PAUL WIELOPOLSKI
AMATUER BOXER 1962-1971
BANTAMWEIGHT
AND FEATHERWEIGHT
COACH - 1979-1990

Paul Wielopolski was born on August 22, 1947. He came from Polish, Italian and Irish heritage and grew up on the Lower West Side. His father was a well-known local boxer, Tommy "Pinky" Ryan. It appeared that young Paulie was destined to be a fighter.

Paul graduated from All Saints School, Grover Cleveland High School and attended Genesee Community College. Although education was always important, it was always boxing that quickly became the passion of his life. As Wielolopolski relates the story, Monsignor Kelliher needed two fighters to complete an amateur boxing card. Paul and his friend both accepted and his amateur boxing career had begun at the age of fifteen. Much of his success would be closely associated with Monsignor Kelliher and his Golden Glove program.

Wielopolski trained at Singer's Gym under the watchful eye of some of Buffalo's best boxing instructors; Johnny Green, Tom Stenhouse Johnny Sudac and Charlie Ferraro. He also learned from his exposure to such top local fighters as Dick Wipperman, Tony La Barbara, Vinnie Cala and Jimmy Ralston.

When Paul Wielopolski began his boxing career in 1962 he was only fifteen years old and a mere 118- pound bantamweight. When his career ended some ten and he was now a featherweight. As his career advanced so too did his involvement in the Golden Gloves Tournament. Between 1967 and 1971 Wielopolski won five consecutive open division Golden Glove Tournament titles. The local district in the 1960's included Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and most of Canada district much larger than the current one. In fact, the district was the second largest one in the country. A local victory in those days sent a fighter directly to the National Championship. Research has indicated that no other fighter has ever matched Wielopolski's record of five consecutive titles. The closest he came to winning a national title was when he lost a split decision to Larry Pryor in the 1969 championship title fight.

Following the 1971 Golden Glove competition Paul Wielopolski retired as an amateur boxer. He considered a pro career, but he was now working at Bethlehem Steel, and going to college. He also felt that there was very limited competition at his weight level. Some health problems also helped him make his decision. Boxing had been good to our local Golden Glove legend. He had fought more than eighty fights and won a vast majority of them. Paulie had never been badly hurt, knocked down or stopped in any of his fights. Boxing was a perfect sport for him. He loved to travel and the national competition afforded him the opportunity to do so. He loved the competition as well as the running, training, sparring and discipline that went along with it.

With so many things going on and an upcoming marriage scheduled for the following year, Wielopolski stored his boxing gear for what he thought would be the last time. Eventually Rocco Dinna and Detective Ed Nieman finally convinced him to come out of retirement and become the boxing coach at the Austin Street PAL. He would remain there in this position from 1979 to 1990. His most rewarding and successful year was 1988 when he sent six fighters to the National Junior Olympic Championships in Chicago, the top junior tournament for boxers sixteen and under in the United States. The Austin Street Club won three gold medals and two silver medals, more than any other city or state in the United States. Ross Thompson was named the tournament's top fighter, while winning a gold medal in the 90-pound division. Thompson, a Junior Middleweight contender, would twice fight for the title on HBO television. Dennis Shields won the Super Heavyweight crown, while Germane Thompson won the championship in the 80-pound division. Based on the success of his fighters, Wielopolski was named coach of the year. Always a very humble person, he credits most of his success to Charlie Ferraro, Ray Fetzer, Detective Ed Nieman, Roger Rivera and Woody Thompson. Former Police Chief Rocco Dinna and former mayor James Griffin were always supportive when the club needed anything.

Paul Wielopolski began working at Bethlehem Steel in 1967. After a brief stint at the American Standard, he has worked as an inspector at Dunlop Tire since 1975. Paul has been married to Ellen since 1972 and she has supported him in all his endeavors. They have one daughter, the lovely and very talented Margaret who attends Buffalo State and also works as a dealer at the Niagara Falls Casino.

Ring 44 takes pride in honoring Paul Wielopolski into our Hall of Fame.