Legends Of Leather Honor The Great Tony Janiro

27.10.05 – By Jim Amato: I recently attended the Trumbull County ( Ohio ) Legends Of Leather Awards Banquet in Niles, Ohio. This year it was in honor of the outstanding ex-welterweight and middleweight contender Tony Janiro of Youngstown. It was a nice turn out and guests of honor Tracy Janiro Zingaro who is Tony’s grand daughter and her husband Michael were presented with a beautiful portrait of Tony painted by Legends Of Leather member John Lees..

Tony was one of the best fighters to ever come out of the talent laden Youngstown area. This is an area that has given us the likes of Tommy Bell, Lenny and Ray Mancini, Sonny Horne, Harry Arroyo, Joey “Red” D’Amato, Jeff Lampkin, Joey Carkido and Greg Richardson. So many, many
more.

Janiro’s record is like a who’s who of boxing during his era. He faced the likes of Rocky Graziano, Jake LaMotta, Kid Gavilan, Beau Jack, Charley Fusari, Rocky Castellani, Charles Humez and Johnny Greco. He had close to 100 professional fights and he won 80 of them. He was also an outstanding amateur boxer. He is considered one of the best best Italian-American boxers of all time.

The Legends Of Leather also inducted Mike Galassi, former boxer and President of the Ohio Former Boxers And Associates, Tom Huff, Publisher and Editor of the fine fistic publication, Boxing World, Gino Camelli, an accomplished amateur and professional referee and Lou Schiavoni, a standout amateur boxer, promoter and manager to their Hall Of Fame. Don Sanfrey a former boxer, trainer and manager was honored as Man Of The Year. Congratulations to all !

Also recognized by the Legends Of Leather were Dennis Thompson, Steve Bosheff, Rocky Chirchiglia, Josephine Brescia, Jimmy Haynes, Rick Keenan, Jean Carkido, Sam Di Pietro, Reggie Antonucci, Adrian D’Amato, Joe Gentile, John Lees and Ohio State Boxing Commissiner, Bernie Profato.

Also in attendance were writer / historian Bob Roth. The astute trainer Mike LaQuatra and my friend Jim Borgen who as a collector, historian and publicist is one of the most knowledgeable boxing people I know.

Mike Elliot who heads up the area’s Boxing Ministry was the capable Master Of Ceremonies. Former world ranked cruiser weight and heavyweight Randy Stephens is the Legends Of Leather’s Club Chaplain.

A great dinner put on by Sal Marino, President, Leo Marino, Vice President, Dom Marino, Treasurer, Mike Monteforte, Recording Secretary and all the Legends Of Leather officers. It was truly an event to remember in honor of the great Tony Janiro.