PHILLY BOXING HISTORY  -  February 17, 2014

  

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PA BOXING HALL OF FAME
ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2014

 

 
   

The Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame announced the names of ten new inductees that make up their Class of 2014.  Six boxers, two trainers, one cut man, and one writer comprise the list that also includes the first-ever female inductee. 

Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Smokin’ Joe Frazier, becomes the first woman to be voted into the PABHOF.  Jacqui, now a Municipal Court Judge in Philadelphia, fought professionally between 2000 and 2004, and won the WIBA light heavyweight title and the WIBF & GBU super middleweight titles during her career.  She will join both her father and brother, Marvis Frazier, as a member of the PA Boxing Hall of Fame, and earns the distinction of being the first female honoree in the organization’s nearly 50-year history.   

In addition to Ms. Frazier-Lyde, boxers Earl Hargrove, Mike Picciotti, Percy Manning, Jimmy Tygh and Gunboat Smith were named as inductees.

In the non-boxer category, trainers Brother Naazim Richardson and Mitch Allen, cut man Leon Tabbs, and Philadelphia Daily News sports writer Stan Hochman, were also selected for induction this year. 

“This is another excellent class of inductees,” said John DiSanto, the Chairman of the PA Boxing Hall of Fame.  “Each and every one of these individuals are quite deserving.  I look forward to the event in May when we can officially welcome them to the PA Boxing Hall of Fame.” 

The ten new members of the oldest boxing hall of fame in the country will be honored at the annual PABHOF banquet, Sunday, May 18, 2014, 4PM, in Philadelphia.  Tickets for the event cost $60, and can be purchased by calling John Gallagher at 215-920-8791. For general information, please call 609-377-6413.

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2014 PABHOF INDUCTEES

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JACQUI FRAZIER-LYDE:
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT BOXER

For the first time in nearly 50 years, a woman, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, was voted into the PABHOF. Frazier, the daughter of PA Hall of Famer Smokin' Joe Frazier and the sister of 1998-inductee Marvis Frazier, was a world champion herself, compiling a 13-1 (9 KOs) record between 200-2004. She collected the WIBF light heavyweight title in 2001, and won the WIBF & GBU super middleweight championships in 2002. Frazier stopped both Suzette Taylor and Heidi Hartman, but lost her highest profile bout, and 8-rounder against Laila Ali, by decision in 2001.

 

 

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EARL HARGROVE:
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT BOXER

Junior middleweight knockout artist Earl Hargrove, began his career with 24 straight KOs, which placed him second on the all time list of consecutive knockouts for Philly fighters. Today, more than 30 years later, Hargrove still holds that spot, right behind Billy Fox. That 24-bout KO streak carried Hargrove directly into a fight for the vacant IBF junior middleweight world championship against Jersey City's Mark Medal in 1984. Hargrove lost for the first time in his career in the fight, but went on to post an overall record of 32-6 with 28 KOs.

 

 

 

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MIKE PICCIOTTI:
WELTERWEIGHT BOXER

Ridley Park, PA welterweight Mike Picciotti was a local staple in the 1970s and 1980s, at the Spectrum, the 69th Street Forum, and various Atlantic City casinos. He started his career with a 15-bout unbeaten streak (14-0-1), and went 25-2-3 in his first thirty. 'Pic' stopped Kevin Rooney, Pablo Baez, and had a memorable 3-fight series with Philly's Johnny Cooper (1-1-1), en-route to 31-4-1 (16 KOs) overall career, which ended after back-to-back losses to Kirkland Laing and Juan Alonso Villa in  1986.

 

 

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PERCY MANNING:
WELTERWEIGHT BOXER

Percy Manning was an outstanding welterweight of the 1960s who only lost to quality foes, and scored several major victories in his 8-year pro career. Manning was the first man to defeat Bennie Briscoe (W10), and also won a 10-round decision over former world champion (and future International Boxing Hall of Famer) Luis Rodriguez. Manning also beat Philly Killer Jose Stable and Sidney "Sweet Pea" Adams. Only Briscoe, Rodriguez, Kitten Hayward Dick Turner and Joe Shaw managed to beat Manning in his 17-7-1 (11 KOs) career. Manning was also an outstanding amateur before turning pro. Manning died in 1979, and will be inducted posthumously.

 

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GUNBOAT SMITH:
HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER

Heavyweight Ed "Gunboat" Smith was born in Philadelphia and picked up his nickname while in the Navy. He was a top fighter during his 1909-1921 campaign, with victories over the likes of Jess Willard (W20), Sam Langford (W12), Battling Levinsky (W12), and Fireman  Jim Flynn (KO5). While Jack Johnson was atop the division, Smith won the "White Heavyweight Championship" with a TKO15 of Arthur Pelkey in 1914. He lost the that title six months later by controversial DQ to Georges Carpentier. Overall, Smith fought almost 150 bouts in the No Decision era, and posted an approximate record of  48-27-10 record with 38 KOs and 61 No Decisions. Smith died in 1974, and will be inducted posthumously.
 

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JIMMY TYGH:
LIGHTWEIGHT BOXER

Jimmy Tygh was a Diamond Belt champion as an amateur (1937), and fought professionally between 1937-1941, facing many fine fighters from Philadelphia and nationwide. Tygh's career highlights included wins over Tony Canzoneri (W10), Tommy Speigal (W8), Eddie Cool (KO4), Benny Bass (W10), and his 31-bout unbeaten streak that began his career (30-0-1). Tygh faced Ray Robinson Twice) and Sammy Angott. Tygh posted a career record of 52-19-5 (12 KOs) as a featherweight, lightweight and junior welterweight. Tygh died in 1988, and will be inducted posthumously.

 

 

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BROTHER NAAZIM RICHARDSON:  TRAINER

Considered one of today's very best boxing trainers, Richardson has a particular knack for analyzing matchups and devising winning fight plans for his fighters. Currently trains big names in the sport like Bernard Hopkins, Steve  Cunningham and rising prospect Karl Dargan. Richardson has also worked with stars Shane Mosley, Sergio Martinez, Rocky Sanchez, and locals Khalib Whitmore, Jamaal Davis, Yusaf Mack, and sons Rock Allen and Tiger Allen. Well-remembered as the man who caught Antonio Margarito with loaded hand wraps prior to his fight with Mosley.

 

 

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MITCH ALLEN: 
TRAINER

Longtime trainer of amateur boxers at Sheppard Recreation Center in West Philly, Mitch Allen began as a coach around 1950. His amateur roster has included grandson Damon Allen (2011 Olympic Trials), Dylan Price (#1 USA), Mark Dawson (#1 USA), and produced 21 National Championships over the years. Allen also guided professionals Marvin Mack, Von Clay, and most recently undefeated grandson Damon, and undefeated Todd Unthank-May. Allen fought professionally himself (6-13-3), and once faced Joey Giardello (L6).

 

 

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LEON TABBS: 
CUT MAN

Leon Tabbs began his career as a boxer himself. He won the 1948 Silver Gloves as a South Jersey featherweight, but stopped fighting after entering the Army. It was during his service that Tabbs began training boxers. After the Army, he trained and managed fighters, most memorably light heavyweight Jerry Martin, but had his biggest contribution as a cut man. Tabbs worked cuts for numerous fighters for decades, and was best known for his work with Bernard Hopkins, who was the final boxer he worked with. While still Hopkins' corner man, Tabbs became the first and best cut man in the MMA. Last year he retired completely from both sports. 

 

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STAN HOCHMAN: 
WRITER

Longtime sport-writing legend, Stan Hochman joined the Philadelphia Daily News in 1959, and became a columnist at the paper in 1965. He has written about every sport, but made a significant contribution as a boxing writer. At the Daily News, Hochman covered many of the City's best fighters and events. He was named the PA Sportswriter of the year three times (1967, 1985 & 1987), and won the Nat  Fleischer Award as the Boxing Writer of the Year in 1991. Hochman was inducted into both the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a noted TV and radio broadcaster, and appeared in the movie "Rocky V".

 

   
 

 

 
 


John DiSanto - Philadelphia - February 17, 2014
 

 
     
 

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