Monessen to honor native son Moorer
Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Monessen will celebrate its native son Michael Moorer and his recent induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
A Celebration in the Park is planned for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Monessen City Park Amphitheater.
As part of the festivities, Moorer will be given a key to the city by Mayor Ron Mozer at about 12:45 p.m.
“Michael Moorer has donated a tremendous amount to our police department,” Mozer said. “He’s the one who donated the guns, some vehicles and a police dog. He’s done a lot for our police department.”
A number of activities are planned for Sunday, among them food vendors, field games for kids, cornhole, arts and crafts for kids and craft vendors.
But the highlight will be the appearance of Moorer, who won the light heavyweight title in just his 12th pro fight.
Moorer became one of only four men to win a heavyweight title on three different occasions in 1996, and to win both the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles.
When he defeated Evander Holyfield in 1994, Moorer became the first-ever southpaw heavyweight champion.
Moorer was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York in June and will be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in August.
Moorer also was among the first inductees into the Monessen High School Wall of Fame in October.
“This is very special,” Moorer said at the time. “I grew up here. I have friends here, family here. People followed me my whole career, they supported me and they gave to me. They did everything they could for me.”