LEGENDS OF LEATHER Profato, Villers headline inductees into hall of fame

Phil Rogers and Fred Conti were also honored at the annual boxing awards banquet.
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
NILES -- More than 150 people were at the Legends of Leather Boxing Hall of Fame banquet at Aulizio's Banquet Center. Along with guest speaker Ted Arneault, the president and CEO of Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort, they were there to honor this year's class of four inductees and 13 others who received awards from the organization.
Referees Bernie Profato and Jimmy Villers, along with Phil Rogers, a local judge, and all former fighters, were the inductees, along with Fred Conti, who fought more than a half century ago with a 72-20 amateur record.
Honored posthumously
Conti, who died in December 1997, was honored posthumously. His wife Betty, in accepting for him, said, "This is a great moment for Fred and how happy he would have been for this honor."
Profato fought and defeated Rogers in an amateur fight nearly four decades ago. He said, "It is a pleasure to be inducted with Phil Rogers and Jimmy Villers."
Villers, who referees a lot of pro cards, thanked Profato for being his mentor as a third man in the ring and Rogers used his acceptance time to present his grandson with a Babe Ruth baseball award.
"This is something all the detractors of boxing should see because the real people of the sport are among us today," said Arneault.
Arneault touted a November 9 fight at Mountaineer between lightweight champions Paul Spadafora of Pittsburgh and Dennis Peterson of Denmark. It will be the first international pay for view for the Ohio Valley.
Other award winners
Thirteen other awards were presented, to George "Sonny" Horne, Tony Janiro, Tony Vivo, Mike Birskovich, Frank Cordy, Frank Lentine and Chris Tabor.
Tabor was a fighter, trainer, referee and educator who passed away recently; the award given in his name went to Randy Stephens of Braceville.
Stephens gave the invocation and benediction for the banquet, which was dedicated to the memory of William "Bill" Ruman and all other deceased members of Legends of Leather. Ruman, who passed away last December, was a co-founder of Legends of Leather along with Sal and Leo Marino.
Lawrence A. Moler of Girard was named Legends of Leather Man of the Year.
Sal Marino was presented with the Rocky Marciano 2002 AAIB Award for distinguished service to boxing. The national award, which emanates from Mount Vernon, N.Y., is given every year to a contributor to the sport.