Jimmy Lennon Sr.
Born: April 12, 1913
Died: April 20, 1992
Induction: 2017
Born James Frederick Lennon on April 12, 1913 in St. Paul, MN. Lennon began his career in boxing in 1943, working a card at the Ocean Park Arena. He assumed ring announcing duties at the famed Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA in 1949 and remained there until 1984.
Lennon was renowned for his style, elegant cadence and precise pronunciation when introducing boxers. He traveled the world to announce fights and even announced title fights in Detroit and Cincinnati on the same day. Lennon became synonymous with the sport and his popularity landed him roles in such motion pictures as Kid Galahad, Rocky III, Raging Bull and The Main Event. Lennon’s son, Jimmy Jr. followed him into the ring announcing world and, like his father, he, too, is one of the most respected and popular figures in the boxing business.
On April 20, 1992 Lennon died of heart failure in Santa Monica, CA at age 79.