PHILLY BOXING HISTORY


		GRAVESTONE FUND PROGRAM Many of our ring heroes currently lie in unmarked graves all over the Philadelphia area. Although memories of these men are firmly fixed in our hearts and minds, their final resting places remain anonymous and in danger of being totally forgotten in the coming years. In 2005, as part of our mission to remember and honor Philadelphia's boxing legends of the past, Philly Boxing History.com established a program dedicated to placing headstones on these unmarked graves. As often as possible, we designate one recipient, and along with the family, place a headstone, and hold a memorial service for the public. In the initial year of the program, we named Tyrone Everett as the first honoree. Everett was the inspiration for this entire effort. He was one of the finest young prospects ever to come out of Philly. His "failed" attempt to win the title is legendary. But sadly, his life was cut short just six months after his most famous bout. He was twenty-four years old. For twenty-eight years, his grave remained unmarked - but no longer. In December 2005, a beautiful new headstone was placed for Tyrone at Eden Cemetery, in Collingdale, PA. We followed this up with a headstone for Gypsy Joe Harris in 2006, and in 2008, Garnet "Sugar" Hart was named as the third honoree. In addition to placing a headstone for Hart, we also interred his cremated remains. The most recent gravestone was for Tacony lightweight legend Eddie Cool and his boxing brother Jimmy Cool. Most recently, we placed a headstone for the great Matthew Saad Muhammad, the former light heavyweight champion and perhaps the most exciting fighter to ever come out of Philadelphia. Now we are raising money for a gravestone for Gil Turner, welterweight sensation of the 1950s. This Web site is proud to be involved in this endeavor. However, we need assistance from anyone willing to help. We ask that anyone who loves and respects the history of Philadelphia boxing help us with this rewarding but costly program. If anyone visiting this Web site would like to contribute to our Gravestone Program Fund, we would greatly appreciate the support .If you make a donation and send us your mailing address, we will send you a Gil Turner boxing card, created exclusively for this fund-raising effort, as a "thank you." CONTRIBUTE TO THE GRAVESTONE FUND GO FUND ME: You can make your contribution by clicking the GoFundMe logo below. CHECK or MONEY ORDER: You can also donate with a check or money order by sending your contribution to: Philly Boxing History Inc. PO Box 428 Sewell, NJ 08080 PAYPAL GIVING: Another way to donate is with PayPal. Either click the logo below OR scan the QR Code with your cellphone camera. TAX DEDUCTIBLE Since Philly Boxing Inc. is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization, all donations are tax deductible.				2015 - MATTHEW SAAD MUHAMMAD Matthew Saad Muhammad started his Hall of Fame boxing career as Matthew Franklin and before long became the most exciting fighter of the Spectrum era. His legendary wars were unforgetable, as "Miracle Matthew" came back from the brink of defeat time and again. His wars with Marvin Johnson, Richie Kates, Yaqui Lopez, and Billy Dougals during the first part of his career were some of the best bouts Philly fans ever saw. In 1979, he met Marvin Johnson again and after eight brutal rounds he was the WBC light heavyweight champion. Around this time Matthew became Saad Muhammad. He successfully defended his crown eight times, many of them the signature struggles that he was famous for. Saad lost his title against Dwight Muhammad Qawi (Braxton) in 1981. Overall, the South Philly legend posted a pro record of 49-16-3, 35 KOs. Saad Muhammad passed away on May 25, 2014 after a battle with ALS. He is buried at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. View Photos of Matthew Saad Muhammad's gravestone.

						2011 - EDDIE COOL Eddie Cool, known as the "Tacony Flash", was an Irish-Catholic kid from the streets of Northeast Philly who became a boxing master in the 1930s. He launched his career in 1928 and began scoring wins with a counter - punching style that made him a difficult and highly respected opponent. In 1936, Cool faced lightweight king Lou Ambers in a non-title bout at the Arena. The Pride of Tacony won the grueling bout but not the belt. The impressive boxing skills and toughness that he displayed made him a feared man and he was never granted a rematch or a title shot, despite becoming the #1 contender. He compiled an overall record of 89-28-14 and is considered one of Philly's best kept secrets. But his lifestyle outside of the ring was totally undisciplined and reckless, and it cost him. He died at the age of 35. In December 2011, we placed a headstone on Eddie Cool's unmarked grave at Holly Sepulchre Cemetery. View Photos of Eddie Cool's (& Jimmy Cool's) gravestone.

						2008 - GARNET "SUGAR" HART Garnet "Sugar" Hart, one of the finest amateur boxers ever to come out of Philadelphia, won the 1954 National AAU lightweight amateur champion-ship. He turned pro later that same year and became one of the city's most popular attractions. His style was reminiscent of Ray Robinson - quick, slick, hard-punching, and sweet enough to earn him the same nickname of "Sugar". Hart headlined the last big outdoor boxing show at Connie Mack Stadium, facing Gil Turner in 1958. The following year, Hart battled Charley Scott at Convention Hall in perhaps the greatest war in Philly boxing history. Garnet retired from the ring in 1961 and died on October 15, 2003 at age 67. He was cremated one week later. On May 31, 2008, his ashes were interred and a headstone was placed for Garnet and his beloved mother at Merion Memorial Park in Bala Cynwyd, PA. View Photos & Video of Sugar Hart's Gravestone Event


						2006 - GYPSY JOE HARRIS Gypsy Joe Harris was one of the most popular and most talented Philly boxers ever. He stormed up the welterweight ranks in his brief career and even beat reigning champ Curtis Cokes in a 1967 non-title fight. Just one year later, he lost his boxing license when it was discovered that he was blind in the right eye. Though he tried to be reinstated, the commission never budged, and at age 22, Harris was left with his championship dreams snuffed. Born to fight, Harris never quite found a new direction for himself. He died of heart failure at age 44 on March 6, 1990. Gypsy Joe was buried in an unmarked grave at Merion Memorial Park in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Philly Boxing History.com placed a headstone for Gypsy Joe Harris in October of 2006. View Photos of Gypsy Joe Harris' Gravestone Event


						2005 - TYRONE EVERETT Tyrone Everett was a boxing star from South Philly who dominated his foes with a slick southpaw style that mixed finesse and power. He claimed the North American title in two different weight divisions and challenged Alfredo Escalera for the world title in 1976. In that bout, Tyrone lost what is often cited as one of boxing's all-time worst decisions. Despite the disputed loss, Everett was still considered an eventual champion with a bright future when he was shot and killed by a jealous girlfriend on May 26, 1977. He was 24. Everett was buried in an unmarked grave at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, PA. Philly Boxing History.com placed a headstone for Tyrone Everett in December of 2005. Everett remains the inspiration for our gravestone program. View Photos of Tyrone Everett's Gravestone




		2025 GRAVESTONE FUND DONORS
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		2014 GRAVESTONE FUND DONORS
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