Being inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) is a full-circle moment for Houstonian Lou Savarese.
The world heavyweight title challenger and two-time New York Golden Gloves champion is one of 28 members included in the Class of 2020 that will be formally inducted at the ninth annual NYSBHOF induction dinner on Sunday, September 20th at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
Born in the Bronx and from Greenwood Lake, New York, Savarese was a local favorite in NYC, but the city of Houston, Texas has proven to be of great significance to him and his boxing career as well. He turned pro in Houston in 1989, moved back to New York between 2000-2008 and has lived in Houston since then.
Throughout his career, Savarese defeated a number of world-class heavyweights including David Bostice, Lance Whitaker and Leo Nolan and fought six world champions, including Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Tim Witherspoon, James “Buster” Douglas and Riddick Bowe, who beat him in the 1988 Olympic trials and then went on to win the 1988 Summer Olympics. Savarese was a WBO Inter-Continental champion, an IBA Continental champion, the 1985 Super-Heavyweight Novice champion and the 1986 Super-Heavyweight Open champion. He says his greatest accomplishment in the ring is his opening-round knockout of former world heavyweight champion James “Buster” Douglas in 1998 for the International Boxing Association World heavyweight title.
Now 54, Savarese lives in Houston where he opened Savarese Fight Fit West University in an effort to share his passion for nutrition and physical fitness with his clients through the sport of boxing. At his state-of-the-art boxing gym, Savarese’s goal is to enhance people’s lives through the best integration of functional fitness and resistance training. Savarese is committed to maintaining personal health and helping his clients do the same. He is also devoted to giving back to the Houston community through the unique services offered as well as through his philanthropic involvements.
As someone who has always given boxing his all, both in and out of the ring, this honor is well deserved for Savarese.
