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".
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