Ed Cudney, born in Buffalo, N.Y., April 7, 1919, truly devoted his life to the sport of boxing in Buffalo. His boxing career spanned over 60 years. He attended South Park High School and, as a young teenager, played for the Babcock Boys Club Championship football team called the "South Buffalo Shamrocks" in 1936.

By the age of 11, Ed knew Buffalo had four World Boxing Champions to boast about. South Buffalo's idol, Jimmy Slattery, was Eddie's favorite Champion. Eddie and his friends would sneak into the "Old Broadway Auditorium" on fight night every week and climb the roof to get a chance to watch the boxing matches. Buffalo was definitely a hot bed for boxing and by mid 1932, Buffalo would crown two more Champions, two months apart - George Nichols and Tommy Paul. What other city could be more proud of having six World Boxing Champions?

Of course, many kids in the Buffalo neighborhoods wanted to try their hands in boxing. It was a way out of the depression and provided them with a way to help their families and gain a name for themselves. There were at least thirty different boxing gyms in and around Buffalo at that time. Ed Cudney started his amateur boxing career in 1937 in the Golden Gloves welterweight novice division. He was managed by Lou Wertheimer and did pretty well. Fought in several Golden Glove tournaments until being drafted in the Army infantry during World War II. While stationed at Fort Sills, Oklahoma, he won the 1942 Welterweight Army Boxing Championship. A shoulder injury suffered during his military service forced him to give up his boxing career. Ed worked for the New York Railroad for the next 32 years, from 1943-1975. He also served as President of the railroads United Transportation Union for 16 years.

In 1941, he married Beatrice Miller and raised 5 children. He stayed busy boxing, coaching and training fighters with Tony Pinto at Jack Singer's Gym on Washington St. He later went on to assist Johnny Sudac when Singer's Gym moved to Main St. Ed would eventually train his son, Dennis (Rocky) Cudney, who went on to compete in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, as well as having a professional career. Ed also helped Jackie Donnelly (former lightweight contender) train amateurs from the Babcock Boys Club and the Buffalo P.A.L. for many years. He also served as President of the Seneca – Babcock Community Center at one time. Ed served as Democratic Committeeman for 10 years through the 1970's. He was a member of the Valley Community Center, American Legion Post 527, and the Southside Athletic Center.

Through the 1980's, Ed and the Buffalo P.A.L. staged many boxing shows in Buffalo. Several of these were held right in his big backyard! After a couple of shows in Ed's yard, former Mayor, Jimmy Griffin renamed it "Cudney Park". Over the years, Ed would acquire many photo's and memorabilia from former Buffalo fighters. He was only interested in the pro or amateur fighters of the Buffalo area. He had been in the fight game for so long and had such a collection and so much knowledge, that he was honored as the city's "Boxing Historian" at City Hall. He had an office at City Hall and would eventually start up what this city so desperately needed – a "Boxing Museum", to house all the legacies of Buffalo Champions and contenders, pro and amateur alike. The Museum was on display at many boxing shows and public venues, like the "Taste of Bflo"., "Italian festival", "Winter festival", "Tribute to Ilio DiPaolo Wrestling Show" at the closing of the "Aud" in 1996, even on St. Patrick's Day at the Irish Center! His mission was to get the public to be more aware of and proud of Buffalo and it's Boxing Heritage.

Ed Cudney was an integral part of the revival of Ring #44 in 1996. Without him, none of this could have been possible. He served as President in 1996 and 1997, but, had to give it up due to his failing health in 1998. He stayed active in the Buffalo Boxing Museum (as well as in Ring #44) right up to his last days. He died in Buffalo Veteran's Hospital on March 14, 2000.

He was informed on Feb. 14, 2000, Valentine's Day, about his nomination for induction in Ring #44's Boxing Hall of Fame and was so proud that he asked, "What can I do to help"? The reply was, "Nothing at all Ed, you have done more than your share for boxing, God knows".