Damn, Joe was a great guy. Hard to find in the sport of boxing.
First time I met him was at Toney/Ruiz I think it was. I had my connection for discounted tickets and was going to sell him some. We couldn't meet up and this was before Zelle/Venmo, that type of stuff. I remember he asked if I could electronically send him the tickets and he would give me the money at the fight, saying "Where am I going to run to, I'm the ring announcer". Solid point Joe!
He introduced me to Buffer and Cooney that night. I also bumped into Chuck Zito as well when I was talking to Joe after the fights. Zito is another solid guy.
Another story with Joe, I couldn't make it to one of Madison's fights and he was announcing. He asked if I was going the week of, told him about slipping on black ice. He said you know, that would be a great nickname for Madison. Being slippery on defense and being, well, black. I told him that would be funny if he just called him that.
Joe ran with that, and during his ring walk introduction announced Darrel "Black Ice" Madison. I remember watching the fight later, seeing him come to the ring, and when his name was announced he had a " WTF" look on his face....
I lost touch with Joe, like most people in the sport, when I stopped writing, helping promoters, etc. He was a great guy who died too young, even at 63. Safe travels my friend, your generosity definitely earned you points in the next stage
