Niagara Boxing Legend Gerry Ryan
Another Ryan brother will be joining the Niagara Boxing Legends fraternity.
Gerry Ryan will be inducted into the Niagara Boxing Legends at the 17th Annual Niagara Boxing Legends Show March 21 at the Merritton Community Centre joining his older brothers, Stephen and Daniel Ryan, who were inducted in 2024. There are 11 Ryan brothers in total and all of them have laced up a pair of boxing gloves at one time. All but two have stepped into a boxing ring to compete in an official fight.
Gerry started boxing at the St. Catharines Boxing Club when he was 10 following in the footsteps of his brothers and his older cousins, Liam Hughes, Antonio Napolitano and Charlie Flynn, who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal representing Scotland.
His boxing resume includes four Ontario titles, one national crown, two national silver medals and one Canadian bronze medal. He won senior national silver and bronze medals in the 67-kilogram division.
The pinnacle of his boxing career was going to live and train in the United Kingdom. He spent two years training there, starting when he was 22.
“I have a lot of family over there and as far as boxing there is more opportunity. It kind of motivated me to get over there plus just the change of scenery too. It was good. I am always up for an adventure and I had no problem going over there,” he said. “I got to train with Tyson Fury (the winner of multiple world heavyweight championships) for a week. It was a great experience and probably the highlight of my boxing career.”
The 24-year-old St. Catharines resident’s last fight came in March 2024 at the Scottish national championships. He was able to compete because he is a dual citizen. He competed in a weight class higher than his usual weight and lost his first fight on a close split decision.
“It didn’t go my way that night,” he said, with a laugh.
Ryan, who works for Centennial Construction as a pipe layer, doesn’t consider himself retired.
“I am still training and I might get a couple of fights. It will be more or less as a hobby and a way to stay in shape but maybe I will go for the provincials or nationals. We will see how the year goes for me but I am quite busy with work and everything.”
He is a big fan of boxing.
“I like the competitiveness and discipline and it gets you out of your comfort zone. It makes me feel better about myself by accomplishing stuff, training and working hard.”
He can think of no better place to train than the St. Catharines club.
“It is like a second home. All the guys and coaches here are amazing. Over the years we have had a great time and they have taken me and several other fighters all around the world for boxing,” Ryan said. “It has changed my life in a positive way and made me a better person because of all the discipline it takes to get in the ring and train. It is like a therapy.”
Also being inducted are Bruce Greenlaw, Jessie Wilcox, Bill Williams, Sonny Pascuzzi, Brian Baines and Baby Joe Mesi.
Tickets for the show are $20 in advance and $25 at the door with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the fighting starting at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, VIP tables and sponsorship opportunities, call 905-988-1244.
Former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney will be in attendance at the fights.
