Professional Boxer Rickey “Superstar” Edwards Wins Induction into the New Jersey Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
/Professional Boxer Rickey “Superstar” Edwards Wins Induction into the New Jersey Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
By George Beck, Ph.D.
Rickey “Superstar” Edwards, 32, of Paterson, NJ, was one of five boxers selected for the New Jersey Association of Boxing in partnership with the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, inductee class of 2023. The recent event held at the Brownstone in Paterson celebrated Edwards for his stellar achievements during his amateur boxing career and his success as a pro inspiring young athletes to one day receive such honorable recognition.
It was a long and arduous road for Edwards, the humble and tenacious lightweight/super lightweight fighter, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He started boxing at eight, fighting out of the True Warriors Boxing Gym in Paterson, NJ, formerly known as the Joe Grier Boxing Gym. As an amateur fighter, Edwards sparkled at a young age, becoming the Junior Olympics National Brownsville champion and the New Jersey Junior Olympics champ in 2005. Edwards fought on to win the NJ Golden Gloves in 2008 and 2012. He won the NJ State Championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The young fighter was the USA Boxing Region 1 Champion in 2009 and 2010. While Edwards was racking up these impressive championships in his home country, he fought on the international stage, becoming the USA vs. Ulster champion and the USA vs. Ireland International champion in 2010. He was also the USA vs. England Champion and the New Jersey vs. Puerto Rico champion in 2009.
After a widely successful amateur career, in 2003, at 22, Edwards turned pro and went on an exciting journey fighting at many of the elite boxing venues a kid from Paterson could only dream of reaching. These venues include the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Foxwoods Resorts in Connecticut, and the AT&T Center in San Antonio, to name a few. Edwards boasts a record of 13 wins and five losses, still staying laser-focused for upcoming fights later this year. Al Haymon, who also managed fighters such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, manages Edwards. As a pro fighter, Edwards has sparred with World Champion Shakur Stevenson and former world champions Yuri Foreman Regis Prograis and Teófimo López. He is regularly seen training at True Warriors Boxing Gym, where he also trains aspiring fighters and others fitness enthusiasts seeking better health through exercise.
After many years of boxing success, Edwards wanted to make a difference in his community. Growing up in Paterson, a city known for some of the toughest streets in the country, bullying is a significant problem for many city youths who sometimes sadly seek no other escape than suicide. Edwards came up with a combat plan and went to work. Using his boxing platform and notoriety, he started an anti-bullying boxing camp where he instructs kids how to defend themselves while boosting their self-confidence to persevere during their formative years and for the rest of their lives.
“Fighting against bullying is a fulfilling experience like no other. Boxing had given me so much; I knew I had to give back to the kids and my community,” Edwards said. “I want the kids to know not to let anyone tell them they can’t achieve their dreams. Everything is possible with hard work and determination.”
Blue Magazine congratulates Edwards on his Hall of Fame induction and appreciates his work to make a difference in his community and beyond. We salute you!
