SJC Boxing

Happy birthday today to Tito Valentin, DJ extraordinaire. May all your wishes come true.

Happy birthday today, August 25, to Frank Gentile. Frank was born in Youngstown, Ohio. At an early age he was constantly getting into fights and had a difficult time staying out of trouble in the tough neighborhoods of that notoriously tough town. Like many, boxing became Frank’s salvation. When he realized he could fight someone and not get into trouble he was instantly hooked on our great sport.

Frank started boxing as an amateur and had an excellent time competing between 1965 and 1972. Among his early favorite fighters were Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. Frank ran a gym in Struthers, Ohio (a suburb of Youngstown) for twenty-five years before closing it down and moving to Palm Bay, Florida in 1995. All three of his sons boxed; Frank Jr. was ranked as high as #5 in the country and his brother Joey was ranked as high as #3 in the J.O. division. Frank also became a well-respected boxing official in both amateur and professional boxing and served as the Assistant Executive Director of the Florida State Boxing Commission.

Among his many highlights were: referee for 390 pro boxing fights including over 50 title fights, referee for pro MMA from 2006 – 2013, timekeeper and Inspector for professional boxing in Youngstown, Ohio during the 1980's. In amateur boxing, Frank was responsible for the officials and coach’s clinics and testing for certifications from 1997 - 2006. He was President of the local ABTA Boxing Association Youngstown, Ohio (1981-1994) and Vice President Boxing Region 5 Lake Erie Regional Association during the 1980's.

Since moving to Florida Frank has served as Vice President and head official of the Florida Boxing Association for several years. He won the National Coaches Award in 2002 and the National Official’s Award in 2004. Frank was the alternate Coach for the U.S.A Olympic Boxing Team in both 2000 and 2004.

Frank was inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Happy birthday my friend and many more.

Wishing a happy birthday today, August 25, to long-time coach and friend Larry Willis. Hope your day is as special as you are and there are many more happy and healthy ones ahead.

Happy birthday #96 today, August 25, to Cincinnati legend Buddy LaRosa. Wishing you many more happy and healthy ones my friend. God bless.

Happy birthday to Gerry Cooney who is celebrating his 70th birthday today, August 24. Gerry is truly a gentleman and class act. Gerry, hope your day is filled with happiness and there are many more happy and healthy ones ahead.

Happy birthday today to a special friend - Rog Lolly. May you have many more happy and healthy ones.

On this date twenty-nine years ago, August 23,1997, David "Diamond D" Armstrong stopped undefeated Tommy Seiler in the tenth round, in Seiler's hometown in Germany, to win the WBO Intercontinental 135 lbs. title.

I remember that the air conditioning in the arena broke and it was so hot that my bucket of ice in the corner had melted to water by the fourth round.

It was a great fight - great memories!!!

Birthday wishes today to Derrick "Smoke" Gainer born on this day August 22, in 1972.

He made his professional debut a memorable one as he stopped Andrez Pascual in the first round in front of his hometown fans. Three years later he defeated Julian Flores to win the IBO world featherweight title. Two years later he won the NABF title with a decision over Harold Warren, in Atlantic City. In 2000 he defeated Freddie Norwood to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title and after four defenses lost to the great Juan Manuel Márquez, who became super champion, via technical decision in 2003.

After his defeat to Marquez, Gainer lost in a challenge to WBA titleholder Chris John via unanimous decision. Derrick closed out his fine career in 2012 with a final record of 43-7-1, 25 KO’s.

Derrick started a charter high school for at risk kids in 1999 which he named after his late grandmother Dr. Ruby J Gainer. Gainer also started Fit Nation, which is a childhood obesity program, with goals to help kids make healthy life style changes. Fit Nation is a non-profit program located in Pensacola, Florida.

Derrick was inducted into the FBHOF Class of 2018. Happy birthday my friend and many more.

Wishing a very happy birthday to former world champion Harold Gomes born on this day August 22, 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island.

He fought 60 times between 1951 and 1963; winning 50 (24 by knockout) and losing 10. The highlight of Gomes's career came in 1959 when he won the world super featherweight title against Paul Jorgensen. Harold lost his title to the great Flash Elorde in March 1960.

Happy birthday, Champ and many more happy and healthy ones.

Eight years ago today I got the call I did not want. Jackie, Charlie’s wife, called and told me Charlie died. She said he was ready. I was not. He was battling Cancer but death snuck up and got him while he slept.

This one hurts bad. We’ve been friends for more than twenty-five years. Without Charlie there would not have been SJC Boxing.

He lived a long good life. He had a great family and many friends. He would have been 92 years old in a couple of months. Charlie was twenty years older than I and even went to the same high school as I did in New York exactly twenty years earlier. Heaven has claimed another Angel. I miss him dearly. Rest in eternal peace my friend.

Charlie Pechette: November 25, 1926 – August 22, 2018.