Earl Jewell is honored to be named Official of the Year by the Ohio State Former Boxers And  Associates. Inc. for his service as a boxing official. Starting boxing at the age of 14 years old, for Jewell, boxing was a way to enhance his character and his life skills to develop into manhood. Jewell, 64 years old, started his amateur boxing career under the trainer ship of Ozell Dobbins at the PAL Gym at E. 79th St. and Woodland Avenue.

With a total of 103 amateur fights. Jewell won the Cleveland Golden Gloves in 1973 in the 132 pounds division: 1974 in the 139 pounds division; and 1975 in the 139 pounds division. In 1976 he won the National PAL Championship in the 147 pounds division. While as an amateur boxer. he fought and beat such world boxing champions as the late Aaron Pryor. Helmer Kenty. Harry Arroyo and J.B. Williamson. Although Jewell fought Sugar Ray Leonard as an amateur. he was not able to get a win over him. As a professional boxer. Jewell had a short lived career with two fights with two wins.

After ending his boxing career, Jewell trained boxers for a brief period at the PAL #3 Gym. Being active for more than 33 years as an amateur and professional boxing referee. Jewell is licensed by the Ohio Athletic Commission as a referee. He has refereed world title fights in Europe and South America for the World Boxing Organization.

Receiving his formal education in the Cleveland Public School System. Jewell graduated from Max S. Hayes High School. He retired after being employed for 32 years by the City of Cleveland. Following his retirement, Jewell is working part-time in the city of Cleveland Sparkle Program in Ward 6. The program works with seniors on home maintenance. While meeting in high school, Jewell has been married to his “Sweetheart” Theresa Ann for 39 years. and they have two sons, Earl Jr. and Aaron and three grandchildren. He enjoys watching football, basketball, and boxing. Jewell was inducted into the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates. Inc. Hall of Fame in 2003. “It was an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. If you are dedicated and work hard, you will be rewarded.” Jewell said.

Being honored as Man Of The Year is an outstanding recognition and the Ohio State Former Boxers And Associates, Inc. will honor Carl Burton with this award. During the late 1960’s while living in the Scranton Road area, while coming home from school, Burton was accosted by a couple of boys. When he returned home, his father, Dennis, wanted him to defend himself. This is when Burton started his amateur boxing career at the Boys Town Recreation Center where Johhny Avon, Sr. was his boxing trainer. While at Boys Town. Burton became a Junior Olympic boxing champion. He continued to progress in boxing.

Later in his boxing career, a PAL boxing gym opened close to where he lived and he started to train there. Al Brooks, Wes Fredericks, and Tom Spiros were the trainers at the gym. Burton entered his first Golden Gloves Tournament in 1972 in the 135 pounds novice weight division. Alter losing in the tournament, Burton continued his boxing training and in 1973, he entered the Golden Gloves Tournament in the novice 147 pound division, and he won the tournament.

Burton’s last Golden Gloves Tournament was in 1979 in the open division at 165 pounds where he won the City Championship. Burton and his wife, Nancy, have one son, Chris. Burton attended the Cleveland Public Schools, and he graduated from Lincoln High School.

After high school, Burton was employed by Giant Eagle’s Warehouse where he has worked for more than 28 years. During his employment,with Giant Eagle. he has been a member of Teamsters Union Local 507.

Burton was inducted into the Ohio State Boxers & Associates, Inc. Hall Of Fame in 2017.

Nick Duganier will be honored by the Ohio State Former Boxers And Associates, Inc. for his service as a boxing coach. Duganier was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Duganier began coaching his grandson, Nick J., in February of 2017.

After four months of hard training, under Duganier‘s tutelage, Nick J. fought his first fight at the Battle of the Ballroom Boxing Show. With his very  aggressive boxing style, Nick J. won his first bout. Nick J. won his next two bouts, and he became a fan favorite at the Ballroom. The Battle Of The Ballroom Boxing Show promoter arranged for Nick J. to fight Adam Kozelka, their undefeated champion. Nick J. defeated Kozelka on a 2nd round TKO.

Uncle Matt, a 25 year Marine Combat Instructor veteran, also assists with Nick J.‘s training. Boxing has been important to team Duganier. Duganier‘s boxing career started when he trained under the late legendary coach, ‘Uncle John‘ Giachetti from 1970 to 1973. While managing the Parma Boxing Club, Duganier trained several Golden Gloves champions and many runner-ups. Duganier coached several Junior Olympic champions and PAL national runner-up boxers at the Duganier-Rehnert Boxing Club.

From 1977 to 1980, Duganier was the personal trainer, manager, and friend to the late Paul Ramos and other boxers. His close friendship with Ramos continued until his death. In 1980. Don Myers, Parma Boxing Club founder, encouraged Duganier to manage and train boxers for the Parma Boxing Club. In December 1983, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners designated Saturday, December 3, 1983 as “Nick Duganier Day” in recognition for his active interest in physical fitness for today‘s youth through boxing.

Duganier began a boxing program for the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Department in I984 to increase physical fitness and self defense. He also trained boxers for the Police Olympics. Duganier has trained, managed, and coached several pro and amateur boxers. He coached a Police Olympic Champion, who at the age of 40, won the Gold and Silver medals. From 1983 to 1999, he also trained boxers out of West Park YMCA Duganier-Renhart Boxing Club.

Duganier was employed as a correctional officer during his career.
He is married to Deb. They are blessed with four children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Otha B. Martin receives the Life Time Achievement Award for his long dedication to boxing, Otha B. Martin Jr., will receive the
Life Time Achievement Award from the Ohio State Former Boxers And Associates, lnc. Continue reading 2018 Otha B. Martin →

Receiving the Life Time Achievement Award from the Ohio State Former Boxers And Associates, lnc. will be presented to Paul Buckner for his outstanding dedication to boxing. Buckner was inspired by his Godmother‘s son. legendary Cleveland middleweight boxer Chuck Hunter. During the 1940’s and 1950‘s Hunter fought and beat many of the middleweight contenders of that era. His opponents real like a list of Who‘s Who in boxing with such boxers as Bobo Olson, Harold Johnson, Jake LaMotta, Tommy Yarosz, Bob Satterfield. California Jackie Wilson, Tommy Bell and Jimmy Doyle.

At 12 years old, Buckner started his amateur boxing career with the renown boxing trainer Jesse Levels at the old K.Y. Benson Boys Town. While training at K.Y. Benson Boys Town. The outstanding professional welterweight boxer Cecil Shorts, became his mentor. Shorts took Buckner to famous Johnny Papke’s Big Ten Gym where Buckner began to train with the legendary Clint Martin. The old Big Ten Gym was a gym located at E. 14th Street and Carnegie Ave. which at the time was comparable to Gleason’s Gym and Stillman‘s Gym. lt was a gym where all the professional boxers and out standing amateur boxers trained.
In 1963, Buckner won the Cleveland Golden Gloves District middleweight championship by defeating Doyle Baird and Nestor Malone. Baird went on to become an outstanding middleweight professional boxer fighting former world middleweight champion, Nino Benvenuti. twice. In 1964, Buckner won the trophy for the “Comeback Fighter Of The Year.”
Buckner went to the semi-finals of the Olympic trials in Washington D.C. in 1964. His amateur boxing record is 36 wins and 6 losses.

Buckner and his wife. Ruby. have five children: Robert, Michael, Mario, Tazmon, Tara, and Cherise. Buckner attended the Cleveland Public Schools and completed his education at Thomas A. Edison High School. Buckner was a truck driver for 45 years, and a member of Teamsters Local 436. After 23 years as a truck driver with the Independence Excavating Company, Buckner retired in October 30, 2009 from the company with an outstanding driving record.

Buckner was inducted into the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates, Inc. Hall of Fame in 2013.