Venues: Historical

[tmax11]

Rahway- hosted several fights.

[professordp]

Originally Posted by tmax11

Rahway- hosted several fights.

That's a great photo! I've passed it many times. As most know, this was the "home" site for many of James Scott's fights. Also, unrelated to boxing, this was also the place where they originated the Scared Straight program to introduce young people to the consequences of criminal activity. A very stark and foreboding place--your picture really captures its atmosphere.

[professordp]

Close proximity to New York City allowed several local New Jersey armories to serve as secondary venues for area boxers from the 1920s to the 1950s.

[professordp]

From 1921 to 1957, the Newark Armory served as a venue for a number of famous boxers including Mickey Walker, Jack Britton, Kid Gavilin, Tami Mauriello, and Tony Canzoneri. Local favorite Tony Galento fought there several times.

[professordp]

Used less frequently for boxing than its Newark cousin, the Jersey City Armory was a venue from 1919 to 1979. Among those who fought there were Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Frank DePaula, Mustafa Hamsho, Charlie Fusari, and Billy Miske.

[professordp]

This was another second tier venue for boxing in the New York City area. It was located at the intersection of Queens Blvd and 45th St in the Astoria section of Queens (birthplace of singer Toney Bennett!). It was operational from 1945 to 1977 (when it was demolished). During the early days of post-WW II television, it was the site of Friday night boxing telecasts. Later it also served as a venue for pro wrestling.

[professordp]

Proudly I offer my alma mater (Class of '66) as another New Jersey boxing venue. Earlier known as Jersey City High School, it was used from the 1920s through the 1940s for professional and amatuer boxing. In 1977 there was a nationally televised card staged there. Among the fighters included were Ibar Arrington, Randy Neumann, Bruce Curry, Sonny Moore, and James J. Beattie.

The picture below is actually the school's athletic annex where the bouts were staged. Seating capacity was around 1,000-1,500.

[professordp]

Located in Providence, Rhode Island this arena served as venue for many New England boxers until the 1960s. It is best remembered as the site where Rocky Marciano fought almost all of his bouts between 1948 and 1952.

[professordp]

Home of weekly boxing shows from 1921 to 1959 in LA and base of operations for Art Aragon.

[professordp]

Max Schmeling defended his heavyweight crown here by stopping Young Stribling in the 15th round on July 3, 1931. On the undercard, Tony Galento dropped an 8 round decision to Johnny Risko.

[professordp]

When Ice World closed, this venue partially filled the void by offering local pro action.

[Thunder]

thanks for the pics, prof

[professordp]

I got interested in this when I was scanning the picture of the 1965 ring card girl (see my post there) which was taken at the Hacienda. The hotel had quite a history (there's even a book about it). Built in 1956, it was the first "family-oriented" resort in the city. Unfortunately the wrong family (Soprano-types) gained control. It was imploded in a rather dramatic event (you can find video of it on the Net) New Year's Eve 1996. Boxing promoter Bill Miller began running Tuesday night fights there from 1964 to 1966.

It was a small venue (1,700 max) and pretty cheap--even back then. Ringside seats went for $5.00 and general admission was $2.50. Ferd Hernandez appeared there regularly as did Ernie Lopez, Denny Moyer, and Don Fullmer. I guess the high point was Hernandez's decision over Sugar Ray Robinson on July 12, 1965.

During the late 1980s-early 1990s there was some brief activity. "Jazzy" Jeff Mayweather was a regular feature with Nigel Benn and David Vedder also having bouts at the Hacienda. Ray Mercer won the IBF Intercontinetal belt there in 1990 and Scotty Olson staged a defense of his USBA Flyweight crown as well.

[professordp]

Many people are unaware that below the current Madison Square Garden there is another arena which seats about 5,000. Currently it is known as the Wa Mu Theater, but when the Garden opened forty years ago, this secondary venue was called the Felt Forum.

Most people recall it as a major rock venue (I saw the Band there in 1969!) Hendrix, Dylan, Zappa, the Doors, the Dead, Guns 'n Roses. et al played memorable concerts at the Forum.

But it was also an important boxing venue from 1968 to 1989 featuring short cards (five or six bouts) at least twice a month with such familiar names as Chuck Wepner, Bennie Briscoe, Adolpho and Edwin Viruet, George Benton, Harold Weston, and later on, Buddy McGirt and Aaron Davis. There were even a few title bouts (intercontinetal, for the most part).

It was a rather intimate venue and not overloaded with cops moonlighting as security guards. You could actually stop by the dressing rooms/lockers after the fights. I remember we hung out with Adolpho Viruet for about an hour after his bout with Luis Resto and were entertained by Al Braverman's stories. People like Gil Clancy were in and out while we were there and nobody gave us a second thought.

I apologize for the quality of the picture, but after plowing through the Net for about two hours, it was the only one I could find.

I've given you the address and seating capacity. If you are into setting a rating, you might want to consider a "3". Back in the early days of cable, MSG would regularly televise Forum bouts.

[professordp]

A long-forgotten South Philly outdoor venue that was quite active between 1948 and 1953. Located at Broad and Packer, this 5,000 capacity stadium ran forty-six cards during its brief existence.

Although most of the fights were eight rounders, many of the Philly greats fought there including Joey Giardello, Harold Johnson, Gil Turner, Lew Jenkins, and Paddy DeMarco. During his reign as featherweight champion, Sandy Saddler fought a nontitle bout at Toppi.

Sadly, it was the site of a tragic event. The promising heavyweight, Billy "Chicken" Thompson, died as a result of ring injuries he suffered after being kayoed by Johnny Haynes on September 16, 1948.

If you want to add it to your historical venues, I've provided you with location and capcity. As far as ratings go, I'm inclined to give it a "2" based upon capacity, location (South Philly!), and the famous fighters who fought there.

[professordp]

I've found three different shots of this venue---hope you like one of them!

This of course was the site of the Willard-Johnson title bout in 1915. As the 20th century progressed, this became just one more mob-controlled source of entertainment. It is quite famous among horse racing buffs and was closed soon after Castro came to power in 1959.

For those of you who are following my Teofilo Stevenson simulation, this will be the place where Big Teo starts his career againts the pros.

This venue is already rated and listed in TBCB.

[professordp]

This venue is rated in TBCB and is listed as an "Historical" venue.

[professordp]

Great old boxing arena made famous by Carmen Basilio who fought Billy Graham, Kid Gavilan, Tony DeMarco, and others there during the 1950s.

This arena is rated in the game

[professordp]

An active venue from the early 50s to the mid-60s. Not rated, but with a 35,000 capacity (or more) coupled with the fact that it was the site of major fights for Welsh boxers, a 4 would seem reasonable.

Dick Richardson, Joe Erskine, Howard Winestone, Brian Curvis, and Dai Dower all had big fights there, and Dick Tiger had several matches at Maindy during the late 50s

[tmax11]

An alternate for Yankee Stadium from Baer/Schmeling. 65,000