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TAKE A LOOK BACK AT BOSTON’S RICH BOXING HISTORY
BOSTON (Me 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. Sou Samdi, Me 23, world championship boxing is officially back in Beantown when Premier boksè chanpyon sou NBC returns with a showdown between Andre Dirrell ak James DeGale at Boston University’s Agganis Arena with coverage on NBC beginning at 4:30 p.m. AK/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 Ricky “Itman” Hatton defèt Luis Collazo in a welterweight world title fight, pandan y ap Eric Aiken fache deja undefeated 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,” di Tony DeMarco, 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 20th century. Soti nan 1902-1908 the small town of Chelsea that borders Boston became the mecca for boxing as the sport was banned throughout most of America. Sepandan, 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.
Anplis de sa, Fenway Park, famed home of the Boston Red Sox, anime 29 professional boxing cards between 1919 ak 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. Sullivan, Brockton heavyweight Rocky Marcianoand Brockton resident and middleweight champion Bèl bagay Marvin Hagler. Boston’s own featherweight championsSandy Saddler ak George Dixon plus Boston promoter Rip Valenti have all been enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“Fighting in Boston was a great experience,” di Jan Ruiz, 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, Mass. both had an impact on the heavyweight landscape decades after each other. Tom McNeeley fought heavyweight world champion Floyd Patterson nan 1961 and dropped the champion before eventually succumbing to a fourth round knockout. Over 30 years later, his son Pyè was the first man to fight Mike Tyson 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, Dr. Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure was an Olympic Gold medalist, a doctor of psychology and a Massachusetts boxing commissioner. While at the 1960 Olympics, McClure served as the co-captain for Team USA and was the roommate of fellow gold medalist Cassius Clay. While he never reached his potential as a professional, he received opportunities against world class opponents Luis Manuel Rodriguez de fwa epiJose Torres, losing all three by decision. He also lost a decision and fought to a draw against Rubin “Siklòn” Carter. 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 Micky Ward. Hugely popular for his exciting style, Ward compiled a 38-13 pro record with 27 debouchur. 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 “The Fighter”, which starred Mark Wahlberg as Ward.
“It was great fighting in Boston. The fans were very supportive and knowledgeable about the game,” di Ward. “It was like I was fighting at home…it was home for me as a fighter. Fans traveled a lot to my fights, twò. They were a little crazy, drank lot of beer and were more vocal than most places I ever fought. I loved it.”
Sou Samdi, Me 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. AK inside of Agganis Arena.
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Tickets for the return of big-time boxing to Boston, ki se ankouraje pa DiBella te Lwazi an asosyasyon avèk Murphys boksè, yo pwi a $250, $200, $100, $75, $50 ak $35, ki pa enkli sèvis chaj aplikab yo ak taks, epi yo sou vant kounye a. Tickets will be available at www.ticketmaster.com. Fè w peye pa telefòn, rele Ticketmaster nan (800) 745-3000.
Pou plis enfòmasyon vizite www.premierboxingchampions.comwww.nbcsports.com/boxing, www.AgganisArena.com akwww.dbe1.com, swiv sou TwitterPremierBoxing, @AndreDirrell, @JamesDeGale1, LouDiBella, DropkickMurphys, MurphysBoxing, @NBCSports and @AgganisArena and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/NBCSports, www.facebook.com/DiBellaEntertainment,www.Facebook.com/DropkickMurphys ak www.facebook.com/MurphysBoxing. Follow the conversation using #PremierBoxingChampions and #PBConNBC |
