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.

Micky Ward's 49th birthday celebration PHOTO GALLERY

(L-R) - Promoter Lou DiBella, "Irish" Micky Ward and Foxwoods host Tom Whipple (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (See photo gallery below) NEW YORK (Oct. 7, 2014) - Last Saturday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino, DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino helped celebrate the 49th birthday of "Irish" Micky Ward with boxing fans attending theSHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader at Fox Theater in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Promoter Lou DiBella, who promoted Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti-Ward trilogy, gave Ward a beautiful watch as a birthday present during a private meet-and-greet. "We had a terrific crowd at the SHOWTIME Boxing event on Saturday night, and it was made more special by the celebration of Micky Ward's 49th birthday," said Lou DiBella. "DiBella Entertainment was and always will be Micky's promoter. It was a great pleasure to celebrate Micky's birthday with him." Fellow boxers from the past and present celebrated with Ward, a three-time participant in the "Fight of the Year," including WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon "Magic Man" Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), 1955 World welterweight champion Tony "The Pride of Fleet Street" DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season Ireality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), 2014 "Connecticut Fighter of the Year" Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), unbeaten former WBA Interim featherweight champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs), and two-time world junior welterweight title challenger "Sucra" Ray Oliviera (47-11-2, 22 KOs). Three lucky fans were selected as winners of a "Micky Ward Birthday Contest." Each winner and one guest apiece sat ringside with Ward during one of three televised fights and were able to take photos with him and get his autograph.    "Irish" Micky Ward cuts his 49th birthday cake  with a video of him vs. Arturo Gatti playing in background  (Photo by Ashley Polo / Foxwoods)   (L-R) - Ring announcer David Diamante led fans at Fox Theater with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Micky Ward, who is shown here thanking everybody. (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (L-R) - Micky Ward with another New England boxing favorite, Marlon Starling (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (L-R) - Micky Ward and Peter Manfredo, Jr., who served as Ward's chief sparring partner for his first fight (and win) against Arturo Gatti. (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions)   (L-R) - Micky Ward and 82-year-old World welterweight champion in 1955 and fellow Bay State fighter, Tony DeMarco (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions)

Young manager Larry Army Potential power broker in boxing

Signs Ivan Redkach, others negotiating for services

Larry Army's Elite Management signs hot, undefeated prospect Ivan Redkach (photo courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)  WORCESTER, Mass. (July 29, 2013) - In a relatively short period of time, Massachusetts-based attorney Larry Army went from questioning whether he was out of boxing, into a potential up-and-coming power broker among the leading managers in the industry. The newest manager on the block is parlaying the tremendous success he had with his first and now former boxing client, undefeated world-rated super middleweight Edwin Rodriguez. Army also successfully convinced Peter Manfredo, Jr. to come out of retirement after losing to Sakio Biko and reinvented him as a middleweight.  Army guided Manfredo to eight quality wins, ultimately leading to Manfredo's world title shot against Julio Chavez, Jr. When his management relationship with Rodriguez ended after this past July's championship final of the Monaco Million Dollar Super 4 Tournament, Army really thought he might be all done with boxing. "To be able to put Edwin Rodriguez into a position to become a millionaire and the thought that the Monaco fight would be my last in the sport was tough," Army admitted. However, before he left Monaco, the 42-year-old Army had already laid the foundation to continue his managerial work, and today his Elite Management is formally announcing the signing of unbeaten Ukrainian lightweight prospect Ivan "Junito" Redkach (14-0, 12 KOs) to an exclusive, long-term managerial contract. Because Army was the architect of an incredibly well-designed campaign for Rodriguez, other high-profile, world-class boxers have recently contacted him about representing them.  "When I had the opportunity to speak to Ivan and see what type of athlete he is," Army explained, "I knew there was the potential to do even bigger and better things. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with him. He has everything real boxing fans want to see in a fighter; an entertaining style featuring pure knockout power. There's no doubt in my mind that he's on his way to becoming world champion." "Ivan regularly trains and spars in California with some of the top fighters from 135 pounds to 147 like (Miguel) Vasquez, (Michael) Katsidis, and (Daniel) Ponce De Leon.  Standing 5' 10", he can fight effectively in any division from lightweight to welterweight.  Unlike some other fighters, Ivan trains like a machine; he has dedicated his life to boxing and the pursuit to become the best boxer in the world.  As a sample of his daily routine, Ivan runs 10 miles every morning, goes to the gym to work 12 rounds on the pads, and then finishes things off with a rigorous swim." Redkach, a southpaw now living in Los Angeles, is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and trained by Mario Morales, who has worked with world champions Brian Viloria and the late Edwin Valero. Rated No. 15 in the world by the World Boxing Council (WBC), the 27-year-old Redkach has knocked out 12 of his 14 professional opponents.  The dangerous southpaw had a 260-40 amateur record and he was a 2008 Ukraine Olympic Team alternate.' "I saw what Mr. Army did with Edwin Rodriguez and wanted him managing my career," Redkach said.  "He made Rodriguez a millionaire, built him to 24-0, and now he's on the verge of a world title shot.  I'm excited.  One man's loss is another man's gain, I guess.  I'm confident that Mr. Army will get me a shot at my dream of winning a world championship."    "Ivan is the first of many significant signings Elite Management plans to make during the next six months," Army concluded. "Elite Management guides the careers of blue-chip fighters to put them in position to be wealthy champions. We just don't take a fighter's money, we earn it."

ABOUT ELITE MANAGEMENT:  Found in 2008 by Atty. Larry Army in Massachusetts, Elite Management is a full-service boxing management firm focused on branding professional boxers.  Elite Management is a proven expert in responsibly reviewing contracts, developing talent through effective matchmaking, gaining positive press, and attracting sponsorship and endorsement opportunities for athletes. Mr. Army is highly respected for successfully building a fighter's team:  researching, interviewing and securing the right trainer, strength-and-nutrition coach, nutritionist and cut-man.   He is also known for organizing training camps for high-profile fights, as well as obtaining paid sparring partners.