JACKIE DONNELLY
LIGHTWEIGHT
1958-1963

In the 1930's and 1940's, Jackie Donnelly was the epitome of a First Ward kid-a tough little Irishman-more out of necessity than choice. Jackie was born in the Ward on Dec. 22, 1934. He graduated from St. Bridget's Catholic School and attended McKinley High School.

At about nine years of age, Jackie abandoned street fighting and joined the Babcock Street Boys and Girls Club because, by his own admission, he was too small to play other sports. In his salad days at the neighborhood club, Jackie lost only one bout and that was to Danny DiLiberto who went on to become a rated pro lightweight boxer. Jackie rapidly progressed to a popular amateur boxer and in 1951 entered the Courier-Express Golden Gloves Tournament as a bantamweight. He didn't lose untilt he final championship bout.

In 1952, at the age of 17, Jackie enlisted in the United States Air Force. Furthermore, in addition to his military duties, he was a member of several service boxing teams and toured the country participating in more than 200 bouts before being discharged in 1956. During his enlistment he won the U.S. Air Force Bantamweight championship and the All-Service Bantamweight title.

Jackie joined the professional ranks in 1958 as a lightweight and retired in 1961, achieving an impressive record of 32 bouts with only two losses. His first loss was to Bobby Scanlon in a questionable decision. Jackie was floored by a punch after the bell ending the fourth round but gamely finished the twelve round bout, even though he could not recall anything about the last eight rounds of action. The flagrant foul was noted and mentioned by sports writers in the next day's issues of local newspapers. .His second loss was to Paola Rosi in Boston Mass. Rosi was an internationally rated boxer from Italy whom Jackie had previously beaten in Buffalo for the New York State Welterweight Championship.

In 1963 Jackie attempted a comeback in Allentown, Pa. and knocked out his opponent in the third round. Even though he scored an easy victory, Jackie chose to retire from the ring.

After his retirement from the professional ranks, Jackie became an iron worker in Union 45 for 37 years. He also operated his own gym, where he trained and coached young amateurs from 1979 to 1984. He performed the same duties for the next 12 years at the Babcock Street Boys and Girls Club, where he staged outstanding amateur boxing cards. He now works part-time at the fitness center of the Buffalo Club on Delaware Avenue.

Jackie, still a resident of the First Ward is the proud father of four girls, has eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Tonight we are very proud to honor Jackie Donnelly for his achievement and dedication to the sport of boxing by inducting him into Ring #44's Boxing Hall of Fame.