George W. Holden
Encyclopedia
George W. Holden was a professional heavyweight boxer, born in Medford, Massachusetts
.
as a small-time hoodlum and boxer who became involved in organized crime. He was described in the sports column pages as "The Medford Irisher" and was a small time thug during his professional boxing career who became known to authorities. Little is known about his personal life except that he trained with future boxers Anthony Veranis
, Tommy Sullivan, Americo Sacramone, Edward G. Connors
and Joe DeNucci.
and his last match on April 13, 1972 against Jimmy McDermott, also in Portland, Maine. He was sponsored by the Everlast
sporting goods company. Of his 43 professional fights, he won 13 (one by knockout), lost 26, and drew three. During his professional boxing career, he weighed between 168 and 186 pounds.
On July 26, 1971 when fighting Bob Benoit in Boston, Massachusetts, Benoit picked up a lop-sided decision over Holden heading the live portion of the closed circuit Muhammad Ali
-Jimmy Ellis
fight at the Reliant Astrodome
in Houston, Texas
. Benoit scored practically at will and frequently had Holden hurt, but allowed him to get up off the hook.
In his April 13, 1972 match against Jimmy McDermott, Holden entered the ring heavily intoxicated and was indefinitely suspended from professional boxing, ending his career. His final fight against McDermott was declared a no-contest.
in Charlestown, Massachusetts
. His body was discovered along the shoreline between Terminal and Medford Streets. Police reported that he had been murdered with a small-caliber handgun by a single, gangland execution gunshot to the head. His murder was never solved, and no suspects were identified. According to city officials, Holden's murder was the 82nd homicide in the city of Boston in 1973. A number of his fellow competitors met a similar fate, including Anthony Veranis and Rocco DiSiglio
, both murdered in 1966; Edward G. Connors, murdered in 1975; and Americo Sacramone, murdered in 1976.
Medford, Massachusetts
Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States, on the Mystic River, five miles northwest of downtown Boston. In the 2010 U.S. Census, Medford's population was 56,173...
.
Personal life
Holden was described by Howie CarrHowie Carr
Howard Louis "Howie" Carr, Jr. is an American journalist, author, and conservative radio talk-show host based in Boston with a listening audience rooted in New England.-Radio:...
as a small-time hoodlum and boxer who became involved in organized crime. He was described in the sports column pages as "The Medford Irisher" and was a small time thug during his professional boxing career who became known to authorities. Little is known about his personal life except that he trained with future boxers Anthony Veranis
Anthony Veranis
Anthony Veranis, also known as "Mickey White" and "Tony" was an associate of the Winter Hill Gang and a professional welterweight boxer.- Early life :...
, Tommy Sullivan, Americo Sacramone, Edward G. Connors
Edward G. Connors
Edward G. Connors also known as "The Bulldog" and "Eddie", was an associate of the Winter Hill Gang and successful bar owner in Revere, Massachusetts.-Biography:...
and Joe DeNucci.
Boxing career
George fought his first professional boxing match against Tony Lampton on August 24, 1967 in Portland, MainePortland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
and his last match on April 13, 1972 against Jimmy McDermott, also in Portland, Maine. He was sponsored by the Everlast
Everlast (boxing)
Everlast is an American brand active in the design, manufacturing, licensing and marketing of boxing, mixed martial arts and fitness related sporting goods equipment, apparel, footwear, and accessories. Based in Manhattan, Everlast's products are sold across more than 75 countries...
sporting goods company. Of his 43 professional fights, he won 13 (one by knockout), lost 26, and drew three. During his professional boxing career, he weighed between 168 and 186 pounds.
On July 26, 1971 when fighting Bob Benoit in Boston, Massachusetts, Benoit picked up a lop-sided decision over Holden heading the live portion of the closed circuit Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
-Jimmy Ellis
Jimmy Ellis
James Albert "Jimmy" Ellis is a retired boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. He fought in what some consider to be the greatest heavyweight era of all-time, which included Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson, Oscar Bonavena, Earnie Shavers and George Chuvalo among...
fight at the Reliant Astrodome
Reliant Astrodome
Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas, USA. The stadium is part of the Reliant Park complex...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. Benoit scored practically at will and frequently had Holden hurt, but allowed him to get up off the hook.
In his April 13, 1972 match against Jimmy McDermott, Holden entered the ring heavily intoxicated and was indefinitely suspended from professional boxing, ending his career. His final fight against McDermott was declared a no-contest.
Death
On August 23, 1973, Holden's body was found washed up along the shoreline of the Mystic RiverMystic River
The Mystic River is a river in Massachusetts, in the United States. Its name derives from the Wampanoag word "muhs-uhtuq", which translates to "big river." In an Algonquian language, "Missi-Tuk" means "a great river whose waters are driven by waves", alluding to the natural tidal nature of the...
in Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and is located on a peninsula north of downtown Boston. Charlestown was originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; it became a city in 1847 and was annexed by Boston on January 5, 1874...
. His body was discovered along the shoreline between Terminal and Medford Streets. Police reported that he had been murdered with a small-caliber handgun by a single, gangland execution gunshot to the head. His murder was never solved, and no suspects were identified. According to city officials, Holden's murder was the 82nd homicide in the city of Boston in 1973. A number of his fellow competitors met a similar fate, including Anthony Veranis and Rocco DiSiglio
Rocco DiSiglio
Rocco DiSiglio, also known as Rocky DiSiglio was an American professional welterweight boxer and associate of the Patriarca crime family who was involved in armed robbery and illegal gambling.-Boxing career:Little is known about his personal life except that he was born in Newton...
, both murdered in 1966; Edward G. Connors, murdered in 1975; and Americo Sacramone, murdered in 1976.
External references
- http://www.wrko.com/Whitey-Watch/975375
- http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=318&cat=boxer