User:Martinjfoley/Martin Foley the boxer

Martin foley the boxer was born in south boston in 1964. The son of Martin Foley Jr. a school custodian and owner of his own custodial services buisness and Jeanette Foley his mom a house wife. Martin Foley learned how to fight from his dad Martin Jr. As a small boy, Martin had to learn how to fight at an early age and had his first junior olympic boxing match at age six in the south boston golden gloves. Martin would later garner an amatuer boxing record of 135-5. Martin won the New England a.a.u. 125lbs 139lbs 147lbs 156lbs championship in 1980-81-82-83 respectively. Martin also won the a.a.u. 139lbs 147lbs 156lbs regional championship in 1981-82-83 respectively. Martin lost in his first fight at the 1982 a.a.u. championships in indianapolis Indiana at what was then called the market square arena, but was able to win 3 of his matches the next year at the a.a.u. championships in colorado springs Colorado in 1983. At the colorado springs a.a.u. championships Martin came out ranked number 8 in the United States for the 156lbs division according to the Amatuer Boxer magazine pg. 17 1983. Martin was the team captain for region #1 which included his team mate Mike Tyson, in Martin's final match in the a.a.u. championships that year he fought and lost a close decision to the future professional lt. middlewieght-middlewieght-light heavywieght champion of the world Reggie Johnson. Martins numerous titles and most valuable boxer awards are to numerous to mention as an amatuer. Martin retired from boxing for three and a half years and came back as a professional under the management of the Petronelli brothers of brockton Ma. retired middlewieght champion "Marvelous" Marvin Haglers trainers. Martin fought twice as a pro, winning his first fight in a lopsided four round victory and losing his second fight from a t.k.o. on E.S.P.N. from atlantic city. Going in out of shape said Martin, was the reason for the loss. Due to Martin's concern for his dad who had advanced parkinson's disease and not being able to "get his head into the game" due to his dads sickness, Martin retired from boxing in 1987 never to be involved with the sport again. When asked if he ever missed boxing, Martin said "leaving the sport you love and that you have been with since you were six years old is like losing a part of yourself, you always miss it". As a nationally ranked amatuer fighter, Martin fought along side names like, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Joey Gamache, Reggie Johnson, Tyrell Biggs, Virgil Hill, Henry Tillman, Michael Nunn. Martin worked for the U.S. post office for twenty three years in different capacities. He works as a salesman for his brothers company, rhinoshield of N.E. and invests heavily in low income housing with his brother.