Thread: Michael Birmingham R.I.P - Trainer of Champions

Michael J. Birmingham, 49

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ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – A memorial celebration will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center in Austintown Ohio on Wednesday, Sept. 9, for Michael J. Birmingham, formerly of Austintown, who passed away on Aug. 23, 2009. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a reception with family and friends.

RIP

I know Dan Birmingham normally gets the credit for Winky & Lacy, but I've heard that Michael coached them through much of their amateur careers.

My condolences go out to his family & friends

He was also a certified cut man and a intricate part of the St. Pete Boxing Club assisting his big brother Dan and traveling the world with their fighters. Our family is devastated by his passing. Thank You for the condolences. Sincerely, Birmingham's baby sis

I am very sorry to hear this news, thanks for sharing with and best wishes to your and your family. Winky is one of my favorites of all time as is Jeff Lacy. RIP.

Sad news. Rest in Peace.

Mike was truly genuine and a giving soul. He always made everyone laugh, especially in their travels for fights. Mike always considered Winky and Jeff his brothers. He will be deeply missed by all. Thank you for the prayers. Mike's baby sis

Originally Posted by BoxerBabe

Mike was truly genuine and a giving soul. He always made everyone laugh, especially in their travels for fights. Mike always considered Winky and Jeff his brothers. He will be deeply missed by all. Thank you for the prayers. Mike's baby sis

I am heart and soul with you for this terrible moment, may all of you recover fast and well though his presence will be forever missed.

Thank you from my heart!

Originally Posted by BoxerBabe

Thank you from my heart!

As you did know him VERY well, could you share some more infos about him that us, saddo citizens might not be aware of? There must be some more things to be known about him that should not be left untold and unknown.

Michael Birmingham was the youngest of 5 boys (but a family of 6 since im his baby sister) born to father James and mother Dolores in Youngstown Ohio on September 16, 1959. He was a devout Cathloic and was committed to his faith and family and loved ones. He leaves behind his brothers Daniel, James (Chip), Patrick and Raymond along with both parents (and me). He took his first boxing lesson at age 6. He often trained at Art Mayorga's home after school on Kirk Road in Youngstown Ohio and loved Art like a father and always talked about what they were working on and what a great trainer he was. He fought in The Golden Gloves in 1975. He even lied about his age in order to fight in amateur bouts. In one of his bouts, he lost to Ivan Whipple. He was a graduate of Ursuline High School where he wrestled and played football. He was an amateur boxer, played football, baseball, and was an avid Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers fan. He soon moved to Florida and continued to box as a middleweight and heavyweight fighter and was also trained by his big brother Daniel. He would soon work with World Champions and countless boxers at St.Pete Boxing Club and become a world traveler. "His strength was his power. He had a very hard jab and he was a strong puncher," said Jim McLaughlin, who founded the St. Pete Boxing Club in the 1970's. Mike, along with his big brother Dan Birmingham, trained hundreds of local boxers, including Ronald "Winky" Wright, Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy and Lenroy Thomas, just to name a few. They have been quoted as being "The pioneers of boxing" by boxing analyst Mark Beiro. He was an intricate part of the St.Pete boxing club as an assistant trainer and certified cutman. He excelled as a cut man, a trade he learned in Ohio from Eddie "The Clot" Aliano and other veterans. "He could stop open heart surgery," my brother Dan said. The knack came in handy in a 2007 bout when Bernard Hopkins opened a gash over Wright's eye in the second round. Hopkins won the decision but Wright stayed in the fight all 12 rounds. "He knew how to motivate fighters. If there is a fire in you, he knew how to put fuel in it to make it blaze, " said Lenroy Thomas. Unfortunately 11 years ago a chiropractor made an attempt to adjust Mike's neck and eneded up breaking two discs. He unfortunately never recovered from his injury despite all attempts. Michael resided on Sunset beach with his Black Labrador dog "Buddy" and his Calico cat named "Patty", whom he loved as much as he loved his boxing. He always was the first to say "I love you" and greet you with a hug and always treated every greeting as if there were no time between now and the last time you talked to each other. He had an optimism for life. His untimely death is a shock to all who knew him and especially his family and brothers from the gym. There has not been a determination of a cause of death as of yet. His mass was at 10am Monday August 30, 2009 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 11565 66th Avenue, N. Seminole, Florida 33772 and a Celebration of his life followed at A Life Tribute Funeral Care, 5601 Gulfport Blvd, Gulfport, Florida 33707. Another memorial celebration was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center in Austintown Ohio on Wednesday September 9, 2009 at 7pm followed by a reception with family and friends. There is also a tribute page in which you are invited to sign his guest book at the following link.....

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first name: Michael
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There are many articles and info available beyond what I can offer here but you are welcome to inquire further and I will do my best to honor his memory and provide what information I can. Thanks for reading and remembering my big brother Michael Birmingham.
I love you Mikey!
Sincerely, His baby sister Lisa

I remember a very nice Man RIP

The pain is excruciating. God Bless. His baby sis