The First Edition Is Out!

The first edition of our new newsletter is out. Is it in your mailbox? If not, click over to the AAIB Connect page and sign up. Easily readable on any device, the monthly newsletter will deliver the latest information on AAIB scholars and initiatives and the world of boxing. It is brought to you by MailChimp.

This premiere issue is devoted to the 2015 Fundraising Campaign for AAIB Scholars. We are exactly one month away from our campaign deadline on November 15th. Get your copy today and discover the many ways you can help us reach our goal. Do it to support #BoxingScholars. Do it to #ImproveBoxing!

The AAIB #BoxingChance Video

Lights! Camera! Boxing! The American Association for the Improvement of Boxing’s new online presence is just the start of its 2015 Fundraising Campaign for AAIB Scholars. We also produced a video around the theme of this year’s campaign, “The Boxing Chance.” If a fighting chance is a possibility of success through struggle, a boxing chance is the likelihood of success through strategy.

By concentrating its energy on scholarships, the AAIB has reaffirmed its mission to improve the sport of boxing at the source of boxing’s future – young contenders. In this new video, filmed on location at Willis Avenue Gym in the South Bronx, young contenders and AAIB Scholars Walter Sarnoi and Susan Lizzette Jugo reflect on their unique stories and the boxing chances they were given, in their own words.

The #BoxingChance video is also available for viewing on the campaign's new Indiegogo crowdfunding site and here on the home page of aaib.org.

A New Era For The AAIB

As the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing approaches a half-century of service to the sport of boxing, we invite you to follow, explore, and interact with our latest steps into the 21st century. In an effort to reach and help more boxers with more scholarships and support, the AAIB proudly announces our new website, and our new Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

See you in the Twittersphere!

Happy Birthday, Rocky Marciano!

The Post Game linked to a great YouTube clip of Howard Cosell with a humble Muhammad Ali discussing the what ifs surrounding the memory of the Brockton Blockbuster. Rocky would have been 92 today.

The Day We Lost Rocky

On the 46th anniversary of Rocky Marciano's tragic death, Boxing News has reprinted its 1969 obituary by Gilbert Odd:

"Yet despite being a terror in the ring, Rocky was the mildest man in the world in everyday life. When he visited London last year, he made friends wherever he went, being softly spoken, reserved, almost shy, yet carrying a sense of humour. At the National Sporting Club one Monday evening he received a standing ovation and when being called upon to make a speech, excused his lack of words and offered to give an exhibition with any member who cared to climb into the ring."

Rocky Marciano's Hometown Tributes

The 22-foot statue of Rocky Marciano that stands above his Massachusetts hometown high school stadium is not the only way the locals remember the undefeated Champ:

"...he is forever with us in photographs at George's Cafe, in his childhood home on Dover Street, in a display downtown at Hogies Hobbies, at the Brockton Historical Society, in miniature statues gifted to Cape Verdean leaders, in the mural at Joe Angelo's Cafe, in the fists of amateur boxers and the hearts of high school athletes."

Stephen B. Acunto's "Magical Life"

As we approach our founder’s 99th birthday, we could not be prouder of this piece on Steve’s “magical life” written by Jack Hirsh for Boxing News. From his training days, to memories of Max Schmeling, Larry Holmes, and Roy Jones, this is just like sitting with Steve and hearing his great stories in person.

“Acunto beams with pride as we view the video of him and Ali gently going through the motions. Ali was in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease. He looks sluggish, but is a willing pupil as professor Acunto explains the finer points of the sweet science.

“‘Ali still calls me the teacher,’ Acunto laughs.”

No doubt he does. Thank you, Jack, and thank you for the memories , Steve!

The 2014 AAIB Golf Invitational

The 2014 AAIB Celebrity Golf Invitational was a tremendous success and a lot of fun. The AAIB Scholarship fundraising event was held on October 13th and 14th at Galloway National Golf Club and Tropicana Atlantic City. We will post more photos and details soon!

A Better Marciano Movie?

The Boston Globe says the Marciano family has endorsed a third attempt to bring Rocky’s life to the silver screen in a biopic. Tennessee-based City of Peace Films and director Dustin Marcellino will call the film “49-0 / The Brockton Blockbuster.” The previous films have both been made-for-tv movies, the second staring Jon Favreau in 1999.

“‘My father is still counted as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time and if he were alive today, he would be proud that we are working to bring the true story of his life to the big screen,’ said his son, Rocky Marciano Jr., in a statement from City of Peace Films.”

We wish the project the best of luck.