Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame photo gallery

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Nov. 12, 2014) - Last Saturday night, the 10th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner was held in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. (Below find a photo gallery, courtesy of "Boxing" Bob Newman) Class of 2014 members inducted into the CBHOF were former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, two-time world title challenger and star of The Contender, Season 1 reality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr., referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. The 2014 CBHOF award winners honored at the dinner were undefeated New Haven super bantamweight prospect Luis "The KO King" Rosa, Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), Conn. Professional Boxer of the Year; Hartford Izaih Melendez, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Hartford referee Danny Schiavone, William Hutt Professional Official of the Year; ringside physician Samantha Dare, Amateur Official of the Year - will be honored this Saturday night at the Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 10th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees. Like CBHOF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTBHOF. (L-R) - Master of Ceremonies David Diamante, CBHOF board member John Laudati, CBHOF inductee Peter Manfredo Jr. and CBHOF president Glenn Feldman (L-R) - CBHOF president Glenn Feldman, Master of Ceremonies David Diamante, CBHOF inductee John Ruiz and CBHOF vice president Peter Hary CBHOF inductee Daryl Peoples CBHOF inductee Paul Cichon CBHOF inductee Michael Ortega (L-R) - Master of Ceremonies Dave Diamante, CBHOF president Glenn Feldman, Linda Hutt and New York State Athletic Commission chairperson Melvina Latham (L-R) - Connecticut Professional Boxer of the Year Luis Rosa Jr. and CBHOF board member Bill Morande    ABOUT CBHOF: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut's rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren't for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.

Conn. Boxing HOF announces 2014 award winners Louis Rosa Jr. named 2014 Conn. Boxer of the Year

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Induction dinner Saturday at Mohegan Sun UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Nov. 3, 2014) - Undefeated New Haven super bantamweight prospect Luis "The KO King" Rosa, Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs) has been named by the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame as the 2014 Connecticut Professional Boxer of the Year. Rosa and the other 2014 award winners - Hartford Izaih Melendez, Conn. Amateur Boxer of the Year; Hartford referee Danny Schiavone, William Hutt Professional Official of the Year; ringside physician Samantha Dare, Amateur Official of the Year - will be honored this Saturday night at the 10th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The Class of 2014 being inducted into the CBHOF are former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, two-time world title challenger and star of The Contender, Season reality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr., referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. The 23-year-old Rosa, promoted by DiBella Entrertainment, is a native of Puerto Rico. He had an outstanding 95-10 amateur record and turned professional in 2010. This past June in Las Vegas, Rosa recorded his signature victory to date, winning a unanimous 10-round decision over Luis Orlando Del Valle (18-1) this past June in Las Vegas, after taking an eight-round decision from Jorge Diaz (17-2) last January. Melendez, 21, is a local Golden Gloves champion who trains at The Sweet Science Boxing Club/Bare Bones Boxing in East Hartford. Dr. Dane first came to USA Boxing in 2002, after her boxing coach, John Spehar, had mentioned to her that Larry Pelletier (Meriden Boxing Club) was in need of a ringside physician.  Ever since then she has been working with USA Boxing. Currently working in the emergency department of Griffin Hospital in Derby, Dane has traveled to pre-Olympic trials in New Jersey and the Poconos, in addition to serving as the local physician for the US, Brazilian, and Chinese teams when they competed prior to the Olympics in Bejing. Schiavone is no stranger to the squared circle having refereed more than 1,000 amateur bouts with USA Boxing during a six-year span. He started officiating pro fights in 2002 and he has been affiliated with the IBF, WBC and the NABF throughout his pro career. Schiavone has been the third man in the ring for such notable champions and world class fighters as Hasim Rahman, Adrien Broner, David Tua,Sergio Martinez, Chad Dawson, John Duddy and Peter Quillin. Limited tickets for the CBHOF 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are still on sale and available to purchase by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer(1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner. Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 10th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees. Like CBHOF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTBHOF. ABOUT CBHOF: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut's rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren't for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.

Peter Manfredo Jr. enjoying life outside ring Honored by Conn. Boxing HOF induction

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Also John Ruiz, Daryl Peoples, Michael Ortega, Paul Cichon & William Hutt Nov. 8 induction dinner at Mohegan Sun   Peter Manfredo Jr. landing a right to his opponent's chin (all pictures courtesy of Emily Harney Photography / The Fight Source) UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Oct. 22, 2014) - After spending the majority of his young life training inside a gym or boxing in a ring, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr. is enjoying life outside the ring for the first time on a daily basis with his family, as he prepares for his upcoming induction into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF). Members of the Class of 2014 will be inducted at the 10TH annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Saturday night, November 8 in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The new CBHOF inductees also includes former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. Manfredo (40-7, 21 KOs) starred in the inaugural season of NBC's reality television show, The Contender. The two-time world title challenger was born and raised in Providence and he now lives in Dayville, Connecticut. A beloved fan-friendly fighter, he was unbeaten in 11 professional fights held in Connecticut. "I never imagined when I first turned pro that I'd be recognized like I am today," Manfredo said. "I'm very excited, humbled and honored to be inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame." He learned to box when he was seven and compiled a 154-30 amateur boxing record, spanning a decade in which he dominated his weight class in New England and competed on the same level with elite opponents at national tournaments. His most notable victims were Frankie Randall, Alfonso Gomez, Grady Brewer, Angel Hernandez, Matt Vanda, Daniel Edouard, Walid Smichet and David Banks. Six of his career losses were to world champions - Joe Calzaghe, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jeff Lacy, Sakio Bika and Sergio Mora (twice) - and the other to Gomez, a two-time world title challenger. Manfredo initially retired in 2011 after his WBC middleweight title fight loss to Chavez, but he started a comeback one year later, winning all three additional fights before he hung up his gloves for good Nov. 23, 2013, punctuated by an eight-round technical knockout of Rich Gingras. "I came out of retirement because I needed more money for my family," Manfredo explained. "My wife wasn't working at that time. It was like people had to do during The Great Depression. "I knew it was time to finally retire after my last fight. Not many fighters know when to retire. Guys I was sparring with, 10 or 12 years earlier, it wouldn't have taken me nearly as long to get to them. And in the Gingras fight, it took me eight rounds to get him out, but I would have gotten rid of him in one or two rounds in my prime. Financially-speaking, today my wife is working and she's going to school to be a nurse. I fought for my family but they need me there now for things like my son's football and basketball games and dance recitals for my (two) daughters." Today, the 33-year-old Manfredo is a construction worker. He left the ring for good with all of his faculties' intact, great memories, and, more importantly, the rest of his life to enjoy his family, unlike during his boxing career when he was often 3000 miles away at training camp in California. "I'm a laborer and that's good for me because it's physical," Manfredo concluded. "I have a big smile every morning when I bite into my muffin, something I couldn't eat when I was fighting because I had to watch my weight." There's no turning back now for Peter Manfredo Jr. Tickets for the CBHOF 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner. Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 10th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees. Like CBHOF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTBHOF. ABOUT CBHOF: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut's rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren't for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.

Will Hutt left rich boxing legacy; Celebrated by induction into Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Nov. 8 gala induction dinner at Mohegan Sun The late Will Hutt shown here judging a fight   UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Oct. 15, 2014) - The late Will Hutt left a rich boxing legacy that will be celebrated November as the popular boxing judge is posthumously inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Saturday night, November 8 at its 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. Former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz and Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr. lead a six-member Class of 2014 into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF). The other members of the CBHOF's Classs of 2014 are former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz, two-time world title challenger and star of The Contender, Season reality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr., referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation (IBF) president Daryl Peoples, and trainer Paul Cichon. Hutt, of Farmington, not only was considered one of the finest officials to ever judge a boxing match in Connecticut, but he also spent a lot of his free time helping to promote the sport he loved. He was a mainstay in Connecticut amateur and professional boxing. He judged fights all over the world, including 27 world title championships, featuring world champions such as Larry Holmes, Prince Naseem Hamed, James Toney, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, and Chris Byrd, as well as a pair of CBHOF past inductees, Micky Ward and Vinny Paz. The CBHOF official's award is named after Hutt, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 49. Will attended his first boxing match in Hartford when he was 10 years old. His father, Norman, was concerned that Will was missing, but the youngster somehow had made his way right up to the ring. His love affair with boxing started then and remained with him the rest of his life. In addition to being a boxing judge, Will also was a boxing historian, as well as a boxing memorabilia collector, and at one time or another he handled just about every other duty at a boxing event other than referee or fighter, including color commentator, timekeeper and ring announcer. "I was a boxing wife," Will's widow Linda proudly admits. "We had boxing friends of Will's from all over the world stay at our home. His Rolodex was like a Who's Who of boxing. He fell in love with boxing and never lost it. He embraced everything about boxing. It didn't matter if it was professional or amateur, as long as it was boxing. Everyone he met in boxing respected Will." Hutt also mentored many in boxing, including international boxing judge Glenn Feldman, who was a dear friend of Will's in addition to being his protégé. Feldman is the President of the CBHOF in addition to being an inductee. "If Will had been alive 10 years ago," Feldman firmly believes, "he would have been President of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame because he was so involved in Connecticut boxing. We lost him too soon but his memory will live on forever." Tickets for the CBHOF 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner. Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 10th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees. Like CBHOF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CTBHOF. ABOUT CBHOF: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut's rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren't for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.

Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2014 Officially Announced

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release John Ruiz, Peter Manfredo, Jr., Daryl Peoples, Michael Ortega, Paul Cichon & William Hutt UNCASVILLE, Conn. (July 6, 2014) - Former two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight champion John "The Quietman" Ruiz and Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo, Jr. lead a six-member Class of 2014 into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF). New members will be inducted at the 10TH annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner on Saturday night, November 8 in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The new CBHOF inductees also includes referee Michael Ortega, International Boxing Federation president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt. "I'm ecstatic about our 10th annual Class of Inductees," CBHOF president and Class of 2011 inductee Glenn Feldman said. "The board once again did a great job selecting these six men to be honored in November." Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs), a Massachusetts native now living in New Hampshire, is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He fought three times in Connecticut, including his 2001 WBA title defense with Evander Holyfield that ended in a draw. Manfredo (40-7, 21 KOs) starred in the inaugural season of NBC's reality television show, The Contender. The two-time world title challenger was born and raised in Providence and he now lives in Dayville, Connecticut. Eleven of his 47 professional fights were held in Connecticut. Ortega, the son of 2006 CBHOF inductee Gasper Ortega, has been a world class referee since 1996. He has officiated such notable fights at Paulie Malignaggi vs. Zab Judah, Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell, Arthur Abramah vs. Robert Stieglitz, Chad Dawson vs. Glen Johnson and Carl Froch vs. Jermain Taylor. Peoples has been a highly respected IBF official since 1995. In 2010, the IBF Board of Directors elected him as its President and Chief Executive Officer, a position that he still holds today. Cichon is director of boxing for the Manchester Ring of Champions Society. A veteran boxing trainer for more than 16 years, he was chief second for four-time national amateur champion Matt Remillard and guided him undefeated through his first 23 pro fights. He has also trained two-time Junior Olympics heavyweight champion Miguel Ayala. Cichon was the 2011 CBHOF Contributor to Boxing Award recipient. Hutt not only was considered one of the finest officials to ever judge a boxing match in Connecticut, but he also spent a lot of his free time helping to promote the sport he loved. He was a mainstay in Connecticut amateur and professional boxing. He judged fights all over the world including fights featuring Larry Holmes, Prince Naseem Hamed, James Toney, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Chris Byrd and a pair of CBHOF past inductees, Micky Ward and Vinny Paz. The CBHOF official's award is named after Hutt, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 49. Tickets for the CBHOF 10th annual Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner. Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 10th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees. ABOUT CBHOF: The Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 to honor and celebrate the careers of outstanding individuals involved in the sport of boxing. Its inaugural Induction Ceremony & Dinner was held in 2005. Connecticut's rich boxing history could never have flourished if it weren't for the achievements of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. As a non-profit organization, the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame is deeply committed to keeping the fighting spirit of Connecticut thriving through various charitable contributions.

9th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame A knockout night at Mohegan Sun

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Dec. 5, 2013) - The ninth annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner, held November 9 at the Uncas Ballroom in Mohegan Sun, was a major success.  Below find a list of the Class of 2013, as well as individual award winners, in addition to a photo gallery. CBHOF Class of 2013 inductees Former world title challenger Luigi "Kid Dynamite" Campurato Former world title challenger and Israel "Pito" Cardona Broadcaster Al Bernstein Promoter Joe DeGuardia Referee/amateur coach Johnny Callas USA Boxing administrator Roland Roy 2013 CBHOF award winners Professional Boxer of the Year: "Machine Gun" Mike Oliver Amateur Boxer of the Year: Mykquan "Mad Mike" Williams State Amateur Official of the Year, Lou Pontacoloni William Hutt State Professional Official of the Year, timekeeper Bill Maxeiner Contribution to Boxing, former Hartford Courant sportswriter George Smith Photo gallery of inductees courtesy of Richard A. Esposito   (L-R) - CBHOF President Glenn Feldman, 2013 CBHOF inductee Al Bernstein, HBO judge Harold Lederman and ESPN's Jeremy Schaap     2013 CBHOF inductee Johnny Callas    (L-R) CBHOF President Glenn Feldman, and 2013 CBHOF inductee Luigi "Kid Dynamite" Campurato    (L-R) HBO judge Harold Lederman, 2013 CBHOF inductee Israel "Pito" Cardona and CBHOF President Glenn Feldman Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 9th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or CBHOF inductees.

Broadcaster Al Bernstein Being inducted into third Hall of Fame in 2013

For Immediate Release Nov. 9 Conn. Boxing HOF Induction dinner at Mohegan Sun   UNCASVILLE, Conn. (October 25, 2013) - Boxing broadcaster extraordinaire Al Bernstein will be inducted into his third Hall of Fame this year on Saturday night, November 9th during the 9TH annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Gala Induction Dinner in the Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun. The other CBHOF Class of 2013 inductees are former world title challengers Luigi "Kid Dynamite" Campurato and Israel "Pito" Cardona, promoter Joe DeGuardia, referee/amateur coach Johnny Callas and USA Boxing administrator Roland Roy. The 2013 CBHOF award winners are Hartford's "Machine Gun" Mike Oliver, Professional Boxer of the Year; East Hartford Mykquan "Mad Mike" Williams, Amateur Boxer of the Year; Lou Pontacoloni, state Amateur Official of the Year; timekeeper Bill Maxeiner, William Hutt state Professional Official of the Year; former Hartford Courant sportswriter George Smith, Contribution to Boxing. Bernstein, a native of Chicago, was the face of ESPN boxing from 1980 to 2003. ESPN is headquartered in Bristol (CT) and Al currently serves as a color analyst forShowtime Championship Boxing.  Earlier this year, Bernstein was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the inaugural class of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. "I was delighted when Glenn (Feldman, CBHOF president) called to give me the good news," Bernstein said from his Las Vegas home.  "I really appreciate this for a variety of reasons.  That time period (when he worked for ESPN) was really special for me because it established myself as a broadcaster and the voice of ESPN boxing.  I identify closely with ESPN. "Connecticut has had so many great shows, especially at the casinos there (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods).  This is very gratifying.  Being inducted into the same Hall of Fame as the great Willie Pep, and so many others in the sport, adds to the delight of this for me." Tickets for the 9th annual CBHOF Gala Induction Dinner, reasonably priced at $90.00, are on sale now by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (1.860.862.7377) or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer (1.800.237.3606 X321). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET, cocktails at 6 p.m. ET, followed by dinner. Go online to www.ctboxinghof.org for additional information about the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, its 9th annual Gala Inductee Dinner, or past CBHOF inductees.