Philadelphia boxing historian John DiSanto has done it again.
DiSanto, a lifelong boxing fan who runs phillyboxinghistory.com, has made it his business to ensure past greats from the city are remembered.
As well as the website, DiSanto has a gravestone project, so top Philly fighters who have had to be buried without a headstone can be immortalized in a more fitting fashion.
The latest project he’s completed has been one for welterweight Gil Turner, who retired in 1959 following a decision loss to Del Flanagan in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Turner had a 56-19-2 (35 KOs) record, fighting the likes of Ralph Dupas, Virgil Akins, Isaac Logart, Ike Williams, Beau Jack, Joey Giambra, Kid Gavilan (whom he challenged for the world title in 1952 in Philadelphia), Johnny Saxton, Gene Fullmer, Carmen Basilio, and Rocky Castellani.
He boxed fellow Philly fighters Joey Giardello and Garnet Hart, too.
“This one was many years in the making,” DiSanto told BoxingScene. “Gil’s brother, Albert, ‘owned’ the cemetery plot. When I approached him about doing a gravestone more than 15 years ago, he wasn’t interested. However, Gil’s son, Keith Hunter, was very interested. But it was Albert’s decision. I kept in touch with Albert, but he never budged. Years later, Albert passed away and Keith called me to ask if we could do the gravestone. We started the process and after a few delays, we got it done.
“Most of the funds were raised via GoFundMe, but additional funds came in by check. Organizations including the VBA-Ring One and Ali’s old training camp, now called Fighter’s Heaven, made direct donations.”
Gil Turner’s grave is in Northwood Cemetery in North Philly, and the final design was chosen by Gil’s son, grandson, and DiSanto.
The next project for custodian DiSanto to work on is one for interim world featherweight champion Percy Bassett.
“Now that Turner’s stone has been placed, I will start raising funds and expect to place Bassett’s gravestone later in 2026,” said DiSanto. “I hope to make it a similar style as Turner’s.”
