Obituaries
Florentino Fernandez: An appreciation
by Mike DeLisa on Jan.31, 2013, under Boxing News, Guest Columnists, Obituaries
Florentino remained untouchable by the grim reaper of the ring. He remained hale and hearty. He had survived some of the grimmest boxing matches seen on this planet. One punch was all it took to knock out a quality opponent. Among the brutal bell to bell savagery I have picked a Floro fight as the most brutal of all time. Mind you, I worked in every Floro fight and every Ali fight so I have witnessed ring savagery at its worst.
“You were a champion inside the ring and out. You go to your grave knowing you set an example for all our Cuban community you were a wonder to behold inside the ring, and a cheerful happy companion outside the ring. Every time I saw you lifted my spirits and I was so happy to see how well you were doing. I loved you.
Former Chicago Contender, Johnny Lira Passes
by Juan Ayllon on Dec.11, 2012, under Boxing News, Obituaries
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photos courtesy of Boxrec.com
The late Mr. Lira in action at right.
CHICAGO – Popular lightweight contender Johnny Lira passed away on Sunday, December 9th at Illinois Masonic hospital, according to Fightnews.com. Friends and family were in attendance in his final hour.
Mr. Lira was one of three top Illinois amateur welterweights in the 70′s, along with Pete Podgorski (now a boxing referee whom outpointed in two of three fights) and Lewis Velez, according to Boxrec.com. He also boxed as a middleweight, winning the Chicago Golden Gloves Novice title at that weight, as well as garnering a CYO sectional belt before losing to one Warren Thunder. (continue reading…)
International Boxing Hall of Fame Flies Flag at Half-Staff in Memory of Canastota’s Champ Carmen Basilio
by Press Releases on Nov.07, 2012, under Boxing News, Obituaries
1990 Hall of Fame Inductee Carmen Basilio
CANASTOTA, NY – NOVEMBER 7, 2012 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of Canastota’s welterweight and middleweight boxing champion Carmen Basilio. He passed away this morning at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY at the age of 85.
“Carmen put Canastota on the worldwide boxing map and gave the village’s residents a sense of pride that couldn’t be matched anywhere in the world,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “During the 1950s and 1960s Carmen was everyone’s hero. They talked about him in the coffee shops, grocery stores, gas stations and barbershops all the time. And they still talk about him today. He was loved, respected and idolized. His career and memories will last forever in the Village of Canastota.”
Basilio, nicknamed “The Upstate Onion Farmer,” was born in Canastota, NY on April 2, 1927. He twice won the world welterweight title, first from Tony DeMarco in 1955 and then from Johnny Saxton in 1956 before defeating Sugar Ray Robinson for the world middleweight championship in 1957. With an aggressive, charging style and a powerful left hook, Basilio scored wins over Lew Jenkins, Ike Williams, Billy Graham, Gil Turner, Art Aragon, Gasper Ortega and Don Jordan among others during his career. He incredibly engaged in five consecutive fights of the year: 1955 (vs DeMarco), 1956 (vs. Saxton), 1957 (vs. Robinson), 1958 (vs. Robinson) and 1959 (vs. Fullmer). His pro record reads 56-16-7 (27 KOs). (continue reading…)
Halloween Special: Suicide of Yankee Sullivan
by Guest Writer on Oct.29, 2012, under Boxing News, Obituaries
By Christopher James Shelton
Disegni: Madame Coppolecchia – Art Director: Francesca Mazzilli
An Irishman lay dead on the Vigilance committee floor;
A severed artery with dull knife produced such bloody gore;
The pugilist had not been charged with any legal crime;
Although San Franciscans felt the pug overstayed his time.
‘Mi Vida Loca’ Johnny Tapia Found Dead at 45
by Juan Ayllon on May.28, 2012, under Boxing News, Obituaries
Archived interview and fight report revisited in light of sad news
By Juan C. Ayllon
The late Johnny Tapia (left) slugs away in his bout versus Sandros Marcos (photo by Josh Walls)
CHICAGO — According to Yahoo!News, former five-time champion Johnny Tapia, 45, has died. His turbulent life and boxing career was pockmarked with bouts of depression, addiction to cocaine and alcohol, and trouble with the law.
Along the way, Mr. Tapia had become a man of faith. However, as with many addled with addition, his storied struggles have racked him for many years. On May 27th, his lifeless body was discovered in his Albuquerque home. No official cause of death was reported. (continue reading…)
