Located in Boston’s West End is a small side street with a name that baffles many who are not deeply rooted into the Boston boxing scene—Anthony “Rip” Valenti Way. Anthony Valenti, or “Rip” to those who knew him, was a local boxing promoter for much of the 20th century. His offices were located on nearby Canal Street for years.
While Rip’s success may be questionable (he lost money on nearly every fight he promoted), he did manage to bring the only heavyweight championship bout to Boston in 1940. In this fight Joe Louis won via a TKO versus Al McCoy in Round 6. Rip’s story as a promoter did have a happy ending late in his life when he finally hit paydirt while promoting 22-closed-circuit locations for the Marvelous Marvin Haglar-Thomas Hearns fight in Las Vegas. In one fail swoop Rip brought down a hefty $1.8 million from this single fight.
Walking along the Valenti Way, besides being nostalgic for boxing fans, also provides some great perspectives of antiquated building advertisements and murals. If you look up at the building on the corner of Canal Street and Valenti Way you will see a pair of these old building advertisements. One of these advertisements appears to be for a mirror company that references, a company named Whitney & Company. Right below this is another product or company concerning “Hairs” which apparently used to be located on Canal Street.
At the intersection of Friend Street and Valenti Way is a mural of the original Boston Garden, which local fans still hold dear to their hearts. You can read more about the original Boston Garden here.
- Website: http://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/13/obituaries/anthony-valenti.html
- Address: Valenti Way, Boston, MA
- Cost: Free.
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