The sixth annual Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony

The sixth Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame inductions took place October 7th-9th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in the legendary boxing town. 

President Ray McCline and staff put on a full weekend of events leading up to and including the induction of 17 new members.  

The list of inductees included: 

Tom Casino
Randy Neumann 
Pat Lynch
Lynne Carter 
Lennox Lewis 
Kevin Rooney Sr.
Kathy Duva 
Kathy Collins-Globuschutz 
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
James Toney
Eddie Aliano 
James Broad 
Harold Lederman 
Frank Fletcher 
Dr. Domenic Colletta 
Dave Tiberi 
Chuck Mussachio

Saturday’s fan experience at the Casino’s Brighton Ballroom was loaded with special guests and various exhibits for the bulk of the day. 

Hall of Fame promoter/matchmaker Russell Peltz was on site selling and signing his book "30 Dollars and a Cut Eye" which tells the entire story of his career in boxing. 

Peltz, along with Joe Hand and Brittany Rogers, promoted a seven-fight card the night before at the Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Peltz talked a bit about the show, which featured Philadelphia heavyweight Joey Dawejko who was victorious over journeyman Jamal Woods. 

Pennsylvania Hall of Fame President John DiSanto and co-author Matthew Ward promoted their book, "Boxing in Atlantic City." 

Pictured on the front cover of the book is a shot of Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward locking horns.

DiSanto will also be inducted into the New Jersey boxing Hall of Fame in November.

Hall of Fame writer Nigel Collins appeared with his recently published book, "Hooking off the Jab."

Collins and I spoke of various topics.  

He enlightened me about Simon Brown and Maurice Blocker when they fought in Las Vegas. The two went to dinner with their wives after their WBC/IBF title fight that Brown captured by a 10th-round TKO. 

Brown is currently working and doing well for himself, while Blocker is in a rough spot that many boxing insiders are aware of. Many have offered to help, but Blocker has refused. 

Former world title contender Dave Tiberi, best known for his competitive and controversial middleweight title fight with James Toney, spoke of his experience boxing in Atlantic City as well as his post-fight career business endeavors.

He’s now the president of a security company. 

After Sunday’s ceremony, he and I discussed a fight of his against a tough journeyman I knew from western Pennsylvania, Eddie Hall.  

Tiberi scored the knockout with a clean right hand when Hall looked to pressure him. 

The always-engaging cutman Joey Eye, who was inducted at last year’s ceremony, was in attendance sharing boxing stories. 

You’ve seen him in Rocky movies and working cuts primarily in Philadelphia and Atlantic City.  

Special guest and crowd favorite Roberto Duran was in attendance alongside his wife and daughters by the middle of the day. 

A long line of pictures and autographs followed until the end.

We briefly discussed the passing of one of his former promoters, Michael Acri. He and his wife shared their sadness. 

Acri, an Erie, PA native, promoted a number of Duran’s fights late in his career. 

Various other special guests in attendance included:

James "Lights Out" Toney. The former multi-division champ was in rare form and talkative behind his booth of products that he’s promoting along with his cigar brand. 

Retired light heavyweight Montell Griffin, who has two victories over James Toney as well as a controversial DQ victory over Roy Jones Jr, loves talking about boxing and sports in general. 

Former two-time IBF cruiserweight champion Steve "USS" Cunningham was selling his comic book, which continues to gain popularity.

The Former Muhammad Ali camp in Deer Lake, PA. had representative Mick Stefanek on-site discussing the museum and events taking place there. 

They continue to increase the activity at "Fighter’s Heaven."

Icons of Boxing - as well as TCB Sports Memorabilia’s Joe Santomarco, had large displays of boxing memorabilia.

Santomarco worked in the sport for promoters Cedric Kushner and Lou DiBella. 

Working the gloves for both promoters, Santomarco had some comical stories to share. To no surprise, James Toney was in one of them. 

Former heavyweight champions Larry Holmes of Easton, PA, and Tim Witherspoon of Philadelphia were both on-site; Holmes signing autographs and Witherspoon mingling with everyone he could. 

Holmes once defeated Witherspoon in May of 1983 in Las Vegas by split decision for the WBC heavyweight title. Both looked like they can still mix it up a little bit. 

"Joltin" Jeff Chandler. The former champion from Philadelphia had several memorable fights in Atlantic City to cap off his Hall of Fame career. 

John "The Iceman" Scully and Michael "Second To" Nunn were both in attendance. The two fought in December 1995 for the WBO NABO super middleweight title. Nunn won the decision that night at Foxwoods Casino.

Scully, now a co-trainer of light heavyweight King Artur Beterbiev, raves about the undefeated Russian whose 100% knockout ratio and 18-0 record make it difficult to find willing opponents. 

Beterbiev will face the UK’s Anthony Yarde across the pond in his next title defense this coming January. 

Former heavyweight boxer and referee Randy Neumann shared stories from his fighting days and more current refereeing days, which exceed hundreds of fights, including 50+ world title fights.

Iran "The Blade" Barkley, a consistent fixture at the events I have attended, made his appearance and briefly discussed his nephew’s football career with the New York Giants.  

He’s not a big football fan, but very proud of Saquon and his success.

Heavyweights Michael Spinks, Shannon Briggs, and Ray Mercer enjoyed t speaking with fans and signing autographs. 

"Poison" Junior Jones and Danny "Little Red" Lopez were among the many other notables that made the fan experience a great one.  

To follow was the induction ceremony at the Sound Waves theater the following night.

Master of ceremonies Samad Haq introduced each inductee in a unique fashion.

Inductee Tom Casino was not in attendance as recent health issues have taken a toll on him. 

Casino was recognized for his outstanding work as a photographer in the boxing world, including many years with Showtime.

Referee Randy Neumann had a pivotal role in numerous championship fights. His current work with the IBF was recognized as well. He was brief and thanked his family and supporters over the years.  

The induction of Pat Lynch as a manager was well deserved for his work with Arturo Gatti. He discussed what an honor it was to work with Gatti and how the city revolved around him when he fought there. As he said, Atlantic City truly was Arturo’s town. 

Judge Lynne Carter has been in the sport for many years, judging fights of all levels, from Philly’s Blue Horizon to world title fights in various countries. 

She learned under the great Joe Frazier when she was just an aspiring judge. Female judge Carol Polis provided mentorship as well. 

Lynne attended fights in her earlier years, and friends would tell her how good she was at scoring and picking who won each match. 

That led to a long career as a judge. 

Kevin Rooney Jr accepted the award on behalf of his father, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease. He said that his father is not doing very well, and he didn’t want people to remember him that way.  

His work with Mike Tyson is an important part of history.  

Kevin Jr., who currently works for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport, emphasized enjoying life and spending as much time with people you care about and doing what you enjoy.

Promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events discussed her late husband, Dan, how the company started, and the first fight they promoted. 

Livingstone Bramble was in a six-rounder in Atlantic City. The fight did not make it on television. 

She also discussed Arturo Gatti and what a pleasure it was to work with him.  

She recalled a time when he lost his final fight to Alfonso Gomez.  

Some thoughts ran through her head the next day as she was driving on the Atlantic City expressway. 

"Would this be the last time I would make that drive to Atlantic City,"? Duva recalled. 

It certainly wasn’t, as the company continued to flourish through Sergey Kovalev’s victory over Bernard Hopkins at Boardwalk Hall in November of 2014. 

James Toney had a number of great fights in Atlantic City.  

This was the third big event for Toney, as he also attended the International and Nevada Hall of Fame for his recent inductions. 

The 91-fight veteran out of Michigan is best known for his defensive abilities and colorful personality.  

A former football standout, James still claims it is the best sport out there. 

Some felt he was joking, but who knows?

Boxing was the route James took due to his dominant personality and amateur success.  

He’s an all-time great that everyone flocked to over the weekend. 

Julie Lederman accepted the award for her father Harold, who passed away in 2019.  

He lived a successful career as a pharmacist, judged 400+ fights, and was also a staple on HBO boxing broadcasts as their unofficial scorer for decades. 

You would also see him at numerous club shows in New York and New Jersey over the years as he was a true supporter and fan of the sport. 

Russell Peltz spoke on behalf of Frank "The Animal" Fletcher. 

From Philadelphia, Fletcher was a highly entertaining southpaw who fought many times in Atlantic City. 

Peltz praised him and his family. 

His victory over Clint Jackson in June of 1982 at the Sands Casino in Atlantic City was a great fight. 

Peltz emphasized that two southpaws can make a great fight. And this one was proof of that. 

Dr. Domenic Colletta, a respected ringside physician, graciously accepted his award and said what a great experience he’s had in boxing and how honored he is to be in the field of medicine. 

Chuck Mussachio, a boxer from Wildwood, spent the bulk of his career trading leather in Atlantic City.  

Known as "The Professor," the Lock Haven college graduate boxed under Dr. Ken Cox while achieving numerous accolades. 

He also earned his master’s degree and currently works as a school guidance counselor. 

He thanked his team and loyal supporters that made the consistent drive up the parkway to watch him box there 18 times, including his professional debut. 

Former middleweight contender Dave Tiberi comes from a fighting family. 

He talked about his fights, the physicality of the training camps, and those who supported him and helped him over the years.

He and James Toney did one final face-off at the end of the ceremony and hugged one another as the crowd cheered.  

They traded plenty of shots in their 12-round title fight. It’s been over 30 years. They were due for a friendly greeting. They picked a great stage. 

Ray McCline’s staff : 

Rodrick Green 
Angela Crockett
Steve Smoger 
Jay Torres
Whitney Ullman
Catherine Lebron
Milton Luban
John Martin
Marc Abrams 
Rob Scott
Samad Haq
Rodney Jerkins
Roxanne Passarella Esq.
Larry Hazzard Sr
Henry Hascup
Patrick John Killian
Jackie Atkins

The staff works tirelessly to continue this wonderful tradition, and more great things are expected as the years pass and the memories continue to grow in Atlantic City.

A great fight town it is. 

Congratulations to the 2022 inductees.