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The Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame
(PABHOF) announced the names of 25 individuals who comprise
the 2025 class of inductees. This latest crop of
Pennsylvania notables is the 67th annual group to
be honored by PA Hall. Leading the Class of 2025 are former
world champions Kermit Cintron and Jason Sosa,
world title challengers Mike Jones, Eric Hunter,
and Lajuan Simon, as well as former national amateur
champion Anthony Thompson. Rounding out the boxers to
be honored are Frankie Mitchell, Jimmy Clark,
Young Gene Buffalo (deceased), and Clarence
“Honeychile” Johnson (Deceased). In addition, an impressive group of
non-boxers will be celebrated at the annual Induction
Ceremony to be held in October. They include trainers
Frank Taylor, Marvin “Toochie” Gordon (deceased),
Willie O’Neill (deceased), managers Frank Gelb,
and “KO” Becky O’Neill (deceased), promoters Jules
Aronson (deceased) and Bobby Gunnis (deceased),
matchmaker Jack Puggy (deceased), commissioner
George Bochetto, referee / commissioner Rick
Steigerwald, writers George Hanson, Jack Fried
(deceased), and Bob Wright (deceased), and ring
announcer Pete Byron (deceased). “The 2025 Induction Class is another
stellar group that has greatly contributed to this sport we
all love,” said PABHOF Chairman John DiSanto. “I look
forward to honoring them and celebrating all their
accomplishments in October.” Including this year’s class, the
PABHOF, which is the longest-running boxing hall of fame in
the country, has enshrined a total of 480 members since its
inception in 1958. The annual PABHOF Induction Ceremony will be held in October with the exact date still to be determined. Please direct any questions regarding the PABHOF, the inductees, or the annual event to John DiSanto (609-377-6413). _____________________________________________________________ 2025 PABHOF INDUCTEES _____________________________________________________________
KERMIT CINTRON
Kermit "The Killer" Cintron was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, before relocating to Reading, Pennsylvania during his youth. He made his professional debut on October 7, 2000 with a second-round TKO of Jesse Williams in Lancaster, PA. Cintron reeled off 24 stright victories to begin his career, beating many notable foes including Teddy Reid (TKO8) to win the NABF welterweight regional title and the WBO Inteim world title. Cintron won the vacant IBF world welterweight championship with a stoppage of Mark Suarez (TKO5) in 2006. He made two defenses before losing the belt. His first try at a 154-pound belt ended in a draw against Sergio Martinez in 2009. Two years later he challenged Canelo Alvarez for the WBC junior middleweight title, but lost in five rounds. After a two-year hiatus, Cintron returned for ten more fights, going 6-1-2, with 2 KOs and 1 No Contest. His best career wins came against David Estrada (TKO10), Walter Matthysse (KO2), Lovemore Ndou (W12), Antwone Smith (W10), and Ronald Cruz (W10). He only lost bouts to Antonio Margarito (twice), Paul Williams, Carlos Molina, Canelo, and Tyrone Brunson (in the 2017 Philly Fight of the Year). Cintron retired in 2018 with a pro record of 39-6-3-1, 30 KOs. _____________________________________________________________
JASON SOSA
"El Canito," Jason Sosa was a Camden, NJ fighter, but had a big presence in Philadelphia during his 10-year professional career (2009-2019). He made his debut at the Blue Horizon in 2009, scoring a TKO in three rounds against Jonathan Ocasio. The all-action Sosa fought two exciting Philly draws against Angel Ocasio before winning 14 straight against the likes of Jerry Belmontes and others. In 2015 on HBO, Sosa fought a 10-round draw against featerweight champion Nicholas Walters who was fighting his first bout in the 130-pound division. The decision was controversial, but proved that Sosa belonged in the top echelon of the sport. In his next bout, Sosa defeated Javier Fortuna (TKO11) in China to win the WBA 130-pound world championship. He defended the title once (W12 Stephen Smith) before relinquishing the title for a chance to face Vasyl Lommachenko. Sosa lost the fight. He returned with a frustrating, outrageous decision loss to Yuriorkis Gamboa and three impressive victoies that earned him a shot at Miguel Berchelt for the WBC crown. Sosa lost the fight in round four and retired afterward with a pro record of 23-4-4, 16 KOs. _____________________________________________________________
MIKE JONES
Mike "Machine Gun" Jones was an exciting, power-punching welterweight who terrorized the 147-pound division on his way to an IBF world title shot. Jones beat stiff comptition during his nine years in the ring (2005-2014), including Israel Cardona (TKO3), Germaine Sanders (W8), Juliano Ramos (TKO6), Henry Bruseles (W10), Hector Munoz (TKO5), Jesus Soto Karas (W10, W12), and Sebastian Lujan (W12). Jones won regional welterweight titles sanctioned by the NABA, NABO, and the WBC (Continental Americas) during his run. In 2012, Jones faced Randall Bailey for the vacant IBF weterweight championship but lost the bout in round 11. After two years off, Jones returned for one more fight, a dramatic loss to Jaime Herrera in Atlantic City. Jones retired with a pro record of 26-2, 19 KOs. _____________________________________________________________
ERIC HUNTER
Eric "Outlaw" Hunter was a talented boxer who, as an
amateur, was an alternate for the USA Olympic boxing team,
before becoming a professional featherweight (2005-2019).
Hunter won the USBA feattherweight regional title with a
10-round vixtory over Yenifel Vicente, in Chester, PA, in
2014. Other strong performances over Jerry Belmontes (W10),
Andre Wilson (TKO4), Daniel Ramirez (TKO6), Rene Alvarado
(W10), and Antonio Escalante (KO1) earned Hunter a chance
for the vacant IBF world title in 2016. Hunter dropped Lee
Selby, but lost the 12-round decision in the only world
title fight of his career. Hunter returned three years
later for one more bout (TW5 German Meraz) before retiring
with a record of 22-4, 11 KOs.
LAJUAN SIMON
Lajuan "Simply Marvelous" Simon was a Philly middleweight
who won the USBA, NBA, and UBA regional 160-pound titles and
vied for world middleweight championships twice during his
eleven-year career (2002-2013). In 2009, Simon lost by
decision to Arthur Abraham in an IBF middleweight
championship fight. Two years later, he lost another try for
the crown against WBA champion Gennadiy Glolvkin. Both world
champs he faced were undefeated at the time. Simon scored
excellent wins against Elvin Ayala (W12), Richard Grant
(W10), Jameel Wilson (W8), and Jose Angel Rodriguez (W10). In all,
he fought in six regional title fights and two world title
bouts. He retired with a record of 23-5-2, 12 KOs, 1 No
Contest.
ANTHONY THOMPSON
Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson won national titles as an amateur in 2000 and 2001 and was the runner-up in the 2001 world championships before turning professional in 2002. He won his first 15 fights and 23 of his first 25 as a welterweight and middleweight. His biggest victories were against Robert Frazier (TKO6), Darnell Boone (W10), Adrian Lopez (KO3), and Mohammad Said Salem (TKO9). After dropping two bouts to Yuri Foreman and Ishmail Arvin, Thompson won a final bout (TKO1 Luis Lopez) before retiring with a record of 24-3, 18 KOs, after seven years in the ring (2002-2009). ______________________________________________________________
FRANKIE MITCHELL Philadelphian Frankie Mitchell had a memorable 12-year career (1983-1995) that included two world title tries and an NABF regional lightweight title reign. Mitchell started his career with 11 bouts in Ohio and won his first 25 fights overall. In 1990, he challenged Brian Mitchell for the WBA 130-pound world title. Frankie lost the 12-round decision, the first loss of his career. In his next bout, he defeated Kenny Vice (KO2) to win the vacant NABF lightweight title. Defenses against Bryant Paden (W12), Robertio Medina (TKO10), and Anthony Boyle (TKO11), led him to a fight with the great Julio Cesar Chavez for the WBC junior welterweight crwon. Chavez won the bout in round four. Mitchell went 1-3 in his final three fights and retired in 1995 with a record of 30-4, 14 KOs. ______________________________________________________________
JIMMY CLARK
Jimmy Clark had an impressive amateur boxing career. He won the 1977 National Golden Gloves heavyweight championship, beating future heavyweight champion Greg Page in the tournament finals. Clark also competeed in many international tournaments and dual meets (1975, 1977, 1978). He lost three bouts to Cuban Teofilo Stevenson while an amateur. At age 26, Clark turned pro and fought 20 professional bouts between 1981 and 1989. Clark won his first 16 fights before losing to Reggie Gross in 1985. It was the only defeat as a professional. Clark defeated Kid Samson (TKO4), Oliver Wright (W6), Lupe Guerra (TKO3), Clarence Hill (W10), Sammy Scaff (KO2), and Mickey Pryor (TKO2) during his run. He retired in 1989 with a record of 18-1, with 16 KOs and 1 No Contest. Despite Clark's fine pro record, his best days as a boxer came as an amateur. ______________________________________________________________
YOUNG GENE BUFFALO
Welterweight Young Gene Buffalo was born Eugene Coker in Deland, FL, in 1918. He became a professional in Washington, DC 1934 and went on to have 161 professional fights, 44 of them in Pennsylvania, over the next 16 years (1934-1950). Based in Philly, he fought many all-time greats during his campaign including Fritzie Zivic (W10), Johnny Jadick (W10), Holman Williams (TKO'd 6), Charley Burley (TKO'd 5), Jose Basora (L20), Cocoa Kid (L8), and Sugar Ray Robinson (KO'd 1). He also beat strong local talent like Wicky Harkins (W10), Roxie Forgione (W10), Tony Cisco (W10), and Johnny Lucas (W8). No fighter made more starts in Atlantic City. He never won any titles, but had a long, eventful boxing career against a very strong list of opponents. Buffalo died in 1997 at age 79. His final record was 116-35-10, 12 KOs. ______________________________________________________________
CLARENCE "HONEYCHILE" JOHNSON
Clarence "Honeychile" Johnson was a smooth-boxing welterweight. Born in Richmond, VA, Johnson came to Philadelphia as a youth, where he began his boxing career. He won the 1946 Philadelphia Diamond Belt before turning professional. He fought professionally for nine years (1946-1955), competing in nearly 70 pro bouts. His best wins came against Harry Deputy (W8), Joe Bonadies (W8), Charley Salas (W8), Speedy Lawrence (TKO3), Lou Fortuna (W8), and Al Mobley (W8). Johnson fought memorable series with Otis Graham (0-1-2) and Charley Spicer (0-3-2). Johnson also faced top-tier foes like Rocky Graziano (KO'd 4), Johnny Saxton (L10), Charley Cotton (TKO'd 5), and Chico Varona (L8). His loss to Graziano intiated a career-ending 1-11 slide. He retired with a record of 38-23-7, 17 KOs. Johnson is deceased. ______________________________________________________________
FRANK TAYLOR
The training team of Frank Taylor and Marvin "Toochie" Gordon ran the Executioners Gym at 60th and Vine Streets in West Philly beginning in 1974. Together they developed many excellent boxers during their tenure, including world junior welterweight champion Gary Hinton and other top professional talent like Kelvin Kelly, Vaughn Hooks, Marvin Gordon, and fine amateurs including Michael Wells, Lydel Johnson, and Shawn Clark.. Taylor, Gordon and their stable of boxers are the subject of a feature-length documentary The Executioners: We All Had a Chance. Both Taylor and Gordon impacted numerous lives and left an important legacy. ______________________________________________________________
Marvin "TOOCHIE" GORDON
The training team of Marvin "Toochie" Gordon and Frank Taylor ran the Executioners Gym at 60th and Vine Streets in West Philly beginning in 1974. Together they developed many excellent boxers during their tenure, including world junior welterweight champion Gary Hinton and other top professional talent like Kelvin Kelly, Vaughn Hooks, Marvin Gordon, and fine amateurs including Michael Wells, Lydel Johnson, and Shawn Clark.. Gordan, Taylor, and their stable of boxers are the subject of a feature-length documentary The Executioners: We All Had a Chance. Both Gordon and Taylor impacted numerous lives and left an important legacy. Gordon is deceased. ______________________________________________________________
WILLIE O'NEILL
Willie O'Neill was one of the most knowledgable boxing minds in Philly history. A true student of the sport, Willie logged countless hours in Philadlephia gyms throughout his life, observing most of the great local fighters. He is best known as the trainer of bantamweight champion Joltin' Jeff Chandler. Willie took over Chandler's training a few bouts into the young star's career and worked with him as he rose in the ranks, won the title, and compiled nine title defenses. With his wife, Becky O'Neill, as Chandler's manager, Willie helped develop one of Philly's very bes-ever boxers. In addition to Chandler, Willie worked with Alfonso Evans, Mike Rossman, and many others. He was also an unofficial advisor for numerous South Philly fighters. O'Neill died on August 9, 1994 at age 78. ______________________________________________________________
"KO" BECKY O'NEILL
"KO" Becky O'Neill was the four-feet-seven-inch manager of WBA bantamweight champion Joltin' Jeff Chandler throughout his distinguished boxing career. She also worked closely with her husband Willie O'Neill with a number of other South Philadelphia boxers. Before her days in the boxing game, Becky was a vaudville performer and the national jitterbug dance champion. Introduced to boxing by her husband, Willie, Becky became one of the best ambasadors of the sport during the TV-friendly days of the 1980s. She died on July 1, 2005 at age 81. ______________________________________________________________
FRANK GELB
Frank Gelb was an influential manager of many important Philadelphia fightes including Tyrone Everett, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Jimmy Young, Alfonso Evans, Leroy Roberts, Mike Everett, Ronnie McGarvey, and others. Gelb was also an important promoter, especially in Atlantic City where he staged shows from the pre-casino era into the AC boom years. In addition, he promoted bouts in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and elsewhere. After his days in boxing, Gelb manageed and promoted opera stars Luciano Pavarotti and Andra Bocelli. Gelb is retired and lives in Florida. ______________________________________________________________
JULES ARONSON
Jules Aronson was a prominent boxing promoter in Philadelphia between 1923-1938. He staged many shows especially at West Philly's Arena and the Baker Bowl in North Philly. His cards featured many important fighters including champions Tommy Loughran, Harry Greb, Benny Bass, Mickey Walker, Maxie Rosenbloom, Tony Canzoneri, Johnny Jadick, Mike McTigue, Battling Levinsky, and contenders George Godfrey, Jack Gross, Al Friedman, Harry Blitman, Pat Haley, Roxie Allen, and many others. Aronson died in 1947 at age 67. ______________________________________________________________
BOBBY GUNNIS
Bobby Gunnis promoted fights with partner Herman Taylor from the early 1920s until his sudden death at 50 in 1936. Gunnis staged shows all over Philadelphia at major stadiums and arenas including Shibe Park, Sesquicentennial Stadium / Municipal Stadium, Baker Bowl, Arena, and Convention Hall. His fight cards featured top names including Tommy Loughran, Lew Tendler, Benny Leonard, Benny Bass, Pancho Villa, Max Schmeling, Primo Carnera, Johnny Jadick, Battling Murray, Tony Canzoneri, Georges Carpentier, Luis Firpo, Danny Kramer, Harry Blitman, Dick Welsh, Tony Falco, George Godfrey, Eddie Cool, Maxie Rosenbloom, Al Ettore, Leroy Haynes, Willie Reddish, Jersey Joe Walcott, Gus Dorazio, and Joe Louis. Gunnis suffered a heart attack and died nine days prior to the Joe Louis vs. Al Ettore fight at Municipal Stadium which drew 40,407. ______________________________________________________________
JACK PUGGY
Born Salvatore Riccuiti in 1902, Jack Puggy was a key matchmaker, promoter, and manager between the 1930s and the 1970s. Early on, he managed fighters like Willie Reddish, Lew Massey, and Mike Evans. Later, he matched fights for legend Herman Taylor including bouts featuring Joe Frazier, Sugar Hart, Jimmy Soo, Georgie Johnson, Len Matthews, Kitten Hayward, Mel Middleton, Bennie Briscoe, Gypsy Joe Harris, George Benton, George Foreman, Sammy Goss, Willie Monroe, Richie Kates, Augie Pantellas, Tyrone Everett, Jimmy Young, and others. As a promoter, Puggy staged the annual Deborah Hospital charity shows and other events that featured popular boxers like Gil Turner, Marvin Edelman, Dan Bucceroni, George Benton, Charley Scott, Jesse Smith, Jimmy Ellis, Leotis Martin, Bennie Briscoe, Roger Russell, Cyclone Hart, Richie Kates, and others. Puggy died at age 80 in 1982. ______________________________________________________________
PHIL GLASSMAN
Phill Glassman managed
many important Philadelphia fighters including Lew Tendler,
champion Benny Bass, and contenders Joe Tiplitz and Kid
Williams. He guided Lew Tendler, one of the greatest boxers
never to win a world title, to three world title bouts
against Benny Leonard in 1922 and 1923, and Mickey Walker in
1924. He directed Benny Bass to two world championship
reigns in two seperate weight divisions: featherweight
(1927) and junior lightweight (1929). Glassman also promoted
fights including his last show in 1950: Sugar Ray Robinson
vs. Robert Villemain. Other shows he promoted featured
Fritzie Zivic, Ike Williams, Charley Burley, Holman
Williams, Benny Bass, Johnny Jadick, and Eddie Cool. About
10 years after he retired, Glassman retuned to boxing to
help Al Lewis promote his 1960 fight card at Convention Hall
featuring Len Matthews vs. Dough Valliant atop a
star-studded lineup. Glassman contributed to boxing for
nearly 40 years (1913-1950). He died in 1989.
GEORGE BOCHETTO
George Bochetto was
appointed Pennsylvania State Boxing Commissioner in 1995 and
served until 2002 (7 years). While the commissioner,
Bochetto “completely revamped the regulation of boxing in
PA.”
RICK STEIGERWALD
Rick Steigerwald worked as a professional and amateur referee for 37 years (approximately 1978-2015) in and around Pittsburgh, PA. As a pro referee (1983-2015), Steigerwald was the third man in the ring for hundreds of bouts including two world title fights: Paul Spadafora vs. Renato Cornett in 1999 and Paul Spadafora vs. Billy Irwn in 2000, as well as five regional title bouts: Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Robbie Peden (2002), Brian Minto vs. Pierre Karam (2010), Rod Salka vs. Ryan Belasco (2013), Jason Bergman vs. John L. Smith (2013), and Erickson Lubin vs. Norberto Gonzalez (2014). Steigerwald also reffered bouts featuring top names like Winky Wright, Jermain Taylor, Michael Grant, Monty Meza-Clay, Sammy Vasquez Jr., Clifford Etienne, Lamon Brewster, Rock Allen, Andres Taylor, and Steve Upsher Chambers. After his career as a referee, Steigerwald became a Pennsylvania boxing Commissioner, a position he still holds. ______________________________________________________________
GEORGE HANSON
The self-proclaimed "Pope of Pugilism," George Hanson is a ringside reporter who has covered the Philadelphia boxing scene since 2001 in his boxing column The Mouthpiece. He regularly writes for websites FightKings.com and CBoxingInfo.com. His writing earned him 15 consecutive awards as the "Philadelphia Boxing Writer of the Year (2010-2024) at Wilkes Productions' annual "Salute to Philly Boxers" event. Hanson has also worked as a broadcast commentator for Power Productions and on platforms like Comcast and ESPN. His YouTube channel, Boxing 396, which has compiled more than 300 interviews with various boxing personalities, is a great information resource and historical archive. Hanson was born in Jamaica before moving to Philadelphia where he started boxed as an amatueur. Hanson lives and works as an attorney in Philadelphia, and works with amateur boxers at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in South Philadelphia. ______________________________________________________________
JACK FRIED
Jack Fried began his legendary newspaper career at age 17 in Canton, Ohio in 1916. He came to Philadelphia and became the long-time boxing writer for Evening Bulletin from 1923 to 1973. For much of his career at the Bulletin, he used the nom de plume "Matt Ring." Fried reportedly covered almost every heavyweight championship fight fromn 1929 to 1973. He also covered the Philadelphia A's and Phillies, tennis, golf. He retired from the paper in 1973, and died in 1975 at age 73. ______________________________________________________________
BOB WRIGHT
Born in 1939, Bob Wright was an old-school sports writer who covered boxing in Philadelphia at the Evening and Sunday Bulletin during the very eventful 1970s. He left the Bulletin in 1982 to work at the San Diego Union as executive sports editor. He won many writing awards including one from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) in 1988. Wright died in 2012 at age 74. ______________________________________________________________
PETE BYRON
A ring annopuncer in the classic style, Pete Byron worked the Philly boxing scene during the hot-bed decades of the 1940s, 1950s and into the 1960s. He announced fights in most of the local arenas including Shibe Park, the Arena, and Convention Hall. Some of the bouts he worked were Ike Williams vs. Beau Jack at Shibe Park in 1948 and Carlos Ortiz vs. Len Matthews at the Arena in 1959. Byron also served as the public address announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies. He died in 1964 at age 60. ______________________________________________________________ The PABHOF event will be held in October. The exact date and details are expected to be announced by the end of March. |
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