Back in 1971 Maurice Lucas, Jeep Kelly and Rickey Coleman were winning state basketball championships and Sam Clancy, Warnie Macklin, Puffy Kennedy and Bill Clarke were in Elementary school and Major Harris was barely out of diapers.
1971 was also the last time a sanctioned boxing event was held in the historic Pittsburgh’s Hill District.
On June 7, Shields of Faith LLC Promotions put on a boxing card at the New YMCA on the Hill billed as “The Rumble on the Hill.”
You heard the old cliché, “Anything men can do, women can do better!” It was true on Saturday afternoon. Promoter Goldette Shields, CEO of Shields of Faith LLC, did something no man in 43 years could accomplish. She put on a sanctions boxing card on the Hill.
“Boxing is really dying down, but when you know somebody is putting on a boxing show in your community that will make you work harder to come and get your shine on for your family,” said Shields. “I got into boxing when I was young from being bad in the streets. I played professional football in Pittsburgh, Erie and in Florida. I also won the state of West Virginia Toughman contest and I still hold the record for the quickest knockout of 36 seconds. I studied Mike Tyson and what he taught me is to never let anybody come out the corner. I’m going to jump on you like a cat and have an easy night.”
Shields is a role model to many young women as one of the only female boxing promoters. Pittsburgh’s a tough town for boxing right now—it’s hard to fill the seats. That might make some hesitate to dive into a career as a promoter. But not Goldette “Goldie” Shields.
“We are here to stay and we have already scheduled another sanctioned boxing event at the YMCA on the Hill on August 9th,” said Shields. “My vision for boxing is for fighters to come from Florida, Atlanta, New York, California and all over to fight boxers from Pittsburgh. Also every event that I promote 30 percent comes back to the community.”
Just about every boxing show brings a genuine who’s who of past and present stars. Among these present for the show were former lightweight champion “The Pittsburgh Kid” Paul Spadafora, former light heavyweight champion Rayco “War” Saunders, cruiserweight contender Chris “Nightmare” Stallworth, Allen Levine, “The Talking Machine” of Pittsburgh Sportsline TV show, Brian Cook, of American Urban Radio Networks, and John Neiderer III.
The ring was setup in the middle of the basketball Gymnasium and none of the boxers experience any cramping problems.
The main event featured Erick Sydnor, of Ray Schafer Gym, vs. Russell Scott, of Corey Fight Club in Ohio, in a middleweight bout. Scott won on a very close split decision.
The Outstanding boxer of the night award went to Johnny Spells, of North Side Pal. Spells graduate from Perry High School and beat Anthony Maggio, of Ray Schafer, all in the same week. Spells is a super lightweight.
Dillon Burrell, of Man Lion Gym, appears to be a fighter with fighter with professional boxing potential. He reminded many at ringside of a young Roy Jones, Jr. Burrell punished the very tough 132 pound Charlie Clauston, of Elwood City.
Other winners were 110 Novice Devin Young, of Corey Fight Club in Ohio, 60 pound Saieed Reed, of Corey Fight Club in Ohio, 85 pound Trevon Wilson, of Corey Fight Club in Ohio and 55 pound Jacob Jamie, of Lower East Side.
“Philly did a great job as the match maker and he put together a very competitive card,” said Ring Official Henry “Coach Rock” Robinson. “I grew up in New York and what I learned as a boxer I try to give it back to the youth to keep them off the streets and that’s why they call me coach Rock!”
But the sport also has steadily lost fans across the United States, especially as mixed martial arts, a full body combat sport has gained mainstream popularity. Does boxing have a chance to survive in Pittsburgh and on the Hill?
“We just opened a brand new gym in the Hill District. The same location that Sugar Ray Robinson, Billy Conn, Charlie Burley, Fritzie Zivic and many other trained at,” said “Mad Dog” Jimmy Cvetic, Director of the Golden Gloves Boxing. “The gym is at the old YMCA and former National Golden Gloves Champion and professional boxer Darren Dolby will run the gym and be the trainer.”
Thanks to Goldette Shields, coach Rock, the Police Athletic League, Jimmy Cvetic and all the great athletes on the Hill. Boxing is alive and well in the City of Champions.
