On October 12, 2026, the annual Columbus Day Parade and celebration took place in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood. The Italian Heritage Museum has an exhibit about Italian American boxers.
Italian American boxing exhibit
When we stopped in we were thrilled to see the legendary champ Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini checking out the exhibit. Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini is the pride of Youngstown best known for holding the WBA lightweight title from 1982 to 1984.
Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini
Ray was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1961 to an Italian-American family. Mancini was the son of Lenny “Boom Boom” Mancini, a top-ranked lightweight contender in the 1940s whose career was cut short by World War II injuries. Inspired by his father, Ray began boxing at a young age and built a stellar amateur record, winning multiple Golden Gloves titles. He quickly became a fan favorite for his relentless punching power and blue-collar persona.
Youngstown was suffering from widespread loss of steel mill and auto plant jobs and the Mahoning Valley suffered from a nation-high unemployment rate of 22 percent. From May 1982 until June 1984, Mancini reigned as the World Boxing Association lightweight champion which brought much needed pride to his home town and beyond. He eventually left the fight game with a 29-5 record (23 of the wins by knockout) and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.
He was kind enough to talk with us and tell some stories and answer questions first about how he started young in Golden Gloves and eventually turned pro at age 18. He was known for his ferocious, forward-moving style and devastating left hook. He told us that his style of fighting was not built for longevity.
We asked him what he thought about the UFC, MMA and modern boxing. The grandson of another Italian American boxing legend, Tony Brush, came in and they shared memories.
Tony Brush grandson and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
Another Tony Brush relative and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
Tom Berardenelli, nephew of Joey Maxim,
and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
Tom Berardenelli, nephew of Joey Maxim
Boom Boom had some surprising revelations such as that women were actually tougher than men and saved boxing. When asked about his health he mentioned doing yoga! Watch the video.
Here are some photos of Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini at the boxing exhibit in the Italian Heritage Museum.
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Dan Hanson
Tom Berardenelli, Pamela Dorazio-Dean
and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
Tom Berardenelli, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Dan Hanson
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Robert Lipucci
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Dan Hanson
