The Atlantic City boxing community will again honor its legendary fighters, trainers, managers and others this weekend.
Former four-division world champion Miguel Cotto and former popular lightweight Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini top the list of standouts who will be entering the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame during the organization’s 10th induction ceremony Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Soundwaves theater.
Cotto, who won titles at super-lightweight, welterweight, super-welterweight and middleweight, retired in 2017 with a 41-6 record that included 33 KO’s. He was a perfect 3-0 with three knockouts in Atlantic City against Alfonso Gomez, Carlos Quintana and Ricardo Torres.
Mancini (29-5, 23 KOs) arrived in Atlantic City in the early 1980’s, during an era in which boxing enjoyed unparalleled success on the boardwalk.
The native of Youngstown, Ohio fought three times in Atlantic City in a four-month span, starting with a 14th-round loss to the late, great Alexis Arguello at Bally’s Atlantic City on October 3, 1981. He returned to town two months later to gain a second-round TKO over Manuel Abedoy at Bally’s, then posted a 10th-round TKO over Julio Valdez at the now-defunct Sands Hotel Casino.
Cotto and Mancini are among eight fighters who will be inducted this weekend, along with former world champions Orlando Canizales (bantamweight) and Jacqui Frazier-Lyde (women’s heavyweight), plus Zab Judah (super-lightweight, welterweight), Prince Charles Williams, Harold Knight and Mike Tinley.
Both Knight and Tinley were frequent competitors in Atlantic City in the 80’s when the town blossomed into a major boxing city.
Knight (19-1, 15 KOs) had 15 bouts in town, compiling at 14-1 record with 12 KOs while fighting at Bally’s, Harrah’s, Resorts, Sands, Showboat and Tropicana as a super-featherweight.
Tinley (22-5-1, 9 KO’s), who was from Camden, frequently made the short trek on the Atlantic City Expressway to the boardwalk. He fought an impressive 21 times in town, going 17-4 with four KOs at venues such as the Atlantis, Playboy, Harrah’s, Resorts, Sands and Trump Castle.
Atlantic City native Craig Johnson is among five inductees in the Observers/Special Contributors category. Johnson, who is now Executive Chef at Claridge, served as manager for his younger brother, the late Leavander Johnson, during his rise to the IBF lightweight championship.
Craig will become the third member of his family to enter the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, joining Leavander and their father, Bill Johnson,
Craig becomes the third member of his family to enter the Hall of Fame, joining Leavander and his Bill, who is a legendary trainer based at the Atlantic City PAL.
Others in that category are referee Earl Brown, promoter Lou DiBella, judge Melvina Lathan, and trainer John Scully. DiBella was Leavander’s promoter during the late stages of his career.
Former local media personality Chuck Betson is among the six inductees in the Posthumous class, along with former fighters Georgie Navarro and James Shuler, and trainer Wesley Mouzon.
Betson, who passed away in 2020 at age 68, was a frequent ringside presence as a columnist for The Press of Atlantic City and during his tenure as a radio host.
Referee John Fitzpatrick, promoter Al “Boomie” Soifer and media member Juan Carlos Tapia were selected in the Pioneers category.
Local NFL update
Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen (Millville) had one pass thrown his way and also played special teams in a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) registered six tackles, including five solo stops, in a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver/kickoff returner Bo Melton (Cedar Creek) had one pass thrown his way and played special teams in a 20-17 overtime victory over the New York Jets.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton, Bo’s brother, had three total tackles and one tackle for loss in a 31-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Local MLB update
Mike Trout (Millville) will be finishing his 12th season with the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The three-time American League Most Valuable Player entered Monday’s game batting .241 with 21 home runs and 53 RBI. He has 425 career home runs.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Petty (Mainland Regional) has bounced between the Reds and their Triple A affiliate, the Louisville Bats. He entered Monday having appeared in 16 games for the Reds, including three starts. He has a 1-2 record with a 4.83 earned run average.
Infielder Buddy Kennedy (Millville) appeared in 25 games this season during stints with the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants. He batted .116 (5-for-43) with one RBI.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
