COLORADO SPRINGS, Lap. (Samhain 12, 2018) – The late Tom Cleary was one of the most respected referees in the world during his illustrious career. He joins a select group in the Class of 2018 getting inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

The second annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception, held in conjunction with the 2018 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior and Prep Open, Nollaig 2-8, will be held December 7, at the Radisson Hotel (215 S. Temple St.) in Salk Lake City, Utah.

 

 

 

In addition to Cleary, an Aicme na 2018 also includes U.S. Olympic Team medalists and world (gairmiúla) champions Roy Jones, Jr., Andre Ward agus Claressa Shields, as well as a past USA Boxing National Director of Coaching, nach maireann Emanuel Steward.

 

 

 

The charter class inducted last year included Muhammad Ali agus Evander Holyfield, as well as veteran coaches Roosevelt Sanders agus Tom Coulter.

 

 

 

A longtime resident of Westchester, Ohio, Cleary was a USA Boxing member since 1982, and he served as Chief of Officials for the National Collegiate Boxing Association from 2002 until his passing May 21, 2017.

 

 

 

He refereed in 12 different countries, on four continents, as an International Official assigned by AIBA. Tom earned a three-star rating and he was selected to work the World Series of Boxing.

 

 

 

“Tom’s dedication to amateur boxing and respect he garnered from boxers, coaches and fellow officials are second to none,” Dúirt chris tofflemire, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “The Alumni Association emphatically endorsed his case for the Hall of Fame, and his induction was received both by those close to him, as well as the entire amateur boxing community. Tom’s commitment to serving USA Boxing provides a great example for all of us and we couldn’t be prouder to call him a member of this year’s Hall of Fame class.”

 

 

 

Tom never forgot where he came from, dedicating countless hours to the youth of Cincinnati, in addition to helping boxing clubs run efficiently throughout his community for more than a quarter-century.

 

 

 

An 2017 NCBA Official of the Year, Tom worked local, regional, national, International, world and Olympic levels of boxing. Highlights included working numerous U.S. Comórtas Náisiúnta, four U.S. Trialacha Oilimpeacha (2000, 2004, 2008 & 2012) agus an 2007 World Championships in Chicago.

 

 

 

“When I was a young coach at the Air Force Academy,” USA Boxing coach Ed Weichers dúirt, “we needed to replace an AIBA top notch referee who was retiring. We were looking for a highly qualified person and Tom Cleary was recommended. He came out the next 25 years straight. Tom was one of the best referees. He cared so much about the safety of the boxers and Tom was also a valuable mentor.

 

 

 

“Tom was a wonderful man who everybody loved. He administered referee clinics in the United States and always helped those in need, youngsters and adults. Tom’s work in the Cincinnati area influenced so many boxers and coaches for more than 25 bliana. We dearly miss him.”

 

 

 

USA Cumann Dornálaíochta Alumni

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –dhornálaithe, oifigigh, cóistí agus lucht leanúna dornálaíochta — An Cumann Alumni nascann glúnta de Seaimpíní, spreagadh agus a thabhairt ar ais go dtí Seaimpíní dornálaíochta USA Dornálaíochta sa todhchaí, isteach agus amach as an fáinne.

 

 

 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events host by the Alumni Association, including the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

 

 

 

A bheith ar an Chumainn Alumni, ach clárú ag alumni@usaboxing.org ar feadh $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain agus r-sparán.

 

 

 

 

Tom is survived by his wife, Diane, their two children and eight grandchildren.

 

 

 

Tom Cleary’s leadership and mentor-ship inspired all those who were fortunate enough to meet him. He cared passionately about the boxers he shared the ring with, offering words of advice before, during and after bouts.

 

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