Senate Resolution No. 1710

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Wallace Matthews upon the occasion of his
induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
and Museum

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding broadcast journalists who distinguished themselves through
their exceptional story-telling in sports, attaining unprecedented
success and the highest level of personal achievement; Wallace Matthews
is one such individual and his life of achievements inspired others and
contributed to the respect and admiration of the sport of boxing; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Wallace Matthews upon the occasion of his induction into the
International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum; he will be honored for his
role as a sports journalist at the 35th Anniversary celebration from
June 6-9, 2024, in Canastota, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born on January 3, 1957 in New York City, Wallace Matthews
began his career as a boxing journalist in 1983 after having a career as
a New York Golden Gloves boxer; he covered fights at Madison Square
Garden's Felt Forum while working part-time for Newsday; and

WHEREAS, Over the next four decades, Wallace Matthews was ringside
reporting on such iconic fights as Hagler vs. Hearns, Hagler vs.
Leonard, Spinks vs. Holmes I & II, and all the remarkable Mike Tyson
fights; and

WHEREAS, Wallace Matthews's byline appeared in such notable outlets
as the New York Times, Newsday, the Washington Post, the New York Post,
the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Sport Magazine, Yahoo
Sports, and ESPN; and

WHEREAS, A multi-talented journalist, Wallace Matthews has served as
the ringside reporter for NBC-TV at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics;
additionally, he worked as a ringside analyst for Showtime, CBS-TV,
Sports Channel America, Versus, and ESPN; and

WHEREAS, Venturing into talk shows, Wallace Matthews hosted the
SiriusXM boxing show "Going the Distance" with Teddy Atlas and Nabate
Isles; he also hosted a drive-time sports talk show "Wally and the Keeg"
on ESPN radio; and

WHEREAS, From 1989 to 1993, Wallace Matthews served as President of
the Boxing Writers Association of America; in 1994, for his dedication
to the sport and profession, he was awarded the Nat Fleischer Award for
Excellence in Boxing Journalism by the BWAA; and

WHEREAS, Still avidly involved with the sport of boxing and
inspiring youth, Wallace Matthews currently runs a boxing program at the
YMCA in Huntington, New York; and

WHEREAS, Wallace Matthews clearly contributed to the spirit of
excellence which is a tradition of the International Boxing Hall of
Fame; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Wallace Matthews upon the occasion of his induction into the
International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Wallace Matthews.