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North Shore Towers Courier n May 2016 45 FROM YOUNG BOXING ENTHUSIAST TO HALL OF FAMER One Final Round BY MIGUEL VASQUEZ / PHOTO BY LINDA RAPPAPORT His dream became his passion. His passion became a reality. This man is none other than Dennis Rappaport, a dedicated businessman, and a lover of boxing. His love of the sport began when he was a small child. He would not trade that in for anything in the world. After being asked how he felt about being inducted into the New York Boxing Hall of Fame, Rappaport had only words of joy and utter elation: “My 63-year love affair with boxing began at the age of 6. Boxing is poetry in motion, it’s art a Shakespearean play, a Picasso or a Rembrandt… It’s a pleasure being gratified today alongside some truly great people.” Rappaport is widely known for being one of the most hardworking people in the business. In the words of boxing matchmaker, Don Majeski, “He is one of the greatest managers and he has revolutionized the sport.” He has promoted/managed bigtime names from George Foreman to Howard Davis Jr. and even his fellow 2016 HOF inductee, the late Hector Camacho. Throughout his career, Rappaport has been known for his creative publicity tactics that guaranteed his fighters the opportunities he knew they deserved. He used his grit and tenacity to go out of his way for his fighters, in order for them to be able to showcase their talents. After decades of living his dream and reaching the top of the mountain, Rappaport is grateful to boxing, for all that it has given him. “Thank you to the entire boxing fraternity for so many priceless moments and unforgettable experiences.” To his family however, he is a father first, and his son, Tony Rappaport, knows that better than anyone. “My father is extraordinary for the honor and integrity that he has taught me throughout my entire life. To me, he has been a true champion and the greatest coach of all time.” This afternoon of inductees— venerating boxers, announcers and managers alikeincluding Aaron “Superman” Davis, Rocky Graziano and Howard Cosell, was a marvelous sight. Friends and family all joined together, in support of one Fellowship of the ring (l. to r.); NST General Manager Glen Kotowski; Ed Phelan; Linda Gibbs; Tony Rappaport; Linda Rappaport; Dennis Rappaport; Jacquelyn Rappaport; NST Board Member Fred Chernow; Elliot Arnold of the most thrilling sports and the members of the industry that make it possible. To Dennis Rappaport, and his fellow boxing lovers, it is so much more than just a sport. Boxing is family; boxing is tradition and culture. It is the highest form of entertainment and excitement for all lucky enough to witness it. HHHSparring PartnersHHH BY STEPHEN VRATTOS When Dennis Rappaport was inducted into the New York State Boxing hall of Fame on Sunday, April 3, he joined legendary sports journalist and television personality Howard Cosell, who was honored posthumously. Rappaport had a love/hate relationship with Cosell, whose often cruel, always arrogant behavior made him as reviled as a person as he was admired as a journalist. “He would give me a ‘Hello,” like it was costing him a $100,000,” Rappaport said of the renowned sports commentator. Rappaport had the misfortune of having to reschedule an interview between Gerry Howard Cosell Cooney and Cosell, which the pompous sportscaster only allowed, if Rappaport and his client came to him the next day in Texas. They met in a bar, Cosell in the company of colleagues. The interview went as planned, but eventually as the night deepened and one by one the party took their leave, Rappaport found himself alone at one table with Cosell at another. Rappaport felt compelled to go over and speak with the journalist; ask Cosell why the irascible reporter talked to him the way he did. But he couldn’t fathom how to approach Cosell. To his great surprise, Cosell decided for him. “Why don’t you join me,” he said. For the next hour or so, Cosell opened up to Rappaport; he spoke of his wife and daughters; shared his great frustration with not being regarded with more respect as a journalist and how he felt he should have covered the Munich crisis at the ’72 Olympic Games. The two left with their arms around each other and Rappaport believing he’d made a friend for life. A couple of month later, Rappaport bumped into Cosell at the airport. “Hey, Howard… How ya doin’?” Rappaport heartily asked his new pal. “Fine, how are you,” Cosell gruffly replied under his breath, brushing past his “buddy” with his head down, as if it were costing him more than usual. The old Cosell was back.


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