A star-studded event honoring athletes of the boxing world is Saturday at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds, according to long-time boxer and manager Ronnie Warrior.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with dinner followed by an awards program and induction of five athletes into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
“The whole purpose is to celebrate and recognize boxers and coaches that have made outstanding accomplishments in the field of boxing,” Warrior stated as the reason for the event. “We just want to come together to have some food, fun and fellowship.
This year’s inductees include Sean O’Grady, Frank Tate, Donald Curry, Orlando and Gaby Canizales and James ‘Quick’ Tillis.
-Orlando & Gaby Canizales The two brothers took the boxing world by storm. Orlando Canizales held the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title from July 1988 to December 1994. Gaby Canizales, the 1986 World Boxing Association bantamweight champion and the 1991 World Boxing Organization champion.
Both began boxing when they were 10 years old. In 2014, the City of Laredo (Texas) recognized the two brothers with a community center and gym that bears their names. The Orlando & Gaby Canizales Boxing Gym and Community Center is located on Guadalupe Street.
-James “Quick” Tillis A native of Tulsa, he was the firstborn son of James Tillis and wife Rose. Tillis attended Mclain High School and grew up in a very religious southern family, with an alcoholic father and a deeply religious mother. He dreamed about being a professional prize fighter and was given the nickname “Quick” by his first cousin Keith Reed.
Known as “Quick,” he was known for his remarkably fast hand speed for a man of his size and build. A natural southpaw, Tillis turned around to orthodox midway in his amateur career. His left remained the stronger hand and for that reason, he had a powerful jab and left hook, together with the ability to switch stances while fighting.
Tillis challenged for the WBA world heavyweight title in 1981, but was defeated in a fifteen-round unanimous decision fight against Mike Weaver. Tillis was the first man to go the distance with Mike Tyson in 1986, breaking his knockout-streak and giving him a relatively close fight, nearly a draw, with two of three judges scoring the fight 6-to-4.
He holds notable wins over Ron Stander by TKO in the 7th round in 1980 and the hard punching Earnie Shavers by ten-round decision in 1982. Tillis fought for the last time in 2001 at the age of 44.
—Tickets for the upcoming event will be available in advance or at the door for $35 for adults, $20 for teens ages 15-19 and $10 for children ages 5-14.
For tickets call Warrior at 918-902-3581 or Shanna at 539-766-7797.
Previous inductees from Okmulgee included coaches Ronnie Jones, Sr. and Ronnie Warrior and boxers Mark Hammon and Usaama Abdalmatiyn (formerly Alvin Harrison).
Warrior, a 1976 graduate of Okmulgee High School, has been involved in boxing since his freshmen year in school.
Following graduation, he entered the Army where he continued boxing.
During his stint, he won the Army boxing championship in addition to two state Golden Glove Championships.
