It’s back. After a year off, the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Boxing show has returned and was as big and as great as it has ever been. This year it was held at Peter Welch’s Gym at 371 Dorchester Avenue in South Boston and it’s accurate to say that the crowd of enthusiastic spectators literally packed the place to the rafters. In South Boston our sporting events always start off with the singing of the National Anthem and this event was no exception as the crowd proudly stood, hands over their hearts in respectful silence until the last note was sung. And then the bouts began. More than 22 in all.
The local boxing talent that was on display this night was not just excellent, it was dazzling as the young athletes as light as 40 pounds all the way up to 145 pound class; young men as well as young ladies gave their bouts every bit of ability, heart and soul they had. All had proper safety equipment and it was very apparent that they all benefitted from the excellent training they received from the professional trainers at Peter Welch’s Gym. There were even special guests from the boxing world that came in from Las Vegas. And well deserved tributes were given to professional boxers on hand that night as well as those who have passed away.
This event was co-sponsored by the South Boston Citizens Association and Pete Welch himself. The Honorary Chairman was Register of Deeds Stephen Murphy. The elected officials in attendance were State Rep and candidate for state senator Nick Collins, City Councilors and Ed Flynn and Mike Flaherty. Dan Lynch, representing Congressman Stephen Lynch was also on hand to present a plaque from the congressman.
Every bout was outstanding in its own right. The boxers received beautiful trophies and there were even special awards given out. The St. Patrick’s Day Boxing Show/Jr. Golden Gloves Special Awards went to the following boxers: Bobby Rehm – Outstanding Boxer Under 100lbs, Isaiah Tavares – Outstanding Boxer Over 100lbs, Most Courageous – Dempsey Murphy, Bout of the Night – Aiden White vs Andre LeClerc. Famous South Boston
And of course a special award and tribute was presented to one of South Boston’s most famous professional boxers Danny Long. Dan, along with another South Boston boxing great, Tommy Connors also did a great job as one of the referees in the ring that night. Legendary Irish Boxing great Sean Mannion was also on hand to add his professional touch to the evening.
The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Boxing Show wouldn’t be the same without some of the familiar faces who have been part of making these shows successful and working with local youths in the sport of boxing for many years such as Ed Kelley, Joe Curran and Mike Larkin who returned again this year to help make it all go off so well. And as was stated above, tribute and special mention was given to those boxers who passed away during the past year: Joe DeNucci, David Attardo and Eddie Macaloney as well as people who played a major role over the years promoting the sport such as Billy Pender, former Mass Boxing Commissioner and Barbara Roache, mother of famous trainer and boxing judge Freddie Roache.
To say that this year’s boxing show was an event that impressed everyone in attendance would be an understatement. From start to finish it had all the makings of some of the best organized shows that could be found anywhere. One of the main driving forces behind it all was of course Peter Welch who worked hard and over saw every detail to make it so. And it was also a thrill to the young boxers who took part. They trained hard and all of them seemed to be proud to have been part of it. South Boston Today asked one boxer; young Aidan Colton who was proudly clutching his trophy if he was enjoying himself this night. With a big smile on his face he shook his head yes. And that pretty much summed up the opinion of all who turned out Saturday night; boxers and spectators alike.
