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A full house of boxers, family, friends, and fans was on hand at Dorchester's McKeon Post September 15th as International Veteran Boxers Association Ring-99 (Lowell) inducted five members into the Ring's prestigious Hall of Fame — Michael Blyth (So. Boston), Ring-99 President Doug Keefe (Quincy), and Jerry Colton, Gardner Brooks and Danny Heath (all of Lowell).
Plaques were also presented to the 1992 class of inductees — Mickey Finn (Dorchester), Jerry Forte (Billerica), Skeeter McClure (Chestnut Hill), Jack Brady (Lowell), Eddie Fitzgerald (Cambridge), Tom McNeeley (Newton), and Vinny Marino (Roslindale).
| Veteran Boxer of The Year Tom McNeeley with proud son Peter, who carries on the family's fighting tradition. |
Tom McNeeley is presented with a citation from Governor Swift proclaiming him "The Champion of the People." |
Former New England Heavyweight Champion and formidable world-class contender Tom McNeeley was singled out to receive honors as "Veteran Boxer of the Year," and also received the Tommy Greb Award. Joe Timilty presented a citation from Mass. Governor Jane Swift honoring Tom as "The Champion of the People," and Vinny Marino presented another such citation on behalf of Mass. State Auditor Joe DeNucci.
As a special tribute, the Ring had Tom's ring adversary of yesteryear, George Logan of Boise, Idaho, flown in, and he spoke of he and Tom's long friendship, in-and-out of the ring.
Former World Welterweight Champion Tony DeMarco was among many boxing luminaries present, honoring both Tom and all the Inductees/Awardees.
| Peter McNeeley (third from left) and the boys put up their dukes and pose for a group shot. |
The McNeeleys with Tom's three-time ring foe George Logan (right), who was flown in from Idaho for the ceremony. |
Others honored were Steve Memishian of Natick (Leo Lydon Award), Bobby McCormack of Lowell (Louis Ayala Award for Outstanding Amateur Boxer), and Dominic R. DiPaulo of Dominic's of Boston (Tom McNeeley Award). The Bobby (Benson) Tomasello, Jr. Memorial Award was accepted by his father, Bobby (Benson) Tomasello, Sr., of Saugus.
Ring-99 Trophy Awards were also presented to Charlie Dwyer (Portsmith, RI), Ed Grenke (Hudson, NH), Marty Joyce (Dorchester) and Mark Cincotta (Weymouth).
NOTE: Ring-99 also serves as the Directorship of the New England Boxing Hall of Fame.
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In case you missed it ... Shaun Creegan posted a shut-out (80-72 on all cards) vs. always-tough Danny Sheehan at promoter Doug Pendarvis' 5-bout card September 13th, at the Braintree Armory.
On the undercard, Sechew Powell KO'd Julio Montero, Roy Payne decisioned Willie Kemp, Martin (Trooper) Thornton decisioned Jerry Smith and Leatitia Robinson well-earned a TKO over Evelyn Holley. "Baby Girl" Robinson, making only her second appearance outside of her towntown of Chicago, improved to 8-0, and more-than-looks to have what it takes to garner a world championship belt. Remember the name!
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