Inducted on November 8, 2001
Bobby Cassidy turned pro without a single amateur fight. When hall-of-fame matchmaker Teddy Brenner was asked the odds of mounting a successful pro career without amateur experience, he said, “It’s a million-to-one shot.” Well, this longshot paid off.
In a professional career that spanned 18 years and 80 pro fights, “Irish” Bobby Cassidy earned a world ranking in the junior middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. A hard-hitting southpaw, Cassidy was ranked No.1 by the WBC as a light heavyweight in 1976. He signed a contract to face WBC champion John Conteh that year, but his dream was shattered after Conteh broke his hand in a tuneup fight.
Cassidy turned pro in 1963 and learned his craft on the way up. His career, though, could be viewed as a succession of bad breaks and poor timing. Although he was a contender for more than half his days in the ring, Cassidy was never given the opportunity to fight for a world title. That remains a painful memory considering Cassidy fought six men who challenged for world titles and beat four of them.
Cassidy fought on three different continents and performed in some of the world’s most well-known boxing venues, including The Arena in Philadelphia, The Miami Beach Auditorium, Sunnyside Garden in Queens, the old Madison Square Garden and the new Madison Square Garden. He has posted victories over premiere contenders such as Issac Logart, Don Fullmer, Tom Bethea and Jimmy Dupree. Among the other top opposition, Cassidy fought world champions Luis Rodriguez, Rodrigo Valdez and Sandro Massinghi, and contenders Gypsy Joe Harris and Jorge Ahumada. However, during his long career he posted wins over world class fighters like Johnny Torres, Bobby Warthem, Bobby Bartels, Tommy Hicks, Willie Taylor, Ramon Ranquello and Christy Elliott. His career record stands at 60 wins, 15 losses, 4 draws, 1 ND and 27 knockouts. Upon his retirement from boxing in 1980, Cassidy began working with fighters at Gleason’s Gym. He’s trained world champions Donny Lalonde and Lonnie Bradley, as well as top contenders such as Lenny LaPaglia and Godrey Nyakana. In keeping with the times, Cassidy also trained Peggy Donovan Ward to the 132-pound 1995 NY Golden Gloves title. A long-time member VBA Ring 8, Cassidy was finally presented with a title belt last year when that organization honored him as an “Uncrowned Champion.” Cassidy is a resident of Levittown, Long Island.
Career Review
- Never boxed as an amateur.
- Steel worker by trade
- Graduated from Division Avenue High School in Levittown, New York in 1961.(Levittown is in Nassau County and is on Long Island.)
- Trained by Johnny Sullo
- Won his pro debut in 38 seconds
- His son was a boxing writer/reporter
Boxing Record: Bobby Cassidy