Tales from the legendary Blue Horizon
The Blue Horizon was a legendary boxing venue located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was known for hosting many iconic boxing matches and was voted the number-one boxing venue in the world by The Ring magazine. Sports Illustrated noted it as the last great boxing venue in the country.
The venue originally opened in 1961 and operated until 2010. It was also featured in the movie Rocky V. The building dates back to 1865, initially constructed as three four-story houses.
The Blue Horizon was primarily known for hosting boxing matches, but it also featured other events over the years. Here are some highlights:
The Blue Horizon was primarily known for hosting boxing matches, but it also featured other events over the years. Here are some highlights:
Boxing Matches: The venue was famous for its boxing events, especially during the 1960s and 1980s. It hosted many fights featuring local and up-and-coming boxers, including future legends like Bernard Hopkins, Marvin (The Marvelous One) Hagler, Matthew Saad Muhammad, and Bennie Briscoe.
Tuesday Night Fights: In the mid-1980s, the USA cable network featured the Blue Horizon in their “Tuesday Night Fights” series, which helped boost its reputation and popularity.
- Other Events: During its early years, the Blue Horizon also hosted cabarets, meetings, and other social events when it was known as the Moose Lodge.
The Blue Horizon also hosted undercard fights and events featuring emerging local talent. It played a crucial role in the development of boxing in Philadelphia and maintained its reputation as a top-notch venue for thrilling boxing matches.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler, one of boxing’s all-time greats, fought at the Blue Horizon early in his career. One of his notable bouts was against Bennie Briscoe on April 20, 1978. This fight drew a crowd of 14,930, making it the most significant indoor non-title fight in Pennsylvania history.
Hagler’s fights at the Blue Horizon helped him build his reputation and gain recognition in the boxing world. His aggressive style and powerful punches made him a fan favorite at the venue.
Matthew Saad Muhammad
Matthew Saad Muhammad, born Maxwell Antonio Loach, was a remarkable boxer known for his action-packed fights and incredible comebacks, earning him the nickname “Miracle Matthew”. He became the WBC Light Heavyweight Champion in 1979 and defended his title eight times.
Saad Muhammad had several memorable fights at the Blue Horizon, including one of his most thrilling bouts against Dwight Muhammad Qawi in 1982. Despite his aggressive style and ability to take punishment, he was known for his resilience and determination to keep fighting until the end.
Benard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins fought several times at the Blue Horizon early in his career. One of his notable fights was against Greg Paige on February 22, 1990. Hopkins won the fight unanimously, marking one of his early victories in the professional boxing world.
His performances at the Blue Horizon helped him build his reputation and gain recognition as a formidable fighter. Hopkins’ aggressive style and strategic prowess made him a fan favorite at the venue.
More on the Blue Horizon from Philly boxing history
