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Pugilato: The Art of
Boxing |
By Angelo Zeolla
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The Hollywood image of the Italian American boxer is of the
working class rough who grew up on the cold streets and speaks
inarticulate English like Rocky Balboa.
As with all stereotypes there is some validity. Two Ton Tony
Galento, Jake Lamotta, and Rocky Graziano were boxers whose
flamboyance, brute skill, and run-ins with the law contributed
to this negative image. However, in the rich history of the
Manly Art there is always Italian American boxers who shatter
that image. Boxers like Wille Pep (Guglielmo Papaleo), Carmen
Basilio and the immortal Rocky Marciano all fought with that
indomitable spirit that made boxing worthy of the name “The
Sweet Science.” |
Stephen B. Acunto, Professor of Boxing at Westchester Community
College, is one person who is fighting to bring dignity and
integrity to this sweet science. His appreciation of the sport
and boxers like Pep, Basilio and Marciano has lead to the
establishment of the American Association for the Improvement of
Boxing (AAIB).
Acunto was born in Staten Island “too many years ago to feel
good about.” He fought as a lightweight under the tutelage of
greats like welterweight champion Jack Britton, lightweight
champion Benny Leonard, and Marciano’s trainer, Charley Goodman
at the legendary Stillman’s Gym. Since 1978 he’s taught the only
accredited boxing course in existence, at Westchester Community
College. One of Acunto’s biggest influences in his career was
his maternal grandfather, Michele Berardini, a successful banker
who started out as a contractor.
Concerned about the boxers’ welfare, Acunto and Marciano
testified in front of Congress for the establishment of a boxing
bill to protect boxers in 1965. In 1968 the bill passed in the
House but later failed to move forward.
Frustrated by Congress’ slow motion, Acunto founded the AAIB in
1969 along with Marciano, who died in a plane crash later that
year.
AAIB’s major goals are: to establish a federal boxing commission
that would govern boxing all over the United States, call for an
end of exploitation of fighters by promoters, determine
financial accountability and provide medical safety.
The AAIB also feels the burlesque aspect of the game like the
unnecessary use of round card girls instead of a scoreboard and
antics on the part of the boxers takes away from the integrity
of the sport
Amateur boxer Matt Rizzetta (Junior Welterweight, 11W, 3L) like
Mr. Acunto wants to see boxing shed that negative image which
hinders the sport’s progression. Rizzetta deeply respects “the
all business zero bologna” attitude of fighters like Arturo
Gatti because “people are watching”. “You see so many fights at
these press conferences—they make a mockery of the sport. There
are only a few fighters [today] that fight for the passion—and
that’s it: they’re true athletes and true sportsman you know?”
A fighter like Rizzetta is a glimpse from the past because he
fights for the love and not the notoriety, thus, promoting a
positive image of Italian Americans and boxing like Marciano and
Acunto with the AAIB.
Outside the ring Matt has also promoted a positive image by
establishing the Lau Lau Fund in memorial to his sister Laura
who died at 23 from complications related to epilepsy disorder.
The Lau Lau fund was set up to raise awareness about people who
are mentally disabled. The money from the fund is donated to
organizations that Laura was involved with, in particular the
Special Olympics.
Rizzetta, like Marciano, is loyal supporter of his family,
something that enforces his determination even though he was
eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Golden Gloves. With the
love for his sister Laura and his late Nonno Angelo, who was a
professional soccer player for Bari, Matt knows that he isn’t
down for the count. Surely when Rizzetta turns pro that
indomitable spirit found in fighters like Basilio, Pep, and
Marciano will shine through stronger than ever, not only making
him a remarkable boxer but also a remarkable human being.
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