GALLERY: Local boxer Richie Kates dies at 69
Former professional boxer Richie Kates Sr. poses in August 2017 with a likeness of himself during a street-renaming ceremony in Bridgeton.
Former professional boxer Richie Kates Sr. unveils a sign for a street renamed in his honor near the All Sports Museum of New Jersey in Bridgeton on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017.
Former professional boxer Richie Kates Sr. (right) receives a proclamation from Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly before the unveiling a street sign renamed in his honor at the All Sports Museum of New Jersey in Bridgeton on Sunday, August 20, 2017. Photo/Charles J. Olson
Kates Sr.
Former professional boxer Richie Kates Sr. cuts a cake in his honor before the unveiling of a street sign renamed for him at the All Sports Museum of New Jersey in Bridgeton on Sunday, August 20, 2017. Photo/Charles J. Olson
Former professional boxer Richie Kates Sr. attends the unveiling Sunday of a Bridgeton street renamed in his honor. ‘It’s truly an honor,’ Kates, 64, says of his hometown tribute. ‘It’s something I never even thought about.’
Story on B3.
Charles J. Olson / For the press
Former boxer Richie Kates, of Cumberland County, says a film about his boxing career and life ‘is a blessing.’ Kates is shown outside the Landis Theater in Vineland, where ‘Richie Kates: An Uncommon Journey’ premiered Thursday.
Cumberland County’s former boxer Richie Kates will have a new documentary out about his life at the Landis Theater in Vineland. Kates trains amateur boxers at the Next Level Boxing Gym. April 13, 2017 (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)
Cumberland County's former boxer Richie Kates will have a new documentary out about his life at the Landis Theater in Vineland. Kates trains amateur boxers including Vince Tassone,22, of Williamstown at the Next Level Boxing Gym. April 13, 2017 (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)
Kates lied about his age so he could make his professional boxing debut at 16, while a sophomore at Bridgeton High School. He went on to go 44-6 as a pro in a career in which he faced some of the best light-heavyweights, including Victor Galindez, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Michael Spinks. Today, he trains fighters, including Vince Tassone, 22, of Williamstown, part time at Next Level Boxing Gym in Vineland.
Richie Kates, an elite boxer in a golden era of light-heavyweights, retired after a 1983 fight in Atlantic City. ‘I was only 30, but people don’t realize I had been fighting as a pro for 14 years,’ he says. ‘Too many fighters stay too long. I wanted to be able to speak in complete sentences when I was older.’
We talk to Cumberland County’s former boxer Richie Kates.
Cumberland County’s former boxer Richie Kates will have a new documentary out about his life at the Landis Theater in Vineland. Kates trains amateur boxers including Vince Tassone,22, of Williamstown at the Next Level Boxing Gym. April 13, 2017 (Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer)
Local boxer Quian Davis works-out with trainer Richie Kates at a local gym in Vineland. Davis is promoted by woman promoter Debra LaManna of Millville. Boxing is predominately a male sport and promoter Debra LaManna of Millville, oversees the promotions of her son/boxer Thomas Lamanna and other local fighters. Thursday Dec. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Staff Photographer)
Local boxer Quian Davis (left) works-out with trainer Richie Kates at a local gym in Vineland. Davis is promoted by woman promoter Debra LaManna of Millville. Boxing is predominately a male sport and promoter Debra LaManna of Millville, oversees the promotions of her son/boxer Thomas Lamanna and other local fighters. Thursday Dec. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Staff Photographer)
Local boxer Quian Davis (left) works-out with trainer Richie Kates at a local gym in Vineland. Davis is promoted by woman promoter Debra LaManna of Millville. Boxing is predominately a male sport and promoter Debra LaManna of Millville, oversees the promotions of her son/boxer Thomas Lamanna and other local fighters. Thursday Dec. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Staff Photographer)
Local boxer Quian Davis, left, works out with trainer Richie Kates on Dec. 29, 2017, at a local gym in Vineland.
Local boxer Quian Davis (left) works-out with trainer Richie Kates at a local gym in Vineland. Davis is promoted by woman promoter Debra LaManna of Millville. Boxing is predominately a male sport and promoter Debra LaManna of Millville, oversees the promotions of her son/boxer Thomas Lamanna and other local fighters. Thursday Dec. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Staff Photographer)
Local boxer Quian Davis (left) works-out with trainer Richie Kates at a local gym in Vineland. Davis is promoted by woman promoter Debra LaManna of Millville. Boxing is predominately a male sport and promoter Debra LaManna of Millville, oversees the promotions of her son/boxer Thomas Lamanna and other local fighters. Thursday Dec. 29, 2017. (Dale Gerhard / Staff Photographer)