds and looked on the verge of an European title shot but he was plagued as a very young man by poor health and his surprising loss against Giannino Luise hampered his ambitions. In the last fight of his career he stopped veteran countryman Uber Bacilieri in nine (it was a rematch since De Persio had previously stopped Bacilieri in one) before retiring as domestic champ. His final record stands as follows: 15 wins (11 Kos) and 1 loss. After his retirement, he was employed as a banker. He made his last public appearance in 2006 at the launch of a book on the history of the Audace gym written by Marco Impiglia. De Persio passed away at the age of 76 on June 30. Funeral services were held in Rome, in the Don Bosco church near Cinecitta .  By Paolo Consiglio.

 

Nicolae Linca

June 30, 2008 - Nicolae Linca, the only Romanian boxer to win a gold medal in the Olympics, passed away at the age of 79.  Linca beat Irishman Frederick Tiedt to win Gold in the 1956 Olympics at welter.

 

FRANZ SZUZINA

June 29, 2008 - Franz Szuzina passed away on June 29, 2008 at the age of 77. He resided in Rockville Centre.  Franz was born December 29, 1939 in Bremen, Germany. He campaigned from 1950-1961, compiling a record of 48-23-14 (24). He was only stopped twice. Szuzina was a strong, compact puncher and held wins over Randy Sandy, Virgil Akins, Charley Cotton and Willie Besmanoff . He also fought Joey Giardello, Rory Calhoun, Spider Webb, Henry Hank, Bobby Boyd, Gustav Scholz, Charlie Humez  and Peter Muller. He was a Member of Ring 8 in New York.  

 

Ricardo ((Pajarito) Moreno

June 25, 2008 - Mexico City - Former Mexican boxer Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno died at the age of 71 on June 24, 2008 in the state of Durango, where he settled in the last years of his life with his family. Ricardo was born in the small mining town of  Chalchihuites in the state of Zacatecas on February 7, 1937. He left school to work as a metal breaker at the mines.  Later he went to Mexico City where he worked as a parking lot attendant before turning to boxing. He did not fight as an amateur.              He was a two-fisted slugger with terrific power in either hand he turned professional at age 17 on June 16, 1954 with a first round nockout of Oscar Diaz in Mexico City. By the end of 1955, 18-year-old Moreno was considered by many the hardest punching bantamweight in the world.  He went on to fight Hogan Kid Bassey for the world title in April 1958. He was knocked out in the third round of all out action. He never fought for the title again. He retired in 1967 with a record of  60-12-1, with 59 kayos.

 

Eddie Van Kirk

June 22, 2008 - Eddie VanKirk who boxed professionally for 13 years as a welterweight died Sunday, June 22, 2008 at the University of Maryland Medical Center of complications from an infection. He was 45. The circumstances of his death mirrored the ups and downs in his life. He was recuperating from a gunshot wound that he suffered in November last year during a home invasion in the 300 block of Parrish St. Police said the gunman demanded money and drugs. He shot Mr. VanKirk in the stomach during a struggle that began in the house and ended outside. Family members said Mr. VanKirk was undergoing physical therapy when he developed the infection that killed him. Born in Baltimore and raised in Pigtown and Westport, he was known as Speedy VanKirk to his neighborhood friends. He was a 1981 graduate of Southwestern High School, where he played football. "He was a scarecrow quarterback before he caught the boxing bug," said a 1984 Sun article. "He soon gained a reputation as a clever amateur boxer, winning 32 of 38 bouts." Family members said he was inspired by his grandfather, Robert Franklin VanKirk, a Carr-Lowery glassmaker who boxed in the Navy during World War II. His first trainer was a family friend who instructed him in a Westport garage. He made his professional boxing debut in 1982 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Baltimore and later boxed at Steelworkers Hall, the 5th Regiment and Pikesville armories and in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J. "He was a brawler and a tough fighter," said Raymond H. Leonard Jr., a past president of the Veteran Boxing Association, Ring 101. "He didn't fear anyone and often boxed top-rated fighters." His professional career record included 27 wins, nine losses, two draws and 13 knockouts.  "As a fighter, he was tenacious," said Vincent Pettway, a former world welterweight champion who defeated him in 1991 at what was then the Baltimore Arena. "Eddie gave his all. We were friends out of the ring." n addition to Pettway, VanKirk fought Hector Camacho and Vinny Pazienza.

 

MAURICE HARPER

June 14, 2008 - Oakland California Welterweight Maurice Harper passed away, June 14 at the age of 76. Maurice was 1948 147 pound San Francisco Golden Gloves Champion. In 1949 he won the National AAU Welterweight Championship. As a pro he beat top notchers Nick Moran, Del Flanagan, Joe Meceli, Italo Scordichini, Livio Minelli and Frankie Fernandez.. In only his sixth fight he lost on a cut to 52 fight veteran Milo Savage. He reversed that loss, by decision, a month later. He was considered to have a real chance at becoming world champion until he allowed other forces to ruin his career. He boxed professionally from 1949 to 1957 with a record of 27 W ( 5 K.O.) 5L ( 2  K.O. by cuts). By Stanley M. Smith (IBRO).

 

 

 

 

 

Mitsunori Seki

June 12, 2008 - I recently learned that one of Japan’s first great boxers, Mitsunori Seki passed away on June 7, 2008. He was the victim of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 66. Seki was good enough to challenge for a world title no less then five times during the 1960’s. Seki first attempted to win the flyweight title from Thailand’s Pone Kingpetch. On this occasion Seki lost a close decision. Seki would move up to bantamweight but he met disaster at the hands of Mexico’s Joe Medal who stopped him in five. Seki then entered the featherweight division and eventually earned a shot at champion Sugar Ramos. The talented Ramos proved to be too much for Seki and retained his crown. Ramos would later lose his championship to the great Vincente Saldivar. Seki would get yet another chance as he met Saldivar. It was a tough fight but Saldivar would retain his title. It was close enough to justify a rematch so Saldivar and Seki went at it again. This time Saldivar proved he was the best featherweight in the world. Saldivar would then relinquish the title after defeating Howard Winstone and the WBC matched Seki with Winstone for the vacated crown. Seki would lose by a controversial stoppage thus failing in his fifth attempt at world honors. Seki would retire with an outstanding 61-11-1 record. He scored 35 knockouts. Seki along with Hiroyuki Ebihara, the great Fighting Harada and others helped follow 1950’s flyweight titlist Yoshio Shirai in establishing Japan as a force to be reckoned with in the world of boxing. At the time of his death Seki was a successful and respected trainer. By Jim Amato.

DON JASPER

June 9, 2008 - Duluth, MN boxing favorite Don Jasper died on June 9, 2008 at age 78. Jasper, a heavyweight who fought  the  likes of former world heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles, suffered from emphysema the past six years and a recent bout with pneumonia. His condition worsened in recent weeks, and on June 5 he checked into the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s hospital, where he died after respiratory failure. Jasper, who was born in 1929, played football, baseball and ran track at Morgan Park High School. He fought professionally from 1949 until 1958 and finished with a career record of 23-11-1, including 13 knockouts.

 

TONY LICATA

Joey DeJohn

May 9, 2008 - Former middleweight contender of the 40s and 50s Joey DeJohn, passed away Friday, May 9th after a long illness. He was 81. A native of Syracuse, NY, DeJohn, born Joseph DiGianni, wowed sellout fight crowds from Syracuse's MacArthur Stadium to Madison Square Garden with his free swinging style for ten years. A member of the famous Fighting DeJohns, Joey fought alongside siblings Carmen, Ralph and heavyweight Mike and was managed by oldest brother Johnny, who also handled the career of Hall of Famer Carmen Basilio. With his all-or-nothing style, DeJohn fought like he lived- full throttle. Most boxing historians familiar with DeJohn felt he could have been a champion had he trained like one. Admittedly, DeJohn smoked, drank and cavorted with the best of them, as much as, if not more than he trained. He split two high profile bouts with contender Lee Sala, losing on a broken jaw in six rounds after having Sala down four times in 1949, and stopping Sala in two in 1951. In his highest profile bout, also in 1949, DeJohn and legendary "Raging Bull" Jake LaMotta went toe-to-toe for eight rounds, before LaMotta stopped DeJohn via the three knockdown rule. During a visit to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, LaMotta once quipped when asked about his old foe, "Oh that DeJohn, I still got lumps from that fight!" By Bob Newman, Fightnews

 

Gino Gelormino

May 6, 2008 - When Gino Gelormino made his foray into boxing, excited enthusiasts likened him to a young Willie Pep - one of greatest boxers of the 20th century. The Levittown native, who died in a construction accident Tuesday, was blindingly quick and elusive in the ring, said Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood. And Gelormino, who won the Golden Gloves and later was one of the top 10 junior lightweight boxers in the world, knew how to defend. Gelormino, 47, was working on the underside of a Triborough Bridge approach at about 2:30 p.m. when he lost his footing and fell 35 feet near Astoria Park, police said. He was brought to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was later pronounced dead of multiple injuries. It was unknown what, if any, safety gear Gelormino was wearing when he fell. The MTA and Skanska Koch Inc., the contracting company doing the bridge work, would not comment on the accident, which is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Gelormino had a son Matt, 19, and daughter Chloe, 13. He is also survived by his wife, Jacqueline. "I just wanted Gino to be remembered as a Long Island boy who made good in boxing and who loves his family and loved his job," Jacqueline Gelormino said yesterday. Gelormino won the Golden Gloves in 1977 and began his professional career in 1981, where he enjoyed a nine-year stint fighting as a featherweight and junior lightweight. He went 31-3 with 22 knockouts and, in 1988, captured the World Boxing Commission's Continental Americas super-featherweight championship belt. In 1989, he saw his belt and his shot at the world title evaporate after an eighth-round technical knockout at the hands of Anthony English."He was a very exciting up-and-coming fighter," said Farhood, then an editor of KO Magazine. "He was very skilled ... he was hard to hit and quick on his feet." Gelormino, who got into construction 10 years ago, was helping replace the 72-year-old bearings that help support the Triborough Bridge, Joyce Mulvaney, a spokeswoman for MTA Bridges and Tunnels said. The repairs are part of a $275 million bridge rehabilitation project, she said. Work was suspended yesterday in Gelormino's memory. Staff writer Rocco Parascandola contributed to this story. Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.

Richie 'Flash' Gonzalez

May 3, 2008- Richie 'Flash' Gonzalez age 66 passed away on April 25, 2008 in Jacksonville, Fla. due to injuries sustained in an accident. Mr. Gonzalez was born 

in Elizabeth and resided in Roselle for several years. Richie was a 5 time Golden Glove Champ in 3 divisions from 1959 to 1963. He was a professional boxer from

1963 until 1972 and fought in 39 fights, winning 30 of them. Richie was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame and was also a member of the Executive Board of 

Ring 25. He is predeceased by his parents Manuel & Josephine and his twin brother, Robert. He is survived by his siblings; Santiago G. Pietri, Manuel Gonzalez 

and his wife Bo and Julie Curia and her husband Richard. He is also survived by 7 nieces and five great nephews and niece. A gathering took place on Friday, 

May 2 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Gray Memorial Funeral Home 12 Springfield Ave., Cranford as long time New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame President, 

Henry Hascup gave a very moving eulogy. 

GEORGE CARROLL

Former 1963 Australian li