The Neutral Corner

Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi has announced that Glen Cove’s Howard Davis Jr., gold medalist at the 1976 Olympics, will be honored July 10, 2009 with a street-naming ceremony. Mayor Suozzi invites residents to join him at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Mason Drive and Burns Avenue for the festivities, which will include a mural presentation and street sign presentation.

Mason Drive at Burns Avenue will be renamed “Howard Davis Drive” in recognition of Howard Davis Jr. and his father, Howard Davis Sr., two Glen Covers who have left a lasting impact on our community.

“We are proud to have this opportunity to celebrate all that Howard Davis Jr. and Howard Davis Sr. have contributed to Glen Cove, the sport of boxing and the Olympics," said Suozzi. "Both of these men were proud of their hometown, and our community is equally as proud of them and all that they have accomplished.”

Howard Davis Jr. was born and raised on Mason Drive in Glen Cove, one of ten children in his family. In 1976, he won the Olympic gold medal in the Lightweight Division in Montreal, Canada. Davis Jr. was also named the Outstanding Boxer of the 1976 Olympics, receiving the Val Barker Trophy, in an Olympics year that included Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks and Leon Spinks. He turned pro after winning the Olympics and retired in 1994 with a professional record of 36-6-1 with 14 knockouts.

Howard Davis Sr. will be honored for his contributions as a “Father of the Community.” He served as his son’s boxing trainer for nearly his entire career. He passed away earlier this year.