Scrap The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Celebrating great Jewish fighters has been part of the mission of The Jewish Boxing Blog for over sixteen years. The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, based at the Suffolk (NY) JCC, purports to do the same. The organization claims, "It is dedicated to honoring American Jewish figures who have distinguished themselves in sports. Its objective is to foster Jewish identity through athletics and to commemorate sports heroes who have emerged from people not commonly associated with sports." However, it misses the mark with those it chooses to include and not include. A more appropriate name for it would be A Random Collection of Jewish Athletes.

The Hall first began inducting a menagerie of Jewish athletes in 1993. It's outside the purview of this site to explain why the Hall elected Art Shamsky (1994) before Hank Greenberg (1995) or Art Heyman (1993) before Dolph Schayes (1995). Maybe the voters were a group of guys all named Art? The boxers chosen make less sense. For those outraged at Arturo Gatti's and Vinny Pazienza's places in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, wait until you see this list.  

Logically, Benny Leonard (1996) and Barney Ross (1997) were the first two boxers inducted into the NJSHoF. It would be hard to find anyone who would argue with their inclusions. The famed trainer Ray Arcel (1999) was the next boxing person elected. So far, so good.

You could have a hundred guesses and not come up with the next fighter unless you knew the answer. As a hint, think something like the thirtieth best Jewish heavyweight of all-time. Claiming to have thrown a bout against Rocky Marciano, Harry Haft (2007) finished his career with a record of 10-7. A Holocaust survivor, he is one of many boxers affected by that horrific tragedy.

Al "Bummy" Davis (2011), the popular contender from the 1940s who died tragically, came next. You could have a hundred more guesses and not get the next boxer. Boyd Melson was in the middle of his six year career when he was inducted in 2013.

The problem isn't that Haft and Melson are in the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame; it's that nearly all of the great Jewish champions and contenders are not. Haft and Melson deserve recognition, but not as two of the five most significant Jewish American boxers ever.

The Hall didn't nominate anyone from 2016-2022, which was a good decision based on its track record.

Then, in 2023, the Munich Eleven were inducted. The eleven Israeli Olympic athletes murdered at the 1972 Munich Games should be commemorated, but it would be more appropriate elsewhere. After all, the nation in the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is the United States of America. And then why hasn't Victor "Young" Perez been nominated if nationality has no bearing on entry into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame? A world champion, he was murdered during the tragedy of the Holocaust.

Four boxers were inducted last weekend and the bizarre selections continue. "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom is generally renowned as a top five Jewish boxer of all-time, so better late than never. Rabbi Yuri Foreman is at least the best male Jewish boxer of the twenty-first century so far and a former world titlist.

The Hall missed the memo on the other two. Cletus Seldin has had a very fine career, but he reportedly had to pull out of a fight in December for testing positive for elevated testosterone levels. Sadly, it wasn't his first time. It's awkward timing at best, particularly since 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun has not been honored, likely due to a positive test for a banned substance in 2013.

The other entrant is Max Baer, a Christian who wore a Star of David for a couple of his fights. Genealogist Catherine Johnson shows convincing evidence of Baer's religion in her book Then the World Moved On. The Hall might as well honor James Toney and Bennie Briscoe at this rate.

Abe Attell, who held the featherweight championship for six years and is generally regarded as one of the four best Jewish boxers of all-time, hasn't been inducted. There's no Battling Levinsky, Joe Choynski, Jackie Fields, Kid Kaplan, Abe Goldstein, Al Singer, Izzy Schwartz, Charley Phil Rosenberg, Lew Tendler, Sid Terris, Charley White, Jill Matthews, Bob Olin, Yale Okun, or Mike Rossman among many many deserving others. It's unfortunate that the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame celebrates boxing, a sport that embodies the Jewish experience of the last 150 years, so haphazardly. Might be time to scrap the Hall and start over.

Yan Zak to Face Adamu Barnaba in a Battle of Unbeatens

Cruiserweight Yan "Terminator" Zak is scheduled to face Adamu Barnaba at the Meydan Gallery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on June 6. Both fighters are undefeated 26 year olds.

Zak is coming off a fifth round TKO win against Arshdeep Singh earlier this month, which moved his record to 7-0 with 5 KOs. The resident of Ashdod, Israel was particularly impressive in that fight. He showed an educated game plan and was defensively responsible throughout the contest. Zak will need a similar type of performance against Barnaba.

With a record of 10-0-1 (8 KOs), Barnaba has had a weird career. A Luis Ortiz-like 26, Barnaba resides in Mabiba, Tanzania, which is on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, the country's most important city. BoxRec lists pro fights when he was a prepubescent scamp and a random draw in 2019. His career really started last year. He has been 8-0 since 2025 although a few of his opponents' names on the fight film don't match those on his BoxRec ledger.

A southpaw, Barnaba has chiseled six-pack abs; they're just hidden behind a drooping beer belly. But don't let his physique fool you. He's a strong, skilled fighter. With a back as wide as the cultural gap between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania, Barnaba possesses a powerful right hook to the head and body. In recent fights, he's shown a snapping jab and a quick straight left. He aims to take center ring, is composed and patient in the ring, and uses feints. He sometimes avoids punches by leaning back.

Barnaba resembles a tough test for Zak, but Zak is a massive step up for Barnaba. Though skilled, he has primarily feasted on unschooled novices. Zak has punished journeyman and recently stepped up to face unheralded fighters with good records.

Zak's foot and hand speed should carry the fight against the plodding Tanzanian. Yan will need to be careful because Barnaba is a hard-punching southpaw. While his right hook is his money punch, he pulls the punch back too far, allowing himself to be countered. Adamu has yet to face an opponent talented enough to take advantage of that flaw. In Yan Zak, he will.

This bout is scheduled for ten rounds.

Brooklyn Barwick Scores Another First Round KO

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick beat the fight out of Shaniqua Frazier en route to a first round stoppage victory at the Moore Building at the Fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina.

With respected trainers Jimmy Sosa and Nirmal Lorick in her corner, Barwick came out of the gate charging the significantly taller Frazier, a native of North Carolina. Frazier's awkward style initially disrupted the rhythm of New York-based Brooklyn. Frazier landed a wild swiping left, but her style resembled less a pro boxer and more of an untrained street fighter.

Frazier crouched down to get on Barwick's level, but she didn't possess a jab, so she had no way of keeping the diminutive Barwick at range. Brooklyn struggled to land a big shot until she threw a double jab and an overhand right that connected.

The real key was a right to the body and left hook to the head that hurt Frazier. Barwick followed it up with several body shots, forcing Frazier to the canvas, where she stayed gasping for air for the full ten seconds.

Barwick repeatedly yelled,"!עם ישראל חי" after the stoppage. She is now 7-1 with 7 KOs. Frazier falls to 0-9. She has been stopped in the first round each time.

Brooklyn Barwick and Shaniqua Frazier Weigh In

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick and her opponent, Shaniqua Frazier, weighed in this evening ahead of their clash at the Moore Building at the Fairground in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

Barwick (6-1, 6 KOs) weighed in at 126.5 pounds. She weighed in again with her skirt on and came in at 127. Barwick was 127.5 pounds in her last two fights. Her lightest has been 119.5. Frazier (0-8) was 127 pounds. This is the lowest weight of her career thus far. Her heaviest was 136.5 pounds.

Barwick refueled with peach rings from Mazza and More, a peanut butter and jelly uncrustable, and Sprite Zero. Then she had a meal of salmon, mash potatoes, and veggies from Kosher Concierge. She couldn't find grape juice anywhere in Columbia, so a Chabad rabbi said it was ok for her to say Kiddush over Sprite Zero. The weigh-in was held later in the day than usual, so she was then on her way to observe Shabbat. Barwick noted the local athletic commission has been accommodating with regards to her Shabbat restrictions.

Barwick-Frazier is scheduled for six two-minute rounds. For a preview, visit here.

Brooklyn Barwick to Face Shaniqua Frazier

Brooklyn "Big Deal" Barwick is scheduled to battle Shaniqua Frazier in a tune-up fight at the Moore Building at the Fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina, USA on Saturday night.

Barwick, 26, made it down to South Carolina today. Her mother was supposed to join her, but her flight on Spirit Airlines was cancelled when the company closed its doors on May 2. She has not yet been able to get a refund.

Based in New York, Barwick (6-1, 6 KOs) attended a pre-fight get-together last week with 25 of her Jewish friends at the 2nd Ave Deli. It was a chance for Brooklyn to unwind as fight night approaches. She took special glee in roasting Aryeh, one the attendees at the shindig.

The party also provided an escape from several incidents of antisemitism Barwick has recently faced. BoxRec changed her nationality to Israeli, and she has been outspoken in her love for the Jewish people. She has received positive messages from Israeli girls who look up to her, but she has also received some backlash for her unapologetic Jewish pride. She even experienced an incident today on the trip to South Carolina.

Frazier, a 34 year old from Wilson, North Carolina, is the right opponent for Barwick at this time. Brooklyn is coming off of a disputed loss in February and a rough Team Boxing League showing in March. Frazier's size, height at 5'7", and her wild formless punches are her best assets. But she sports a poor record of 0-8 with eight first round stoppages. Frazier's best opponent was Stevie Morgan (19-2, 17 KOs), who once challenged the great Amanda Serrano back in 2024.

Barwick will be observing Shabbat in between the weigh-in on Friday and her fight Saturday night. Her kosher food is sponsored by Mazza and More and The Kosher Concierge. This bout is scheduled for six two-minute rounds and marks Barwick's U.S. debut.

David Malul to Fight in June

Welterweight prospect "King" David Malul is scheduled to fight at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA on June 13. The 4-0 native of Queens, New York last fought in November, a decision victory over Colin Huntington on a card David promoted.

This show, promoted by Boxing Insider, will be David's first fight outside of New York. He turned pro in September of 2024. After three fights, he suffered a fractured nose which contributed to a seven and a half month layoff. Since the Huntington fight, Malul has been scheduled to enter the ring twice, but both fights fell out.

The king is back with Main Street for his four rounder next month. No opponent has yet been announced.

The Thieves of Cherbourg: Ben Ephraim-Kaddour Called a Draw

Odelia Ben Ephraim dominated Sarah Kaddour at Gymnase Jean Jaures in Cherbourg, France today. Yet, two judges inexplicably called the fight even. Earlier this week, The Jewish Boxing Blog prophesied, "As the opponent, Odelia will need to win in convincing fashion." She did just that and the judges still saddled her with a majority draw.

Kaddour, a 30 year old, began each round firing combinations at her 26 year old opponent. However, most of her wide shots were blocked or slipped. Ben Ephraim stalked, wearing down Kaddour with pressure. In the first, Odelia landed a couple of hard looping rights after setting them up by dipping her left shoulder. While Kaddour attacked without much forethought,  Ben Ephraim showed her class by feinting, setting up her power shots, and exhibiting impressive accuracy.

Ben Ephraim completely controlled the second round. At one point, Kaddour switched to southpaw in desperation. Later, she was caught in the corner and ate a barrage of punches. The third wasn't any better for Kaddour, who was exhausted by the end of the round. Odelia cut off the ring beautifully and picked her punches like the artist that she is.

To her credit, Kaddour never gave up and displayed a warrior's heart. She showed flashes of skill, particularly during the second half of the fight. The former kickboxing champion boxed well in the round, landing her jab and a nice right uppercut. Ben Ephraim's corner had delayed the opening of the fourth after forgetting to stick in her mouthpiece, just when Kaddour was very tired. But Odelia finished the fourth strong, battering her opponent to take another round.

Kaddour connected with some sneaky rights in the fifth, but she ate a lot of left hooks. Midway through the round, she vacillated between running and flinging wild combinations that missed their mark.

The sixth and final round proved to be Kaddour's best. She mucked up the fight by holding. Ben Ephraim landed some quality one-twos, but Kaddour showed a good right uppercut.

The Jewish Boxing Blog scored the fight 59-55 for Ben Ephraim. The announcers seemed to concur. Yet the judges showed utter incompetence or worse in their scorecards. One read 59-55, but the announcer didn't pin it to either fighter. Thankfully, it turned out to be for Ben Ephraim. The other two judges, Eric Butel and Frederic Arnaud, committed larceny, scoring the fight 57 apiece. To give the judges the benefit of the doubt, Kaddour's hands were very active. They just weren't nearly as effective as Ben Ephraim's precise punches.

This fight was a masterclass for Ben Ephraim, but unfortunately boxing can be a dirty game. Her record is 5-6-1. Kaddour is 1-1-1.

Odelia Ben Ephraim and Sarah Kaddour Weigh In

Odelia Ben Ephraim and Sarah Kaddour both weighed in ahead of their clash tomorrow at Gymnase Jean Jaures in Cherbourg, France. Both are very talented fighters, whose records don't accurately represent their ability. Ben Ephraim is 5-6 while Kaddour is 1-1.

Kaddour's weight was announced as 119.6 pounds. BoxRec recorded her weight for one other fight at 120.8. She's a 30 year old from Clichy, France who has had a lot of success in other combat sports.

Ben Ephraim was 121.1 pounds. The 26 year old has come in at a range of 119.5 and 126 pounds. She fought as a featherweight earlier in her career, but has recently moved down to junior featherweight.

After a tense stare-down during the faceoff, Ben Ephraim extended her hand and the two warriors shook hands as a sign of respect. Odelia then drank Powerade with a little bit of salt to rehydrate. She added some applesauce and fruit. She ate dinner two hours later, which consisted of chicken breast and pasta with chocolate cake for dessert.

This bout is scheduled for six two-minute rounds and can be watched here or on HBOMax.

Review of Ring Theory

Ring Theory: Meditations on 35 Years in Boxing

By William Dettloff

Winding Road Stories, 2025

No one would argue that the past 35 years has signified a golden age of boxing writing. As the sport becomes increasingly niche in the United States, fewer of the great writers concern themselves with the wild contradictions of boxing. Former senior writer at The Ring and editor-in-chief of Ringside Seat William Dettloff, however, is an exception.

A collection of nearly four dozen articles, Ring Theory shows Dettloff's talent for weaving together a good story with empathy for the fighters, humor, and wisdom. He covers all the big events and top fighters from the past three-plus decades with fluidly-presented narratives and distinguished description. The writing is beautiful without being pompous.

As with any boxing anthology, the collection of articles is somewhat disjointed, but a thesis emerges. Fighters will necessarily continue to fight until the desire is literally beaten out of them. Dettloff experienced that feeling on an amateur level. Quite a few legendary fighters couldn't retire until they were forced to. The end of the careers of Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Evander Holyfield, and Arturo Gatti are all featured. Only Lennox Lewis could walk away after an impressive, albeit grueling, victory.

This topic of legends fighting too long wanders into several sections: "The Fighter's Journey," "The Business," "The Final Bell," and "History." It can feel a bit repetitive at times. In addition, fans of Roy Jones and Pernell Whitaker may not appreciate the articles written about them as they're really the only two fighters who receive sustained criticism. Otherwise, Dettloff shows compassion for the fighters without slipping into sappiness. Articles on his own boxing experience, journeyman Walter Cowans, and reminisces of ten champions were particularly insightful.

Ring Theory is a collection of articles from our era's entry into the pantheon of great boxing writers. It gets to the essence of the sport and is a must-read for fans interested in the boxing's recent history.

Odelia Ben Ephraim to Face Sarah Kaddour

Odelia Ben Ephraim is scheduled to fight Sarah Kaddour at Gymnase Jean Jaures in Cherbourg, France on Saturday. This is another short notice fight for the 26 year old. She last fought on April 11.

Ben Ephraim is on a four-fight losing streak and now sports a 5-6 record. But her record is not indicative of her talent and skills. The former French featherweight champion dropped a dubious decision to Narymane Benloucif to relinquish the title in 2024. Then, Odelia fought Tania Alvarez for the European junior featherweight title in Alvarez's hometown. That decision was suspect as well.

Last September, Ben Ephraim fought Teresa Makinen, who looks like a future champion. Odelia put up a great fight in a high-level affair. She took a short notice fight last month and is in tough once again.

Kaddour is a 30 year old from Clichy, France with a 1-1 record as a pro boxer. But she has a wealth of success in kickboxing. A former world champion, Kaddour transitioned to what the French call boxe anglaise in 2025.

Kaddour throws hard straight shots, but has a tendency to lunge with her punches. She bounces around the ring, a technique that is generally frowned up on in professional boxing. In kickboxing, she exhibited strong kicks, but not much punch variety.

Kaddour is the A-side in this junior featherweight bout, but Ben Ephraim has a real shot to win. She throws precise combinations, has a high work-rate, and varies her shots. She hasn't yet shown knockout power, and that has resulted in several bad decisions against her. As the opponent, Odelia will need to win in convincing fashion.

This contest is scheduled for six two-minute rounds.

Yan Zak Dominates Arshdeep Singh Bhatt

From the opening bell, cruiserweight Yan Zak was in complete control against Arshdeep Singh Bhatt today. Displaying a shrewd game plan, flashy skills, and responsible technique, Zak won by fifth round TKO at the New Olympic Sport Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The "Terminator," a 26 year old, opened the fight probing Singh's high guard with jabs. He soon found the left hook to the body available, his jabs acting as a decoy. By the end of the round, Zak's jabs were looking to land, not just set up the body shots.

Singh proved himself to be a decent fighter with solid technique. He had a crisp jab of his own and occasionally countered Zak's jabs, but the difference in hand speed forced the Punjabi to keep his hands home most of the time.

Singh, a 27 year old, opened the second returning Zak's jabs with his own and going to the body with left hooks. But Zak kept touching the body and snapping back Singh's head with his stick. Yan began timing Singh, landing showy counters just as the thought of throwing entered Singh's mind.

In the third, Zak included left hooks to the head and rights to the body. He added layers to the attack as the fight went on, showing maturity and more of a pro style. In past fights, he had kept his hands low when he felt in control, but today the right glove was sensibly plastered to the right side of his face when he jabbed.

Singh had been game until the fourth when he tired rapidly. The body shots wore him down as did Zak's combinations. The Indian fighter got the worse of an accidental butt and shook his arms towards the end of the round. Walking back to his corner, he wheezed, trying to catch his breath.

In the fifth, Singh had a brief moment of restoration before Zak's hard combos forced him to take a knee. He arose before the ten count, but was clearly gassed and the fight was stopped a minute and ten seconds into the round. Zak is now 7-0 with 5 KOs. Singh falls to 11-3 with 9 KOs.

With the win, Yan captured a minor belt, but more importantly this fight represented an important step in his pro career. In past fights, he sometimes got bored trying to get the opponent to open up. Today, he was focused throughout. Every move seemed to be the right one, whether boxing on the outside in the third or forcing Singh back to the ropes in the fourth. The only mistake he made was allowing Singh to throw several wild uppercuts from the outside without consequence. Always skilled and talented, Zak displayed an especially high ring IQ against a game opponent.

Yan Zak and Arshdeep Singh Make Weight

Cruiserweights Yan Zak and Arshdeep Singh Batth both made weight ahead of their clash at the New Olympic Sport Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia. This bout is now scheduled for ten rounds and is for a minor trinket, the WBF intercontinental cruiserweight belt.

Both fighters came at 200 pounds. Zak, a 26 year old from Ashdod, Israel, has been between 198.5 and 202.8 pounds during his career. He is 6-0 with 4 KOs.

Singh is a 27 year old from Chakar, India. He was a light heavyweight in 2024, so his lightest weight was 174.3 pounds. His heaviest has been 204.3 this past December. His record is 11-2 with 9 KOs.

For a preview of the fight, visit here.