Boxing is set to make a historic return to Boston’s iconic Fenway Park for the first time in nearly seven decades. This comeback is the result of a dedicated venture by twin brothers, both seasoned public school teachers from Watertown, who aim to rejuvenate the sport in a city renowned for its legendary boxing figures.
The event aligns with the park’s traditional multi-use heritage, dating back to when it hosted various sports and political events, beyond just serving as the home ground for the Red Sox.
Richard Johnson, a Fenway historian and curator at The Sports Museum in Boston, elaborated on the park’s rich history, saying, “Most people’s experience there is solely related to baseball. But the fact is that this year, you can see an event that’ll be very similar to what your grandparents saw.” This venture reflects a nostalgic nod to times when Fenway was much more than just a baseball venue.
Scheduled for Saturday, the event dubbed “Fight Night at Fenway” is both a journey back to boxing’s heydays and an optimistic vision for the sport’s future in Boston. Promoters Mark and Matt Nolan, who clinched their organizing license last year, view this event as the realization of a longstanding dream to reintroduce boxing to the city’s heart.
Matt Nolan articulated the sentiment with palpable excitement, saying, “It’s not just like our dream, it’s everybody’s dream — every boxer on planet Earth. Just the idea that some kid can fight his way to Fenway Park. It’s like hitting the lottery.”
Boston’s contributions to American boxing and the sport’s evolution are noteworthy, highlighted by figures like John L. Sullivan, who was seen as the first superstar athlete in America, alongside revered pugilists like Sam Langford and Tony DeMarco. Fenway, after its construction, became a prime venue for various events, solidifying its place in boxing history.
Since new ownership took over in 2002, Fenway Park has transcended its baseball origins to host a variety of events, reaffirming its position as a versatile venue. The return of boxing is a testament to its history as much as a step toward revitalizing it as a multifaceted platform.
According to Johnson, “Back in the day, it was sort of the Swiss Army knife of sports facilities in Boston. And it’s returned to that — a little bit of everything. So, returning boxing to the park is just a nod to the past,” emphasizing the park’s rich sports tapestry.
Despite the challenges faced by previous promoters to bring boxing to Fenway, the Nolan brothers’ commitment and authenticity struck a chord with Fenway Sports Group. Their success in hosting boxing events at smaller venues, combined with an inclusive approach at their Waltham gym, aligned well with the park’s vision.
The Nolans, whose journey with boxing began as children tagging along with their father to the gym, saw potential where others faltered. Frustrated by the uneven matchmaking and lack of fairness they witnessed when moving into professional boxing, they decided to correct the course. Their model is straightforward: host well-matched bouts at prestigious venues in Boston, ensuring both fair pay and transparency for fighters.
Their efforts resonated with local fighters like Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole, who highlighted the importance of competitive matches. O’Toole, undefeated in his professional career, anticipates his upcoming fight at Fenway as a crucial milestone.
Likewise, Massachusetts-native Lexi “Lil Savage” Bolduc, competing in her fourth professional fight at Fenway, views the event as a monumental opportunity. She expressed, “Fighting at Fenway, I think adds a little bit of pressure because I’m local, I grew up in Mass and idolized a lot of players as I was growing up. … But at the same time, I’m trying to use it just as a huge opportunity and really soak in the moment,” summing up the blend of heritage and aspiration that defines “Fight Night at Fenway.”
This initiative stands poised not only to rekindle Fenway’s storied connection with boxing but also to pave the way for a new chapter, where dreams are molded on the historic grounds of Boston’s revered ballpark.