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boxing

12th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame  Induction & awards dinner review & photo gallery

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. (November 7, 2016) –  Last Friday night’s 12 TH annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Ceremony and Awards Dinner, held in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun, was a major success by all standards.  HBO “judge” and International Hall-of-Famer Harold Lederman served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
The Class of 2016 inductees are Stamford amateur coach/boxer Orlando Montalvo, Newington former ESPN boxing director Bob Yalen, Wallingford boxer Sean Malone, Jr., New Bedford (MA) boxer “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, Waterbury judge/referee John “Duke” Lawson and Mashantucket Pequot Game & Athletic commissioner Kenny Reels.
The 2016 CBHOF award winners are its first female Boxer of the Year, Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent; Jacob Marrero, Amateur Boxer of the Year; Mike Mazzulli,Professional Boxing Official of the Year; Heather Concepcion, Amateur Boxing Official of the Year; Pete Hary, Contribution to Professional Boxing; and Carlos Nieves, Contribution to Amateur Boxing.
CBHOF president John Laudati announced the imminent opening of the new Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, located in the heart of Mohegan Sun, as well as a scholarship fund to assist young boxers in their pursuit of a higher education as they pursue their boxing dreams.
“Boxing fans will now be able to visit the beautiful Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame when they are in the casino,” Laudati said.  “Thank you to the Board of Directors for all of your efforts to make this happen.  Special thanks to Maynard Strickland, Don Trella, Mike Mazulli and Kim Baker who spearheaded the effort.
“I would also like to thank my friend, Tom Vaughn, whose father Tom, Sr., left money to donate to a worthy cause.  Tom’s dad was a boxing fan and these funds will be earmarked and grown for future scholarships to young boxers.”
Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 12th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees.
All pictures courtesy of Emily Harney Photography:
2016 CBHOF inductee Kenny Reels
2016 CBHOF inductee Sean Malone, Jr.
2016 CBHOF inductee John “Duke” Lawson
2016 CBHOF inductee Orlando Montalvo
2016 CBHOF inductee Bob Yalen
2016 CBHOF inductee “Sucra” Ray Oliveira
2016 CBHOF Professional Fighter of the Year Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent
2016 CBHOF Amateur Boxer of the Year Jacob Marrero
Mike Mazzulli, 2016 CBHOF Professional Boxing Official of the Year
Pete Hary, 2016 CBHOF Contribution to Professional Boxing
 
Heather Concepcion, 2016 CBHOF Amateur Boxing Official of the Year
Carlos Nieves, 2016 CBHOF Contributor to Amateur Boxing
ABOUT CBHOF:  The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut’s rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren’t for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.
boxing

Limited Tickets still available for this Friday night’s 12th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Awards Dinner at Mohegan Sun

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. (October 30, 2016) –  Limited tickets are still available for this Friday

night’s 12TH annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Ceremony and Awards Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.

The Class of 2016 inductees are Stamford amateur coach/boxer Orlando Montalvo, Newington former ESPN boxing director Bob Yalen, Wallingford boxer Sean Malone, Jr., New Bedford (MA) boxer “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, Waterbury judge/referee John “Duke” Lawson and Mashantucket Pequot Game & Athletic commissioner Kenny Reels.
The 2016 CBHOF award winners are its first female Boxer of the Year, Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent; Jacob Marrero, Amateur Boxer of the Year; Mike Mazzulli,Professional Boxing Official of the Year; Heather Concepcion, Amateur Boxing Official of the Year; Pete Hary, Contribution to Professional Boxing; and Carlos NievesContribution to Amateur Boxing.
Tickets for the CBHOF 12th 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 6:30-7:30 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 12th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, event sponsorship opportunities, or past CBHOF inductees.
ABOUT CBHOF:  The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut’s rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren’t for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.
boxing, women's boxing

Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Award Winners Shelly Vincent 1st female Fighter of the Year

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12th annual CBHOF induction dinner Nov. 4
CBHOF 2016 Fighter of the Year Shelly Vincent
(Photo by Ed Diller / DiBella Entertainment)
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (October 18, 2016) – The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) has announced its 2016 award winners, including its first female Boxer of the Year, popular super bantamweight Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent.
The 2016 award winners, as well as its Class of 2016 inductees, will be honored Fridaynight, November 4, in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun, at the 12TH annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner.
Other 2016 CHBOF award winners include Jacob Marrero, Amateur Boxer of the Year; Mike Mazzulli, Professional Boxing Official of the Year; Heather Concepcion, Amateur Boxing Official of the Year; Pete Hary, Contribution to Professional Boxing; and Carlos Nieves Contribution to Amateur Boxing.
The new CBHOF inductees are Stamford amateur coach/boxer Orlando Montalvo, Newington former ESPN boxing director Bob Yalen, Wallingford boxer Sean Malone, Jr., New Bedford (MA) boxer “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, Waterbury judge/referee John “Duke” Lawson and Mashantucket Pequot Game & Athletic commissioner Kenny Reels.
This year’s class hails from all over Connecticut and from every segment of the sport,” CBHOF president John Laudati said. “We’ve inducted great boxers and trainers Orlando Montalvo, Ray Olivieri and Sean Malone Jr. We’ve also acknowledged the tremendous contributions to the sport by Bob Yalen and Kenny Reels. From my hometown of Waterbury comes world renowned boxing judge and referee Johnny “Duke” Lawson.  This year’s class of boxers and officials of the year is incredibly accomplished and includes the first woman professional Boxer of the Year, Shelly Vincent.  Emcee Harold Lederman is an icon of the boxing world and he will surely keep us entertained all night.”
Vincent (18-1), fighting out of Providence, is arguably the most popular boxer in New England.  A native of New London, she has won two world title, Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) and International Boxing Association (IBA). She has fought 10 times in Connecticut without a loss during her professional career, 6-0 at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 4-0 at Mohegan Sun.
Past CHBOF Boxers of the Year include Chad Dawson (3X), Luis Rosa, Jr. (2X), Matt Remillard (2X), Eric Harding, Delvin Rodriguez, Tony Grano and Mike Oliver.
Representing the Ortiz Boxing Gym in Bridgeport, Marrero is the Northeast Regional champion, and he was the 2015 USA Boxing’s Prep National Championship gold-medal winner in the 125-pound division.
Mazulli is president of the powerful Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and longtime Director of Athletic Regulations for Mohegan Sun.
Hary is a veteran professional boxing judge as well as CHBOF vice president, while Nieves is head coach/owner of Ortiz Boxing Gym in Bridgeport.
Tickets for the CBHOF 12th 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 6:30-7:30 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 12th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, event sponsorship opportunities, or past CBHOF inductees.
ABOUT CBHOF:  The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut’s rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren’t for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.
boxing

Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Announced

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Orlando Montalvo, Bob Yalen, Sean Malone, Jr., Ray Oliveira, John Lawson & Kenny Reels
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (August 25, 2016) – The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) has announced its six-member Class of 2016 to be inducted during the 12TH annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Friday night,November 4, in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun.
The new CBHOF inductees are Stamford amateur coach/boxer Orlando Montalvo, Newington former ESPN boxing director Bob Yalen, Wallingford boxer Sean Malone, Jr., New Bedford (MA) boxer “Sucra” Ray Oliveira, Waterbury judge John “Duke” Lawson and Mashantucket Pequot Game & Athletic commissioner Kenny Reels.
“The Board of Directors of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is very excited to announce this incredible class of inductees for 2016,” CBHOF president John Laudati said. “We anticipate a great crowd for our honorees at the induction ceremony on November 4th at Mohegan Sun. As always, our dinner is a wonderful coming together of the boxing community, friends and family.”
Montalvo and his wife, Sandra, moved to Stamford in 1980, training amateur fighters for the first 20 years in parks and in their backyard until relocating at the Union Memorial Church for seven years.  Orlando was an amateur and professional boxer in his native Puerto Rico, traveling around the world to compete.  He won 110 of 125 amateur matches and 22 of 29 as a professional with 18 knockouts, reaching a No. 10 rating in the junior middleweight division.
Yalen is best known, perhaps, as boxing director for ESPN and its popularFriday Night Fights series.   He has also been a consultant for ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and Showtime.  A recipient of the Boxing Writers Association of America’s Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcasting, Yalen was associate editor of the Ring Record Book and FightFax.  He was also Director of Sports & Entertainment at Mohegan Sun while one of the original CBHOF board members, contributing much to the success of its inaugural awards dinner.
Malone is the son of CBHOF inductee Sean Malone, Sr., who was inducted in 2011.  He had a 23-6 (21 KOs) record.  In 1992, he had one of his most notable victories against Greg Cadiz for the Nevada State light welterweight title.  He also defeated Pat Ireland in 1993 for the New England welterweight crown.
Oliveira was an all-action fighter who set a record in a fight with Zack Padilla, in which they threw more than 1,000 combined punches. During his outstanding 15-year professional career, Oliveira defeated the likes of Vince Phillips, Vivian Harris, Tracy Spann and Charles Murray twice.  Completing his career with a 47-11-2, Ray had a great chin and he wasn’t stopped prior to his loss to WBU light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton in 2004.
Involved in boxing for 60 years, Lawson was one of only 10 referees and judges selected by Willie Pep and Chico Vejar to work sanctioned bouts when boxing returned to Connecticut in the 1970s.  Lawson was a judge for a world heavyweight title fight in Germany between Wladimir Klitschko and Francesco Pianetta.  He was also involved in fights featuring world champions such as Roy Jones, Jr., “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, Joe Calzaghe, Chad Dawson, Antonio Tarver and Zab Judah.  Lawson served 20 years with the Waterbury police department.
Reels was appointed by the Mashantucket Pequot Gaming & Athletic Commission in 2009 to oversee boxing and MMA at Foxwoods.  Known for his caring about the health and safety of boxers, Reels followed CBHOF inductee Peter Timothy.  Reels has received countless awards and honors for his humanitarian work and commitment to human values, interests and concerns.
Tickets for the CBHOF 12th 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 6:30-7:30 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 12th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, event sponsorship opportunities, or past CBHOF inductees.
ABOUT CBHOF:  The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut’s rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren’t for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.