Paul Poirier - Revision history

Delisa at 16:59, 7 March 2023

2023-03-07T16:59:08Z

@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 "It was time to give it up," he said. I knew that I was going to have a problem in the heavyweight division, so I left when I had my senses together, because believe me there are fighters out there that have the punch drunk syndrome talk , I was not even close to that point so it was time to leave
 And I did.
 [[Category:2017 Deaths|Poirier, Paul]]

Wouter at 09:20, 10 October 2017

2017-10-10T09:20:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:20, 10 October 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Paul Poirier .654.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|left~~\|'''Paul Poirier''']]~~		[[File:Paul Poirier .654.jpg\|200px\|left]]<boxer>33560</boxer>
	~~[[File:Paul Poirier.jpg\|thumb\|right\|'''Paul Poirier'''~~]]
	<boxer>33560</boxer>

	Paul Poirier: Autobiography		Paul Poirier: Autobiography
Line 112:		Line 110:
	"It was time to give it up," he said. I knew that I was going to have a problem in the heavyweight division, so I left when I had my senses together, because believe me there are fighters out there that have the punch drunk syndrome talk , I was not even close to that point so it was time to leave		"It was time to give it up," he said. I knew that I was going to have a problem in the heavyweight division, so I left when I had my senses together, because believe me there are fighters out there that have the punch drunk syndrome talk , I was not even close to that point so it was time to leave
	And I did.		And I did.
	~~Today~~, ~~the 50-year-old Poirier is a custodian for the New Bedford 3rd district court. He lives with his wife of 30 years in New Bedford's South End and they are the parents of two grown children.~~		[[Category:2017 Deaths\|Poirier, Paul]]

Wouter at 09:17, 14 March 2016

2016-03-14T09:17:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:17, 14 March 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Paul Poirier .654.jpg\|thumb\|left\|'''Paul Poirier''' ~~<br>photo [[Fasan]]~~ ]]		[[File:Paul Poirier .654.jpg\|thumb\|left\|'''Paul Poirier''']]
	[[File:Paul Poirier.jpg\|thumb\|right\|'''Paul Poirier''' ~~<br>photo [[Fasan]]~~ ]]		[[File:Paul Poirier.jpg\|thumb\|right\|'''Paul Poirier''']]
	<boxer>33560</boxer>		<boxer>33560</boxer>

Fasan at 18:04, 2 March 2011

2011-03-02T18:04:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:04, 2 March 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Paul Poirier.jpg\|~~200px~~\|left]]		[[File:Paul Poirier .654.jpg\|thumb\|left\|'''Paul Poirier''' <br>photo [[Fasan]] ]]
			[[File:Paul Poirier.jpg\|thumb\|right\|'''Paul Poirier''' <br>photo [[Fasan]] ]]
	<boxer>33560</boxer>		<boxer>33560</boxer>

Fasan at 21:32, 1 March 2011

2011-03-01T21:32:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:32, 1 March 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:Paul Poirier.jpg\|200px\|left]]
	<boxer>33560</boxer>		<boxer>33560</boxer>

Delisa at 06:45, 19 February 2009

2009-02-19T06:45:59Z

Show changes

Delisa at 06:38, 19 February 2009

2009-02-19T06:38:33Z

Show changes

Emaster: added internal link

2008-04-11T19:09:51Z

added internal link

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:09, 11 April 2008
Line 7:		Line 7:
	Height: 6'0		Height: 6'0


	AUTOBIOGRAPHY		AUTOBIOGRAPHY




	Many friends, colleagues, and family members have asked me to write how and why I became a boxer. And, more importantly, what led me to leave the ring so young when I had so much potential – this is my story.		Many friends, colleagues, and family members have asked me to write how and why I became a boxer. And, more importantly, what led me to leave the ring so young when I had so much potential – this is my story.

Line 18:		Line 14:
	Many people, over the years have asked why I became a boxer and why I didn’t remain a boxer. The following is a recounting of my initiation and rise in the sport of boxing.		Many people, over the years have asked why I became a boxer and why I didn’t remain a boxer. The following is a recounting of my initiation and rise in the sport of boxing.

	My early years were uneventful and spent living with my brother, sisters and parents in New Bedford. Although, quite young and unaware of my ability at the time, I began to show early athletic potential. My first victory occurred when I was ten years old. I completed an 18.6 mile marathon sponsored by the New Bedford Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ronald Vanasse, Eagle President, presented me with a Medal for this victory because my age prevented me from being sanctioned for this event. To the present day, I am still considered to be the youngest person ever to run this length of a marathon in Massachusetts.		My early years were uneventful and spent living with my brother, sisters and parents in New Bedford. Although, quite young and unaware of my ability at the time, I began to show early athletic potential. My first victory occurred when I was ten years old. I completed an 18.6 mile marathon sponsored by the New Bedford Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ronald Vanasse, Eagle President, presented me with a Medal for this victory because my age prevented me from being sanctioned for this event. To the present day, I am still considered to be the youngest person ever to run this length of a marathon in Massachusetts.

	However, in 1967, a tragic turn of events occurred which would change my life forever. My father accidentally died in a house fire caused by a lit cigarette. My mother, unable to overcome the tragedy, died three years later of a cerebral hemorrhage, leaving me and a young sister, Jacqueline, orphans. In order to save us from becoming state wards, my oldest sister, Lillian (Pike), brought us into her home and began to raise us with and as her children.		However, in 1967, a tragic turn of events occurred which would change my life forever. My father accidentally died in a house fire caused by a lit cigarette. My mother, unable to overcome the tragedy, died three years later of a cerebral hemorrhage, leaving me and a young sister, Jacqueline, orphans. In order to save us from becoming state wards, my oldest sister, Lillian (Pike), brought us into her home and began to raise us with and as her children.
Line 32:		Line 28:
	I began to box in junior competitions before I was even sixteen years old. In 1972, at fifteen I won the 125-lb Silver Mittens Championship held in Lowell, Massachusetts. Later that year I won a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.		I began to box in junior competitions before I was even sixteen years old. In 1972, at fifteen I won the 125-lb Silver Mittens Championship held in Lowell, Massachusetts. Later that year I won a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.

	Participating in the May 3, 1973 New England Golden Glove Tournament, I became a semi-finalist. Spurred by the spirit of the Golden Glove Tournament, I became a professional shortly thereafter, at age 15, using a fake birth certificate.		Participating in the May 3, 1973 New England Golden Glove Tournament, I became a semi-finalist. Spurred by the spirit of the Golden Glove Tournament, I became a professional shortly thereafter, at age 15, using a fake birth certificate.

	I quickly became a fan favorite. I exhibited a good jab, plenty of speed and a lot of moxie. The late Hall of Fame, Boston boxing promoter, Sam Silverman, likened me to former welterweight great, Billy Graham. Regarding my ability, Silverman said, "You know … a stand-up boxer, really classy, but much more aggressive. Paul's never been in a dull fight in his life!" Coming from him – that was a great compliment.		I quickly became a fan favorite. I exhibited a good jab, plenty of speed and a lot of moxie. The late Hall of Fame, Boston boxing promoter, Sam Silverman, likened me to former welterweight great, Billy Graham. Regarding my ability, Silverman said, "You know … a stand-up boxer, really classy, but much more aggressive. Paul's never been in a dull fight in his life!" Coming from him – that was a great compliment.
Line 92:		Line 88:
	After two minutes and four seconds, Poirier was back.		After two minutes and four seconds, Poirier was back.

	He would win his first six fights on his comeback trail to run his career record to 32-0 before losing to Tony Tucker, on HBO - with Don King promotions at Caesars Palace to a talented young fighter who would go on to battle Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight championship. Poirier would later lose to Alex Stewart, another top contender who would eventually trade punches with Evander Holyfield.		He would win his first six fights on his comeback trail to run his career record to 32-0 before losing to Tony Tucker, on [[HBO]] - with Don King promotions at Caesars Palace to a talented young fighter who would go on to battle Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight championship. Poirier would later lose to Alex Stewart, another top contender who would eventually trade punches with Evander Holyfield.

	Paul was 36-2 when he got the phone call from Vecchione.		Paul was 36-2 when he got the phone call from Vecchione.

Sealab2003 at 22:42, 12 January 2008

2008-01-12T22:42:55Z

Show changes

Ric: a bit more editing done; deleted redundancies

2006-10-31T05:00:07Z

a bit more editing done; deleted redundancies

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:00, 31 October 2006
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~[[file:Poirier.Paul.jpg\|left\|photo]]~~
	<boxer>033560</boxer>		<boxer>033560</boxer>
	<br clear=all>		<br clear=all>

	== Biography==		== Biography==
			[[file:Poirier.Paul.jpg\|right\|Paul Poirier]]

	'''Paul Poirier''' grew up in New Bedford, MA. When he was age 10 his father was killed in a fire after falling asleep smoking a cigarette. Three years later his mother died of a cerebral hemorrhage. ~~At the tender age~~ ten years Poirier ~~had his very first victory was the completion of~~ a 18.6 ~~marathon~~ sponsored by the New Bedford Fraternal Hall of Eagles. A meadal was presented by Ronald Vanasse because Poirier could not be sanctioned by an athletic union. To this day Poirier is considered to be the youngest ever to run this ~~size of a marathon~~ in the state. Poirier got involved in a lot of street fights and was usually beaten up on a regular basis. His brother-in-law became his legal guardian and took him to the [[Petronelli Gym]] in Brockton. This is where he learned to box. He sparred regularly with another young middleweight, [[Marvin Hagler]].		'''Paul Poirier''' grew up in New Bedford, MA. When he was age ten his father was killed in a fire after falling asleep smoking a cigarette. Three years later his mother died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Still ten years of age, Poirier won a 18.6 mile run sponsored by the New Bedford Fraternal Hall of Eagles. A meadal was presented by Ronald Vanasse because Poirier could not be sanctioned by an athletic union. To this day Poirier is considered to be the youngest ever to run this race distance in the state.

			Poirier got involved in a lot of street fights and was usually beaten up on a regular basis. His brother-in-law became his legal guardian and took him to the [[Petronelli Gym]] in Brockton. This is where he learned to box. He sparred regularly with another young middleweight, [[Marvin Hagler]].

	In 1971, at age 13, Poirier started to box in junior competition for fighters under the age of 16. In 1972 he won the 125-lb [[Silver Mittens]] Championship in Lowell, Massachusetts, and later that year he won a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics. In 1973 he was a finalist at the New England Golden Gloves in Lowell, Massachusetts.		In 1971, at age 13, Poirier started to box in junior competition for fighters under the age of 16. In 1972 he won the 125-lb [[Silver Mittens]] Championship in Lowell, Massachusetts, and later that year he won a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics. In 1973 he was a finalist at the New England Golden Gloves in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Line 11:		Line 13:
	He turned professional shortly after participating in the New England [[Golden Gloves]] tournament, on May 3, 1973, at age 15, using a fake birth certificate. He quickly became a fan favorite. He possessed a good jab, plenty of speed and a lot of moxie. The late hall of fame Boston boxing promoter [[Sam Silverman]] likened him to former welterweight great [[Billy Graham]]. Silverman said, "You know, a stand-up boxer, really classy, but much more aggressive. Paul's never been in a dull fight in his life."		He turned professional shortly after participating in the New England [[Golden Gloves]] tournament, on May 3, 1973, at age 15, using a fake birth certificate. He quickly became a fan favorite. He possessed a good jab, plenty of speed and a lot of moxie. The late hall of fame Boston boxing promoter [[Sam Silverman]] likened him to former welterweight great [[Billy Graham]]. Silverman said, "You know, a stand-up boxer, really classy, but much more aggressive. Paul's never been in a dull fight in his life."

	Poirier's natural skills quickly moved him from six round preliminary fights to eight and ten rounders ~~in rapid time~~. Shortly after his seventh consecutive victory -- an eight-round decision over 63-fight veteran [[Beau Jaynes]] -- the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission discovered that Poirier had turned pro just shy of his 16th birthday. Making him lay off for two years until he reached age 18 (the legal age for boxing professional in Massachusetts) proved to be detrimental to his promising career. By special act of the Massachusetts Legislature, he was allowed to continue to fight professionally. "He was a rugged kid and a pretty fair boxer so we decided to change the rules," said [[Tommy Rawson]] of the Massachusetts Boxing Commission. Rawson further stated, "We changed the law so that anybody 16 and over could fight, providing they had the ability to do so."		Poirier's natural skills quickly moved him from six round preliminary fights to eight and ten rounders. Shortly after his seventh consecutive victory -- an eight-round decision over 63-fight veteran [[Beau Jaynes]] -- the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission discovered that Poirier had turned pro just shy of his 16th birthday. Making him lay off for two years until he reached age 18 (the legal age for boxing professional in Massachusetts) proved to be detrimental to his promising career. But by special act of the Massachusetts Legislature, he was allowed to continue to fight professionally. "He was a rugged kid and a pretty fair boxer so we decided to change the rules," said [[Tommy Rawson]] of the Massachusetts Boxing Commission. Rawson further stated, "We changed the law so that anybody 16 and over could fight, providing they had the ability to do so."

	Poirier abruptly retired from the ring after winning an eight-round decision over John L. Sullivan in Boston on January 18, 1975. He said he was burnt out. He was 17 years of age and wanted to live a normal life like all his friends. His plan was to take a two-year hiatus from the ring ~~and return in two years~~. He would only be 20 years of age, he reasoned, still young enough to pick up the sport again. But a conversion to the Jehovah Witness religion, marriage, and children ended Poirier's return to the ring.		Poirier abruptly retired from the ring after winning an eight-round decision over John L. Sullivan in Boston on January 18, 1975. He said he was "burnt out." He was 17 years of age and wanted to live a normal life like all his friends. His plan was to take a two-year hiatus from the ring. He would only be 20 years of age, he reasoned, still young enough to pick up the sport again. But a conversion to the Jehovah Witness religion, marriage, and children, ended Poirier's return to the ring.

	Later, however, when Poirier saw [[George Foreman]]'s successful return to the ring, he decided to return ~~to the ring~~ in 1990,after an absence of 15 years. Now, age 33 and a heavyweight, Poirier went 10-3 over the next 3 years, ultimately finishing his career when he was stopped in the seventh round by the 44-year-old~~, come-backing~~ former heavyweight champion [[Larry Holmes]]. Poirier's biggest achievement during his comeback was winning, and defending three consecutive times the New England Heavyweight Title.		Later, however, when Poirier saw [[George Foreman]]'s successful return to the ring, he decided to return in 1990 after an absence of 15 years. Now, age 33 and a heavyweight, Poirier went 10-3 over the next three years, ultimately finishing his career when he was stopped in the seventh round by the 44-year-old former heavyweight champion [[Larry Holmes]], who was making his own comeback. Poirier's biggest achievement during his comeback was winning, and defending three consecutive times, the New England Heavyweight Title.

	In November 2005 Poirier was inducted into the [[Ring No. 44 Boxing Hall of Fame]].		In November 2005 Poirier was inducted into the [[Ring No. 44 Boxing Hall of Fame]].