| PHILLY BOXING HISTORY |
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NJ Great Joe Borrell Honored |
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By Mike Indri |
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Retired Boxers Foundation |
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Cliffside Park, NJ - Earlier this month the
International Veteran Boxers Association, Ring #
25 honored one of Cliffside Park's favorite sons - boxing legend Joe
Borrell. With over 300 fights to his credit Borrell was world renowned
in the sport of boxing, having faced the great hall of fame middleweight
champion Harry Greb four times from 1918-1921 (records show Borrell only
losing once!). Borrell, having served in the U. S.
Navy - Retired Chief Petty Officer, later became Cliffside Park's Chief
of Police and also had the prestigious honor of being the first fighter
inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 1969. Ring # 25 president Paul Venti, Pierre Benoist, Henry
Hascup (the master -of-ceremonies & the NJ Boxing Hall of Fame
president) and Cliffside Park mayor Gerald Calabrese took part in the
event. The highlight being the unveiling of the Joe Borrell monument,
which is now on permanent display at the town's municipal building. In
attendance, proudly looking on, were Borrell's son Frank and his
great-grandson Joey Mandel. New Jersey boxing greats Randy Nuemann, the
ever-popular Chuck Wepner and former World Champion, hall of famer Emile
Griffith were also on hand and took part in the festivities. The Borrell family, Cliffside Park's City Officials
and all the members of Ring # 25 should be very proud of the honor
bestowed upon Joe Borrell - a wonderful gentleman who honorably served
his country and his community, who also was a tremendous, legendary
fighter. |
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This article was originally published on www.SPORTSLORE.com in June 2004. |
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ARTICLE LINK: |
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http://www.sportslore.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=303 |
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