Joe Salci

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Joe was born in Italy in 1936, coming to the United States at age 13. He graduated from Ashley High School in 1956 and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He was discharged in 1958. His amateur boxing career started at age 15, trained by Joe Rodano and Buddy Rush. He boxed with the US Army Team. In 1957 he won the Golden Gloves in the states of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. He went to the National Golden Gloves representing Florida. He completed 75 bouts worldwide, winning 72 and losing only 3. After turning professional, boxing all over the United States and overseas, his record was 45 wins and 5 losses. He boxed on the same show with Sugar Ray Robinson in Baltimore at the Coliseum. He fought the #7 contender in the world, Stephen Radell, with Rocky Marciano refereeing the bout. After boxing 5 years as an amateur and 10 years as a pro, Joe began a refereeing career that lasted about 25 years. He had the opportunity to referee for Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes and many other champions. He has trained many young men in this area in self defense. He was also instrumental in trying to start a pension plan for retired boxers. He is active with the JCC as health club director, is a mason and co-owner of Salci Construction. Joe and his wife Connie reside in the Pittston area. They are the parents of two, daughter Dina Snarski and son Sam. They have three grandchildren, Paul Snarski and Joey and Bella Salci.