Fight team
Pros have trained here. Amateurs have too. Here's what we can point to, with sources.
Luis “El Leon” Garcia
Luis Garcia, "The Lion", is a Cuban-born light heavyweight who settled in Cork, Ireland and turned pro in 2008. He came back to the ring undefeated at 12-0 with 9 knockouts, trained out of White Plains by Nicky "Knuckles" Delury, with former world title challenger Larry Barnes assisting.
Then he knocked out all three: first round, first round, first round.
Sources: World Boxing News (worldboxingnews.net/?p=32452) for the background and record; the42.ie (article 4315038) for his later career, including sparring with Carl Froch; the club's pro boxing page for the three fight videos. The record is as reported at the time of his comeback.
| Date | Opponent | Where | Result | Tape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2015 | Luis Garcia vs Willie Williams | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY | KO round 1 | Watch |
| Jun 25, 2016 | Luis Garcia vs Demetrius Walker | Buffalo Run Casino, Oklahoma | KO round 1 | Watch |
| Jun 3, 2017 | Luis Garcia vs Felipe Romero | Foxwoods, Mashantucket, CT | KO round 1 | Watch |
Trainer in all three corners: Nicky "Knuckles" Delury.
Larry Barnes
Former welterweight world champion and NJ Boxing Hall of Fame member Larry Barnes was head boxing trainer at the club as of 2018. He has been with us for many years and helped develop our staff. Stop by and ask about an 8x10 autographed photo.
His fights, on video: Larry Barnes vs Felix Trinidad, Jeff Passero, Curt Exum, Glenwood Brown, David Taylor and Luis Ramon Campas, plus an interview and a session with Nicky Knuckles.
Amateurs and the lineage
We cater to anyone who wants to spar or compete as an amateur. Nick trained John LaMotta, Jake LaMotta's nephew, to five Golden Gloves victories. Future Division I athletes have trained here to take their sport to the next level.
Nick learned from the best. He has worked with:
- Emmanuel Steward
- Alton Merkinson
- Maurice "Kid Sharkey" Sposato
- Steve Acunto
- Lou Duva
- Al Shevlin
- Bert Sugar
- Emile Griffith
- Al Decesare
- Victor Valle Sr.
- Pat Versace
- Scoop Gallello
- Jimmy Santangelo
- Gabriel Hernandez
- Floyd Patterson
- Charlie Caserta
- Les Fernandes
- Al Gavin, legendary cutman
- Herschel Jacobs
- Referee Joe Cortez
- Al Bachman
- Al Braverman, legendary matchmaker
- Don King
A pro looking for a trainer?
Call Nick. Say who you are and what you're after.