Remembering those who passed during 2011

George Benton. He was a solid middleweight contender from Philadelphia and a fine trainer of several champions, including Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, and Meldrick Taylor. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 2001. He was 78.

Gil Clancy. This superb trainer had George Foreman, Gerry Cooney, and Lucien Rodriguez. He also was a fine boxing commentator. He was inducted into the IBHOF in 1993. He was 88 at the time of his death

Sir Henry Cooper. Our 'Enery, he was enormously popular and a dearly loved British boxing legend who won more awards than space allows to list. He was 76.

Nick Charles, the beloved Show Time boxing commentator. He was only 64 when he left us at his home in Santa Fe, N.M. "Never give up on life."

Billy Costello, 55, the former WBC light-welterweight ruler who won his first 30 professional fights, died of lung cancer in his hometown of Kingston, N.Y. He was 40-2 over a 20-year career.

"Smokin’" Joe Frazier, An extremely well liked world heavyweight champion whose work ethic will always be inspirational. Joe was a 1964 Olympic gold medalist best known for his victory over Muhammad Ali in their epic 1971 bout of unbeaten heavyweight champions. He was inducted into the IBHOF in 1990. Joe was 67 at the time of his death.

Bill Gallo. He was a legendary boxing cartoonist who received the James J. Walker Award from the Boxing Writers Association, and the Champions Award from the Downtown Athletic Club. He was inducted into the IBHOF in 2001. Bill was 88 at the time of his death.

Genaro Hernandez, A former WBA and WBC super-featherweight king, he waged a long and heroic battle with cancer. He left us on June 7, 2011, at the age of 45.

Abrar Hussain. Pakistan's well known Olympic boxer, 51, was shot dead by target killers as he came out of his office in the Ayub Stadium, where he worked as the Chairman of the Baluchistan Sport Board.

Scott LeDoux, former heavyweight contender. "The Fighting Frenchman " was a rough, tough road warrior out of Minnesota who fought the very best during the golden age of heavyweights in the 70s, but he was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. He was 62 years old, and had been battling Lou Gehrig's disease for three years

Ronald "Butch" Lewis was a highly successful and flamboyant boxing promoter best known for getting Michael Spinks a $13.5 million payday for what became just 91 seconds in the ring with Mike Tyson. He died from a cardiac arrest at the young age of 65.

Ron Lyle, heavyweight contender and world title challenger who also fought the very best during the golden age of heavyweights in the 70s and participated in many classics. His action-packed tenure in the ring was part of a decades-long attempt at redemption. Lyle entered a Denver hospital in November and died eight days later after a stomach abscess became septic. He was 70.

Anele Makhwelo. This 22 year old South African boxer died from injuries sustained after his South African Flyweight title challenge" against the champion Doctor Ntsele in the Free State in October.

Gary Mason. He was a popular former British and European heavyweight champion. Mason, 48, was on his bicycle in Sandy Lane South, Wallington when he was involved in a collision with a van. The retired fighter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tom McNeeley. A former Michigan State football player, he was a former world heavyweight title challenger who thrilled fans in the Boston area. He was 74.

Roman Simakov. This Russian light-heavyweight died in December at the age of 27 after being knocked out and put in a coma during a WBC Asian title fight

May the Lord grant them eternal comfort and peace.