July 21, 2016, Glen Cove, NY…Glen Cove takes great pride in honoring individuals whose personal and professional achievements reach beyond the City’s borders and yet, their hometown roots remain eternally connected. Howard Davis Jr. was one such individual and while the City and boxing community mourned his passing late last year, his memory will remain firmly embedded in the Glen Cove community with a special dedication ceremony scheduled for July 31 at 2 p.m. at the Glen Cove Boxing Club.

“Howard Davis Jr. was such a vital part of the Glen Cove community that we wanted to make sure his legacy lives on in the sport that brought him Olympic Gold,” said Mayor Spinello. Based on a suggestion from a local resident, Mayor Spinello will rename the Glen Cove Boxing Club, the Howard Davis Jr. Glen Cove Boxing Club. As part of the dedication ceremony, Howard’s wife Karla Guadamuz-Davis, his children, members of the Glen Cove Boxing Club and the Glen Cove Housing Authority will participate in this dedication ceremony. All area residents are invited to attend the Sunday afternoon event.

Howard Davis Jr. and the Glen Cove Community

In August, 2015 Howard Davis Jr., during a hometown visit with his wife Karla Guadamuz-Davis and daughter Samiha, visited City Hall where Glen Cove Mayor Reggie Spinello presented Davis Jr. with the City’s flag. On that day, Howard shared with residents his fond memories about his family, growing up in Glen Cove on Mason Drive, his cancer diagnosis and personal mission to “clobber cancer” with the establishment of his Howard Davis Jr. Foundation. The Foundation provides education and financial support for individuals suffering from cancer and encourages alternative methods for fighting this deadly disease. Sadly, Howard Davis Jr. passed away four months later on December 30, 2015 from stage 4 cancer.

At a special memorial service hosted by the City and the Glen Cove Housing Authority on January 16, 2016, Mayor Spinello told Howard’s family, friends and fans that he wanted to do something special to keep a local hero and mentor’s memory at the forefront of the community. The idea, one that was suggested by a longtime Glen Cove Boxing Club member Frank Pena, was to rename the facility the Howard Davis Jr. Boxing Club. Mayor Spinello then told guests that he would do that dedication on July 31, 2016 – the 40th Anniversary of Howard winning the Olympic Gold Medal for boxing and receiving the Val Barker Trophy, an award bestowed upon the most outstanding boxer of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal.

Earlier this year, the Glen Cove Housing Authority renamed the apartment building where Howard grew up to be called the Howard Davis Jr. Complex. That recognition follows a past tribute in 2009 which featured the unveiling of an outdoor mural on Mason Drive. Commissioned by the Housing Authority, the mural created by artist Debbie Viola, depicts Howard with his father, Howard Davis Sr. and an angel in memory of his mother. At the same location, a street was also named in his honor.

The Glen Cove Boxing Club

The original Glen Cove Boxing Club was established in 1972 and throughout the years has provided aspiring boxers and athletes – men and women – with a place to hone their jabs, right hooks and footwork. Howard Davis Jr. was a member of the Club and spent many hours working on his boxing skills with his father, Howard Davis Sr. and local trainers. Under the auspices of Glen Cove’s Parks & Recreation Department, the Glen Cove Boxing Club recently underwent an extensive renovation and was proud to support the efforts of top female boxer, Emily Colon, who recently won a silver medal in the NY Daily News’ Golden Gloves competition.
The Club is located at the Carney Street Exit (Off the Glen Cove Arterial Highway/Route 107 – Glen Cove Day Care Entrance) in Glen Cove and it is open weeknights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and weekends by appointment.
The Howard Davis Jr. Foundation

The foundation’s mission is to preserve the legacy of Howard Davis Jr. and for more information visit www.howarddavisjrfoundation.org.

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