Notes on the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame, the Return of ‘Boots’ and More

This weekend the city that was synonymous with boxing in the 1980’s, Atlantic City, will play host to its annual celebration of the sport that once helped to enhance the gambling experience for high rollers from around the world. Over the last seven years the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend has evolved into a staple on the city’s yearly entertainment calendar. Events begin Friday, Sept. 27, with their customary V.I.P cocktail reception on the balcony of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and run through Sunday, Sept. 29.

Along with the usual kick-off events, this year the ACBHOF is working closely with one of its partners, Hard Hitting Promotions, to put on a full night of professional boxing from the Super Star Theater at Resorts Hotel and Casino. This show will feature 24-year-old fringe contender super-lightweight Brandon Pizarro (19-1-1, 11 KO’s) in the main event. Pizarro, a Philadelphia native, has been on the radar of many boxing insiders and observers since turning professional seven years ago at the age of 17. While the momentum of his career has never truly gotten into full swing, Pizarro has seen his career take on several stages, except for the role of serious contender or world champion.

For Pizarro it seems that the time has come for him to put together all his natural talent with the seasoning of being a seven-year professional. At this point career setbacks, personal life issues, and dealing with life as a prizefighter should all be things that come second nature if Pizarro is ever going to morph into an elite level fighter or at least into the championship contender that many thought he could become. With a victory this weekend coupled with an active first quarter of 2025, Pizarro shouldn’t be far away from getting an opportunity to prove he is indeed the goods.

As for the actual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, that will take place the following night, Saturday the 28th, following the always popular Fight Fan Experience in the afternoon, also at the Hard Rock. This year’s class is headlined by James “Buster” Douglas, Gerry Cooney, Mark Breland, Paul Williams, and Sergio Martinez.

Williams and Martinez will forever be joined in A.C. boxing history for their historic 2009 fight that was a Fight of the Year candidate, as well as their rematch in 2010 that wound up being The Ring magazine Knockout of the Year after Martinez’s spectacular one-punch KO of Williams in the second round.  Other boxing dignitaries will join those marquee names this weekend including names like Eric Bottjer (one of the best and most consistent matchmakers in boxing), promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and the posthumous inductions of Joey Giardello and referee Eddie Cotton.

Tickets for this weekends events as well as any information regarding how to attend any or all the events are available by visiting ACBHOF.

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The Pennsylvania State Boxing Hall of Fame will be conducting their one-day ceremony of inductions on Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall in South Philadelphia. Housed inside Ring 1 Veteran Boxers Association (the oldest club of its kind in the country), the PA State HOF has done a terrific job of both honoring and helping to aid many of the veteran boxers from the area. Led by historian and author John DiSanto, each year the PA State HOF gives many of the local fighters from yesteryear a chance to receive their “flowers,” from the community that they once entertained. As always, the afternoon will consist of an open bar where fans get a chance to mingle with the honorees, heavy appetizers, and the induction ceremony.  For more information call (609) 377-6413.

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Last Friday, Matchroom boxing announced that it will return to Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 9, when Jaron “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) defends his IBF welterweight title in what will be his second consecutive fight in front of his hometown fans. Ennis will take on his mandatory challenger Karen Chukhazhian (24-2 13 KOs) in a rematch of their January 2023 fight, a fight that Ennis one via a one-sided decision which ended Ennis’ knockout streak, something the young champion will look to correct.

Also on the card will be pound-for-pound star and the king of the super flyweights Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez making a defense of his titles and local area products Raymond Ford, the former WBA featherweight champion, and Khalil Coe, an undefeated light heavyweight.

It’s a no-brainer that Matchroom is making its return to Philly just four months after Ennis returned home in July for the first time as a champion and fought in front of over 14,000 hometown fans. Eddie Hearn mentioned after Ennis’ victory that he wanted to keep Ennis active while he awaits his opportunity to show the world how talented he truly is in matches against elite champions. Hearn kept his promise and after attempts to make a unification fight against Mario Barrios fell through, a defense at home is needed if “Boots” is going to be as sharp as he needs to be if he is to find himself across the ring from “Bud” in 2025.

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