Tony Martin, Fallen Philadelphia Boxer’s Funeral & Tribute

By Ken Hissner, Doghouse Boxing (March 22, 2013) Doghouse Boxing
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On March 10th, Philadelphia added but another fatality to their growing list. This time it was former boxer Tony Martin, age 52, inside a rental property he owned. The shooter is still on the loose but by the grace of God will be caught and executed. Martin was one of the most well liked boxers in Philadelphia and a family man with four grown children.

This writer attended the funeral Monday at the Holsey Temple CME church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia where a packed house of family and friends were present. Many boxing figures were noticed such as Martin’s manager Eddie Woods, Buster Drayton, Tyrone “Butterfly” Crawley, Nate Miller, Vinnie Burgese, Buster Custus, James Gibbs, Ron Horn and Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins spoke about his experiences with Martin and the giant heart he had. Martin’s brother sang a song in tribute to him.

Martin was originally from St. Louis, MO. The pastor asked all those from that area to stand and there were many. He also asked all the postal workers where Martin was still employed going back to his fighting days, to stand. There were too many to count. One of the workers said “you never could talk negatively in front of Tony without him waving his finger and saying I want to hear something positive”. A picture of the boxer next to his casket showed his smiling face that he was well known to greet many with. Family members cried as they looked upon their loved one for the last time here on earth.

Drayton, the former IBF light middleweight champion will be holding a tribute Saturday at Shulers Gym in West Philadelphia at 750 N. Brooklyn St., off Lancaster Avenue. The tribute is called “Tribute to A Fallen Champion” by B&B. Drayton will be joined by Shuler gym owner Buster Custus. All are welcome.

Martin’s record was 34-6-1 (12), holding both the USBA and NABF titles in the junior welterweight division. He had wins over former WBA lightweight champion Livingston Bramble and Micky Ward. His final fight was against Julio Cesar Chavez in 1997 losing by decision ending a career that started in 1985. The “10 count” will be given at the next Veteran Boxers Association meeting on April 13th at Clearfield & Richmond in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. Martin will be remembered for his giant heart in and out of the ring!

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