By Boxing Bob Newman
The 2026 Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame inductions took place inside the Earth ballroom at the Mohegan Sun Casino this past Saturday night. First year president Pete Hary presided over the ceremony while veteran broadcaster Marc Robbins served as Master Of Ceremonies.
Eight inductees and several more special awards recipients were honored.
Inductees
Melio Bettina:
Bettina defeated the legendary Tony Zale as an amateur and eventually claimed the New York State version of the light heavyweight title in 1939. Esteemed Connecticut boxing judge Don Trella accepted the award in behalf of the Bettina family.
Rich Cappiello:
A first cousin of former heavyweight king, Rocky Marciano, it was a foregone conclusion that Cappiello would wind up in the boxing business. One of New England’s preeminent promoters, Cappiello praised his mentor Jimmy Burchfield for his guidance and partnership over the last 30 years.
Lou Dell “At The Bell”:
Louis Della Ripa, turned to ring officiating and time keeping after his 200+ bout career inside the ring. It was only logical that he would go by the moniker, “Lou Dell, ‘At the Bell!’” Dell’s family accepted the honor.
Ken Ezzo:
Promonent referee and judge in both the amateur and professional ranks, Ezzo has officiated over 400 bouts including those of fellow CTBHOFers Peter Manfredo, Lawrence Clay-Bey, Gary Balletto Sr. and Ray Oliveira.
Fernely Feliz:
Feliz is the first pro fighter out of Danbury, CT. Born in the Dominican Republic, Feliz had a 15-year career that saw him share the ring with heavyweight champs John Ruiz and Oleg Maskaev. He now trains his sons Fernely Jr. and Ali Feliz
Joey Negron:
Negron was a former New England Golden Gloves and three-time Western Massachusetts champion, compiling a 14-7-4 record as a pro.
Luis Rosa Sr.:
In 2009, Rosa founded the “Boxing In Faith Gym” in New Haven, CT. Along with his wife Marilyn, they run the unique faith-based gym, teaching youngsters how to balance boxing skill and fitness along with spirituality and mental health. Sadly, the Rosa’s lost their son Luis Jr. who was an outstanding prospect, back in 2018, due to an auto accident.
Kent Ward:
A trainer with the Whaling City Athletic Club, Ward went on to establish ‘Championship Rounds,’ a program for former fighters with Parkinson’s and other afflictions.
Special Awards
Georg Smith Contribution to Boxing:
Kirk Lang
Lang has contributed to USA Boxing News, Women’s Boxing Archive and Fightnews.com, through written and video reports. He has covered the rise of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame since it’s inception 20 years ago.
Marlon Starling Boxer of the Year:
Chordale Booker
A former amateur standout and Olympic trials participant, Booker continues to campaign as a super welterweight, where has has had one shot at the WBC title already.
The Willi Pep Courage Award
Marcky “The Fighter” Foster
A big fan of boxing, Marcky fought a rare form of Cancer- Embryonal Tumor and Multilayered Rosettes before losing his fight just before his fifth birthday on June 22, 2026. The Manchester Ring of Champions had presented Foster with a championship belt before he passed. His aunt and uncle accepted his award.
Brian Clark Trainer of the Year Award
Paul Cichon
Founder of the Manchester Ring of Champions, Cichon has trained such standouts as Mykquan Williams, Matt Remillard and Miguel Ayala among others.
Amateur Official of the Year Award
Marilyn Rosa
The matriarch of Connecticut’s “First Family of Boxing,” Rosa had been a ring official, administration and management for 20 years.
Roland Roy Amateur Boxer of the Year Award
Kamarre Kemp
Just a high school junior, Kemp has wontwo silver gloves titles as both state and regional levels. He also competed in the National Junior Olympics this past June in Wichita, Kansas.
William Hutt Official of the Year Award
Phyllis Roy
A former president of CT USA Boxing, Roy is also a time-keeper and an energetic force amont adminstrators and ring officials in New England boxing
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