For the past five years I have been on a mission to learn everything I can about the history of boxing in my next-door neighbor, Lawrence, MA. Small, industrial cities throughout New England once had their own economies, their own department stores, radio stations and multiple newspapers. They also had their own heroes and celebrities and some of which were boxers.
A thriving local media helped to shape and mold the stories of these men in a Lawrence-centric way.
Lawrence was a small boxing market. Local promotional literature and boxing portraits rarely make it into any dealer’s collections or on Ebay. The pictures on display at the Pizza King come from private family collections.
This modest exhibit is by no means the complete story of Lawrence boxing but merely a taste. My plan, in borrowing and scanning these images was to some day share them with the community. Pizza King, with its newly renovated interior seems like a good place to start.
I wish at this time to thank the following people who’ve helped me out over the years by either answering my endless questions or sharing their precious pictures: Frank Benjamin, Peter Dugan, Joe Bella, Louise Sandberg and the FOLPL, Pam Yameen, Amita and Helen at the Lawrence History Center, IBRO Members Dan Cuoco, Mike Silver, Brian Doug Cavanaugh, Clay Moyle and Luckett C. Davis. Al Pappalardo, Brenda Guigino, Billy Bell, Ellen Giblin, Jay and Susan Dowd, Roland Tardugno. If your name isn’t here it’s because I will be thanking you and displaying your photos at the next pop up exhibit.
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