The Beltway Boxing scene and, in particular, the State of Maryland lost an icon today. If you ever boxed or, yes, wrestled in Maryland, you knew Lou Leavey. You also respected and loved Lou Leavey.
Mr. Leavey passed away today after a long illness. He was 90 years old. Prior to his career in boxing, Mr. Leavey served with distinction in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a boxing coach at the Central YMCA in Baltimore. What many don't know about Mr. Leavey is that he trained and co-managed former world middleweight champion Terry Downes of England. Downes won the world championship in London in 1961.
Mr. Leavey joined the Maryland State Athletic Commission in 1985 and was serving on the commission at the time of his passing. Mr. Leavey was one of the inspectors and helped conduct the drug testing for all participants.
Lou came off as kind of a curmudgeon to some folks but he was a really nice person. Lou served as mentor to many and was a really nice person to talk to. As word has filtered through social media about his passing, we already know he will be truly missed.
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