
THE
PROJECT
We are a non-profit
partnership working to raise the necessary funds to make this statue
a reality. A variety of events will be held and a set of quality
collectible merchandise items will be produced and sold to raise the money
needed for this costly but magnificent work. Our group consists of
the 1) Veteran Boxers Association - Ring One, the original franchise
of this national organization of retired boxers; 2) the Harrowgate
Boxing Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit boxing gym that has become a haven for the
youth of Philadelphia who seek a way out via boxing; 3) Philly
Boxing History, an organization focused on remembering and honoring
the great legacy of Philadelphia's fight game.
JOEY
GIARDELLO
Born Carmine Orlando Tilelli on July 16, 1930 in Brooklyn, Joey
hustled the real Giardello's ID so that he could join the Army at
age 17. After being released, he relocated to South
Philly and began his professional boxing career in 1948 without a
single amateur bout. It was a very successful undertaking. He
became one of boxing's all-time best during his 101-25-7 career, and
won the world middleweight crown by beating Nigeria's Dick Tiger at
Convention Hall in Atlantic City. Giardello was a generation's
favorite fighter who earned his success the old-school way - with
hard work and persistence. Giardello, who passed away on September
4, 2008, was an icon to many, as well as a devoted father, husband,
family man, and friend to many more. Also see
Joey
Giardello.
CARL
LEVOTCH, THE ARTIST
LeVotch was commissioned
by the group to create the statue of Giardello. He has created fine
art all over the world including the popular boxing pieces "The
Spirit of Boxing", "The End of the Ninth", and "The Briscoe Award".
LeVotch is a member of the Veteran Boxers Association and is a
life-long boxing fan.
HARROWGATE BOXING CLUB
Located at 1920 East
Venango Street near the Kensington section of Philadelphia,
Harrowgate is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that is a full
service boxing gym available to both amateur and professional
fighters. Run by trainers Charles Sgrillo and John Gallagher,
Harrowgate annually hosts the Holy Family Irish Boxing Team of
Dublin, Ireland and promotes local amateur showcases.
VETERAN BOXERS ASSOCIATION - RING ONE
The oldest organization of
it's kind, Ring One was founded in 1936 by the forefathers of
Philadelphia boxing. Its membership consists of former fighters and
others involved in the sport who meet monthly at the VBA clubhouse,
located in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia at 2733 East
Clearfield Street (19134). This organization has been active in
community affairs through the years and has built a solid reputation
for its good work in and out of the boxing community. Charles
Sgrillo is currently serving his second term as VBA President.
PHILLY BOXING HISTORY
Founded in 2004 as a comprehensive web site focused on compiling the
history of prize fighting in the city of Philadelphia, Philly Boxing
History has shifted its efforts to include a Gravestone Program
which places headstones on the unmarked graves of local boxers, and
the Briscoe Awards, which honor the current Philadelphia fight scene
as well as great fights and fighters of the past.
DONATIONS
If you would like to make a contribution to the Giardello statue
fund, please make your check or money order payable to: "Giardello
Statue Fund" and mail it to: Boxing Statue, P.O.
Box 428, Sewell, NJ 08080.
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