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Southwest Philly junior welterweight Paul "Earthquake" Moore passed away on January 15th after a four-year battle with colon cancer. His modest 2-8-1 professional boxing career gave way to a longtime job with the Philadelphia City Streets Department and a religious life as an Associate Minister at his beloved local church. He was also dedicated to community service in his SW neighborhood and is credited with numerous programs designed to help others. Moore was 62. Born in 1959, Moore's boxing resume boasts the names of a number of fine boxers of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He turned pro on August 26, 1979 with a TKO loss in Allentown against Sam Hailstock. In his second bout, Moore drew with popular Micky Diflo at the 69th Street Forum in Upper Darby. This was probably Moore's best ring achievement, given Diflo's 6-1 record at the time. Moore continued his career, dropping a decision to fellow Philadelphian Billy Jones at the Blue Horizon in 1978, before posting his two career wins, decisions against Benny DeJesus (1979) and Scott Farmer (1980). Both victories were out of town. Moore lost the final six fights of his career. However during that stretch, Moore battled bigger names like Billy Costello, Kevin Rooney, and Philadelphians Ernest "Silky" Jackson and Freddie Reyes. Earthquake retired from the ring after his four round decision defeat to Reyes at the Franklin Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia on January 31, 1981. The main event that day was Jeff Chandler's first world title defense (vs. Jorge Lujan). After his fighting days ended, Moore worked for the City Streets Department for more than twenty five years. He also dedicated much time to his faith in God, serving as an Associate Minister at the New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Southwest Philadelphia. According to obituaries in the Philadelphia Sun and the Southwest Globe Times, Moore held an annual Turkey Day Run that raised food for disadvantaged families. He also mentored local kids with the neighborhood boot camp that he ran. Another interesting passion of Moore's was his annual re-enactment of Martin Luther King Jr.'s march in Selma, AL. With his perennial tribute to MLK as one of his best-known public efforts, perhaps it was fitting that Moore passed away on the morning of King's 92nd birthday (January 15, 2021). Rest in Peace Earthquake. Funeral services for Moore are
as follows: Saturday, January 23, 2021 - Viewing & Service, 9AM-11AM, at the New Fellowship Baptist Church, 7001 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19142.
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