Joe Antonacci
Name: Joseph Antonacci
Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA
Birthplace: Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA
Joe Antonacci (born August 9, 1960, Ridgewood, New Jersey; died April 2024) was a noted boxing ring announcer and emcee famous for his televised boxing ring tuxedo appearances on ESPN Friday Night Fights, NBC Sports Network, HBO and Showtime.
Nicknamed "Generous Joe," he donated all of his ring earnings to assist injured and retired amateur and professional boxers in need, to overcome their disabilities incurred as a result of bouts in the ring, and to amateur boxing organizations. [1]
Antonacci also served as a ring announcer for mixed martial arts fights and Ultimate Fighting Championship cards. [2]
Antonacci worked for all of the major promoters in boxing, including Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Don King’s Don King Productions and North Jersey’s Main Events, headed by Kathy Duva. His adventures as a ring announcer have taken him from Madison Square Garden to Macau, China, where Antonacci announced the first ever professional fight card in that venue, from The Venetian Macao. [[3]]
Antonacci was nominated in 2012 for a "Good Guy Award" from the Boxing Writers Association of America.
In November 2012, he was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame: [4]
Personal Life
Antonacci was a graduate of William Paterson University with a B.A. degree in English. He resided with his wife, Diane, and two children in Ridgewood, New Jersey. [5]. Later in life, he became a stand-up comedian. He passed away in April 2024.
Filmography
He appeared as himself in three motion pictures and a TV series:
- They’re Just My Friends (2006)
- Orthodox Stance (2007)
- Lights Out (2011 TV series)
- The Challenger (2012)
Joe Palooka Comic Book
Antonacci owned the trademark to, and recreated, Joe Palooka, an American comic book, formerly about a heavyweight boxing champion that debuted in 1930 and ran until the 1980s. A brand new comic book version of the character was offered for sale online, created by Antonacci and his creative team. Palooka was reborn as an Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. Antonacci's team has also created a sister series of MMA-themed comic books entitled Legion of Combat.