SJC -"RETIRED" FIGHTERS  Popular jr. middle Scott "The Sandman"Erickson "retired" this past year, with a final record of 6-5-1 (5 KO's).  Some of his losses and his draw were questionable.  However, his attitude and exciting style were not.  We wish him well.  Chris Yslas, a crowd pleasing jr. welter, also "retired." His final record reads 4-3 (3 KO's).  We'll see if he stays retired.  Other boxers fought once or twice for us, gave it their all, and left the sport.  We salute them: Derrick Coleman, Martin Santos, Curtis Figgers, Manuel Martinez, and Kerry Parks.

TRIBUTE TO FELIKA CORREA   Feliciano "Felika" Correa, from Green Rock, Illinois, was a crowd favorite wherever he fought.  He was a great amateur amassing 182 victories, including a win over Kennedy McKinney, just prior to McKinney's winning the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics.  Correa signed with the SJC Professional Boxing Team and instantly became a hit in Southwest Florida.  In July 1996 he fought world champion Arturo Gatti, at Madison Square Garden, New York, on the undercard of Bowe-Golota I. He was stopped in round three.  This turned out to be Felika's last fight.  He developed what doctor's thought was a brain tumor.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a cyst and was able to be treated without surgery.  Felika had hoped to resume his boxing career, but then he was diagnosed with an aneurism.  Today, Felika is a supervisor with a company in Illinois and is doing well.  He takes one day at a time, grateful for his devoted wife and family and thankful for his many friends.

SPECIAL THANK YOU!  Deserving of a very special thank you is Charlie Pechette.  Without Charlie, there would have been no SJC Boxing.  He became involved originally with our amateur program.  Because of him, we were able to launch our professional team.

       Dr.  Danny Tufariello was one of our amateur ringside physicians.  He enjoyed working with the young boxers and did a great job.  When the time came to begin the professional boxing program, Dr. Danny became our boxing promoter.  He made boxing history, of sorts, when he promoted Peter McNeeley vs.  Dr. Hackie Reitman.  This was the first time a doctor promoted another doctor to fight in a main event.

       Jimmy Sotolongo, a car dealer, sports memorabilia shop owner, and concert promoter, became a boxing promoter.  He also was instrumental in helping the fighters with jobs and advice.  Jimmy and his partner Bob Clements (Southwest Entertainment) promoted the first live broadcast of professional boxing on the Internet on May 23, 1997.

       Jerry Brown began his association with SJC Boxing when he came to meet Carmen Basilio at an autograph session prior to our first local show. We needed someone to drive Carmen and Josie to their engagements and Jerry volunteered.  Since then Jerry has been invaluable in assisting in all aspects of the boxing program.

       Bob Alexander not only does the morning show on WIKX radio in Punta Gorda, but announces our shows.  He even traveled to Nassau, Bahamas, on September 20, 1997, when we crowned our first two world champions: Steve Frank and Freeman Barr.  Bob is an ardent collector of VHS tapes on boxing and has over 1500 of the great fights in his collection.

       Del Virgilio has been around the boxing business for a long time.  He comes from the New England area and was close to the great Rocky Marciano.  Del spends the winter months in Florida and is a frequent visitor in our gym, watching the fighters go through their workouts.

       Tommy Torino has been a close personal friend for quite some time.  He is recognized as one of the most successful matchmakers in the business.  He was best man at the wedding of Steve and Mary Lynn Canton.