BOSTON — For the first time in almost seven decades, boxing is set to make a historic return to Boston’s iconic Fenway Park.
This noteworthy event marks a significant achievement for twin brothers who grew up in Watertown, long-serving public school educators, who have energetically pursued the dream of breathing new life into boxing in a city with a rich history of sporting legends.
Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, holds a deep tradition beyond baseball, once hosting an array of sports and significant public events.
“Most people’s experience at Fenway is solely related to baseball games,” explained Richard Johnson, an expert on Fenway and curator at The Sports Museum in Boston.
“This year’s event brings an opportunity to experience something akin to what past generations witnessed at Fenway.”
Promoted by Mark and Matt Nolan, the “Fight Night at Fenway,” slated for Saturday, is envisioned as both a nostalgic homage to boxing’s past and a catalyst for its future in Boston.
Obtaining a license to organize boxing matchups last year, the Nolans aim to achieve their goal of rekindling the sport’s flame in the city.
“Reaching Fenway feels like mission accomplished,” Matt Nolan expressed. “For every boxer, fighting at Fenway is a dream equivalent to winning a lottery.”
Boxing Holds a Rich History
Boston’s contribution to American boxing history is substantial, a fact well-noted by Johnson, author of “Field of Our Fathers, An Illustrated History of Fenway Park.”
John L. Sullivan, also known as “Boston’s Strong Boy,” was born in 1858 to Irish immigrant parents and is celebrated as America’s first sports superstar.
He earned the title of the first world heavyweight champion, gaining a prominence comparable to that of Muhammad Ali.
Sam Langford, another legendary figure, was a Black Canadian-born boxer who rose to fame in Boston but faced racial barriers preventing him from competing in world championships, despite his renowned skill.
Other boxing greats like Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano, hailing from nearby Brockton, are also linked to Boston’s boxing heritage.
“The Boston Bomber” Tony DeMarco was the last to claim victory in a boxing match at Fenway in 1956, immortalized with a statue in Boston’s North End.
Originally, the expansive seating at Fenway Park made it the sole large-scale outdoor venue in Boston.
Since 1920, it was a hotspot for a variety of events, boxing included.
In recent years, under new ownership since 2002, Fenway has returned to hosting diverse events, from concerts to sports like hockey and curling.
“Fenway has gone back to its roots as a multipurpose venue, replicating its early days,” Johnson added. “Reviving boxing at the park pays homage to this past.”
Iconic Venue with a Distinctive Essence
Unlike some modern venues that may feel impersonal, Fenway provides an engaging experience steeped in history.
Johnson affectionately describes it as “the largest open-air museum in New England.”
The reason boxing hasn’t been staged at Fenway in almost 70 years was not due to lack of trying, as Mark Nolan pointed out.
Many promoters have approached park management without success, unable to capture the essence the venue demanded.
The Nolan brothers, however, have made their mark not only as educators but also as gym owners based in Waltham who open their boxing gym’s doors to everyone regardless of financial capability.
Their previous successful events led Fenway Sports Group to take notice of their authentic and relatable approach.
A New Era of Boxing Promotion
The brothers were captivated by boxing as children, accompanying their seafaring father to the gym.
After venturing into professional boxing promotion five years ago, they were taken aback by the scenes they encountered: uneven bouts set up purely for profit, exploited amateur fighters, and non-transparent dealings.
These findings fueled their plan to elevate boxing quality: hosting well-matched and fair fights in prestigious venues like Fenway and ensuring they situated their events strictly within Boston.
Focusing on fans’ desires rather than mere promotional hype, their strategy centers on providing competitive matches.
Renowned fighter Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole from Galway, Ireland, who has been in Boston for two years, praised the goal of presenting well-balanced fights.
Unbeaten with a streak of 13 fights since turning professional in 2021, O’Toole eagerly anticipates his toughest challenge yet against Vaughn “Da Animal” Alexander at Fenway.
Lexi “Lil Savage” Bolduc, a Massachusetts native, will partake in her fourth professional bout.
As she prepares for a rematch against Sarah Couillard, Bolduc embraces the pressure and opportunity of fighting at Fenway.
“While it’s more pressure fighting locally in a revered venue, it’s also a chance to embrace a unique opportunity and cherish the moment,” she expressed.
“Standing on the same sacred ground as renowned athletes feels truly extraordinary.”