Iceman John Scully

Cleanup|date=September 2008Unreferenced|date=September 2008According to his website, www.icemanjohnscully.com, former world ranked professional light heavyweight "Iceman" John Scully (b. July 28, 1967) graduated from Windsor (Connecticut) High School in 1985. He began boxing in 1982 and enjoyed an excellent amateur career that saw him win numerous championships at middleweight (165 pounds) including the 1987 Ohio State Fair (Columbus, Ohio), the 1987 National PAL (Jacksonville, Florida) and the 1988 Eastern U.S. Olympic Trials (Fayetville, North Carolina).

Defeated World 165 pound Amateur Champion Darin Allen to win the Eastern Trials, future heavyweight contender Melvin Foster to win the Ohio Fair and nationally rated Kertis Mingo at the National PAL. Scully won "Outstanding Boxer Awards" at both the 1987 Western Mass. Golden Gloves and the 1988 Eastern U.S. Olympic Trials tournaments.

In February of 1988 the 5 foot 10 inch boxer was named to the All-Time team (in the middleweight spot) for the WM Golden Gloves in Holyoke, Massachusetts, joining fellow stand outs Mike Tyson (heavyweight) and Marlon Starling (honorable mention at welterweight)

Turned professional in 1988 and finished his career in 2001 with an impressive 38-11 record (21 knockouts). Fought for the International Boxing Federation world light heavyweight championship at Leipzig, Germany in 1996, losing a 12 round decision to unbeaten champion Henry Maske. Scully also lost a disputed and controversial 12 round decision on ESPN (December 8, 1995) to two-time world champion Michael Nunn.

Victories include a ten round decision over Art Baylis (On Prime TV Network), a ten round decision over WBC International 154 pound champion Billy Bridges (on ESPN) and a second round stoppage over former IBO 168 pound world champion Willie Ball.

Scully also frequently served as a sparring partner for some of the biggest names in the sport, including the likes of highly regarded world champions Vinny Pazienza, Roy Jones Jr. and James "Lights Out" Toney.

Made a smooth transition to being a professional trainer in 2003 and excelled there, too, guiding three of his boxers to world championships (Liz Mueller, Jose Antonio Rivera and Mike Oliver). Scully has also had a hand in the professional training of notable boxers Pito Cardona, Matt Godfrey, Ray Olivera, Scott Pemberton, Lawrence Clay-Bey and Matt Remillard. Also trained several standout amateurs at the same time he pursued his own career, including 1997 National Junior Olympic Champion Sammy Vega, 1995 Ohio State Fair Champion Greg Cuyler, 1998 National PAL Champion Dwayne Hairston and 2000 U.S. Armed Forces Champion Orlando Cordova.

Also is considered an important part of the development of future WBC light heavyweight world champion "Bad" Chad Dawson. Scully trained Dawson for three fights in 2004 and 2005.

The Iceman can also often be seen on ESPN Classic working alongside Joe Tessitore as a ringside analyst for that network's ESPN Classic Boxing Series.

Known for his deeply insightful takes on the sport of boxing, Scully has also written a highly praised boxing book entitled, "The Iceman Diaries" that details his life in boxing. Information can be viewed at his website (www.icemanjohnscully.com).

Recently, John has begun training young upstart Terrance "Big Ugly" Brennan where hopes are high to bring a belt back to Hartford.

Sources:www.icemanjohnscully.comwww.courant.comwww.usaboxing.orgwww.journalinquirer.comwww.icemanjohnscully.com/icebox.htmwww.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/3122/john-scully-cool-being-iceman/