The Friends Of Tony Veranis

Pat McCarthy, Tony Veranis, Bobby Murphy, Jimmy Connors

Last year during the Bulger trial I came across an excellent article by boxing writer Ted Sares. It chronicled some of the boxers to come out of Boston that had met unfortunate underworld endings. Crime and boxing have had a long, long relationship and Boston’s rich criminal landscape produced and seduced some very interesting characters. While reading the article I came across a mention of my great uncle Bobby Murphy that blew me away. Sares, writing about Veranis’s 1957 defeat over my great uncle (Bobby Murphy’s last fight) gave him a serious measure of respect.

“Tony’s best win may have been on December 3, 1957, when he stopped—and retired—the talented Bobby Murphy (19-3-1). Bobby, a former USA New England welterweight titleholder, had impressive wins over Vic Cardell (65-25-7), Fitzie Pruden (50-21), Rocky Sullivan (66-43-12) and Jackie O’Brien (65-17-9), as well as a draw with top contender Chico Vejar (63-5-1). A win over Murphy meant something.”

Read Ted’s full article here…http://www.boxing.com/the_friends_of_tony_veranis.html

I traded some emails with Ted and he pointed me in the direction of Boston’s old school boxers monthly get together, The Pugs Lunch. Next week I’m going to attend to see what else I can find out about this great boxer in my family and try to find some of the guys who actually knew him.

Thank you Ted.