RCM Historical Boxing – Bad Blood! Iceman John Scully versus DeGrandis 1988 Golden Gloves Brawl Remembered
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Ever hear the Neil Sedaka song ‘Bad Blood’? It wasn’t all Riddick Bowe versus Andrew Golota. A new documentary on the life of noted boxing trainer Iceman John Scully features highlights from the infamous bad blood brawl between Scully and his opponent in the February 1988 New England Amateur Golden Gloves 165 pound finals, Joey DeGrandis.
Scully emailed Real Combat Media a clip from the trailer on the upcoming documentary on his life and career as a fighter and trailer. You can view the four minute documentary teaser on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OGCyt_82rI&sns=em
Scully won the Golden Gloves final, when a strange brawl ensued between the two corners featuring family, friends, the two corners, and the cops going at it. Bad blood had been brewing between the two corners before the match, and the emotions spilled over. DeGrandis hit off the break, got warned by the referee, his corner man argued with the referee, who then awarded the bout to Scully. DeGrandis, meanwhile, went across the ring and had it out with Scully anyway, and the riot brawl unfolded inside the ring on the ring apron for several minutes, until enough police intervened inside the ring to end the melee.
1988 Iceman John Scully versus Joey DeGrandis New England Golden Gloves Final Melee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ECWFMRhGI
Both Scully and DeGrandis had noteworthy professional careers following the riot, though they never fought each other in the pros. DeGrandis fought between 1990 and 2003, compiling a pro record of 30-8 with 13 knockouts. DeGrandis was unsuccessful in bids for the IBF Super Middleweight, WBO Light Heavyweight, and IBC Cruiserweight world titles.
Scully fought between 1988 and 2001, compiling a pro record of 38-11 with 21 knockouts. Scully was unsuccessful in bids for the IBF and IBO Light Heavyweight titles. Between 1995 and 2001, Scully lost seven highly ‘questionable’ decisions, including world class bouts to Henry Maske, Graciano Roccigiani, and Michael Nunn, before defeating 13-1 Cleveland Nelson by eight round split decision in his final bout in June 2001. Scully’s loss to Roccigiani was right before Roccigiani defeated Michael Nunn for the vacant WBC World Light Heavyweight championship and then was awarded 31 million dollars in damages when the WBC illegally downgraded the bout to interim championship thereafter, declaring Roy Jones Jr. the champion in recess. If Scully had defeated Roccigiani, he would have likely fought a rematch with Nunn for the vacant WBC world title, with the winner fighting Roy Jones Jr. The promoter’s fighters were getting the scorecards in bouts Scully may very well have won, sending Scully into retirement at age 33, whereupon he embarked on his new career as a boxing trainer, and a great one at that.
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