TAKE A LOOK BACK AT BOSTON’S RICH BOXING HISTORY

BOSTON (מאי 20, 2015) – Boston is known for being home to some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, but many may not know that it is also a city that has had a long and rich history with the sweet science. ב יום שבת, מאי 23, world championship boxing is officially back in Beantown when אלופי אגרוף לראש הממשלה, ב NBC returns with a showdown between אנדרה Dirrell ו ג'יימס דה גאל at Boston University’s Agganis Arena with coverage on NBC beginning at 4:30 p.m. ו/1:30 p.m. PT.

The last time Boston saw a world championship fight was May 23, 2006 when two world title fights took place at TD Bank Garden, formerly the Boston Garden. That night saw British superstar ריקי “Hitman” Hatton תבוסה לואיס קולאזו in a welterweight world title fight, תוך אריק אייקן קלקול בלתי מנוצח בעבר Valdemir Pereira for a featherweight world title.

“Fighting in the Boston Garden was a great honor, never mind in a world title fight, but even a four rounder,” אמר טוני דה מרקו, who won the welterweight world title in 1955 at the Boston Garden. “I had more fights there than anybody (28), including my pro debut. It’s always good fighting at home. You’re more comfortable at home. The fans know and honor you. Boston fans were real fight fans.”

Boston has been deeply invested in boxing since the early 20^ה century. מ 1902-1908 the small town of Chelsea that borders Boston became the mecca for boxing as the sport was banned throughout most of America. עם זאת, Chelsea had a special ordinance that legalized boxing. It was during this time that Jack Johnson was faced with what he admitted was the toughest fight of his career, when he defended his heavyweight title against Sam Langford on April 6, 1906. Johnson won by a 15-round unanimous decision and refused to fight Langford again.

בנוסף, Fenway Park, famed home of the Boston Red Sox, ארח 29 professional boxing cards between 1919 ו 1956. Beyond just hosting big fights, Boston has also produced a slew of Hall of Fame talent who were either born in Massachusetts or called the state home.

Noteworthy names include Roxbury heavyweight champions John L. סאליבן, Brockton heavyweight רוקי מרציאנוand Brockton resident and middleweight champion נפלא מרווין Hagler. Boston’s own featherweight championsסנדי סייס ו ג'ורג 'דיקסון plus Boston promoter Rip Valenti have all been enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

“Fighting in Boston was a great experience,” אמר ג'ון רואיז, a two-time heavyweight world champion from Chelsea. “Like any sport, Boston sports fans are true fans who follow your progress. I could feel their emotion wherever I fought. I will never forget them. I fought in Las Vegas a lot and there were always Boston fans there supporting me. I always appreciated them traveling all over the country to my fights.”

A father-son duo from Arlington, מסה. both had an impact on the heavyweight landscape decades after each other. טום מקנילי fought heavyweight world champion פלויד פטרסון ב 1961 and dropped the champion before eventually succumbing to a fourth round knockout. Over 30 years later, his son פיטר was the first man to fight מייק טייסון after he was released from prison, with the fight ending in McNeeley being disqualified.

One of the more unique athletes to come out of Boston, ד"ר. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure was an Olympic Gold medalist, a doctor of psychology and a Massachusetts boxing commissioner. While at the 1960 אולימפיאדה, McClure served as the co-captain for Team USA and was the roommate of fellow gold medalist קסיוס קליי. While he never reached his potential as a professional, he received opportunities against world class opponents Luis Manuel Rodriguez פעמיים וחוסה טורס, losing all three by decision. He also lost a decision and fought to a draw against רובין “הוריקן” קְרוֹנַאִי. After his professional boxing career, McClure served as a Massachusetts boxing commissioner before eventually retiring in the Boston area where he resides to this day.

Another greatly revered fighter to come out of the Boston-area is Lowell’s מיקי וורד. Hugely popular for his exciting style, Ward compiled a 38-13 pro record with 27 knockouts. He was most known for the three epic fight of the year award-winning battles with the late Arturo Gatti. Ward’s life and career was portrayed in the award-winning film “הלוחם”, which starred Mark Wahlberg as Ward.

“It was great fighting in Boston. The fans were very supportive and knowledgeable about the game,” אמר וורד. “It was like I was fighting at home…it was home for me as a fighter. Fans traveled a lot to my fights, מדי. They were a little crazy, drank lot of beer and were more vocal than most places I ever fought. I loved it.”

ב יום שבת, מאי 23 a new crop of young and hungry fighters will lay it all on the line, hoping to write the next exciting chapter of boxing history in the city of Boston. The action begins at 1:30 p.m. ו inside of Agganis Arena.

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