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INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
PhilBoxing.com Mon, 15 Dec 2025

CANASTOTA, NY - DECEMBER 14, 2025 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame mourns the loss of Canastota’s manager / trainer / promoter Tony Graziano, who died today at his home in Canastota at age 103.
“Tony Graziano meant so much to the boxing history of Canastota. He was a great ambassador for the village and for the sport he had such a passion for his whole life,” said Hall director Edward Brophy. “We are saddened to learn the news of his passing and we offer our condolences to the entire Graziano family.”
Born on January 18,1922 in Verona, NY, Graziano settled in Canastota as a young man. An Army paratrooper during World War II, he earned two Purple Hearts and served at the D Day Invasion of France on June 6, 1944 and also at the Battle of the Bulge that December.
In the boxing business he was a promoter, manager and trainer for over 60 years. The sport brought him all over the globe including Australia, France, Germany, Canada and throughout the United States. Graziano expertly guided Canastota’s Billy Backus to the world welterweight title, which he won via 4th round TKO over Jose Napoles at the War Memorial in Syracuse on December 3, 1970. During his career Graziano guided countless amateur and professionals including NABF junior middleweight titleholder Rocky Fratto (1981-82). Through the years Graziano won numerous awards and accolades for his work in the sport..
He was also the proprietor of Graziano’s Casa Mia in Canastota for 54 years. Boxing fans and champions from around the world congregated at his family-owned restaurant during the Annual Hall of Fame Weekend to talk boxing and enjoy time with Graziano.
The Hall of Fame remembers the life and accomplishments of Tony Graziano.
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