Legendary Washington DC Gym Owner Jim Finley Dead at 85: A Look Back at a Great Man – Boxing News
Exclusive Interview conducted in 2000 by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
“Win with Pride, and lose with Dignity.” — Jim Finley
(I just read the sad news that Mr. Jim Finley, a man I truly respected and talked to many times over the years when he would call in while I was the guest boxing analyst (2000 – 2012) on News Channel 8 Sports Talk, with Glenn Harris, has passed away at 85. I extend my deepest condolences to the Finley family in their time of grief and thought what better tribute to Mr. Finley, than letting him be heard in his own words. We conducted this interview back in 2000, while we sat together at his beloved Finley’s Gym, in the heart of Washington, DC. )
As you enter the legendary Finley’s Gym located at 518 10 ST. NE Washington, DC you instantly take a nostalgic trip that starts on your walk up the steep staircase that all patrons know. The closer you get to the top; you instantly hear those familiar sounds of boxing gloves hitting the bag, trainers telling their prospects to work everything off the jab and in the middle of it all, Mr. Jim Finley.
Mr. Finley as many know him has a part of a boxing shrine that is seen throughout the United States, in small boxing gyms such as his own. In his gym, you have the many fight posters and autographed pictures from champions that have come and went. Most importantly though, a magic that only a true boxer or boxing enthusiast would understand.
Finley, a legendary character among Washington, DC boxing and more importantly, a positive willing force in the many young life’s he touches. Sitting talking as we did, Finley who will tell you with much pride that he now is 72 years old and been around boxing for some 60 years. He has owned Finley’s Gym since 1960 and seen some great talent come and go. He is also very deeply involved in his community and derives much pleasure from seeing our youth succeed in boxing and more importantly, life. These two facts alone among many are reasons I have immense respect for, Mr. Jim Finley.
BB: What inspired you to get into boxing?
Well, I have always loved the boxing game. Being born in the South in the 1920s there was not a black face in any of the major sports around except for boxing. So growing up I could root for the guys in boxing and you start to identify with these guys.
BB: In all your years of being around boxing, what fighter would you say had the complete package and why?
Well, let’s talk about present day. I think Oscar De LA Hoya has it. He can box as well as punch. I was a little surprised that he lost to Sugar Shane Mosley. I think in a return bout Oscar would take him. Not taking anything away from Shane, who did win the fight fair and square. However, Oscar did fight hard but, I think he could have fought a little better.
BB: Who are your three favorite fighters of all-time and why?
First of all, I will start with, Jack Johnson. Even though he was not a contemporary of mine I do read and he fought the legendary, Stanley Ketchel. They really gave the public a good show because they ran out of opponents for Ketchel’s Middleweight belt and Johnson’s Heavyweight belt. In that fight, Ketchel decked Johnson and Jack got off the floor and pointed at his Ketchel’s face. He told him you should not have done that and knocked him out with one punch. For that alone, you have to respect him. Muhammad Ali. He brought the moving around heavyweight era and that really impressed me. Last but not least, Sugar Ray Robinson. He is the most complete fighter of all-time.
BB: What do you think the state of boxing is in today?
The media knocks it but it’s at an all-time great from an attendance standpoint. There are so many fights going on throughout the United States today and club fights are truly alive. Back in the day, you had pockets of areas where they showed club fights, but today, you have them all throughout the US as I said earlier.
BB: What accomplishment in boxing are you most proud of?
Guiding these young men in the right direction. I have seen many come through the gym. Many of them have succeeded from the discipline they learned from boxing.
BB: In all your years of seeing local talent in the Washington, DC area progress who do you feel shined the most?
Sugar Ray Leonard.
BB: Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers and if so, how would you like to see it accomplished?
Well, I think they do need a retirement fund sort of like Social Security. It should be taken out of the purse within reason. Bottom line: I agree with you whole heartily that the bigger promoters should pay into as well as the boxers from day one.
BB: What do you think of the ranking systems and what personal changes would you make if you had control of them?
If I had control of them you would not have more than two so called sanctioning bodies. I would go back to the old days of boxing. Today you have probably over thirty sanctioning bodies and it gets to be ridiculous.
BB: Would you like to see boxing go back to 15 round championship fights instead of the 12 rounds they are today?
Yes I would. I think it would bring the true grit out of some the fighters. 15 rounds are very hard to go but, if you trained like you were supposed to, it would not be a problem. (I totally agree with this answer.)
BB: When you finally retire from boxing, what do you want the many people who enjoy you so much to remember you for?
For my contribution’s to boxing, especially in the many young men’s life’s who come through my gym and I am able to help. For instance, young men who come in here and can’t even throw a punch. Within a year or two, they are fighting for an amateur championship. That’s the GLORY!
BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?
“Win with Pride, and lose with Dignity.”