Another tough area...

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

OHIO. If there is one particular state that comes to my mind as having a superior history of excellence in amateur boxing compared to almost every other state in the country it is Ohio. I have the feeling that the average person might not think of Ohio when they first begin contemplate the origins of some of the best amateurs in American history but the proof is there and it is clear. I mean, forget about the fact that Ezzard Charles, Aaron Pryor and James "Buster" Douglas are all from Cincinnati while Lindell Holmes is from Toledo and Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini and Harry Arroyo are from Youngstown because you can leave those professional world champions out of the equation and still come through with a spectacular list of names.

2000 Olympic silver medalist Ricardo Williams of Cincinnati immediately comes to mind as do 1984 Olympic gold medal winner Jerry Page, Milton "Pete Seward (the most prolific Ohio State Fair champion in history), and 1986 world amateur champion Darin Allen. The last three names all hail from Columbus while multiple time amateur champion (I think he won the Ohio State Fair seven times) Anthony Hanshaw hails from nearby Mansfield. Other past Olympic team members like Tim Austin, Devin Vargas, Ron Siler, Larry Donald, Dante Craig, Raushee Warren and Mickey Bey all hail from the Buckeye state as do top flight amateurs from years gone by like Todd Hickman, Broderick Harper, Sanderline Williams, Henry Hughes, Ravea Springs, Craig Wills, and Virgil "Peanut" McClendon. Future light heavyweight contender Vonzell Johson was a top flight amateur hailing out of Columbus, 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist Wilbur Skeeter McClure hails from Toledo and 165 pounder -and current amateur coach- Antonio Hyde is from Cincinnati .

[Hitman932]

i believe the young heavyweight prospect davin vargas is from the toledo area also? he recently fought on ESPN.

ohio has a great reputation for turning out excellent football players, dont know what it is about ohio but they raise their kids to be big, strong and tough.

[Left2body]

How about pro's? What state do you think produced the best champs. I'm assuming Michigan, NY, Phili and Mass are around the top of that list.

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

Actually, believe it or not, Philly -despite its MAJOR rep, hasnt turned out as many world champs as many other places. Even at 160, where they are famous for them, they have only had Hops in what? The last 25 years or so?

[MaTTuP]

OHIO. If there is one particular state that comes to my mind as having a superior history of excellence in amateur boxing compared to almost every other state in the country it is Ohio. I have the feeling that the average person might not think of Ohio when they first begin contemplate the origins of some of the best amateurs in American history but the proof is there and it is clear. I mean, forget about the fact that Ezzard Charles, Aaron Pryor and James "Buster" Douglas are all from Cincinnati while Lindell Holmes is from Toledo and Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini and Harry Arroyo are from Youngstown because you can leave those professional world champions out of the equation and still come through with a spectacular list of names.

2000 Olympic silver medalist Ricardo Williams of Cincinnati immediately comes to mind as do 1984 Olympic gold medal winner Jerry Page, Milton "Pete Seward (the most prolific Ohio State Fair champion in history), and 1986 world amateur champion Darin Allen. The last three names all hail from Columbus while multiple time amateur champion (I think he won the Ohio State Fair seven times) Anthony Hanshaw hails from nearby Mansfield. Other past Olympic team members like Tim Austin, Devin Vargas, Ron Siler, Larry Donald, Dante Craig, Raushee Warren and Mickey Bey all hail from the Buckeye state as do top flight amateurs from years gone by like Todd Hickman, Broderick Harper, Sanderline Williams, Henry Hughes, Ravea Springs, Craig Wills, and Virgil "Peanut" McClendon. Future light heavyweight contender Vonzell Johson was a top flight amateur hailing out of Columbus, 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist Wilbur Skeeter McClure hails from Toledo and 165 pounder -and current amateur coach- Antonio Hyde is from Cincinnati .

can't forget Pavlik. I live in Akron, OH and for a city of about 245,000 or so boxing is pretty active here but so is Basketball (LeBron James from here) and Football (LOTs of NFL players).

[Sweet Pea 50]

THE HAWK.....

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

i Cannot Believe I Forgot To Put Kelly In There!!!!!!!

[Guest]

Philli and Brooklyn have a lot.

[ben41193]

MAfia Slade is an amature from columbus ohio, He is gonna be the next big thing in boxing, HEre is an early look, HES 15!!!!!

[ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY]

Ben, are you in Columbus? I used to go out there all the time..I fought at the Ohio Fair when I was amateur....the kid you talk about ..is he related to Aveleo???