Connect with us

Articles

A Look at Brooklyn's Boxing Champs Ahead of Oct. 20 Barclays Show

Published

on

GoldenboyBROOKLYN, NY (October 10). When world championship boxing returns to Brooklyn, New York for the first time since 1931 at the brand new Barclays Center on Saturday, October 20, it will do so with one of its own. Reigning WBA World Welterweight Champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, fresh off of a masterful championship capturing upset of undefeated Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko in Senchenko's hometown of Donetsk, will attempt to defend his title for the first time in his home borough against rugged Mexican Pablo Cesar Cano.

Malignaggi, sure to be the hometown favorite, is part of a long legacy in the squared circle. Brooklyn has been the birthplace of some of the biggest and most storied names in the history of boxing. As Malignaggi prepares for Cano, a reflection on the shadows hovering over his homecoming reminds us just how much glory there is in the Brooklyn boxing tradition. No shadow extends farther than that of Brooklyn's most famous fistic son.

Kid Dynamite . . . Iron Mike . . . .Tyson.

The youngest heavyweight world champion of all time, defeating Trevor Berbick for the WBC title in 1986 at only 20 years of age, Tyson won a unification tournament with decision wins over James “Bonecrusher” Smith (WBA) and Tony Tucker (IBF) to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion in 1987. Any dispute to the claim was laid to rest with a legendary 91-second knockout of Michael Spinks the following year.

Tyson would win his first 37 bouts before being defeated in what many regard as the biggest upset in the history of boxing and perhaps all of sport, a tenth-round knockout at the hands of James “Buster” Douglas. Personal turbulence led to a prison term in 1992, but Tyson wasn't done with boxing yet. He returned to the ring in 1995 and went on to win two more heavyweight titles with knockout wins over Frank Bruno (WBC) and Bruce Seldon (WBA) in 1996. Tyson was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Tyson is but one in the pantheon of Brooklyn's finest. See this video to give yourself a sense of what boxing in Brooklyn means for the boxers taking part. below for information on other Brooklyn champions, the neighborhoods they hailed from and briefs on their careers.

Brooklyn's Champions

Riddick Bowe (Brownsville): “Big Daddy” Bowe represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games, winning a super heavyweight silver medal. In 1992, Bowe defeated Evander Holyfield for the undisputed heavyweight crown, holding the title until a rematch with Holyfield the following year. Bowe would add the WBO Heavyweight title with a 1995 knockout of Herbie Hide and became the first man to stop Holyfield in their third and final fight later that year.

Mark Breland (Bed-Stuy): Breland won the gold medal at welterweight at the 1984 Olympic Games. In 1987, he stopped Harold Volbrecht in seven rounds to win the WBA Welterweight title and regained vacant WBA title in 1989 with a first round knockout of Seung-Soon Lee.

Shannon Briggs (Brownsville): The big punching Briggs defeated George Foreman for the 'linear' heavyweight crown in 1997 and won the WBO Heavyweight belt with a dramatic twelfth round knockout of Sergiy Lyakhovich in 2006.

Paddy DeMarco (Navy Yard): DeMarco won two out of three against the great Sandy Saddler in non-title affairs and won a decision over Jimmy Carter for the World Lightweight title in 1954.

Joey Giardello (Flatbush): While much of his fighting glory would come in Philadelphia, Giardello's toughness and guile were born on the streets of Brooklyn. Giardello won the World Middleweight title from Dick Tiger in 1963 and was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.

Junior Jones (Bushwick): “Poison” got off the canvas to win a decision over Jorge Eliecer Julio in 1993 to win the WBA Bantamweight title. In 1996, he became the first man to defeat Marco Antonio Barrera and won the WBO Super Bantamweight crown in the process, dropping the Mexican great and forcing his corner to enter the ring for a forfeit/disqualification in the fifth round.

Zab Judah (Brownsville): Judah won the IBF Junior Welterweight title in 2000 with a fourth-round knockout of Jan Bergman. In 2003, a decision over DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley gave him the WBO Junior Welterweight crown. Judah's finest hour came in 2005 when he knocked out Cory Spinks to win the undisputed welterweight title. Since then Judah, added one more title belt to his collection in knocking out Kaizer Mabuza in seven rounds for the vacant IBF Junior Welterweight title in 2011.

Solly Krieger (Williamsburg): Born Danny Auerbach, Krieger claimed the National Boxing Association Middleweight crown with a majority decision win over Al Hostak in 1938. Krieger also had a huge rivalry with the great Billy Conn, dropping Conn en route to a decision win in their first of three bouts.

Paulie Malignaggi (Bensonhurst): When Malignaggi defends against Cano it will be as a two-division champion. Malignaggi won a decision over Lovemore N'Dou for the IBF Junior Welterweight title in 2007.

Eddie “Cannonball” Martin (Park Slope): Martin won recognition from the New York State Athletic Commission as the world bantamweight champion with a split-decision victory over Abe Goldstein in 1924. Martin would later lose a pair of 1928 Junior Lightweight title shots to Todd? Morgan, the second at the famed Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

Michael Moorer: Moorer was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Pennsylvania before coming under the tutelage of Emanuel Steward at the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit. Moorer stopped Ramzi Hassan in five for the vacant WBO Light Heavyweight title in 1988. Moving to Heavyweight, Moorer stopped Bert Cooper in 1992 to win the WBO Heavyweight belt. A decision over Evander Holyfield in 1994 made him the first southpaw universally recognized as heavyweight world champion. Moorer would later win a vacant IBF belt with a decision over Axel Schultz in 1996.

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (Brownsville): Born Eddie Gregory, Muhammad knocked out Marvin Johnson in 1980 to win the WBA Light Heavyweight title. Muhammad is famed today as a trainer of multiple world champions.

Lou Salica (Bensonhurst): A Flyweight bronze medalist at the 1932 Olympics, Salica won the New York State Athletic Commission World title at bantamweight with a decision over Tony Olivera in 1939. He added the National Boxing Association title in 1940 with a decision over Georgie Pace to earn universal recognition as the champion.

World championship boxing returns to Brooklyn with an inaugural night of fights at the new Barclays Center on October 20 headlined by Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia against future Hall of Famer Erik Morales presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. In the co-featured attractions, Brooklyn's own Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi puts his WBA Welterweight World Championship on the line against hard-hitting Pablo Cesar “El Demoledor” Cano, number one rated WBO middleweight contender Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin of Manhattan takes on unbeaten Hassan N'Dam for N'Dam's WBO Middleweight World Championship and Devon Alexander faces Randall Bailey for Bailey's IBF Welterweight World Championship in a bout presented in association with DiBella Entertainment. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Preliminary fights will air live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

The undercard is loaded with many of New York's top fighters, including Brooklyn's hot middleweight prospect Daniel “The Golden Child” Jacobs, former World Champion Luis Collazo, the Bronx's rising star Eddie Gomez, former world title contender Dmitriy Salita and Brooklyn prospect Boyd Melson.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50 are available for purchase at www.barclayscenter.com, www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 800-745-3000.

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles4 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles5 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending