Ring Observer The latest Boxing News and Notes

By Scoop Malinowski Danny Burke was a good friend of mine and a lot of other kids in George Washington junior high school in Wayne, NJ. He participated in our boxing matches and other activities. One of those kids who everybody liked because of his enthusiasm, friendly positive spirit, and ...

By Scoop Malinowski This Biofile was done on April 15, 1997 in New York City with Jack’s wife Deanna Dempsey. Status:  Former World Heavyweight champion 1919-1926. DOB: June 24, 1895  In:  Manassa, Colorado Childhood Hero:  “John L. Sullivan.” Nicknames:  Kid Blackie, Manassa Mauler (from Damon Runyan), Manassa Jack, The Man ...

Status: Former four-time heavyweight title challenger. 1988 Olympic bronze medalist. Ring record 41-9-1 (33 KOs) Ht: 6-4 Wt: 241 Born On: January 5, 1968 In: Warsaw, Poland Childhood Hero: “Muhammad Ali. I saw him on TV – his fight with Foreman. Amazing knockout. But beside that both fighters looked like ...

  By Scoop Malinowski Status: Former Three-time world champion. Two division champion. Record is 36-2 (21 KO’s). Ht: 5-9  Wt: 147 DOB: March 20, 1988  In: Philadelphia, PA First Boxing Memory:  “Walking into the boxing gym – Harrowgate Boxing Club – ten years old.” Boxing Inspiration:  “My family.” Nicknames: “Swift ...

  Oksana Baiul’s challenging life as an up and coming figure skater could resemble that of many striving prizefighters. Her mother died of cancer when she was 13. Having already lost both her maternal grandparents, and not knowing her father, there was no one to care for her. When her ...

The name Mike Tyson is on the same level of fame and popularity as Muhammad Ali, just in a different way. They both electrified the most challenging sport on earth and left us mortals in awe. They reigned supreme, inspired millions, and in the end each became positive, beloved figures. ...

As one might expect Mike Tyson had the utmost respect for the legendary soccer star from Argentina Diego Armando Maradona Franco. Like Tyson, Maradona was an undersized powerhouse athlete from an underprivileged background who despite his physical shortcomings somehow became the dynamic premier performer in his sport. Tyson won the ...

By Scoop Malinowski THE GREAT former tennis champion Guillermo Vilas, the muscular, left-hander from Argentina, is not only an avid follower of the boxing, he was also close friends with the likes of Carlos Monzon, Victor Galindez, Nicolino Locche, among others. “I was good friends with Monzon. I saw him ...

  (Note: This Biofile interview was done with Rocky’s brother Peter Marciano.) By Scoop Malinowski Status: Former Heavyweight champion (1952-1956). Final ring record: 49-0 (43 KO’s). Made six successful title defenses. Only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. DOB: September 1, 1923 in Brockton, MA Passed: August 31, 1969 Childhood Heroes: ...

Status: Former World Heavyweight champion and 1964 Olympic gold medalist. His final ring record is 32-4-1, 27 KO’s. Ht: 5-11 1/2 Wt: 215 DOB: January 12, 1944 In: Beaufort, South Carolina Childhood Hero: “My father (Ruben).” Hobbies/Interests: “CB radios – at one time. Shooting guns, rifles, at targets.” Nicknames: “Billy, ...