Category Archives: boxing

boxing

JARON “BOOTS” ENNIS AND BRANDUN LEE REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN DC

Leave a comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON D.C. – AUGUST 15, 2017 – Victory Boxing Promotions continues to keep its top talent in the ring, with Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Brandun Lee adding wins to their records Saturday at the historic Howard Theatre in Washington DC. In the co-main event, Ennis defeated veteran Ricardo Cano via stoppage 40 seconds into the first round of their bout, improving to 14-0, 12KO. Brandun Lee impressed on the undercard, stopping experienced journeyman Roy Garcia in the second round.

2017 has been an incredibly busy year for 20 year old Ennis, who fights out of Philadelphia. He’s racked up six wins, and it was recently announced that he would be awarded his third Briscoe Award in October. The Briscoe Awards are a staple of Philadelphia boxing, and Ennis will receive the Rookie of the Year award for 2016. The welterweight sensation kicked off his professional career in 2016, winning eight bouts under the Victory Promotions banner.Saturday’s fight was to be Ennis’ first eight-round fight, but it was clear from the opening bell that he wouldn’t see the eighth round.

On the undercard, 18 year-old junior welterweight Brandun Lee used his range and experience to wow fans at Howard Theatre, breaking down his opponent with speed and style. Favoring the overhand right, Lee had Garcia backing up the entire fight, and in the first round, even turned toward the crowd for a quick photo, much to fans’ delight. After one and half rounds of Lee’s precision and power, the referee stopped the fight in the midst of a barrage of unanswered punches.

“We are committed to keeping these young fighters busy, and getting them the experience they will need on a larger stage,” said Chris Middendorf, Promoter and Founder of Victory Boxing Promotions. “I’m excited to bring them both back to Philadelphia in October, and I think fans there are going to be impressed with how much they’re growing with all the experience they’re getting in these bouts. Most people who have seen them fight agree – they are both world champion material, and both are working hard to get there.”

Both Ennis and Lee will return to fight in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 21st. Both fighters are managed by Cameron Dunkin, who has managed 34 world champions over the course of his 30+ year career in boxing. “Both fighters will continue to stay busy throughout the fall in addition to their bouts in Philadelphia in October,” said Dunkin. “I am committed, as Chris is, to keeping our fighters learning and fighting, developing and advancing, until they reach their goals.”

For more information on Ennis, Lee, and the rest of the Victory Boxing stable, visitwww.victoryboxingpromotions.com.
boxing, Team Fight to Walk

BOXING CHAMPION BOYD MELSON LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS IN NEW YORK’S 11TH DISTRICT

Leave a comment

 

STATEN ISLAND-Today, Boyd Melson, former WBC USNBC champion, 2008 Olympic alternate, and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, publicly launched his campaign for Congress against Republican Dan Donovan. The campaign released a video to mark the announcement which highlights Melson’s dedication to helping others through his service to our country, his passion and commitment to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, and the personal struggle and vow he made to help those struggling with drug addiction.
Melson’s deep passion for helping others motivated his stalwart advocacy and support for spinal cord research. He donated all of his professional boxing winnings and worked to raise a combined total of nearly $400,000 to fund research to cure spinal cord injuries. Melson has continued to support the non- profit he co-founded “TEAM FIGHT TO WALK” and has also taken on a new challenge-raising awareness about opiate and opioid addiction. He has donated earnings from fights to a non-profit which aims to defeat drug addictions among young adults and he conducts a weekly free boxing clinic on Staten Island for any resident in the borough who is battling a drug addiction.
“I’ve spent my entire life fighting-for people I love, for causes I believe in, and for this country,” said Melson. “I want to represent those who live on Staten Island and in South Brooklyn because I can be their Champion and make sure their voices, needs, and concerns are heard throughout the halls of Congress.”
Melson, who is mixed with Louisiana Creole and Jewish, is a native New Yorker who spent most of his childhood in South Brooklyn and Staten Island. After graduating from High School, he earned an appointment at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, following in the footsteps of his family to serve his country. While at West Point, Melson was quickly recognized as a skilled pugilist and racked up many achievements,  including his winning of the National Collegiate Boxing Association National Championship.
 “The struggle that so many people here in New York, in this district, and all over the country are facing every day is tragic,” said Melson. I understand the challenges and barriers individuals with a drug addiction face and I want to do everything I can to help them. Ramping up law enforcement part of the solution, but by itself, is not the solution. We need to tackle this issue by helping people and giving them the resources they need to get healthy.”
Melson filed paperwork to run for Congress in April. For four weeks spanning from May to June following Melson’s filing, he was away on Active Duty orders serving at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. His campaign raised more than $50,000 in the second quarter of the year.
For more information on the campaign, please visit : www.boydmelson.com
boxing

Super Channel to air Terence Crawford vs. Julius Indongo card

Leave a comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Live this Saturday night in Canada
EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada (Aug. 15, 2017) – Continuing its strong efforts as the television destination for viewing world-class boxing in Canada, Super Channel subscribers will be able to watch this Saturday night’s World Junior Welterweight Unification Championship between undefeated world champions, Terence Crawford and Julius “Blue Machine” Indongo, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, live from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The winner of Crawford-Indongo will hold all four-major junior welterweight world titles, plus The Ring magazine’s prestigious strap.
Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs), fighting out of nearby Boise (NE), is a two-time champion who has won six of his last eight fights by stoppage. The 2014 Fighter of the Year, Crawford is the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) and The Ring magazine world champion.
Terrence Crawford
(photo courtesy of Top Rank).

In his 2017 debut this past May 30 at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden, Crawford successfully defended his crowns by way of a 10th round knockout over former Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz.

Arguably one of the top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world today, Crawford unified the world titles July 23, 2016, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over then undefeated WBC super lightweight titlist Viktor Postol.
His triumph against Postol also earned Crawford The Ring title and designated him as the 140-pound division lineal champion. Crawford has also defeated John Molina, Jr., Thomas Dulorme, Hank Lundy, Ricky Burns,Yuriokis Gamboa and Ray Beltran among the more notables.
Namibia-native Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs) has become a unified world champion — International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) – the most difficult way as a true road warrior. He captured the IBF title by knocking out defending champion Eduard Troyanovsky in the opening round of their December 3, 2016 title fight in Russia, and he unified the world titles this past April 15, when he took a dominant 12-round unanimous decision over Ricky Burns in Scotland.
The 34-year-old Indongo was a 2008 Namibia Olympian.
 
Three exciting fights on the loaded “Crawford vs, Indongo” card, promoted by Top Rank, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.
Super Channel has recently aired major boxing events live like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham, and Lomachenko vs.Marriaga.
Other fights on the Crawford-Indongo card also airing live on Super Channel include a 10-round light heavyweight clash between unbeaten North American Boxing Federation champion Oleksandr “The Nail” Gvozdyk (13-0, 11 KOs), ranked No. 2 by the WBC, and upset-minded Texan Craig “El Gato Negro” Baker (17-1, 13 KOs). Gvozdyk is a former Ukrainian amateur standout who lives and trains in Oxnard, California.
The televised opener on Super Channel will feature 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson (2-0, 1 KO), fighting out of Newark (NJ), against Argentinian featherweight David Paz (4-3, 0 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Bouts and order are subject to change. Additional fights recorded earlier may be added as needed to fill purposes. All fights will be proceeded by a “coming up graphic.
To see the “Crawford vs. Indongo” live, as well as more exciting boxing to come, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @SuperChannel
Instagram: @SuperChannelTV
Facebook: /SuperChannel
boxing, Russia

Chicago Cruiserweight Junior Wright to Face Russia’s Ruslan Fayfer for IBF #2 Spot This Friday in Russia

Leave a comment
This Friday, August 18, in Krasnodar, Russia, IBF #14-rated cruiserweight “Hurricane” Junior Wright (16-2-1, 13 KOs) of Chicago will face hometown favorite and IBF #8-rated Ruslan Fayfer (20-0, 14 KOs) in an eliminator for the #2 contender spot.
For the talented 31-year-old Wright, a victory would spell another shot at a world championship. But when a fighter is coming into a Russian fighter’s hometown, that isn’t always easy. Still, Wright and his trainer Rick Wilson have spent eight weeks preparing for this fight, believing that Junior is coming back to US with the victory.
“Fighters come from the US to fight in Russia they all come home with a bad story,” said Wright, “but we’re not. We’re coming out of Krasnodar with a beautiful gift.”
Wright was last seen stopping Detroit’s Damon McCreary in two rounds in January of this year.

“Junior Wright has shown throughout his career that he is one of the most dedicated fighters in the cruiserweight division,” said his promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “Fighting the best available contenders, Junior is once again showing his will and desire to be the best cruiserweight in the world.  I expect a ‘Hurricane-like’ performance from him on Friday.”
boxing

CES BOXING, FIGHTNIGHT LIVE TO PARTNER FOR AUG. 26 PRE-MAYMAC CARD FREE ON FACEBOOK 

Leave a comment
July FIGHTNIGHT LIVE broadcast drew 65,000 combined views as burgeoning combat sports platform continues to heat up this Summer
NEW YORK (August 15, 2017) – Fight fans who want to whet their appetite prior to Mayweather-McGregor will be able to do so on Saturday, Aug. 26, thanks to a new partnership between veteran promoter Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook series. CES Boxing and the tech-forward, fan-friendly Facebook broadcast platform are set to deliver once again – this time from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut – from 6-9 p.m. ETon that Saturday before action heats up in the desert later that night.

Highlighting the CES Boxing card at Foxwoods’ Premier Ballroom is New London, Conn., native Jimmy Williams (13-0-1, 5 KOs), as he defends his WBC-USNBC Welterweight Title against veteran Bronx N.Y. pugilist Issouf Kinda (18-4, 7 KOs). Also appearing on the card: New London’s Cristobal Marrero (4-0, 3 KOs), Hartford’s Richard Rivera (2-0, 2 KOs) and Jose Rivera (3-1, 3 KOs), Miguel Ortiz (2-0, 1 KO) of Springfield, Mass., and others.

“CES Boxing starts the fireworks with a live, action-packed card at Foxwoods Resort Casino leading up to the Mayweather-MacGregor PPV,” proudly states CES President Burchfield Sr. “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Linacre Media to broadcast this event worldwide on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE Facebook page.”

Tickets are priced at $55, $90, $155 and $325 and can be purchased online atcesboxing.com, foxwoods.com, or ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 401-724-2253 or 800-200-2882. As an added bonus, all CES ticket holders receive a free, reserved seat to the exclusive Pay Per View showing of Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in Foxwoods’ Grand Theater.

“We’re happy to be involved in what will be a great night for fight fans all over the globe,” saidMark Fratto, Principal of Linacre Media. “In addition to the great crowd that Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and Team CES is sure to deliver with a packed, local card and the May-Mac PPV following on the big screen at Foxwoods, we’re thrilled to deliver all of the action from coast-to-coast and around the world through our Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE channel. We hope a lot of boxing and MMA fans having fight parties will enjoy our free New England Facebook show on any device before turning their attention toward the desert and Showtime.”

The numbers on the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series have showed promise and potential for the new platform. The July Roy Jones Jr. “Desert Showdown” from Phoenix, the May “Slugfest at the Sun” from Mohegan Sun and the June “Rosemont Rumble” from Chicago drew audiences of 65,000, 44,000 and 31,000, respectively, with more than 6,000 of hours of LIVE video consumed by Facebook users. In addition to the raw viewership numbers, the fully-interactive, fan-friendly productions have seen more than 27,000 collective live post engagements, including more than 15,500 “likes” or “loves,” more than 9,000 comments and 1,600-plus shares.

Facebook FIGHTNIGHT LIVE has been delivered to fans absolutely free since its May 2017 launch courtesy of corporate partners like Barbour One 9, Talent Management and Entertainment Production (www.barbourone9.com) and Northeastern Fine Jewelry (www.nefj.com).

On Saturday night, August 26, live from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn., fans can expect a high-impact, multi-camera streaming experience complete with graphics, animations, replays, interviews and an announce team anchored by blow-by-blow announcer Michael Woods of the TalkBox Podcast, NYFights.com and The Ring and analyst Xavier Porter of BrooklynFights.com and Notorious Boxing. To provide spectators with a fully-interactive ringside experience, commentators will ask and respond to questions from the Facebook audience throughout the broadcast.

Created and produced by Linacre Media out of New York City, the FIGHTNIGHT LIVE series features multiple camera angles, graphics, replays and behind-the-scenes access and interviews. The streamed shows are available globally wherever Facebook is available. The initiative not only enables fans from around the world to tune in, but also gives up-and-coming fighters a global platform to showcase their abilities, gives promoters an accessible “broadcast” solution and gives sponsors the ability to reach a mass audience via branded content.

More FIGHTNIGHT LIVE dates will be officially announced in the coming weeks.

FIGHTNIGHT LIVE is available online at: https://www.facebook.com/FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE/

Follow all the action via social media at FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Facebook, @FaceFIGHTNIGHTLIVE on Instagram and @FIGHTNIGHTLIVE_ on Twitter, or by using the hashtag #FIGHTNIGHTLIVE. For the latest Linacre Media events and broadcast schedule, follow @LinacreMedia across all social platforms or use the tags #LinacreMediaEvents or #LinacreMediaOnTV.
boxing, women's boxing

RAGING BABE PRESENTS THURSDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT THE ARMORY:  THE RETURN

Leave a comment
Rosado returns to finish what she started in the Bull City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – August 15, 2017 -This time last year, “Raging Babe” Michelle Rosado touched down in Raleigh for the first time, determined to help a local boxing promoter make his mark in North Carolina. Rosado and her company, Raging Babe, did just that, and have now emerged as North Carolina’s newest boxing promoter. On October 19th, Raging Babe promotes its own event at the Durham Armory, aptly named The Return. The card will feature some of the best young talent from across North Carolina in competitive fights, matched by Hall of Fame Matchmaker and mentor to Rosado, Russell Peltz.

With a combined 50+ years of experience in the rough and tumble world of boxing, Rosado and Peltz brought a well-tested formula to Wilson in their first North Carolina endeavor in February. The sell-out event was followed up by the debut of Thursday Night Fights in Durham. Throwing a boxing event on aThursday night was a hard sell for Rosado. “I had to really work on the promoter to get them to give Thursday Night Fights a shot. Durham is a fight town. I knew that if we threw a solid, quality card, with good fights, that fans would come out on a Thursday night, and they did.” When planning The Return, Rosado opted to bring back Thursday Night Fights, and return to the Durham Armory.

After two wildly successful events, followed by a dramatic falling out with the now defunct promotional company, Rosado was reluctant to return to the Tar Heel State. She realized, though, after so many months of putting her sweat and passion into boxing in North Carolina, she owed to herself and the gyms, fighters and fans she met there to return, and fulfill the commitments she made to them to deliver quality fights, while treating the fighters ethically and with respect.

“It took a while to get to know the personalities, the gyms, the fighters and their stories,” said Rosado. “For a long time, North Carolina was a place that managers and promoters brought their fighters to rack up wins. The fighters here deserve so much more than that, as do the fans. I made it a point to let everyone I met in North Carolina know that we were here to work on changing that.”

In planning The Return, Rosado has felt that she could fully put her passions and ideas to work for North Carolina boxing. “I’m excited for the opportunity to do it my way,” said Rosado, who has put on events in Phoenix, Tucson, Philadelphia and Danbury, Connecticut. “I’m happy to work with any fighter that wants to step up and fight. There are no easy touches on my cards. We want to pack the venue and give fans a night to remember. Russell is putting together a phenomenal fight card. The main and co-main events are going to have people so excited – I get goosebumps thinking about it. These guys are really stepping up to give the fans some of the best fights Durham has seen in a while. I wasn’t even sure we could put these fights together, and all of these fighters signed on the dotted line with no hesitation. They are daring to be great, and putting their undefeated records on the line, and I can’t wait to formally announce what we’ve been working on these last few weeks.”

Rosado is also planning to work with the fighters to help the community in and around Durham. “I want to bring positivity to Durham, and to North Carolina boxing. These guys are given a stage to showcase their talent, and we want to use that platform to give back to the community in any way we can.”

The complete fight card will be announced August 24th, and tickets for The Return go on sale that morning. Tickets can be purchased through the fighters or at ragingbabe.com.
boxing, Let’s Get It On Promotions

“CHAPITO” VASQUEZ WINS IN FALLON RURAL RUMBLE 2017

Leave a comment

 

 

AUGUST 14th, RENO — The Fallon Rural Rumble once again delivered a night of sensational world-class professional boxing in it’s tenth installment on Saturday night.

 

In his first ten-round fight, Reno native and world-ranked flyweight Oscar “Chapito” Vasquez scored an impressive unanimous decision win over Javier Gallo in the evening’s main event. Vasquez improves to 14-1.

 

In the co-main, Stockton, CA sensation Gabriel Flores Jr. scored a shutout unanimous decision win over the tough Jorge Padron of Mexico.  Flores improves to 3-0 (2 KOs).

 

Carson City’s Diego Elizondo also scored a shutout UD victory over Chandler Clements in his pro debut.

 

Sacramento’s Pedro Moreno improves to 7-0 (5 KOs) with an impressive second-round TKO victory over Curtis Morton.

 

In the opening bout, Stockton CA’s Quilisto “Kilo the Kid” Madera with a sensational second-round, one-shot KO win over Austin Marcum.  Madera improves to 7-0 (4 KOs).

 

The Fallon Rural Rumble is presented every summer by the City of Fallon and Let’s Get It On Promotions.

 

Image – Oscar “Chapito” Vasquez”.  Photo Credit – Erik Killin

boxing

Christian Carto remains perfect with 2nd round stoppage in front of sold out crowd at SugarHouse Casino

Leave a comment
Spring defeats previously undefeated Wilson

Montano remains undefeated with stoppage over Kirby
DuBose defeats Crespo in thriller

Taylor decisions Floyd

Sanchez stops Whitmore

Justice & Minor win pro debuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philadelphia, Penn. (August 14, 2017)–This past Friday night, Christian Carto thrilled a sold out SugarHouse Casino, and kept his perfect knockout streak in-tact as he stopped Phillip Adyaka in round two of their scheduled six-round bantamweight contest that headlined a terrific ten-bout card that was promoted by King’s Promotions.
The card was televised throughout the United States LIVE on Eleven Sports.
Carto of Philadelphia used his superior skills to dominate and swell the left eye of Adyaka.  As Carto continued to pummel Adyaka, referee Gary Rosato had no choice but to rescue Adyaka at 2:43 of round two.
Carto, 118.8 lbs of Philadelphia is now 11-0 with 11 knockouts.  Adyaka, 118.8 lbs of St. Paul, Minnesota is now 7-10.
“I took my time, and I did not want to rush anything,” said Carto.  “I am looking forward to being challenged.  I love performing in front of my fans that come to see,” finished Carto, who had a massive cheering section at SugarHouse Casino to root him to the victory.
In the televised main event, Erik Spring ran his unbeaten streak to six in a row as he took a six-round majority decision over previously undefeated David Wilson in a junior middleweight bout.
After a close opening two rounds, Spring was able to get his shots off 1st and won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57.
“It was a great fight,  He was a tough a opponent, and a great boxer.  I think I pulled it out in the last three rounds,” said Spring.  “I think I established the jab in the 1st round.  He wasaggressive in the next two rounds, and I took over in the last three rounds.  I defeated another undefeated fighter, and it was a good step-up, but I have things to work on.”
Spring, 153 lbs of Reading, PA is 10-1-2.  Wilson, 156 lbs of New Haven, CT is 5-1-1.
In a shocking upset, Elvin Sanchez came back after a three-year layoff to score a stunning 2nd round stoppage over Khalib Whitmore in a cruiserweight.
Sanchez dropped Whitmore with a vicious left hand that sent Whitmore face-first bouncing off the canvas.  Somehow Whitmore was able to get to his feet, but a hard combination sent Whitmore to the ropes, and the bout was called off at 1:54,
Sanchez, 195.9 lbs of Paterson, NJ is 8-3-1 with six knockouts.  Whitmore, 202,5 lbs of Philadelphia is 6-2.
Antonio DuBose used a 2nd round knockdown to springboard himself to a tough six-round unanimous decision over Josh Crespo in a super featherweight bout.
DuBose, 127 lbs of Philadelphia won by scores of 60-53 twice and 58-55 to raise his mark to 9-2-1.  Crespo, 126.4 lbs of New Haven, CT is 7-5-3.
Marquis Taylor pitched a shutout and won a six-round unanimous decision over Vincent Floyd in a welterweight bout.
Taylor, 147.6 lbs of Houston, TX win by scores of 60-54 on all cards, and is now 7-1.  Floyd, 147.8 lbs of Philadelphia is 3-3-1.
Brandon Robinson scored a vicious 2nd round stoppage over Shane Pearson in a scheduled six-round super middleweight bout.
Robinson landed a booming right hand that sent Pearson down and out at 25 seconds of the 2nd frame.  Robinson, 166.6 lbs of Philadelphia is 5-1 with four knockouts,  Pearson, 166.7 lbs of Statesville, NC is 2-2.
Shamsuddeen Justice made a successful pro debut by stopping late-replacement Tito Gosalves in the final round of their four-round super lightweight bout..
The time of the stoppage was 2:11 for Justice, 145.5 lbs of Philadelphia.  Gosalves, 148 lbs of Philadelphia is 0-3.
Kashon Hutchinson of Reading, PA won a four round unanimous decision over Demetrius Williams in a super lightweight bout.
Hutchinson, 142.9 lbs won all cards 39-37, and is now 3-3.  Williams, 143.8 lbs of of Philadelphia is 1-3.
Jerrod Minor stopped Steven Lopez in the 4th and final round of their bantamweight bout.
The time of the finish was 2:34 for Minor, 116.5 lbs of Philadelphia, and is now 1-0.  Lopez, 113.2 lbs of Philadelphia is 0-2.
Christian Montano scored three-knockdowns en-route to a 1st round stoppage over Dameron Kirby in their light heavyweight bout.
The time was 2:25 for Montano, 181.4 lbs of Houston, TX, and is now 2-0 with two knockouts.  Kirby, 178.6 lbs of Washington, DC was making his pro debut.
UPCOMING KING’S PROMOTIONS SHOWS
KIng’s Promotions will have shows on Tuesday, September 19th at The Sands Bethlehem Event Center .
Friday, September 29th at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.
About ELEVEN SPORTS:
ELEVEN SPORTS is available in 70 million homes worldwide in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States. Launched in the US in March 2017, ELEVEN SPORTS is dedicated to delivering world-class domestic and international sports and lifestyle entertainment ‘For The Fans’. Sports fans will be treated to a unique mix of emerging and established sports combined to provide engaging and compelling LIVE entertainment, placing the viewer at the very heart of the action.
Like us on Facebook: ElevenSportsUSA
Follow us on Twitter: @ElevenSportsUSA
Follow us on Instagram: ElevenSportsUSA
boxing

Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Announced

Leave a comment
Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame
Class of 2017 Announced
“Professor” Charles Hadley, Dr. Tony Alessi,
Clark Sammartino, Dick Flaherty, Dan Parker & Hugh Devlin, Sr.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Augus14, 2017) – The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) has announced its six-member Class of 2017 to be inducted during the 13TH annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Saturday night, October 28, in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.
The new CBHOF inductees are pioneer boxer “Professor” Charles Hadley, ring physician Dr. Tony Alessi, international boxing judge Clark Sammartino, referee/judgeDick Flaherty, boxing writer Dan Parker and boxer/boxing contributor Hugh Devlin, Sr.
“We continue to break barriers at CBHOF as we induct ‘Professor’ Charles Hadley who may have been the best ‘pound-for-pound fighter of his era,” CBHOF president John Laudati said. Like many black athletes of this period, he never received the recognition he richly deserved. The CBHOF will rectify that this year. Other members of this year’s class are equally deserving and represent all aspects of this great sport. Dr. Alessi is not just an accomplished ring physician but also a world-renowned sports doctor. Clark Sammartino is one of the best judges in boxing.  Dan Parker is an International Boxing Hall of Famer whose career as a reporter is unparalleled in any sport. Hughie Devlin Sr.’s contributions to this sport in Connecticut are immeasurable. We look forward to seeing boxing fans of all ages at this year’s dinner. It will be a wonderful evening for our inductees, our award winners, and especially for their family and friends.”

Fighting out of his adopted hometown of Bridgeport, Tennessee-native “Professor” Charles Hadley (25-13-6, 14 KOs) was the reigning World Colored Heavyweight Champion from 1881-1883. His professional career was from 1869 to 1891.

A familiar figure at ringside for major fights at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, Dr. Tony Alessi is a graduate of the University of Rome who moved to the Nutmeg State after completing his residency and neuro-muscular fellowship at the University fo Michigan. Alessi is a neurological consultant to the Connecticut State Boxing Commission, as well as the NFL Players Association and New York Yankees Player Development. He is based in Norwich, where he CEO for a medical management company.
At the height of career as a boxing judge, Clark Sammartino would average 100 bouts a year, including 10 world championships. A Providence native and Brown University graduate, he started judging boxing matches after he retired as an oral surgeon. The 80-year-old Sammartino has judge fights involving some of boxing biggest stars such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez and many others.
An accomplished referee/judge from Braintree, Massachusetts, who now lives in Glastonbury, CT, Dick Flaherty has worked numerous notable fights featuring Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson, Vernon Forrest and Sal “Canelo” Alvarez, among the more notables. Flaherty is best known for judging the first of three Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward fights, held at Mohegan Sun, voted the 2002 Fight of the Year), in which Dick scored the Round of the Year (ninth), 10-7 for Ward, and the fight, 94-93, in Ward’s favor. His score proved to be the difference as Ward won a 10-round split decision.
Waterbury, CT-native Dan Parker was a Waterbury sportswriter back in the early part of the 20th Century, whose articles in the New York Daily Mirror later exposed corruption in boxing. He exposed International Boxing Club (IBC) corruption and, due to Parker’s crusade, it was disbanded. Parker is induced in the prestigious International Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame.
Hugh Devlin, Sr. (22-13) made his professional boxing debut in 1927 at the age of 18, stopping Johnny Lorenzo in New Bedford, Mass. He developed into one of New England’s top featherweights, fighting across Connecticut in New Haven, West Haven, Waterbury and New London. Devlin’s contributions to the Norwich boxing community made him an icon in southeastern Connecticut. He opened a restaurant in New London where menus were shaped like boxing gloves.
Individual Connecticut award winners were also announced: Jimmy Williams, Conn. Professional Boxer of the Year; Kevin Bonilla, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Hector Rosario, Contribution to Boxing; Danny Schiavone, Professional Boxing Official of the Year; Sachs Medina, Amateur Boxing Official of the Year:
Tickets for the CBHOF 13th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, will soon go on sale and be available to purchase by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun(1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails from 6:00– p.m. ET (cash bar), followed by a full sit-down dinner.
Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 13th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, event sponsorship opportunities, or past CBHOF inductees.