Six To Be Inducted Into Connecticut Boxing Hall Of Fame

UNCASVILLE, CT — Former world lightweight champion Gary Balletto headlines the 2024 induction class for the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. The remaining inductees are Luis Rosa Jr., Hector Rosario, Mike Mazzulli, Frank Lombardi, and George Phillips.

The induction dinner is slated for Nov. 2 at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Tickets priced at $70 can be purchased at ctboxinghof.com.

Just 20 years old when he made his pro debut in 1996, Balletto quickly developed a large following with his rapid-fire execution in the ring that would lead to him winning three lightweight titles (IBU, EBA, and USBF). The Providence native earned the nickname "Tiger" for his aggressive, crowd-pleasing style. Balletto was 25-0-2 and already had an EBA title on his resume when he suffered his first loss to Michael Clark by majority decision in October of 2002. He bounced back quickly, scoring back-to-back first-round knockouts, the second of which came against Johnny Walker and gave Balletto the vacant IBU lightweight title in March of 2003. Balletto finished his career with a 31-3-2 record that included 26 knockouts. In 2013, a spinal cord injury suffered while playing with his son in their backyard left Balletto paralyzed from the waist down. In 2017, he established the Gary Tiger Balletto Foundation to bring awareness to and provide resources for those dealing with similar injuries that result in paralysis.

One of the most promising talents to come out of Connecticut, Rosa had a sterling amateur career before compiling a 23-1 professional record and appearing destined for greatness. But in January of 2018, a tragic auto accident claimed his life. Rosa was just 26. His last fight was a memorable one for the WBC Continental Americas Featherweight title in Cleveland. In a bout many observers felt could have gone either way, Rosa lost a split decision to Yuandale Evans. The biggest win of his career came in May of 2014 against super bantamweight contender Luis Del Valle, who was 18-1 at the time. Knocked down in Round 5, Rosa came back to win a unanimous decision. Rosa was born in Puerto Rico but raised in a boxing family in New Haven. Luis Rosa Sr., an ex-boxer, and his wife Marilyn created the Boxing in Faith gym in New Haven for amateurs and pros in 2009.

The Manchester Ring of Champions Society gym has seemingly become a breeding ground for Hall of Famers. Rosario joins Manchester ROCS founder Paul Cichon and former lightweight contender Matt Remillard as inductees into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. One of the sport's most respected trainers, Rosario, 62, has been with Manchester ROCS since 2013. He has assisted in training the likes of Mykquan Williams, a two-time CBHOF Pro Fighter of the Year. Rosario first began training fighters in his garage that he labeled the "Sweet Science" gym. Rosario then trained fighters at Bare Bones gym in East Hartford before finding a permanent home with Manchester ROCS.

Having cultivated a no-nonsense reputation in the fight game, Mazzulli has been a rising star behind the scenes. An East Lyme native who graduated from the University of New Haven in 1990, Mazzulli quickly rose through the ranks when hired by the Mohegan Tribal Organization. In 2003, he became the Director of Athletic Regulation at Mohegan Sun, with an emphasis on boxing. Mazzulli soon became known as a fierce defender of the sport. That stance helped him earn election as the president of the Association of Boxing Commissions in July of 2015. In 2007, Mazzulli became a charter member of the board of directors for the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. At the World Boxing Council's annual convention in Mexico City in 2021, Mazzulli was named the Commissioner of the Year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

When Lombardi began his career as a professional judge in 2000, he likely didn't envision he would become within striking distance of 1,000 bouts judged. But with more than 730 under his belt and no signs of slowing down, Lombardi might just reach that mark. A resident of Danbury, Lombardi got thrown into the fire early in his career. In 2002, he was one of the judges for what many organizations called the Fight of the Year, the Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward slugfest in 2002. Ward won that bout at the Mohegan Sun Arena. In addition to judging several world title bouts, Lombardi maintained a presence in Connecticut. During one stretch in 2017, Lombardi was a judge in nine consecutive fight cards at Connecticut venues. In 2022, Lombardi received the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame William Hutt Official of the Year honor.

A jack-of-all-trades in the sport, Phillips has been a referee and a judge in the amateur ranks. He was team manager for the 2006 Region I Junior Olympic squad that won a national title, and he remains an avid collector of boxing memorabilia. He has been a referee and a judge in national championships, and was voted best referee at the 20006 PAL Championships. Phillips has also done stints as a referee, judge and timekeeper at Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, and for the state of Connecticut. Phillips is also a past member of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame board of directors.

Mykquan Williams of Manchester ROCS has been named the CBHOF Pro Fighter of the Year. Troy Moore out of the Get 'Em Boy gym in New Haven is the CBHOF Amateur Fighter of the Year. Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will be a guest of honor at the induction dinner.