Boxing

Boxing has a long and lasting legacy in Central New York, and we certainly have enjoyed our share of quality bouts, in part because Turning Stone Resort and Casino gladly hosts the sport. Still, boxing remains the purest of man vs. man (or woman vs. woman) conflicts, while people like Ray Rinaldi (above) teach children it’s also about self-respect and discipline. Laila Ali did some trash talking during a June 2001 visit to Grant Middle School. And Razor Ruddick reigned supreme at a February 1999 Turning Stone bout.

Michael Davis has reported how difficult it is to photograph boxing, but he clearly rises to the challenge, as the sport yields some of his greatest shots. Among them (clockwise from top left): some unknown who provided a true Kodak moment, George Foreman at Canastota’s Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in June 2003, local great Carmen Basilio signing autographs in 1997, two-time heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe in 1995, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler in June 1998, Hector “Macho” Camacho and his skirt-like shorts and Laila Ali, victorious at her Turning Stone match in June 2001.