Will Zito Video Tribute

Will Zito, a former fighter under Al's tutelage sent us this video and tribute...



For two years Al was my trainer and cut man; but most importantly he was a father figure to me, both in and out of the boxing gym. During this time we became very close and overcame battles both in and out of the ring. Aside from training Al and I spent most of our time together talking about life, boxing and every other topic you can think of. During our talks Al would dig deep with the questions he would ask to find out what really made me tic. He wanted to know who Will Zito the person was, and paid a higher interest in me as a person, than as a fighter.

Like so many others, Al fulfilled a gap in my life that seemed impossible to fill. He became my voice of reason and taught me what being a “Man” really meant. Words cannot say what Al gave to me. What he gave cannot be described; it is a feeling, a reason, self worth and character. Al understood something that most people, and even those who are labeled as “great teachers” fail to see; and that is that success cannot be achieved without belief. He inspired so many by showing them that he believed in them, and therefore they believed in themselves. He knew that all someone needed was just one person to believe in them and that could fuel the attitude and dedication needed to accomplish an entire lifetime of dreams and goals, no matter how big or small.

I know this is true because his belief in me still drives me to this day; and as he helped me, I am now helping others. I know he is still with me and all those who had the honor of knowing him; in my heart, in my thoughts and in my soul I will carry him for a lifetime. He lives in all of us, within the hearts and minds of his children, in every breath of his loving wife, and in every fight with every boxer who ever had, and still has Al in their corner.

Thank you Al for all that you have given me, for all that you have given to all of us.
God Bless you, God Bless your family…

Love “your own” Will Zito

Jimmy Lange Remembers Al Gavin

From top Middleweight Jimmy Lange:

To me, Al Gavin was irreplaceable, as a friend and as a cutman. Al had a calming effect that came from his demeanor in and out of the ring. Nothing was gonna be shown to him that he had not seen. And he knew how to handle it."

We would talk for hours about boxing,life,women,you name it. In my time with him,he unselfishly shared a priceless look into the old time way of boxing,and life for that matter. He showed me that his perfection with cuts,was not born,it was BUILT. Built by someone willing to pass up the shortcuts and honor his trade.Respect for his trade was more important to him than money or fame.

The most important thing about Al was his compassion for his,and all fighters.He was a father to many,and fiercely protective of his men. First and foremost was his guys health. Most would say,"well that is how it should be". However, often many other things are given priority."

Never with Al.

He would refer to me as "kid",as he did with most. As I'm writing this,I can hear his voice as if he"s sitting next to me.

"What'll it be KID?","It's just a scratch KID","Now your doin it KID".
Well,we were all his KID,and we all knew it.

Al was a tough man,in the TOUGHEST sport.But his soft heart,compassion and integrity made him loved and respected by so many.

I miss you everyday Al.

Jimmy

MORE FROM JIMMY LANGE

"One of the nights that sticks out in my memories of Al was at a fight in New York city.I forget the venue,but it was in Times Square.I was to meet Al there at about 7:00 pm and shadow him for an evening of boxing.
Well I got there a little early and was told that Al had not arrived,however the mention of his name was credential enough,and I was escorted to the VIP pre fight party.

As I walked into the room,it was a small gathering,75-100 at most,but the vibe was that of a very rough crowd.
This was the kind of group who had been on both sides of the law and were proud of it. No nonsense.

Universaly,fighters are embraced in any situation,so I was comfortable.Still I put into practice the one method that is always appropriate.I kept my mouth shut and waited for Al.

So I became part of the scenery and was entertained by the personalities and conversations circulating the room.I remember how the testosterone coupled with anticipation of the fights,and of course add many different opinions on everything from,boxing to The Yankees and back to boxing,brought some the party goers to a boiling point.I felt as if there might be a couple extra,unscheduled,fights taking place that night.
Sure enough a scuffle broke out.This volitale situation was about to become a disaster.

Now,I'm no dummy,I headed for the door.And as I was leaving,guess who was walkin in?
Al saw me and said "stick with me".
The reaction of the room was priceless.
It was as if The Pope walked in.

All these tough guys forgot there beefs,and became like little kids around Al.
They clamoured the get to him,and show there respect.Very nonchalant,he chatted and made his way to the dressing room with me in tow.He denied countless requests to stay and converse.

I was filled with pride because I knew the only reason He came in there was to find me.

Anyway,as far as I know,the rest of the night went off without a hitch.And I got to watch a master at work."

Tony Danza Segment Fron "HARD COPY" 1994

Bill Patrick Interview Part 3

Bill Patrick Interviews Al Gavin

From January 2, 2001...broadcast on the Metro channel.

PART 1


PART 2


Part 3 Coming Soon

Al Gavin Video Tribute

Al Was Always There For Down-and-Out Fighters

I was at a boxing show in Hackensack, NJ in the early 90s, with my Dad, who I believe was working the corner of Willie Wise. On the undercard was a fighter that was brought in from Buffalo, NY for a 4 rounder against a local product, I presume.

The fight never went the distance. The guy got laid out flat in like the second round, and believe me, when this guy's head hit the canvas, it sounded like a bomb went off. I was in the dressing room and heard it. The doctor checked him over and said he was alright, save for an embarrassing defeat, and the fact that his "Cornermen" stole the $400 he had earned for the bout.

So at the end of the night here's this guy, sitting there, no money, in a virtually empty Holiday Inn ballroom , with tape and old handwraps all over the floor.

My father saw him, and when he heard what had happened to the guy, took him to the depot and bought him a ticket home.

Thats the kind of guy my Dad was.

Al Gavin Jr..

More Platitutes For The Cutman

Inspiring Loyalty - from Tom Mahoney...

In 1968 I boxed for Al at the PAL's Wynn Center in Brooklyn's Bed Stuy section. At the time Al had a disagreement with John Defoe, PALs head boxing coach.

This led to Al leaving the PAL for the Seafearers Gym in Sunset Park at the opposite end of Brooklyn. The funny thing was that every one of Al's fighters followed him across the boro. Bo Bo Ackerson a lightweight GG champ lived around the corner from Wynn Center.

He and perhaps a dozen others who lived within walking distance to Wynn Ctr, traveled across the boro (probably taking a couple of trains) just to stay with Al. After several months, Al again moved, this time to the Gramecy Gym & again ALL his fighters followed him. He inspired loyalty. He was my boxing coach, trainer, manager, mentor, even a big brother.

I was very lucky at 16 to have a trainer who would stay a life long friend. I miss him dearly. Tom Mahoney

Martin Snow on Al Gavin

This post was submitted by Martin Snow of Trinity Boxing

Al Gavin...

To say that Al Gavin was a great cutman would be like saying that Mother Theresa was a great nun. If all we remember Al for is his work stopping cuts, we do him a great disservice. I prefer to think of Al not as a guy who closed cuts, but as a guy who opened doors. The doors he opened to me shaped my life. Al was more like an alchemist – he turned men into fighters and fighters into men. He was a life coach before anyone knew what a life coach was. Al was Dr. Phil with an Enswell.
Reggie Jackson once said that a good coach can make you better than you think you are. Al was a great coach because he made you better than you really were.

I fought (and beat, I might add) guys I had no business being in the ring with. Boxing for me was Plan B. Striking out on four pitches at my college baseball tryouts ( I took one pitch just to make it look good) kind of sealed my fate. Washed up at 20, boxing was the only thing standing between me and Slo-Pitch softball.
I was a white guy from a middle class neighborhood in Brooklyn going to school at Fordham University. By contrast, some of my opponents were receiving a different kind of education at the New York State Correctional Facility in Sing Sing. Where did I get the nerve to think I could fight, let alone beat, guys whose lives depended on how well they could use their fists? I got it from Uncle Al.

Al had a way of keeping you calm when everyone else was losing their heads. As long as I had those two eyes on my back, I felt like King Kong. Self confidence in the ring means nothing without the same level of confidence in your corner. Nothing fazed Al. If he wasn’t worried, why should I be? After all, we’re talking about Uncle Al here! The bad cop, badder cop routine that he worked with Bob pulled me through some tough fights.

One of the most important contributions that Al made (outside of his great family, of course) was that church on 14th Street called the Gramercy Gym. I’ve seen many people walk in, some broke, others broken, and walk out with faith, hope and another shot at redemption. If boxing was a religion, then Al would have been pope. He treated every member, no matter who they were or where they came from, the same. He ran the gym with an even hand, not an iron fist. The Gramercy is the place, mine included, that all gyms can only aspire to.

I could never repay the debt of gratitude for the way Al treated my brother and I, especially when my father passed away. Strange as it may seem, some of my fondest memories came at one of the lowest points in my life. He treated us as if we were his own sons, as he did with all of his fighters. It was because of him that I chose to make boxing my mission in life. I hope that I can make a difference in other people’s lives the way he did in mine. I miss you Uncle Al.