The school-age son of WBO middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders started his dad’s weekend fight early, sucker-punching opponent Willie Monroe Jr. during the London weigh-in.
When Monroe tousled the boy’s hair as he stood on the stage, Stevie Saunders pounded him in the groin and kicked him, the video above shows. And he appeared to do it with a smile.
(Photo: Tony O'Brien / Reuters)
Saunders explained on Twitter that the lad was merely doing as he was taught ― to strike and run when touched by a stranger.
But Monroe wasn’t having it. According to the BBC, he accused promoter Frank Warren of allowing the attack to happen. “Warren should be ashamed of himself,” said Monroe, who demanded compensation for the incident and threatened to sue.
(Photo: Tony O'Brien / Reuters)
(Photo: Tony O'Brien / Reuters)
On Saturday, Saunders required no help from his kid to defeat Monroe by decision to retain his title, The Sun reported.
(Photo: Leigh Dawney via Getty Images)
Afterward in the ring, Saunders handed the microphone to his son, who offered this warm apology to Monroe: “Sorry for punching you in the nuts!”
Saunders said in the post-fight press conference that his son had “overstepped the mark a little bit” and that it won’t happen again.
In the early morning hours of Nov. 5, a thief or thieves broke into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The person or persons responsible entered the building by breaking an unbarred window.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
Once inside, they went directly to the display cases containing the championship belts. The daring heist was over in less than 2 minutes – the time it took police to respond to the burglar alarm. Gone with them was four championship belts belonging professional boxer Carmen Basilio, who was the world champion in both the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions, and two belonging to two-time world middleweight champion Tony Zale.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The window that was broken shown here from the inside after it was repaired.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The empty displays that once showcased the belts.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The empty displays that once showcased the belts.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The belts as they were displayed prior to the heist.
Mike Tyson
"Growing up with Cus D’amato was not only an education in how to box but also an education in the history of boxing," said Mike Tyson, pictured here at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. "Cus adored all fighters, especially the champions of the past. I became enamored with them also. I read and reread the old Ring Record books. But, what made the fighters come alive, was the fight film library of Cus’ friends, Jim Jacobs and Bill Cayton. I got to see the fights of Carmen Basilio and Tony Zale. Both Zale and Basilio were gladiators in the ring. I never saw them take a backward step. And I will never forget the super fights they had; Zale’s battles with Rocky Graziano and Basilio’s wars with the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson. Outdoors in baseball parks, standing room only, under the lights. Damn, I would have loved to have been at ringside at just one of those epics. Listening to ring announcer Johnny Addie, in his famous voice, 'And the new middle champion of the world...' Champions like Basilio, Zale, Graziano, Robinson, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, Ali, and other legends kept me fired up and inspired me to keep training."
Haley Zale
Tony Zale's grandniece, actress Haley Zale, posing with a selfie before the belts were stolen.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
In 1990 Edward Brophy decided to build the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota to honor Carmen Basilio, a Canastota native, and countless others around the world who have dedicated their lives to the sport.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
"It means so much to the hearts of the community of Canastota," the museum's executive director, Edward Brophy, told HuffPost.
International Boxing Hall of Fame
In 2008, after 82 years of use, the world famous boxing ring from Madison Square Garden was retired and put on permanent display in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Haley Zale
"This incredible sport brought my Uncle Tony out of working in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana to the middle weight champion of the world," said Haley Zale.
Tony Zale Dons The World Championship Middleweight Belt In 1941
"My Uncle Tony was at one point in his life in the south side of Chicago penniless, homeless and he had his championship belts with him and never thought about hawking them or turning them over for profit to make his own state better," said Haley Zale. "So for someone to just walk in and take them after years of my Uncle Tony hanging on to them with pride is absolutely heartbreaking infuriating and disrespectful."
Tony Zale vs. Rocky Graziano: 1948
"They called him a Jekyll and Hyde," said Haley Zale. "He would be this pious devout Catholic, a really respectful gentleman, and as soon as he got in the ring he had the freedom and permission to tear apart whoever his opponent was."
Tony Zale
Middleweight boxing champion Tony Zale pictured in New York on Sept. 15, 1948.
Tony Zale In 1956
"I'm certain that my Uncle Tony would be absolutely disappointed and very upset that somebody stole his belts for profit or pride or whatever reason," said Haley Zale. "He would be furious."
Mike Tyson In 1987
Mike Tyson said his championship belts were briefly stolen in 2000. "I blew a gasket," he said. "I was angry. I knew what I went through to get them. I remember winning my first belt when I beat Trevor Berbick for the WBC heavyweight title in 1986. I would not take off the belt after the fight. I wore it at the after fight party, our house in Vegas, the airplane trip home. And even back in New York at the apartment I shared with Steve Lott. It was very, very special."
Mike Tyson
"The belts signify much more than just winning the title. They signify something special to the fighter - the things people do not see – the blood, sweat and tears that the fighter had to go through to get to the opportunity to fight for the crown," Tyson said.
Mike Tyson
"For a boxing champion, when you look your belt, it reminds you of all the gym time, all the sparring, all the road work, the sacrifices, and most of all, the punches you took to win it," Tyson said. "But, having the title belt makes all that pain and effort worth it. Many of the families of those champions had to go through their own personal hell as well. As the wife, brother or father of a fighter, you witness firsthand the result of all the training, all the sparring, all the black eyes, cuts and bruises. But, when you look at the belt you know that your husband, your brother, or your son, is now champion of the world. A world boxing title is fleeting, every time you enter the ring, your family knows that one punch could mean the end. It’s the only sport where the end could happen that abruptly."
Carmen Basilio vs. Sugar Ray Robinson
Carmen Basilio and Sugar Ray Robinson trading blows in the closing minutes of their 15-round title fight at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 1957.
Carmen Basilio
Carmen Basilio working the heavy bag on Aug. 2, 1958.
Carmen Basilio
Carmen Basilio in April 2007.
Stolen Belts
The six stolen belts.
Tony Zale's Belts
The belts that belonged to two-time world middleweight champion Tony Zale.
Carmen Basilio's Belt
In 1956, Basilio won this belt by beating Johnny Saxton in a ninth round knockout.
Tony Zale's Belt
Tony Zale became the world middleweight champion in 1941, when he beat Georgie Abrams.
Tony Zale's Belt
In June 1948, Tony Zale regained his crown when he knocked out Rocky Graziano in the third round.
Carmen Basilio's Belt
On June 6, 1953 Carmen Basilio defeated Billy Graham.
Carmen Basilio's Belt
In 1955 Carmen Basilio became world champion by knocking out Tony DeMarco in the 12th round.
Stolen Belts
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Canastota Police Department at 315-697-2240 or the FBI Albany Field Office at 518-465-7551. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information in the case, as well as autographed items by Mike Tyson.
"I adored these great champions and I feel for their families," Tyson said. "I was contacted by Haley Zale, the great niece of Tony. I felt that one thing I could do to help is put a renewed spotlight on this situation. I hope my involvement is doing that and lead the authorities to recovering the belts. I know that the reward I am offering is small but I hope my voice will add new ammunition to the search. Please, if anyone has information that could help the authorities please step forward. It would mean a lot to the families and it would mean a lot to me."
