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The Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame released the names of their induction class for 2016. The sixteen new members will be welcomed to the PA Hall at the annual induction ceremony and banquet to be held on May 15, 2016 in Philadelphia. The list of honorees includes ten former boxers and six renowned non-boxers. The fighters are Benny Amparo, Bob Baker, Johnny Bizzarro, Harry Bobo, George Chip, Hugh Kearney, Andre Prophet, Monty Sherrick, Chucky T, and Joe Thomas. The legendary list of non-boxers includes trainers Jimmy Arthur, Duke Dugent, George James and Augie Scimeca, plus writer Jack Obermayer, and cut man Ralph Citro. “This is another exciting class of inductees," said John DiSanto, Chairman of the PABHOF. “This year's inductees represent Pittsburgh, Erie, Canonsburg, New Castle, South Jersey, and of course, Philadelphia. It is a great group and I look forward to the induction ceremony on May 15th." The sixteen new members of the oldest boxing hall of fame in the country will be honored at the annual PABHOF Banquet, Sunday, May 15, 2015, 4PM, in Philadelphia. Tickets for the event cost $65, and can be purchased by calling John Gallagher at 215-920-8791. For general information, please call 609-377-6413. _____________________________________________________________ 2016 PABHOF INDUCTEES _____________________________________________________________
BENNY
AMPARO: Dominican-born North Philadelphian fought for both the USBA title at the Blue Horizon in 1993 (D12 Francisco Segurea) and the IBF world championship in 1994 at Bally's Atlantic City (TKO'd 12 by Tom Johnson). His world title shot was his final pro bout. Amparo compiled an overall professional record of 12-3-5, 5 KOs between 1989 and 1994. Defeated Tommy Barnes (TKO7), Alberto Zuluaga (TKO6) and Frankie Toledo (W4). _____________________________________________________________
JIMMY
ARTHUR: South Philly legend was born James Arthur Washington in 1930 in Kinston, NC. Relocated to Philadelphia and began his career as a boxers in the 1950s. However, when Arthur put down his own gloves and began training other boxers, he found his place. Arthur was considered a great teacher who could improve any fighter that he worked with, whether they were top contenders or late substitute walk-ons. Most famous for his work with Tyrone Everett at the Passyunk Gym, Jimmy also trained Tyrone's younger brother Eddie, as well as Alfonso Hayman, Roger Russell, Frankie Mitchell, Kevin Howard, Tony Suero, Moses Robinson, Mike Rossman, Mike Rafferty, Victor Vasquez, his son Jimmy Washington. Arthur died in 2010. _____________________________________________________________
BOB
BAKER: Canonsburg, PA heavyweight was an outstanding amateur boxer who won the Pittsburg Golden Gloves, the Eastern Tournament of Champions in New York, national Inter-City Golden Gloves. Ranked as high as #2 as a pro, with a 51-16-1, 20 KOs career record between 1949-1959. His biggest wins came against Jimmy Bivins (W10), Nino Valdes (W10 twice), Cesar Brion (W10), Joe Baski (W10), Coley Wallace (W10), and Rex Layne (W10 three times). Baker died in 2002. _____________________________________________________________
JOHNNY
BIZZARRO: Italian-born, Erie-based Bizzarro was ranked in the top-ten in both the 130-pound and 135-pound divisions. Bizzarro fought for both world titles, facing legends Flash Elorde (L15 for the junior welterweight title) in 1963, and Carlos Ortiz (TKO'd 12 for the lightweight title) in 1966. Bizzarro scored key wins over Dick DiVeronica (W10), Harold Gomes (W10), Jesse Underwood (W10), Ike Chestnut (W10), and Tommy Tibbs (W10), en route to an overall 56-11-2, 25 KOs, record between 1958 and 1968. From a fighting family, younger brother Lou Bizzarro challenged Roberto Duran for the 135-pound crown. Johnny died in 1998. _____________________________________________________________
HARRY
BOBO: Known as the "Peabody Paralyzer", Harry Bobo won two versions of the "Duration" championship (MD & OH), while Joe Louis was in the Army. Started 12-0, 8 KOs, and eventually built his record to 36-9, 24 KOs, between 1939 and 1944. Had to retire due to an eye injury that left him blind in one eye. Defeated Lem Franklin (KO1), Lee Savold (W10), Gus Dorazio (W10), Big Boy Brown (W15), Buddy Walker (W10), and Al Hart (KO3). Bobo died in 1966. ______________________________________________________________
GEORGE
CHIP: Born George Chipulonis in Scranton, PA, in 1888. Fought professionally out of New Castle, PA, and had approximately 164 bouts between 1909 and 1922. Many bouts came during the no-decision era, but scored big wins (including many 6-round newspaper decisions) over Harry Greb (W10, ND6), Joe Borrell (W6), Al McCoy (W10), Jack Dillon (ND10), Jimmy Clabby (W10, NC8), Frank Klaus (TKO5, TKO6). Overall record: 42-17-4, 36 KOs, 101 No Decisions. Chip died in 1960. _____________________________________________________________
RALPH
CITRO: Legendary cut man who worked with a 'who's who' of top fighters during his career. Citro worked cuts in more than 125 world championship bouts. His client list included Thomas Hearns, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer and many others. Born in Youngstown, OH, but relocated to New Jersey and participated in Philadelphia and during the Atlantic City heydays of the 1980s. In addition to his contributions as a cut man, Citro also was an amateur boxer, trainer, gym owner, historian, the editor and creator of the Computer Boxing Update, and the director of IBRO. Citro died in 2004. _____________________________________________________________
DUKE
DUGENT:
Boxing trainer who ran the legendary 23rd PAL gym in North Philadelphia. The 23rd PAL was one of the best gyms in the city, which produced some of Philly's greatest fighters of the 1960s. While Dugent was the head trainer at the 23rd, he helped to launch the careers of Gypsy Joe Harris, Joe Frazier, Bennie Briscoe, Cyclone Hart, Lloyd Nelson, Mario Saurrennann, Al Massey, Jimmy Young and Willie Monroe. Deceased. _____________________________________________________________
GEORGE
JAMES:
Long-time boxing man began as an amateur boxer at the Nary Yard in South Philly. Eventually became a manager / trainer / corner man, working with the likes of Tony Tassone, Richie Kates, Bennie Briscoe, Gypsy Joe Harris, Gregory Jones, Calvin Porter, Gaeton Hart, Jimmy Muse, Johnny McIntyre, Willie Monroe, George Benton, and was heavyweight champ Sonny Liston's exercise coach. Trained Young Joe Walcott for his Philly fight with Sugar Ray Robinson. _____________________________________________________________
HUGH
KEARNEY: Southpaw Kearney won the Pennsylvania state welterweight title with a 12-round decision over future world champ Steve Little in 1986. "Buttons" went 17-0-1, 5 KOs, in his first eighteen starts and went 18-2-1, 5 KOs, overall. In addition to his win over Little, Kearney also beat Jimmy Muse (W8), Sidney Outlaw (W8), Milton Leaks (W8), Ali Salaam (TKO7), and Darryl Anthony (W10). Kearney was also a fine amateur with a reported record of 103-7. _____________________________________________________________
JACK
OBERMAYER:
A boxing writer and record keeper that has been on the local boxing scene for decades. A boxing fan since childhood, "KO" began writing about the sport in 1963, and has covered more than 3,550 boxing shows, in almost 400 different cities. His works have been published in numerous boxing publications and has compiled stats for FightFax. Obermayer entered the NJ Boxing HOF and has also won the BWAA Condon Award. _____________________________________________________________
ANDRE
PROPHET:
A promising prospect
who was considered a true title threat before a fatal
motorcycle accident cut his brief career - and life - short
in 1988. Before his death at age 20, "Thee Prophet" compiled
a record of 12-0-1, 10 KOs during his 12-month career. best
wins came against Nestor Flores (TKO1), Dawud Shaw (KO4),
David Nall (TKO5) and William Morris (W8), but he was just
getting started. A popular attraction at the Blue Horizon,
where he fought 13 times. Also appeared on USA Tuesday Night
Fights. Prophet died in 1988.
AUGIE
SCIMECA:
Best known for his work with IBF world champion Charles Brewer, as well as outstanding fighters like Tyrone Crawley, Calvin Grove, Earl Hargrove, Buster Drayton and Ramon Santana. Began as an assistant trainer at Mickey Rosati's South Philly Gym in 1954, before moving over to the Passyunk Gym for more than 15 years. Opened Augie's Gym, also in South Philly until his retirement in 2005. Occasionally tempted back into the sport a few times over the past decade, but remains mostly retired in South Jersey. _____________________________________________________________
MONTY SHERRICK:
Born Belmont Farley in 1966, but fought as Monty Sherrick in tribute adoptive parent Jack Sherrick. Began boxing at the Henley Boys Club in Kensington at age 14 and posted an 81-21 record as an amateur, winning the Mid-Atlantic Junior Olympics, Open Golden Gloves, Novice Golden Gloves and Mid-Atlantic AAU championships. Turned pro in 1984 and won all ten of his paid fights (10-0, 2 KOs) in his 13-month career. _____________________________________________________________
CHUCKY
T:
Born Charles Tschorniawsky in 1977, Chucky T was an excellent amateur boxer before his outstanding pro run. Went 25-10-1, 14 KOs, between 1995 and 2009 (20-2-1 in his first 23 bouts). Scored wins over Ivan Robinson (W10), Troy Fletcher (W6), Angelo Novelli (TKO1), Scott DePompe (TKO2), Kevin Watts (TKO2) and Jimmy LeBlanc (TKO5). Also faced Paul Spadafora, Michael Stewart, Miguel Figueroa, Leonard Dorin and Billy Irwin. _____________________________________________________________
JOE THOMAS
Big Joe Thomas won the national Golden Gloves championship in 1981 to cap his fine amateur run. As a professional, Thomas defeated Clayman Parker (KO3), Danny Sutton (KO2), and drew with Mike White (D10) on his way to an overall record of 23-2-1, 19 KOs, between 1981 and 1995. Thomas only lost two bouts, including his final fight with future WBC champion Oleg Maskaev (L6). Born in London in 1958, but lived and fought his entire career out of Phoenixville, PA. |
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