The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame has announced its 16-member Class of 2024, and Geneva’s own Ralph “Rocky” Fratto is a part of that group.
Fratto and his family were informed of the honor last year. The 12th annual induction ceremony originally was slated for April, but was delayed until Sept. 15.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame and be a part of a long list of champions that I looked up to, like Carmen Basilio, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta,” said the former NABF Super Welterweight champion, WBA title challenger, and All-Army and Inter-Service champion in a statement issued by his wife, Sally. “This Hall of Fame keeps their memory alive, and I am honored to officially be a member now. I want to thank all the fans that showed up for me time and time again with all their support.”
The 12th annual induction ceremony will be Sept. 15 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach. Tickets are $175 and include a brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m., as well as a seven-course dinner and open bar throughout the event. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Jack Hirsch at 516-790-7592 or ajhirsch5@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $110 to $500.
Ray Ciancaglini, former boxer himself who has known Fratto since he was a boy, was thrilled to learn about his induction.
“Rocky was the most accomplished boxer to ever come out of the Finger Lakes area, and no one will achieve what he has accomplished ever again,” Ciancaglini said. “Rocky accomplished what he did in the ring because of his great desire and dedication, but he also had the best people in his corner looking out for him in Ralph Sr., Tony Graziano and Billy Harris. He has the most wonderful three boys, and his wife, Sally, is a saint — just a wonderful family.
“I hold our friendship in the highest regard, and there is nobody more deserving than him,” Ciancaglini continued. “He’s earned it both inside and outside the ring. I am so proud of him. I know him as a great boxer, but also a great role model and character.”
Fratto fought from 1976-86, going 28-4 with nine knockouts. He was rated as the No. 1 junior middleweight in the United States by the USBA, and the second-best junior middleweight in the world by the WBA.
On April 25, 1981, Fratto won the NABF Super Welterweight title by defeating Rocky Mosley Jr. in Rochester. On Nov. 7 of that year, Fratto’s bid for a WBA Super Welterweight crown came up just short. He dropped a majority decision to the world’s No. 1-ranked fighter in the class, Tadashi Mihara.
Fratto also served as the sparring partner for middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler ahead of Hagler’s 1979 world title fight against Vito Antuofermo.
“I’m not just blowing smoke when I say sparring sessions between Fratto and Hagler were real wars,” Jay Edson, the former executive secretary of the World Boxing Association and coordinator for Top Rank Inc., said to Finger Lakes Times sportswriter Tom Leo in November 1981. “Everyone watching was amazed at this unknown kid from Geneva, who was matching Hagler shot for shot.”
Here is the full list of the 12th New York State Boxing Hall of Fame class to be inducted with Fratto:
Living Boxers
• Joan Guzman — A former WBO Super Bantamweight and Super Featherweight champion, originally from the Dominican Republic but a resident of Queens and the Bronx for his entire career.
• Tyrone “The Harlem Butcher” Jackson — A hard-hitting Golden Gloves champion and leading junior lightweight contender.
• Johnny Davis — A perennial light heavyweight contender and WBA title challenger from Hempstead.
Posthumous Boxers
• Alfonso “Panama Al” Brown — Longtime bantamweight champion who spent most of his career fighting out of Harlem.
• Johnny Colan — Former middleweight and light heavyweight contender.
• Peter Scalzo — Former featherweight champion.
• Phil Terranova — Former featherweight champion.
Living Non-Participants
• Bruce Beck — Popular sports host.
• Billy Calogero — Writer, historian, television and radio host.
• Sparkle Lee — History-making referee.
• “Elegant” Eddie Post — Former amateur boxer and owner of Spartan ring apparel.
Posthumous
Non-Participants
• Leo P. Flynn — Prolific manager of the Bronx, who managed as many as 50 boxers at a time.
• George Kanter — Boxing manager and American representative for many European promoters.
• Bill Mazer — Popular radio and television personality,
• Bob Waters — Longtime journalist and former Boxing Writers Association of America president.
