Three standout fighters who rose to prominence under Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports banner headline the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) Class of 2025.
Matt Godfrey, Scott Pemberton, and Liz Mueller will be inducted alongside contributors Peter Manfredo Sr., Joe Cusano, and the late Steve Epstein. The ceremony takes place on Saturday, October 18 at Mohegan Sun Ballroom.
Tickets to the 2025 Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame are priced at $97.88 per person, including taxes and fees, and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
Living legend and two division undisputed world champion Katie Taylor will be honored as the 2025 Pro Fighter of the Year. Now residing in Vernon, CT and training at the Manchester Ring of Champions Society, the Irish star is trained by Waterford’s Ross Enamait, who has been named Trainer of the Year.
2025 CBHOF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
Matt Godfrey (21-3, 11 KOs)
A six-time New England Golden Gloves champion, Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey was the 2002 National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion and the 2004 U.S. National Amateur heavyweight champion. The Providence, RI native also served as a second alternate for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. Godfrey turned pro and compiled a 21-3 record, capturing the WBC-NABF and WBA-NABA cruiserweight titles. In 2010, he challenged Marco Huck for the WBO cruiserweight world championship in Germany.
Scott Pemberton (29-5-1, 24 KOs)
Pemberton, of Fairhaven, MA, earned a reputation as one of the sport’s toughest competitors, compiling a professional record of 29-5-1. Known as “The Sandman,” Pemberton squared off against top names such as Charles Brewer, Omar Sheika, Jeff Lacy, James Crawford, and Peter Manfredo Jr. Pemberton’s biggest wins were two memorable wars against Sheika, both times for the IBU and NABF super middleweight titles.
Liz Mueller (8-2, 2 KOs)
After a decorated track career at Waterford High School, Liz Mueller transitioned to boxing, quickly making her mark as an amateur standout. The New Londoner won the 1999 National Golden Gloves championship, a silver medal at the World Cup in Finland, and a USA Boxing national title. Mueller was also the 1998 National PAL champion and Budweiser Belt champion. As a professional, Mueller posted an 8-2 record, including wins over Hall-of-Famers Jane Couch and Jaime Clampitt. Mueller’s second victory over Clampitt earned her the IWBF world lightweight title before she retired from the sport in 2001.
Peter Manfredo Sr.
After a short professional boxing career, Providence, RI’s Peter Manfredo Sr. became a renowned boxing coach who guided his son, Peter Jr., to the IBO middleweight world title in 2010. Manfredo Sr. has also helped guide the careers of Jesse Brinkley, Shelly Vincent and Toka Khan Clary.
Joe Cusano
Joe Cusano has spent more than three decades officiating both amateur and professional bouts, serving as chief of officials for Connecticut USA Boxing. Cusano’s expertise even extended to the silver screen, where he had the distinct honor of officiating a boxing match in “The Featherweight,” a 2024 film celebrating his childhood hero, Willie Pep. Cusano memorialized his remarkable life in “Uppercuts,” a compelling memoir about his experiences in the exhilarating and often brutal world of boxing.
Steve Epstein
The late Steve Epstein, a respected IBF judge, officiated 30 world title fights over his distinguished 20 year career before passing in 2014. Epstein was a founder and board member of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
