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J. Russell Peltz Inducted into the AC Boxing Hall of Fame


It’s May, which means it’s Hall of Fame induction time in the boxing community. Last week, Spirit News reported on Wade Hinnant, George Hill and Frank Kubach’s induction into the 2017 class of the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame. This week, promoter J. Russell Peltz was inducted into the inaugural class of the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame at the Claridge Hotel in the beachside resort.

Peltz is a 1968 graduate of Temple University and his company, Peltz Boxing Promotions Inc., is headquartered on Brown Street in Fairmount. He was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Linda, fellow promoters and Temple alumni Brittany Rogers and Michelle Rosado, and many friends.

J. Russell Peltz (left) and Fred Druding (right). Peltz was inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.

J. Russell Peltz (left) and Fred Druding (right). Peltz was inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.

Peltz is in great company in this Hall of Fame class, which includes Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, Arturo Gatti and fellow promoter Don King among the 24 inductees. The other Philadelphian honored was former Light Heavyweight Champion Matthew Saad Muhammad, posthumously.

Mr. Peltz is also a member of the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the World Boxing Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Temple University School of Communications & Theatre Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the James J. Walker Memorial Award from the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1999.

Promoters Michelle Rosado and Brittany Rodgers accompanied Mr. Peltz at the red carpet event.

Promoters Michelle Rosado and Brittany Rodgers accompanied Mr. Peltz at the red carpet event.

Peltz started promoting boxing in 1969 at the age of 22 and was dubbed “The Boy Wonder” for promoting 15 events in 7 ½ months at the Legendary Blue Horizon. He also promoted shows at great venues such as the Spectrum, the Sands Casino, Resorts International, Bally’s, Harrah’s Marina, Trump Castle, Caesar’s, The Claridge and the Playboy Hotel in Atlantic City.

The list of boxers who Peltz has promoted is a Who’s Who of Philadelphia pugilists: George Benton, “Bad” Bennie Brisco, Eugene “Cyclone” Hart, Mike “The Jewish Bomber” Rossman, Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, Willie “The Worm” Monroe, “Joltin’” Jeff Chandler, Stanley “Kitten” Hayward, “Smokin’” Wade Hinnant, Randall “Tex” Cobb, and Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown all fought under the Peltz Promotions banner, among many others. Out-of-town fan favorites such as “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, Robert Duran, Arturo Gatti and Michael Spinks also fought several times.George Benton

In his acceptance speech, Peltz recalled a story about an early fight where he lost money but he kept his word to the fighter George Benton and manager Joe Gramby that was repaid several-fold, but years later.

“I’m not up here to tell you that I’m perfect… through that incident you learn that if you don’t have your word, you have nothing,” Peltz said. “Thank you.”

Peltz is showing no signs of slowing down. His next event will be held on Friday, June 2 at the 2300 Arena in South Philly. The card features local favorites Hank Lundy, Isaiah Wise, Marcel Rivers, Scott Kelleher, Jaron Ennis and Crystian Peguero against fighters from Mexico, Nicaragua and across the United States. First bout starts at 7:30 PM.

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