The Conn-Greb Boxing Club

10/16/2026

Charley Burley, hero and neighbor of August Wilson and the inspiration for his play "Fences," passed away on this day in 1992.

The great Hill District boxer was remembered by all as one of the finest fighters who ever graced a prize ring.

10/15/2026

Tim Conn, who is a regular visitor to our gym, shared this amazing photo in apropos of yesterday's post. Thanks Tim!!
Weinstein's Deli in Squirrel Hill was a regular stop for these guys when in town. Left to right: Billy Conn, Tim Conn, Rocky Marciano, Jack Cargo (of the Cargo Candy Co.), Mary Louise Conn (daughter of Greenfield Jimmy Smith) and Joe Louis.

One of the great pleasures we get here is when the fighter's families connect with us. We have had Greb, Conn, Zivic, Burley, Klaus, Angott, Yarosz, Secreet, Rooney and tons of others reach out and help us celebrate their family's boxing legacy. We appreciate you all!

10/14/2026

“Some of the customers at Weinstein’s Squirrel Hill eatery blinked a couple times Thurs. afternoon to make sure they were seeing straight.

In one of the booths sat three great fighters of a few years ago, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and Billy Conn.

They had a light snack before going to Somerset for a National Boy Scout affair. “First question we were asked,” Marciano said, “was, ‘What do you think of Cassius Clay as champion?’ All three of us looked at each other.”

All thought Clay was a good fighter but one who has yet to prove himself “the greatest” as he claims. “He leaves me befuddled after every fight,” Rocky said as Louis and Conn nodded agreement.”
– Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12/17/1965
(At that point it must have been hard to know just what to make of young Clay [now Ali]. But Conn and Louis would live to see him achieve his greatness).

10/14/2026

After losing to Harry Greb early in his long career, Light-heavyweight champ Maxie Rosenbloom fought 8 contests in Pittsburgh, perhaps to help exorcise the memory of the man who gave him his first true career beating.

“Yeah, I fought Harry Greb,” he recalled. “I guess he could’a m*rdered me if he wanted. He didn’t want to. Just slapped me around like I tried to slap him, only I couldn’t find him half the time. He was so fast and smart.

He’da knocked out Cassius Clay without hitting him. The wind from his punches whizzin’ by woulda done it.”
After his boxing career ended, Maxie became a popular entertainer. He was famous for his rough, obviously-a-former-boxer way of speaking, which made him a sought-after actor for tough guy roles in movies.

“Warner Bros Studios made me take diction lessons,” he recalled. “I got so good at talkin’ they fired me! Marlon Brando, he learns to talk like me, like he’s got marbles in his mouth, and HE wins an Oscar!”

He returned to the Steel City for various functions for years. One of these was a charity baseball game that celebrities held at Forbes Field.

Sun-Telegraph writer and boxing fanatic Harry Keck approached Maxie after one game and asked his opinion of who would win in the upcoming fight between Gus Lesnevich and local favorite Ezzard Charles:

“He said, ’Oh, Charles ought to win, but he may not.’ So now you know folks, in case you want to place a bet. The Oracle has spoken.

He thinks that if Charles does not win, Lesnevich will...”

The answer highlights the reason Maxie was so loved by everyone.

Classic!

10/13/2026

Happy Columbus Day! Celebrating Pittsburgh's Italian pugilists today, starting with the greatest of them all-- our lightweight champion SAMMY ANGOTT.

During his glossy career Angott, with his mauling, unorthodox style, beat the likes of Willie Pep, Ike Williams, Lew Jenkins, Johnny Bratton and Bob Montgomery (three times!).

Also our bantamweight champion TONY MARINO, whose tragic ring death resulted in the 3-knockdown rule, which exists in NY to this day.

East Liberty's "other" top boxer, CARMEN NOTCH (aka Pernatozzi).

Lawrenceville's Olympic Gold medalist BILL BOSSIO, who became the first pro fighter trained by Angelo Dundee.

Panther Hollow southpaw MOSE BUTCH (Bucci).

ANDY "Kid" DePAUL of the West End.

LEE SALA, the left-hooking demon from Donora.

DICK DeSANDERS- a hard-hitting Bloomfield slugger and uncle of horror legend Tom Savini.
Also such stellar boxers as Cuddy DeMarco, Jack Perry (Perri), Tony Ross (Molinaro), Jimmy Belmont (Tilicki), Battling Gizzy, Harry Palmer (Palmieri), Al Iovino and the Adragna Brothers of Munhall.

10/12/2026

Happy Columbus Day! Celebrating Pittsburgh's Italian pugilists today, starting with the greatest of them all-- our lightweight champion SAMMY ANGOTT.

During his glossy career Angott, with his mauling, unorthodox style, beat the likes of Willie Pep, Ike Williams, Lew Jenkins, Johnny Bratton and Bob Montgomery (three times!).

Also our bantamweight champion TONY MARINO, whose tragic ring death resulted in the 3-knockdown rule, which exists in NY to this day.

East Liberty's "other" top boxer, CARMEN NOTCH (aka Pernatozzi).

Lawrenceville's Olympic Gold medalist BILL BOSSIO, who became the first pro fighter trained by Angelo Dundee.

Panther Hollow southpaw MOSE BUTCH (Bucci).

ANDY "Kid" DePAUL of the West End.

LEE SALA, the left-hooking demon from Donora.

DICK DeSANDERS- a hard-hitting Bloomfield slugger and uncle of horror legend Tom Savini.
Also such stellar boxers as Cuddy DeMarco, Jack Perry (Perri), Tony Ross (Molinaro), Jimmy Belmont (Tilicki), Battling Gizzy, Harry Palmer (Palmieri), Al Iovino and the Adragna Brothers of Munhall. ..and if we left anyone off the list let us know!

10/12/2026

Happy Columbus Day! Celebrating Pittsburgh's Italian pugilists today, starting with the greatest of them all-- our lightweight champion SAMMY ANGOTT.

During his glossy career Angott, with his mauling, unorthodox style, beat the likes of Willie Pep, Ike Williams, Lew Jenkins, Johnny Bratton and Bob Montgomery (three times!).

Also our bantamweight champion TONY MARINO, whose tragic ring death resulted in the 3-knockdown rule, which exists in NY to this day.

East Liberty's "other" top boxer, CARMEN NOTCH (aka Pernatozzi).

Lawrenceville's Olympic Gold medalist BILL BOSSIO, who became the first pro fighter trained by Angelo Dundee.

Panther Hollow southpaw MOSE BUTCH (Bucci).

ANDY "Kid" DePAUL of the West End.

LEE SALA, the left-hooking demon from Donora.

DICK DeSANDERS- a hard-hitting Bloomfield slugger and uncle of horror legend Tom Savini.
Also such stellar boxers as Cuddy DeMarco, Jack Perry (Perri), Tony Ross (Molinaro), Jimmy Belmont (Tilicki), Battling Gizzy, Harry Palmer (Palmieri), Al Iovino and the Adragna Brothers of Munhall.
..and if we left anyone off the list let us know!

10/12/2026