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World-class heavyweight contender of the 1950's and 60's
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Old Foe Joins Salute To Tom McNeeley

George Logan flown in for Hall of Fame ceremony

BOSTON, MA — Tom McNeeley knew he was being honored as the Veteran Boxer of the Year by the New England Boxing Hall of Fame. The big surprise came when he discovered that George Logan, his one-time arch rival when both were top heavyweight contenders in the late 1950's and early 60's, had been flown in for the ceremony from his home in Boise, Idaho.

TOM McNEELEY, ROCKY MARCIANO, AND GEORGE LOGAN
NOW AND THEN — Above: Tom McNeeley (left) and George Logan (right) with former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who refereed their fight in 1960.   Below: Tom (left) and George at Sunday's NE Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony pose with Tom's son Peter (center), a current heavyweight contender.
TOM McNEELEY, PETER McNEELEY, AND GEORGE LOGAN

McNeeley and Logan fought three epic battles in 1960. McNeeley won each time, but all three bouts were hard-fought all-out wars. Both men fought the heavyweight champion and most of the leading challengers of the day, and each states today that the other was the toughest foe he ever faced in the ring.

"Tom is a great guy, but he sure was a tough S.O.B.," Logan laughed. "It looks like he's still in pretty good shape...maybe he'll give me a rematch someday!"

Others paying tribute to McNeeley included Mass. governor Jane Swift and State Auditor Joe DeNucci. A full house of boxers, family members, friends an fans packed Dorchester's McKeon Post for the Sunday afternoon ceremony, which was held on September 15th.

Five new members were inducted into the New England Boxing Hall of Fame — Michael Blyth (So. Boston), Ring-99 President Doug Keefe (Quincy), and Jerry Colton, Gardner Brooks, and Danny Heath (all of Lowell).

See also:   McNeeley Honored By Boxing Hall Of Fame   [Boston Post-Gazette]

This article was posted on October 1, 2002