An article from the Lockport US&J....
LOCAL BOXING: Bilicki named Ring 44 ‘Man of the Year’
Gasport man known for historic memorabilia collection
GASPORT — You can almost hear Bo Bilicki’s deep voice singing backups each time his cell phone goes off and the “Rocky Theme” plays. The song is more than a special ring tone to the Dale Road man, it’s his way of life. Boxing is, after all, at the core of Bilicki’s heart and soul, and his lifetime of work, though outside of the ring, has been in some ways more significant than the careers in the ring he celebrates.
But typically, Bilicki, 54, known in local boxing circles as an extremely gracious and modest local fight historian, will accept tonight’s prestigious award as Buffalo Veteran Boxers Association Ring 44 “2008 Man of the Year” in stride. The 12th Annual Hall of Fame Dinner is slated for 6-11 p.m. at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew.
“I’m honored they’ve even considered me for this award,” Bilicki said. “It’s great, but it’s awkward too. I’m used to giving people things, not accepting them.”
What began as a hobby more than a quarter century ago has evolved into one of the most celebrated and sought-after collections of Western New York boxing memorabilia ever comprised. Bilicki’s attic is a virtual local boxing museum, featuring thousands of photographs, posters and articles that feature local boxing greats from the last century, including Lockportians Jimmy Duffy, Tony Ventura, Dick Loadman and Tommy Hicks. The artifacts aren’t just part of some extravagant collection, however, as Bilicki periodically takes the items out and showcases them at various venues, making new friends and fans where ever he travels with them.
“Bo is a very modest person and low-keyed guy, but his dedication to boxing and the tremendous leadership by example that he provides as a long time member of Ring 44 is a great continuance of the prestige that he and previous award winners contribute to the history of the prize,” said Jack Green, Ring 44 president.
Bilicki has been a boxing fan since his childhood when he used to watch Gillette Friday Night Fights. He soon began collecting any boxing memorabilia he could find, beginning with one of his favorites, autographed items by Max Schmeling.Among his biggest passions is collecting and preserving the history of fighters from the Lockport area. His displays include impressive 1912 original posters of Duffy and pictures and programs from the Hall of Fame careers of Hicks and Ventura.
“Boxing people are a special breed of people who have a great deal of respect for one another,” Bilicki said. “What gives me the most satisfaction is the appreciation of people when I repair a photo of their fighter or I do a collage of a family’s fight history or just give someone a piece of fighting history that interests them.”
Boxers slated for induction into the hall tonight include welterweight Rocky Cudney. Others to be inducted are lightweights Harris Blake and Bobby McQuillar, welterweight Gene Poirer and middleweight Neal River, all deceased. Buffalo’s Wendy Casey will be honored as “Amateur Boxer of the Year.” Among those expected to attend tonight’s Hall of Fame dinner is former Welterweight champion of the world Carmen Basilio and former heavyweight contender Baby Joe Mesi.
Source:
http://www.lockportjournal.com/sports/local_story_227223323.html?keyword=topstory
LOCAL BOXING: Bilicki named Ring 44 ‘Man of the Year’
Gasport man known for historic memorabilia collection
GASPORT — You can almost hear Bo Bilicki’s deep voice singing backups each time his cell phone goes off and the “Rocky Theme” plays. The song is more than a special ring tone to the Dale Road man, it’s his way of life. Boxing is, after all, at the core of Bilicki’s heart and soul, and his lifetime of work, though outside of the ring, has been in some ways more significant than the careers in the ring he celebrates.
But typically, Bilicki, 54, known in local boxing circles as an extremely gracious and modest local fight historian, will accept tonight’s prestigious award as Buffalo Veteran Boxers Association Ring 44 “2008 Man of the Year” in stride. The 12th Annual Hall of Fame Dinner is slated for 6-11 p.m. at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew.
“I’m honored they’ve even considered me for this award,” Bilicki said. “It’s great, but it’s awkward too. I’m used to giving people things, not accepting them.”
What began as a hobby more than a quarter century ago has evolved into one of the most celebrated and sought-after collections of Western New York boxing memorabilia ever comprised. Bilicki’s attic is a virtual local boxing museum, featuring thousands of photographs, posters and articles that feature local boxing greats from the last century, including Lockportians Jimmy Duffy, Tony Ventura, Dick Loadman and Tommy Hicks. The artifacts aren’t just part of some extravagant collection, however, as Bilicki periodically takes the items out and showcases them at various venues, making new friends and fans where ever he travels with them.
“Bo is a very modest person and low-keyed guy, but his dedication to boxing and the tremendous leadership by example that he provides as a long time member of Ring 44 is a great continuance of the prestige that he and previous award winners contribute to the history of the prize,” said Jack Green, Ring 44 president.
Bilicki has been a boxing fan since his childhood when he used to watch Gillette Friday Night Fights. He soon began collecting any boxing memorabilia he could find, beginning with one of his favorites, autographed items by Max Schmeling.Among his biggest passions is collecting and preserving the history of fighters from the Lockport area. His displays include impressive 1912 original posters of Duffy and pictures and programs from the Hall of Fame careers of Hicks and Ventura.
“Boxing people are a special breed of people who have a great deal of respect for one another,” Bilicki said. “What gives me the most satisfaction is the appreciation of people when I repair a photo of their fighter or I do a collage of a family’s fight history or just give someone a piece of fighting history that interests them.”
Boxers slated for induction into the hall tonight include welterweight Rocky Cudney. Others to be inducted are lightweights Harris Blake and Bobby McQuillar, welterweight Gene Poirer and middleweight Neal River, all deceased. Buffalo’s Wendy Casey will be honored as “Amateur Boxer of the Year.” Among those expected to attend tonight’s Hall of Fame dinner is former Welterweight champion of the world Carmen Basilio and former heavyweight contender Baby Joe Mesi.
Source:
http://www.lockportjournal.com/sports/local_story_227223323.html?keyword=topstory
