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On Sunday, May 18th, the
Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame will induct a new class of
ten outstanding boxing people in their annual banquet
event. This year’s class includes six boxers – both living
and deceased, three storied corner men, and one beloved
Philadelphia sports writer.
Leading the class is star trainer
Brother Naazim Richardson, the coach of current light
heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and USBA heavyweight
champion Steve Cunningham. Amateur coach Mitch Allen,
a trainer for more than 60 years who produced 21 national
amateur champions during the stretch, is also slated for
induction, along with legendary cut man Leon Tabbs,
who also worked with Bernard Hopkins for many years.
The honored boxers include:
Junior middleweight knockout artist
Earl Hargrove, who scored 24 straight KOs to start his
career. Hargrove fought for the IBF world title in 1984,
and retired in 1995 with a 32-6, 28 KOs career record.
Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of former world
heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, is the first woman to
enter the PABHOF. She won five title belts in three
different weight classes between 2000 & 2004, and posted a
13-1, 9 KOs & 1 ND during her career. Technically, Frazier-Lyde,
currently a Municipal Court Judge for the City of
Philadelphia, was inducted in a separate ceremony at
Philadelphia City Hall on May 1st to avoid any
conflict of a City Official being the guest of honor at a
non-City event. Frazier-Lyde will be in attendance at the
induction ceremony on Sunday.
Welterweight Mike Picciotti, a popular attraction in
both Philadelphia and Atlantic City between 1976 and 1986.
Picciotti defeated Kevin Rooney, Pablo Baez, and Johnny
Cooper during his 31-4-3, 16 KOs, professional run.
Heavyweight Ed “Gunboat” Smith, who fought a who’s
who of heavyweight talent between 1909 and 1921. At the
height of the White Hope Era, Smith won the “White
Heavyweight Championship of the World” in 1914, and holds
wins over legends Sam Langford, Jess Willard, Battling
Levinsky, Jack Blackburn, and Frank Moran.
Percy Manning, an outstanding welterweight of the
1960s, who was the first to defeat Bennie Briscoe, and also
won a 10-round decision over former champion Luis
Rodriguez. Manning went 17-7-1, 11 KOs in his career, and
only lost to top-flight talent.
1930s lightweight Jimmy Tygh, who packed 70
bouts into just four years. His 47-18-5, 9 KOs, record
included wins over Tony Canzoneri, Benny Bass, and Eddie
Cool. Tygh began his career with a 30-0-1 unbeaten streak.
Rounding out the 2014 class is longtime Philadelphia Daily
News sportswriter and columnist Stan Hochman, who
adds the PA Boxing Hall of Fame to his long list of honors.
The PABHOF event begins at 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 18, 2014.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting John Gallagher at
215-920-8791. |
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