Joe Gentile will be honored by the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates lnc. as the Man Of The Year for 2017 he also received the same honor in 2005 from the association.

Joe Gentile went from being a poor young immigrant from Italy to becoming a boxer and beloved legendary boxing trainer who took many poor youngsters off the street and showed them that they could achieve more with their lives. Joe Gentile honored with Man Of The Year Award Gentile said his life philosophy has always been. “lt takes very little energy to be nice.“ Gentile has used his energy to transform lives. and in the process he developed many outstanding boxers.

Gentile was born in Rome. Italy and his family immigrated to the United States. After spending a short time in New York City. his family relocated to Elyria where he was raised with his three brothers. Tony. Frank. and Sal. Gentile fought as an amateur boxer with an impressive record of 52-5. before finding his calling as a boxing trainer and promoter. According to Gentile. he trained 60 Golden Glove champions including Lovell Nixon and Lany Bowen. the runner-up in the 118 pound division. Bowen lost to Gregg Richardson from Youngstown. During his training career. Gentile helped William Stafford and Jim Ralston win district titles in 1969. He also helped Sean Mueller of Sandusky win the Toledo Golden Gloves. As a promoter. several world champions such as Michael Dokes. Hilmer Kenty. and Richard Rozell fought on his boxing shows. Gentile was a chief official for 13 years for the Lake Erie Association. During this period he judged more than 5.000 bouts.  was inducted into the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates. Inc. Hall Of Fame. Trainer of the Year in 1970. He was inducted into the Elyria Hall of Fame as well as the Legends of Leather Hall of Fame in 2006. and the Summit County Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 along with Gold Medalist Boxing Winner, Ronnie Harris. Gentile, along with his son, Lorenzo, sponsored the 2012 Lake Erie Association Jr. Olympics Tournament in Elyria. Gentile is enjoying retirement with his wife, Francesca his son,. Lorenzo and daughter in law, Denise and his granddaughter, Isabella.

Rick Lozada honored with Coach Of The Year Award Ricardo Lozada was named by the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates. Inc. as Coach Of The Year. Lozada is an acclaimed former boxer, decorated police officer and a hero to many in the community. Lozada was born in Euclid. Ohio in 1991.

From an early age he had a passion for boxing. When he was 17 years old. he won his first amateur boxing tournament in the United States Vs. Canada in 1989 in the light weight division. Training under Gary Horvath, Lozada entered his first Golden Gloves Memento in 1990. For this tournament there was a shortage of light heavy weight boxers and Lozada, who weighed 192 pounds, fought in the heavy weight division. He won his first Golden Glove Title. In 1992, Lozada made it to the finals of the Golden Gloves Tournament but was sidelined with an injury. He entered the 1994 Golden Gloves Tournament as a super heavyweight and made it to the finals but lost in a close decision.

Lozada turned his attentions to coaching boxers. and in 1996 he helped Horvath train fighters at Team America Boxing Club. Currently. Lozada trains boxers at the Old Angle Gym with Horvath. His boxer Cody Orahoske won 2017 Golden Gloves in the 165 pound open division. Congressman Martin R. Hoke awarded Lozada with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and Achievement in 1996. Lozada was presented with an achievement plaque for being a top fighter in the heavyweight division during the 75 anniversary of the Golden gloves. Lozada has one daughter who recently graduated from high school and she will attend University of Cincinnati in the fall. Outside the ring Lozada served as a Cleveland police officer in the 4th district. While on duty in 2002 he was hit by a drunk driver and sustained multiple injuries. The accident essentially ended his police career and Lozada retired as a decorated officer in 2006.

Tyson influenced Matt Sysack to become a boxer The rise of Mike Tyson in the 1980s fueled Matt Sysack’s interest in boxing which is still present. Sysack shares a birthday with Reuben Carter on May 6. Sysack was born in 1968 in Cleveland to Parents Russ And Joanne Sysack. He has a younger brother. As a child growing up Sysack was a huge fan of the Browns and Indians and spent many summer and fall nights playing baseball and football. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1986. After high school with no more sports leagues to take part in, the activity  of weightlifting appealed to Matt. Also during the time in the late 1980s a young phenom by the name of Mike Tyson became the sports youngest heavyweight champion. Getting together with friends and a 6 pack to watch Tyson steamroll his opponents was the highlight of many weekends. The results of February 11 1990 left a lasting impact on Matt. After witnessing Buster Douglas KO Mike Tyson. Sysack wanted to give boxing a try. “Before joining a boxing gym l fought once on the school yard in 5th grade a no contest.“ Sysack fought in the Golden Gloves tournaments (1991, 93 and 94) at Estabrook. Sysack started boxing in his twenties as a sub novice but due to age restrictions had to fight in the more experienced open division with fighters like Julius Joiner,  Keith Burnside and David Robinson. Sysack had his last amateur match in August of 1994 at the Ample Club in Old Brooklyn versus Ted Dunleavy from Samson’s BC. Brunswick.

By 1995. Sysack earned his college degree and began his teaching career while still a regular at the different boxing gyms. He continued to enjoy sparring. roadwork and training young fighters. Despite being hindered by a severe work related knee injury in 1998. from 1998-2004. Matt competed in several “Tough Man Competitions.“ Despite being handicapped by the bad knee brief I minute rounds. Sysack enjoyed success in these “very brief” matches. Due to State health and age restrictions. he engaged in his last competitive match in January of 2004 in Youngstown. During his career. Sysack had close to 60 matches winning more than he lost. Post 2004. Sysack continued to attend other gyms to spar. help other fighters prepare for fights such as Vonda Ward. Joe DiSalvo. Jose Rivera. Dan Jambor. Don Rowland. and Corey Gregory. Sysack has also sparred and trained with fighters from the Valley Forge high school boxing club. helping them win many novice. sub novice Golden Gloves titles. Sysack last sparred at Bill Brown’s gym on Super Bowl Sunday. Sysack enjoys at- tending the boxing Hall of Fame in New York. local fight shows. watches boxing on TV and reading boxing themed books. Sysack sums up his feelings about the sport: “boxing is the hardest. greatest sport in the world and has so many life lessons to teach. it is more than hitting someone. You learn healthy living habits. how to defend yourself in the ring and respect others out- side of the ring. I am grateful and honored to be going into the hall of fame class of 2017. Sysack is currently a teacher at a juvenile prison and he a 12 year old son. Sysack is being inducted into the Hall of Fame along with A. Maserati Riggins. Bryan Gedeon. and Carl Burton.

Carl Burton inducted into Hall of Fame.During the late 1960’s while living in the Scranton Road area, while coming home from school, Carl 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 as Johnny Avon Sr. was his boxing trainer.

While at Boys Town, Burton became a Junior Olympics 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 training 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. After losing in the tournament, Burton continued his boxing training and in 1973, he entered the Golden Gloves Tournament in the novice 147 pounds division and 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. He received his education in the Cleveland Public School System where he graduated from Lincoln West High School. After high school, Burton was employed at Giant Eagle’s Warehouse where he has worked for 27 years. During his employment with Giant Eagle, he has been a member of Teamsters Union Local 507. Burton is inducted into the Hall of Fame along with A. Maserati Riggins, Bryan Gedeon, and Matt Sysack.

Bryan Gedeon named Coach Of The Year

Bryan Gedeon was named by the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates. Inc. as Coach Of The Year.

Gedeon was born to Robert and Linda Gedeon of Lakewood on October 29, 1979. Gedeon is a 1998 graduate of Saint Edward High School and has been a huge boxing fan his entire life. Gedeon spent many nights watching fights with his loving parents and always hoped to step into the ring.

Gedeon has been involved with combat sports for over a decade. He started his own fight team in 2011. Before starting his team. Gedeon was a dedicated jiu jitsu practitioner under legendary trainer. Ricardo Pires. He received his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and placed in every tournament he entered including multiple first place finishes. His gym was originally planned to be a mixed martial arts gym  but after competing in his first boxing event in 2012 that all changed. He encouraged his team to compete in as many boxing events as possible.

Pro boxer Roger Blankenship and 141 pound amateur champion Dib Kaddah were his first two amateur boxers he trained. Gedeon hired his long time friend Tony Rottari in August of 2016 to help coach his growing team. Gedeon says that Rottari is the best all around coach he has ever been around. In addition to the tremendous boxers, Gedeon and Rottari have produced many pro MMA fighters as well as the 170 pound national amateur champion.

Since Gedeon and his team began boxing, he has produced four successful professional boxers, a Golden Gloves champion, five Golden Glove runner ups, the 141 pound amateur champion and he has his team registered as a certified USA boxing gym.

After becoming involved with boxing in 2012 . Bryan has become a USA
boxing official, the Lake Erie Association merchandise chairman, a professional
cut man, a professional manager, Golden Gloves runner up, safe sport certified,
a certified USA Boxing level I coach, and the 201+ Masters division champion.
Gedeon credits his amazing team especially his comermen -Kaddah. Blankenship.
and Rottari for all of his success in the ring and would like to thank Defense Soap
for their continued support over the past few years.

Gedeon and his wife. Allegra. have two beautiful daughters. Mary and
Adeline. His family attends many boxing events and they always support his
teams. These three ladies are the most important part of Gedeon’s life as he strives
to be a great role model. husband. and father.

Chuck Hunter inducted into Hall of Fame posthumously. Chuck Hunter was born in Cleveland in 1925, and became one of the city’s finest middleweight contender boxers.

Hunter started boxing when he was 14 in 1942 he Won the national amateur bantam weight championship. In 1943, Hunter won the National AAU champion by TKO in the 3rd round against Buddy Holderfield in the Chicago Golden Gloves Toumament of Champions. Also during the tournament, he defeated Levi Southall in the 3rd round by KO. Hunter won the championship bout by beating Max Gonzalez. All of his fights were in the lightweight divisions.

Hunter turned professional in July of 1943 with a three round knockout win over Woody Sweeney. Hunter would win three more fights and he was later matched with veteran Maxie Berger.

Two fights into 1944 and exceptional Tommy Bell. Again over matched at this point in his career, Hunter was halted in the second. For the rest of 1944 Hunter would go 9-2. He went ten rounds with Bell in a December rematch but lost a unanimous decision.

Hunter started 1945 well with two knockout victories but his success was short lived as he would lose his next three bouts to Alex Doyle, Jimmy Doyle and Bell. Then Hunter would pull a few surprises of his own upsetting California Jackie Wilson and Rueben Shank. Hunter would win his first five fights in 1945 including a kayo over the ever dangerous Artie Levine. Then disaster struck in the form of the murderous punching Bob Satterfield. Bad Bob knocked Hunter out in the tenth round. It would take 20 minutes to revive Hunter. In his next bout Hunter lost a split decision to Jimmy Edgar. Hunter would then travel to Scranton, Pennsylvania to be stopped in two rounds by Jerry Petrovich who had a 3-1 record coming in.

In 1946 Hunter would lose a close verdict to Cecil Hudson. He would rally to defeat Bobby Berger and Sam Baroudi but lose again to Hudson to close out the year. For Hunter, 1947 was a good year for him with a 5-3 record.

Despite the bad luck Hunter would tum it around again in 1948 by defeating Dave Clark, Hudson and Steve Belloise. He ended the year losing a verdict to tough Nick Barone but he would start 1949 by defeating Levine.

Hunter’s career was turning into a roller coaster now. He would lose twice to the talented Tommy Yarosz but defeat Billy Brown and Dick Wagner. In 1950 Hunter would meet Jake LaMotta at the Cleveland Arena. With a big crowd on hand the rugged LaMotta wore down Hunter and stopped him in the sixth round. From this point on Hunter would go 4-10. He dropped a decisions‘ to future world champions, Harold Johnson and Carl”Bobo’ Olson. He retired from boxing in 1953. His final record was 45-26-1. He fought four world champions as well as several solid‘ contenders.

Hunter and his wife, Emma Meadows, had two children, Renee and Ricky. On July 3, 1973, Hunter died of an apparent heart attack at Lakeside Hospital at the age of 47 years old.

Jon Melbar inducted into Hall of Fame.
Jon Melbar went from training in the basement of his parents home with his brothers to becoming one of Cleveland’s most outstanding boxers.

Melbar was born on March 29, 1975 in Cleveland to Jim and Charlotte Melbar. He was the youngest of five brothers and three sisters. Melbar graduated from South High School where he was an outstanding athlete. Nicknamed, ‘Jon Stone Hands Melbar,’ he was a star on
the football team.

Melbar’s favorite sport, thanks to his brothers, was boxing. When Melbar was six years old, his brother, Mike, taught him how to hit a speed bag. Melbar was so small that Mike had him stand on a stool to reach the bag. All of the Melbar boys boxed under their dad’s tutelage, but because Jon was the youngest and being small for his age, his mom Wouldn’t let him box she was too afraid that he’d get hurt. Despite her worries, Melbar was still allowed to train with his brothers. Over the course of the years, Mike taught him the fundamentals of the sport and together they trained in the basement gym that their dad had set up for them.

Melbar, being the youngest, had some anger management issue, and got in to trouble when he Was 15 years old. He was ordered to do community service and seek help for his anger management issues. Melbar realized that he needed to channel his emotions in a more positive way. He started hitting the gym hard. He began to train on a regular basis. When his brother, Mike, returned from military service, and the brothers began to train together. Mike was a great trainer, and Melbar, at the age of 17, won the championship in his weight division during a multiple week tournament. Melbar won boxing tournaments in New York , Pennsylvania ,West Virginia ,and Ohio.

Melbar was determined to box in the original Tough Man Competition, but he couldn’t make weight so he weighed in carrying his gym bag and his brother, Mike, stepped on the back of the scale to tip it in his favor. Mike and Jon Melbar had extraordinary careers and contributed to boxing in Cleveland. Melbar owned his own business for 20 years. He is devoted to his wife, Carol, and his five sons and daughter.

Melbar finished his career with close to 200 boxing matches, winning all but four bouts. He came a long way from standing on a box to hit the bag in his basement’. Melbar is inducted into the Hall of Fame
with Otha Martin.

Otha Martin inducted into Hall of Fame. While starting boxing at 15 years old, Otha Martin had an impressive amateur boxing career. His amateur boxing career started with his childhood friend Bobby Haymon at KY Benson Boystown at E. 79th Street and Woodland Avenue. He was coached and trained by the late Jessie Levels and Cecil Shorts During that time, Shorts was an up and coming young professional boxer who went on to an outstanding welterweight boxing career.

Martin’s amateur boxing career spanned a six year period during the 60’s as he was an aggressive brawler.

As a featherweight, Martin relocated his training from KY Benson Boystown to Johnny Papke’s Big Ten Gym at E. 14th Street and Carnegie Avenue. While training at the Big Ten Gym, Martin’s natural abilities were harnessed and improved by dedicated and legendary trainer, Clint Martin.

Under Clint’s guidance, Martin mastered the sweet art of boxing and learned to be humble in victory and defeat. During his boxing  career, he fought in four different weight classes: flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight. His record was 58 wins and 9 losses.

As a Golden Gloves participant, Martin won the novice flyweight championship and was a runner up in the open bantam and featherweight divisions during several competition years.

Martin was born in Cleveland and he attended the public school system where he graduated from Glenville High School in 1973. He earned an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College on June 21, 1997.

He retired from employment in 2008 after 43 years with Daimler Chrysler in Twinsburg, Ohio. Martin has been married to his lovely wife, Joan, for 52 years. They have two children , Jacqueline and Otha III. They are the proud grandparents of three granddaughters.
Martin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Jon
Melbar.

Jackie Davis inducted into Hall of Fame posthumously. Jackie Davis, the main attraction at the annual Cleveland Christmas Show, was an outstanding boxer.

Davis was born in Cleveland in 1910 to Max and Libby. He had seven I brothers and sisters.

He married his wife, Frieda, and the couple had three children: Doreen, Edward, and Robert.

Davis was raised at the old Jewish Orphans Home, now known as Belfaire JCB. It was there that Davis was introduced to boxing in 1926.

Davis fought for the Chicago Lightweight Golden Gloves Title in 1929. Davis lost and was runner-up to the future world champion Barney Ross. Ross later wrote about the fight in No Man Stands Alone. According to Ross, Davis beat him “pretty good, and I was surprised when they raised my hand.” Ross and Davis fought five more times with split decisions every time.

Davis fought at the prestigious Annual Cleveland Christmas Show and he was victorious in the main event. Following his victory, Davis retired from the ring in 1937. When he retired, Ring Magazine ranked Davis in the top ten contenders.

Davis became a nationally recognized referee. He worked some of the biggest fights of the decade including: Jake la Motta, Sugar Ray Robinson, Artie, Levine, Joey Maxim, and Jimmy Bivins.

Davis refereed the Cleveland Golden Gloves, and was recognized as one of the best referees.

The New York Times listed Davis as one of the best referees in Davis wrote a column in the now defunct, Cleveland Press entitled, “Jackie Davis says.”

Davis and sportscaster, Jim Graner, broadcast a weekly boxing show on WEWS TV 5. The show featured many of Cleveland’s up  and coming championship boxers.

While refereeing a charity event for children in 1968, Davis collapsed and died in the ring.

Davis was remembered for his great generosity of spirit both the country for several years in and out of the ring. Davis fought more than 175 fights, winning 90% of the bouts.