Ron Lipton Inducted into New York State Boxing Hall of Fame
October 18, 2021—Marist physical education and boxing instructor, Ron Lipton, was inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2020 on September 19 at Russo’s On the Bay in Howard Beach. Lipton joins boxing greats such as Jack Dempsey, Floyd Patterson, and Mike Tyson in the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
“After being inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 as a fighter, pro referee, and published boxing historian, the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Induction was especially wonderful for me as I was born in New York, lived here so long, and fought and refereed so many great fights in Madison Square Garden and throughout the Empire State,” Lipton said.
Lipton has taught boxing classes for 20 years at Marist and instructed more than 7,000 students and athletes over his teaching career. Lipton’s courses encompass the rules and regulations of boxing to its long history, with regular hands-on workouts.
Lipton became involved in boxing in his youth as a record-setting three-time champion amateur fighter in the 1960s, when he compiled a record of 39-3 with 38 knockouts 23 coming in the first round, plus fighting over 70 exhibitions against the best fighters in the Tri-State area. In addition to being a competitive amateur, Lipton was a paid sparring partner to boxing legends such as Muhammad Ali, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Dick Tiger, and Carlos Ortiz. As a 19-year-old, he became a sparring partner and lifelong friend of Muhammad Ali’s. The two trained together until the late 1970s.
“We had known each other since 1962 when I was 16 years old and he was 20. I lived and traveled with Ali. We did everything together; I had so much fun with him,” Lipton said. “I miss him very much.”
“Boxing has always been part of my heart, its long and rich history, its impact on Americana and the world, the lives of the legendary champions, and how they resonated courage, dedication, discipline were always inspirational to me throughout my life, especially regarding boxing in Madison Square Garden,” Lipton said.
His officiating accomplishments are numerous, including main event assignments in Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, the Nassau Coliseum, and other top boxing venues throughout the country and in Ireland and Italy.
“Refereeing the legends in Madison Square Garden and other venues was a task I took very seriously. The fighters know I respect them, and their livelihood is in the hands of the boxing judges; however, their lives are in my hands and they respect me. That is all you can ask,” Lipton said.
Lipton is also a published boxing writer for many of the sport's leading magazines. Among his writings are the acclaimed "Mythical Matchups" in The Ring Magazine, some of which were Sonny Liston v George Foreman; Jack Dempsey v Rocky Marciano; Rocky Graziano v Rubin "Hurricane" Carter; and Dick Tiger v Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Attending with Lipton were his wife Gabrielle, and his son, Brett (who is an Inspector with the New York State Athletic Commission). He and his wife, Gabrielle, live in Dutchess County, N.Y.
“I’m very grateful for this magnificent honor,” Lipton said. “All my hard work in boxing has paid off with this New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Induction. I want very much to share this with all my students and colleagues at Marist College along with all the police officers who came to support me.”
