COMMISSIONER’S CORNER A PLACE IN HISTORY By Randy Gordon
know how hard he worked over those years and this quiet, humble man whose love for boxing showed in his work. 7. Junior Jones: In a 14-year career, Jones won titles in both the bantamweight and junior featherweight divisions. He finished his career at featherweight, where he scored a decision over former two-division titleholder Tracy Harris Patterson and gave then-IBF beltholder Paul Ingle a hell of a challenge. He holds two wins over Marco Antonio Barrera and one over Orlando Canizales, both Hall of Famers. A very outgoing
and is still going strong. He also does both blow-by-blow and color commentary. He is a sought-after speaker at dinners and functions; and is the yearly emcee at the IBHOF weekend in Canastota. I would love to see him be inducted, then emcee the weekend as an inductee. Send me your list at RGBoxing@ yahoo.com
made his pro debut on the July 26 Xander Zayas-Jorge Garcia undercard with a four-round unanimous decision over Brandan Ayala. Zayas won the vacant WBO 154-pound belt with a unanimous decision over Garcia. The card also featured featherweight contender Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, who outpointed Mateus Heita. ATTENTION BOXING FANS: Our beloved sport is about to undergo a major facelift, a total overhaul, a complete revision. Two politicians – Brian Jack (R-GA) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) – have introduced to Congress an innovative bipartisan bill that is designed to update federal boxing regulations in regard to many areas of the sport. The bill, which is being called the “Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act,” seeks to give boxers an alternative to dealing with the “alphabet soup” organizations – the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and others – and their often questionable and even laughable ratings. Let’s take a quick look back 33 years. In 1992, after James Toney, in defense of his IBF middleweight title, won a controversial 12-round split decision against Dave Tiberi, U.S. Senator Harry Reid put together a Senate subcommittee hearing to delve into the workings of professional boxing. As chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission, I was among those called to answer questions from the subcommittee. We knew going into the hearings that boxing’s business model was defective and flawed. We all knew it needed to be improved. What came out of those hearings, though it took nearly eight years, was the “Muhammad Ali Professional Boxing Reform Act.” Now, one-quarter of a century later, that legislation also needs to be overhauled. That’s why we expect the new bill to pass. It’s time for a major change. Stay tuned!
A fter a summer that was highlighted by my induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, I’ve been thinking a lot about boxing’s highest honor. My induction made me the fifth
my leadership as chairman of the NYSAC), Collins won the first match. She went on to capture the WIBF welterweight title. Her only two losses were by a questionable split decision to Leah Mellinger and by majority decision to Christy Martin at Madison Square Garden. Since retiring from competition in 2001, Collins,
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While I am at it, let me give you my list of the top 10 referees working today: 1. Tom Taylor 2. Harvey Dock 3. Mark Nelson 4. Michael Griffin 5. Ricky Gonzalez 6. Steve Gray 7. Marcus McDonnell 8. Ed Collantes 9. Charlie Fitch 10. Jon Schorle QUICK HITS: SiriusXM did a shuffle of its sports shows. As a result, “At the Fights,” the boxing show I have done for nearly 17 years alongside Gerry Cooney, has a new time, a new channel and one new day. We are now on every Monday and Thursday from 9-11 p.m. (ET) on Faction Talk Radio, channel 103. I loved watching the Netflix broadcast of the all-female fight card from MSG, headlined by Taylor- Serrano 3. I thought Netflix did a super job of assembling its announcing crew. I especially loved hearing the two Seans (Wheelock, the scoring commentator, and blow-by-blow announcer Grande) mixing with Seniesa Estrada. Hopefully, Netflix uses this same crew on its next major boxing event. Keep an eye on 22-year-old Julius “Juju” Ballo. The featherweight, who racked up a slew of amateur accolades and recently signed with Top Rank,
former editor-in-chief of The Ring to make it to Canastota (Nat Fleischer, Bert Sugar, Nigel Collins and Steve Farhood are the others); the sixth Long Islander (preceded by Fleischer, Arthur Mercante Sr., Gil Clancy, Buddy McGirt and Al Gavin; Emile Griffith and Floyd Patterson were part-time residents of L.I.); the second “Randy” to be inducted (the other is former welterweight champ Randy Turpin, who was inducted posthumously in 2001). I wonder who next summer’s class will be. I do believe former unified middleweight titleholder Gennadiy Golovkin – whose last fight was in 2022 – will be on the ballot this year and should have no trouble being inducted. The same with former three-division titleholder Leo Santa Cruz. I also have put together a list of those I’d like to see inducted, along with my reason why. It’s my “Wish List.” I’m sure each of you have your own. THE 10 NAMES I WANT TO SEE IN THE IBHOF (In alphabetical order) 1. Iran Barkley: He won world titles in three divisions. He is the only fighter to beat IBHOF-enshrined Thomas Hearns twice . He fought from middleweight up to heavyweight. Since his last fight – in 1999 – he has been a major part of the East Coast boxing scene. He obliges fans, autograph-seekers and selfie-takers with a smile. 2. Nigel Benn: I think it borders on insanity that this two-division titleholder is not wearing an IBHOF ring. In his 10-year career, he fought 48 times, winning 42 of the bouts and losing only five. His left hook was one of the best hooks ever seen in the sport. Many of his 35 knockouts are of highlight-reel variety. He made nine successful defenses of the WBC super middleweight title against top opposition. 3. Kathy Collins: Call her a
along with her husband, Frankie, owns and operates one of Long Island’s most successful boxing gyms, where she can be found every day, training everybody from white-collar boxers to amateurs and pros. She is in the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame, the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame. 4. Gerry Cooney: Gerry is the reason there should be another category. He is boxing’s Goodwill Ambassador. I don’t want to hear that he was not a champion. There are champions in Canastota who arguably don’t belong there. Gerry’s three losses came against three of the best fighters in history. He was the owner of one of heavyweight history’s greatest left hooks. Contenders fade from memory. Not Cooney. How many non- champs are widely recognized everywhere they go – 35 years after their last fight? Not one! Since 2009, Cooney has been my co-host on SiriusXM’s “At the Fights.” Fans remember him. Fans love him. He is a frequent after- dinner speaker. Not a week goes by where he isn’t doing something boxing-related. In Canastota every year, he is besieged by fans for photos and autographs. Does he belong in the IBHOF? He absolutely does. Put him in a category called “All-Around Contributor.” 5. Henry Hascup: One of boxing’s leading historians. Founder and longtime president of the NJBHOF. Has emceed more boxing dinners and functions than anybody. Has computerized every champion and contender over the last 120+ years, rating them according to how many champions and contenders they beat and how long each remained in The Ring Magazine’s Top 10. He is one of a kind!
man, Junior attends dozens of boxing-related functions in and around New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut every year.
8. Don Majeski: This guy has been in the business for no less than five decades. He is an agent, matchmaker and a promoter’s dream come true with the amount of shows he saves. One of boxing’s two leading historians (the other being Hascup). His induction would be a no-brainer. 9. Ray Mercer: Mercer didn’t just represent the U.S. in the Olympic Games, he won a medal at the 1988 Olympics in the 201-pound division – a GOLD medal – stopping all of his competition in brutal fashion. During his 20-year career in the paid ranks, he put together a 36-7-1 (26 KOs) record, winning the WBO heavyweight title along the way. Since retiring in 2008, he is still front and center at many boxing shows, dinners and banquets. He was a fan favorite in his fighting days and remains one today. 10. James “Smitty” Smith: Since
6. Kevin Iole: For 17 years, Iole was the boxing writer for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Then he kept us informed as the boxing writer for Yahoo! Sports. He retired in 2025. I
he was a kid in Florida, boxing has been his passion. His “In This Corner” podcast has been on the air for nearly 25 years
trailblazer or whatever. In 1995, after female boxing was finally allowed in New York (under
Randy Gordon finally got to be part of the parade he has seen so many times.
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