BROCKTON (May 4, 2009) – Former world title challenger Tony Petronelli will be honored for 40 years of dedication to boxing May 20 at Joe Angelo’s Café in Brockton. Petronelli was co-managed and co-trained by his father, Pat, and uncle, Goody, the same combination that handled world middleweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. Tony (42-4-1, 22 KOs) captured the NABF, United States and New England light welterweight titles during his seven-year pro career (1972-79)..
A bevy of boxing dignitaries are scheduled to attend the May 20th tribute including Tony Demarco, “Irish” Micky Ward, Kevin McBride, Vito Antuofermo, Goody Petronelli, Paul Poirier, Beau Jaynes, Mike Pusateri and Doug Pendarvis. Veteran trainer Pit Perron will serve as master of ceremonies.
Petronelli made his pro debut July 27, 1972 in Portland (ME), knocking out Jose Pagan Rivera in the opening round. Later that year, Tony fought at the old Boston Garden on the Emile Griffith-Joe DeNucci undercard, defeating Ivelaw Eastman by 6-round decision.
Highlights of Petronelli’s career include a New England title-winning performance in 1972 against Carlos Garcia (DEC12) in Brockton and a successful title defense the following year versus Beau Jaynes in Boston, five U.S. light welterweight championship victories – Petronelli headlined a 1974 show at the Boston Garden against Johnny Copeland and Hagler fought in the co-feature – and NABF title belt winning fight in 1976 off a 12th round knockout of Gaetan Hart. Tony was stopped in the third-round of his only world title shot in 1976 by Wilfred Benitez for the WBA light welterweight championship.
Tickets, priced at $20.00, are available at Joe Angelo’s Café, by 508.509.3236 or emailing rocky49wins@yahoo.com. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Rocky Marciano Foundation. Go to www.rockymarcianofoundation.org for additional information.
Doors open at 5:30 PM, the event starts at 6:30 PM. There will be a hot and cold buffet. Joe Angelo’s Café is located at 11 Crescent St. in Brockton.
FORMER CHAMPIONS GREG HAUGEN AND JUNIOR JONES TO ATTEND HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Hall of Fame Weekend June 11-14th
CANASTOTA, NY –MAY 5, 2009 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today former world champions Greg Haugen and Junior Jones will attend festivities planned for the 20th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 11-14th.
“We’re excited about welcoming both Greg Haugen and Junior Jones to Canastota for the Hall of Fame Weekend,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy.
A native of Auburn, Washington, Haugen turned pro in 1982. Wins over Freddie Roach and Charlie “White Lightning” Brown led to a NABF lightweight title-winning bout with Edwin Curet in 1986. That year he defeated Jimmy Paul (W 15) for the IBF lightweight championship. He dropped the title to Vinny Paz (L 15) in 1987, but regained it in their 1988 rematch. Two more defenses followed before losing the crown to Pernell Whitaker. Haugen next captured the WBO light welterweight title from Hector “Macho” Camacho in 1991. He continued to fight until 1999 when he retired with a 40-10-1 (19 KOs) record.
Fighting out of Brooklyn, NY, Jones won the USBA bantamweight title before defeating Jorge Eliecer Julio for the WBA bantamweight championship (W 12) in 1993. Wins over Tommy Parks and Hall of Famer Orlando Canizales set up two career-defining wins over Marco Antonio Barrera in 1996 and 1997 (W DQ 5, W12). Wins over Tom Johnson and Tracy Harris Patterson followed before retiring in 2002 with a record of 50-6 (28 KOs).
Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, night of rising stars, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2009. In addition, other special activities will be implemented for the celebration, including a fireworks display.
New inductees to be honored are bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell, matchmaker / publicist / promoter Bob Goodman, promoter Akihiko Honda, journalist Hugh McIlvaney and broadcaster Larry Merchant. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
An impressive lineup of boxing legends of yesterday and today are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 20th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.