Eli Dixon was inspired by other boxers. No one knew that when Eli Dixon was born on May 18, 1966 in Cleveland that Muhammad Ali would become his lifelong idol. Dixon graduated from Shaw High School in 1985 in East Cleveland. Dixon earned an athletic scholarship to Tennessee State University in football and baseball. Later, he attended Cleveland State University to study XRay technology. Dixon’s career began as a boxer at the East Cleveland PAL Boxing Club with Hank Smiley and Johnnie Duncan as his trainers.

Dixon won the Cleveland Golden Gloves Championship in the heavyweight division in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1989. He fought in five National Golden Gloves Tournaments of Champions. In 1988, Dixon won the Indiana Black Expo Championship and the National P.A.L. Tournament. Dixon fought his way onto the U.S.A. Boxing team, and was ranked the #2 amateur heavyweight in the country. Dixon represented the United States as a member of the U.S.A. Boxing team in Ireland, the U.S.S.R. and Canada. In 1988, he won the Canadian Cup and the Sarge Johnson Award. He won a Silver Medal at the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1989 in Oklahoma. During that same year, while competing on the U.S. Boxing team against Russia at Trump Palace in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Dixon won a Silver Medal. He won a Bronze Medal at the U.S. Championships in 1989.

Dixon turned professional and compiled a record of 26-8 (23) KO’s. and he fought for the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Title on October 11, 1997 at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, Yorkshire (United Kingdom). Dixon fought such world boxing champions as Wladimir Klitschko, WBC Champion Jimmy Thunder, and WBA Champion James “Bone Crusher” Smith. Another outstanding achievement in Dixon’s career came on April 14, 1998, when he fought WBC Contender Andrew Golota, who was ranked #2 in the world. Dixon is the proud father of Caij and Eris and Briyana, and along with his fiancee, Sonya, stepsons, Bruce and Brandon; and stepdaughters, Tiyonna and Kelle. He is an entrepreneur and superintendent of the Stratton House Condominiums and is owner/operator of S & E Janitorial Services.
Eli Dixon will be inducted into the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates, Inc. Hall of Fame along with Leonard Church, Joe Santamaria, and Paul Buckner.

Ken Hill receives Man Of The Year Award.

The Ohio State Former Boxers & Associates,Inc. is honoring Ken Hill as the Man of The Year for his lifelong devotion to the sport of boxing. Hill started his love for boxing as a young boy. His father took him to many boxing events and matches. They especially liked to watch the Giachetti brothers, Richard and Bobby, since his father knew them since they were young. Hill had numerous street fights before finding a local gym sponsored by the Police Athletic League with trainer Jim Kelly. Hill was very tall and thin when he started. Kelly told Hill that he was observant, and devoted and that he would take the time and patience to teach him the skills and techniques of boxing.

One of Hill’s sparring partners was Mark Rivera, who attended John Marshall High School with him. Hill and Rivera entered the Golden Gloves Tournament together. Rivera later went on to pursue a professional career with fighting opponents such as heavy weight champion Evander Holyfield. Hill decided to start his own auto wrecking business and start a family. After Hill started his business, he returned to the gym to spar and stay in shape. Hill met an old trainer Bobby Berry who fought Joe Louis while in the service. Berry taught him many of the old school boxing techniques. Hill has sold his auto wrecking business and is presently looking for another business venture.

Since Hill has some spare time on his hands, he is devoting a lot of his time to the sport of boxing that he has always loved.
Hill currently has his amateur and professional training license. He is also a member and Sergeant At Arms with the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates, Inc.
Hill and his wife, Karen, have two sons, Dave and Doug; and one daughter, Christine (deceased). Hill has always takes his sons to boxing matches and has taught them the techniques of boxing. Hill was inducted into the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates, Inc. Hall of Fame in 2004.