Former world heavyweight boxing champion Michael Moorer will return to his hometown of Monessen this weekend, where he will be honored at the city’s Celebration in the Park on June 29 for his recent induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“It’s an honor,” said Moorer, 56, who lives in Florida. “I’d been there a couple times, and I never thought I could ever be in there. I never thought that far ahead, or about what the International Hall of Fame represented.”
Moorer won the light heavyweight title in only his 12th professional fight, and not long after, he moved up to become the first southpaw heavyweight champion. He finished his career with a record of 52-4-1 with 40 knockouts.
Last fall, Moorer was in town for his induction into the first Monessen “Wall of Fame” class. During his International Boxing Hall of Fame induction, he took the opportunity to speak up for boxer safety.
“Boxing needs to have a super heavyweight division,” he said, citing modern fighters who top 250 pounds and massive boxers such as Tyson Fury, who competes at 270 pounds.
“It should be light, heavyweight and super-heavyweight divisions,” he said. “This is a new day. People are just bigger, and the sport has to catch up with what’s going on.”
Moorer also advocated for better pay and benefits for pro boxers.
“Nine out of 10 times, boxers are broke after they’re done fighting, no matter how much money they’ve made,” he said. “When I was boxing, my manager would get the check. When I fought George Foreman, I got a $10 million check. First you pay taxes on it. Then 33 1/3% immediately goes to the manager, 25% goes to the promoter, and 10% goes to the trainer. So that’s almost 70% going out the door already. And there’s no retirement income for fighters.”
Moorer said he would like to reach out to Congress about instituting some type of reform in boxing.
Saturday’s visit to Monessen, however, will be more about celebrating Moorer’s legacy. In addition to an afternoon of food, field games for kids, arts and crafts and more from noon to 4 p.m., Monessen Mayor Ron Mozer will give a presentation honoring Moorer at 12:45 p.m. followed by a meet-and-greet.
Moorer said he has a few places he plans to stop while he’s in town.
“I don’t go out and party anymore. I’m usually in bed by 8 p.m.,” he said. “But I always try to see a few people when I’m back. I go to Bailey’s Diner downtown, and to the Steel Plate (restaurant).”
The summer festival will be a nice way to come back down to Earth after Moorer’s international induction earlier this month.
“Now I understand what the Hall of Fame represents,” he said. “It means you’ve reached the pinnacle in your sport. I cried happy tears when I was inducted, because I worked so hard and was able to accomplish so many things.”
The Monessen Celebration in the Park will take place from 12-4 p.m. Saturday at the City Park Amphitheater on City Park Road.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.