Al Fennell, beloved boxing trainer, dies at 77
IT WAS ONE of those moments that rarely come to a man more than once in a lifetime. It came to Al Fennell in Las Vegas on April 11, 1988, when Robert "Bam Bam" Hines, the fighter he had trained almost since childhood, won the International Boxing Federation's junior-middleweight title.
IT WAS ONE of those moments that rarely come to a man more than once in a lifetime.
It came to Al Fennell in Las Vegas on April 11, 1988, when Robert "Bam Bam" Hines, the fighter he had trained almost since childhood, won the International Boxing Federation's junior-middleweight title.
It was not an easy win. Hines was knocked down in the second and third round, but rallied to take a 12-round unanimous decision over undefeated Matthew Hilton.
Al, a little guy, found the strength to hoist his fighter off his feet in delirious celebration.
Hines credited the work he had done in Philly gyms for his victory, and it was in those often decrepit run-down venues that nevertheless made Philadelphia the boxing capital of the world, that Al Fennell became a legend.
Albert Fennell, longtime boxing trainer who coached many of his fighters at Champs Gym in North Philadelphia, which he operated, died Friday after a lenghty illness. He was 77 and lived in East Oak Lane.
Hines, who was trained by Al through his 10-year pro career, which ended in 1989, said Al "was more than just a great trainer."
"He was a big inspiration to me not only to become a world champion, but to become the man I am today," he said. "I always wanted to be like Al. As good a trainer as he was, he was a better person."
Al was also instrumental as an assistant trainer in the development of David Reid, the only American Olympic gold medalist in boxing at the 1996 Olympics, who went on to win the World Boxing Association super-welterweight title.
J. Russell Peltz, local boxing promoter who promoted Hines' pro career, said: "Al was a really wonderful guy. He was almost like a father to Robert. I never knew anybody who had a negative thing to say about Al Fennell."
Rob Murray Sr., who trains Philly-based heavyweight "Fast Eddie" Chambers, said Al's death was "the closing of another chapter of Philadelphia boxing history. Anybody who loves boxing should be sad.
"We keep losing these great trainers who are so much a part of the city's reputation for being America's premier fight town.
"Al was a very humble man and a great teacher. He was the master of southpaws [Hines was a southpaw]. I never knew anybody who worked as well with southpaws as Al."
Bernard Fernandez, Daily News boxing writer, said, "The real tipoff on a trainer is the loyalty he inspires in his fighters.
"Al's fighters were fiercely dedicated to him, in part because he was fiercely dedicated to them, but may be more so because they understood he knew the sport and could further their development in the ring."
One of Al's grandchildren, Kevin Fennell, recalled that his grandfather would "rise for work at 4 a.m., then head right to the gym after work to train his fighters, not making it home until late in the evening.
"This what he loved to do and wouldn't have traded it for anything else in the world."
Kevin remembered how, as an 11th-grader, he was with his family eagerly awaiting word about the championship fight from Las Vegas.
"For my family that was a very proud moment, as we saw firsthand just how much blood, sweat and tears he and 'Bam Bam' put in and went through together."
Al is survived by his wife, the former Evelyn King; three daughters, Lorraine Hightower, Sheila Fennell and Victoria Brown; a brother, Aubrey; a sister, Elaine Tucker; eight grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Albert Jr.
Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church, 4541 N. Broad St. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Peace Cemetery, 31st Street and Lehigh Avenue.
Staff writer Bernard Fernandez contributed to this report.