HOME | PAST RESULTS | INTERVIEWS | FIGHTERS | CONTACT | AMATEUR PAGE
THE
2011 MN HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE'S ANNOUNCED
July 20th, 2011
The Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame issued their Press Release announcing the Class of 2011 in a big way on Thursday, June 30th before the St. Paul Saints baseball game. Prior to the announcement, the inaugural Class of 2010 (or their representative) was reassembled by the pitcher's mound and was honored while facing the 4,700 fans in attendance. Then the Saints turned the microphone over to Hall of Fame President, Jake Wegner to announce the new class. The crowd was electric for the new Class of 2011, who will be formally inducted on October 11th at The Nicollet Island Pavilion in Mnpls.
Wegner started off by announcing the voters' choice from the Pioneer category, the infamous 1880's Welterweight killer, Charley Kemmick. Kemmick was represented by great niece, Mary Jo Bennett of Stillwater. "Charley Kemmick was the Manny Pacquiao of the 1880's and early 90's," Wegner later said, "only Kemmick wasn't just a puncher, he was a skilled tactician and boxer as well. Only in his last days when he was suffering severely from T.B. and coughing up lung tissue could someone even muster a legitimate draw with him, and even then they could not beat him. After watching him crush Jim Scully for the Welterweight Championship of America, the manager of the great Tommy Ryan said he would never let his fighter in the ring with Kemmick. Great progress was made this past year between myself and our great historian, George Blair, and cumulatively, we think we have restored his record on boxrec. We are extremely proud to be inducting Charley this year."
Next, Wegner called the name of one of the greatest pound-for pound Middleweights in history, when he called the name of St. Paul's Mike O'Dowd. O'Dowd won the world's Middleweight title in 1917 and held it until 1920, and holds wins over the very best of his era, including the immortal, Mike Gibbons. Wegner later told me, "A lot of people wondered how Mike O'Dowd did not make it into the Hall of Fame last year. Hey, he was definitely deserving, but it always comes down to the voters, and we only allow so many people from each era of each year. He barely missed it last year, but this year he nailed it." O'Dowd died without having any children, and was represented by nephew, Don Henderson of Burnsville.
Little Johnny "Kewpie" Ertle was called next. His grandson, Scott Ertle, ran onto the field in his honor, wearing a T-shirt with Johnny's picture on it and the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame logo next to it. Ertle won the World Bantamweight Championship in 1915 and met all comers.
Next called was one of the state's best Featherweights in Jackie Graves. Since Graves passed away a few years ago and his son lives in Washington state, former Golden Gloves coach and long-time friend, Dave Buxton trotted on the field in Jackie's honor. Wegner said that Graves' son Danny will make the trip in October for the Induction Banquet.
Following Graves, the crowd got loud when Wegner called out "The Pride of Bowlus" Duane Bobick. Bobick, who was once ranked as high as #3 in the world during the talent-rich 1970's, had an ear-to ear smile on his face as he waved to the crowd and ran out from the dugout. Many people in the crowd were lined up waiting to meet the former Heavyweight great when he got off the field for autographs and pictures.
But when Wegner said the words, "Rice Street Rocker", few even heard the name Mike Evgen announced, as his fans screamed and voiced their support for the former St. Paul slugger. Mike also threw out the opening pitch that night. "I wasn't surprised to hear people go wild for Mike," said Wegner. "People think Matt Vanda has a big following, and he does, but before the days of the Predator, there was the days of "The Rice Street Rocker" and Mike almost always sold-out his cards. Few people had the kind of following that he did in recent years.
It was a touching moment when "Papa" Joe Daszkiewicz's name was called, as his son Chuck, escorted his mother and "Papa" Joe's widow, Rita, onto the field in Joe's honor. "Papa" Joe passed away a few years back from Alzheimer's disease, but had a large tangent of vocal support at the game from friends and family.
Current Minneapolis boxer Phil Williams shared a few words when asked to talk about his time with "Papa" Joe and his thoughts on his induction.
"Papa Joe was the first Daszkiewicz I met when I walked in Glover's gym in 2000. I told him I wanted to box and I've been in it ever since. I remember him telling me that he wanted to train me as a boxer-puncher so that's been the style I'm still trying perfect. He gave me a lot of confidence in the ring because I believed in what he knew about boxing. I loved to see him smile when I was sparring as I accomplished the game plan. I know my career and focus would be a lot more on point if he was still around. I still vow I'm going to win a Championship in his honor and put that smile on Papa Joe's face one more time. Love you Papa Joe!"
Former Minnesota Welterweight Champion, Don Weller, proudly ran onto the field next when his father, the well-known trainer and manager, Emmett Weller's, name was called. The Weller family had a large group of representatives cheering from the stands. Denny Nelson boxed for Weller throughout his amateur days and talked about the respect that Weller earned throughout the boxing community.
"Emmett Weller's gym was always a highlight here in Saint Paul. I met him around 1954 and he was just the nicest man. He treated all of his fighters fairly. Everybody I knew from Don Quinn, Jim Hagerle, Lee Ballard, his son Don Weller, everybody that knew him had great respect for Emmett. He trained and managed fighters, then he also started promoting in the 60's. Almost everybody from that era was touched by Emmett Weller in one way or another. He was a very well respected man and very knowledgeable in the sport of boxing."
Lastly, Wegner called out the name of George Barton. Barton died in 1969 and was represented by granddaughter, Elizabeth Barton-Morley. Barton did it all for Minnesota boxing, having refereed more than 12,000 matches in his career, as well as headed up the state commission for 27 years, and wrote for the Minneapolis Tribune for over 50 years. He refereed many fights of Jack Dempsey's, Gene Tunney's, Mike and Tommy Gibbons, Harry Greb, Benny Leonard, Tiger Flowers, and many more.
Tickets for the Induction Dinner Banquet will go on sale August 1st, and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $50 and the Induction Banquet will be held on October 11th. The Hall of Fame expects another sell-out, stating that they already have been contacted by interested persons in Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida.
If you are interested in Sports Betting, odds, and expert picks, please
check out the site links below!!
SPORTS
PICKS BUFFET REVIEW
Sports
Betting Champ
Doc's Sports Blog
Sports
Betting Strategy
Sports Handicapping Experts
Sports Book Rules