By Ken Hissner: At the Bridgemans Hall, 11600 Norcom Road, Philadelphia PA, from 4 to 8pm 23 boxers will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame.
There were 18 inducted from 2020 and 5 additional from 2021. Leading the way from the Modern Boxers list was former IBF World Lightweight champion Paul ‘The Pittsburg Kid’ Spadafora, 49-1-1 (19).
In addition were ‘Mighty’ Myron Taylor, USBA champion Derek ‘Pooh’ Ennis, Julian ‘Mr. KO’ Letterlough, Marvin ‘Machine Gun’ Garris, 1986-87 National Golden Gloves champion Fernando Rodriguez, Kelvin ‘Special K’ Kelly and Troy Fletcher.
From the Vintage Boxers list were Bee Bee Wright, Otis ‘Otte’ Graham and Bill Bossio. From the Old Timers list were Johnny Forte, Curtis ‘Hatchetman” Sheppard, Billy Wallace, Jack ‘The Pride of Pittsburgh’ McClelland, Maxie Strub and Willie Moore.
From the Non-Boxers list were current PA Boxing Commissioner and former referee Rudy Battle, Northern Michigan University trainer Al Mitchell, trainer Derrick “Bozy” Ennis, promoter Marshall Kauffman of Kings Promotions, judge Carol Polis (who was also inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame’s 23rd Annual Induction Ceremony September 29th), and trainer Jim Deoria, Sr.
Trainer-teacher Derrick “Bozy” Ennis and his son USBA champion Derek “Pooh” Ennis.
Ennis has trained his three sons, “Pooh”, 24-5-1 (13), NABF Super Middleweight champion Farah, 22-2 (12), and current top welterweight contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis, 27-0 (25).
“Bozy” is also co-manager along with Cameron Dunkin. Chris Middendorf of Victory Boxing Promotions promoted “Boots” first fight and one in Philadelphia, and was involved with most fights until recently leaving the group. “Boots” has never signed with a promoter. He is currently fighting on Showtime on a regular basis and scheduled October 30th to meet Thomas Dulorme in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Master Ceremonies was Nino Del Buono, with PAB HOF Chairman John DiSanto, President Frank Kubak and Vice President Joe Mathis were present. The other member of the group is this writer who was seated at the table of IBHOF promoter J Russell Peltz.
Among the 23 inductees were former boxers IBF Lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, boxers Myron Taylor, Julian Letterlough, Marvis Garris, Fernando Rodriguez, Kelvin Kelly, and Troy Fletcher.
Vintage boxers included Bee Bee Wright, Otis Graham, Bill Bossio. Non-Boxers included current PA Commissioner Rudy Battle, Al Mitchell (Northern Michigan U), Marshall Kauffman (Kings Promotions), judge Carol Polis (also inducted into Jewish HOF that week), trainer Jim Deoria, Sr. (Son, Jimmy Deoria, also an inductee, accepted for late father)
From Old Timers Johnny Forte, Curtis Shepard, Billy Wallace,
Jack McClelland, Maxie Strub, and Willie Moore.
There were close to 200 in attendance including former world champion Bernard “Be Hop” Hopkins, legendary matchmaker Don Elbaum, former Ring Magazine editor Nigel Collins, writers Jeff Jowett, Frank Bartalini, Rich Pagano, Dave Ruff, timekeeper Fred Blumstein, and Linda Peltz.
Others former VP John Gallagher, cut-man Joey Eye Intrieri, trainer John Mulvenna, matchmaker Brittany Rogers, boxer Mike Rogers, matchmaker Gary Hegyi, inductee boxer Hank Quinn, referee Blair Talmadge, boxer Norman Torpey, trainer Barry Howell, referee John Carroll, boxing commissioner Rick Steigerwald, manager Derek Gionta, boxer Joey Rowan, and boxer Montey Sherrick. Also tables for VBA Ring One and Local 30 roofers among many tables.
There were 18 inducted from the 2020 year and 5 from the 2021 year with no induction ceremony in 2020 due to pandemic. This was the first event at the Bridgeman’s Hall and should be a regular facility.