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Also naming the 1100 Block of Chelten Avenue "George James Way", to recognize and honor the impact that George James, a local boxing trainer, had on his community.
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WHEREAS, On Friday, February 3, 2017, George James passed away just shy of his eightieth birthday. He dedicated much of his life to boxing and impacted the lives of countless young people along the way. He was a well-respected figure in Philadelphia, and often said that he "taught boxing," not "trained fighters." He was inducted into the PA Boxing Hall of Fame in May of 2016, just nine months before his passing; and
WHEREAS, James was a great storyteller, giving detailed accounts of his time boxing, boxers he had worked with, and fights that he wouldn't soon forget. Before he taught boxing, he began his boxing career I the South Philly Navy Yard, where he competed in amateur boxing. He was a natural fighter, but an unexpected injury put an end to his days of fighting and began his journey as a teacher; and
WHEREAS, James was taken under the wing of legendary fight manager Joe Gramby, who taught him everything he needed to know. He quickly became a jack of all trades in the corner and his passion for teaching the sport was solidified. He was probably known best as the man who trained Bennie Briscoe at the end of his career, and he worked Briscoe's final seven bouts from 1980 to 1982. He also worked with fighters such as Richie Kates, Percy Manning, Tony Tassone, Calvin Porter, Kevin Howard, Young Joe Walcott, and Willie Monroe; and
WHEREAS, Never shy to speak his mind, James developed a well-earned reputation as a "screamer" in the gym, despite his calm demeanor outside of it. His passion was clear, and he had a special and effective way of connecting with his fighters, no matter how stubborn or behind they may have been; and
WHEREAS, James was one of the last old-school Philly trainers, and his legacy remains in the boxing scene in Philadelphia today. The lives that he touched, the pa...
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