PHILLY BOXING HISTORY - February 05, 2021  
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GEORGE HILL DIES IN FIRE
 
Obituary by John DiSanto
 

 
   

On Friday morning, the tragic news came that Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Famer, George Hill passed away in his West Philly home after an early morning house fire. A former boxer, referee and judge, Hill worked in boxing for decades and was a major part of the local amateur boxing scene. Hill, born November 25, 1947, was 73 years old.

George Hill had a brief professional boxing career, fighting six times between 1969 and 1971, and then once more in 1975. He fought in Baltimore one time and six times in Philadelphia - once at the Spectrum and five times at the Blue Horizon.


George Hill's exhibition with Muhammad Ali

He made his pro debut on September 30, 1969 at the Blue, on the first promotion of J Russell Peltz. That night Hill fought Jerry Judge. 48 years later, both Hill and Judge would enter the PA Boxing Hall of Fame on the same day in 2017.

Hill's pro record ended at 2-3-2, with 2 knockouts. However, his career highlights as a fighter perhaps came in three key sparring and training events. George fought an exhibition with Muhammad Ali in 1970, and also sparred with Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

But Hill's biggest contribution to the sport of boxing was as an official. His career as a boxing judge boasts a vast number of bouts, from the smallest of small local club shows to the biggest of big title fights.

His career as a judge began where his boxing career started, the Blue Horizon. before long, he was scoring bouts up and down the East Coast, and even in Canada, England and Germany.

Hill was elected to the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame as a boxing judge in 2017. He entered the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame two years before, in 2015.


George Hill on the night of his NJBHOF Induction

Some of the big assignments, which helped earn his spot in both Halls of Fame, included Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward II & III, Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sam Peter, Charles Brewer vs. Herol Graham, Charles Brewer vs. Joey DeGrandis, Pernell Whitaker vs. Harold Brazier, Bernard Hopkins vs. Syd Vanderpool, Terry Norris vs. Paul Vaden, David Tua vs. Hasim Rahman II, Winky Wright vs. Keith Mullings, Antonio Margarito vs. Kermit Cinton, Miguel Cotto vs. Carlos Quintana, Derek Ennis vs. Gabriel Rosado and hundreds more.


Hill after his exhibition with Ali

Hill's final work as a pro judge came on October 4, 2019 at the 2300 Arena, the night Peltz celebrated his 50th year in the sport. It also marked the 50th anniversary of Hill's boxing debut. That night, George judged six of the nine bouts. He was also a major part of the amateur boxing scene, working as both a referee and judge for decades.

George Hill was a beloved member of the boxing community and will greatly missed by everyone. He really was an icon of our community and a constant at ringside. Philly fights won't be the same without him.

Funeral service arrangements have not yet been announced.

UPDATE: 
A memorial service for George Hill will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021, 1:00 PM, at Rock Ministries Gym in Kensington (2755 Kensington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19134). 

   
 

 

 
 


John DiSanto - Philadelphia - February 05, 2021
 

 
     
 

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