Philly celebrates boxing champ Joey Giardello with statue

May 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Boxing champion, Joey Giardello, will be hanging around his childhood neighborhood in south Philly despite his passing September 4, 2008 at the age of 78. Charles Redner, author of “Down But Never Out” and a close family friend, will participate in a statue dedication ceremony with members of Joey Giardello’s family and sculptor, Carl LeVotch. “Down But Never Out” is the true story of how Giardello’s love for his Down syndrome son, Carman, helped change the world. Joey’s early support for Special Olympics was instrumental in its growth.

"Joey Giardello earned the honor of becoming the first professional boxer to have a statue erected in Philadelphia. The movie prop "Rocky" doesn't count.” Redner commented, “If you review Giardello's efforts on behalf of special needs children, perhaps they should have sculpted two."

Redner will also have a reading on May 24 at the Carmine Tilelli Community Center, named in honor of Joey’s son.

Statue details are available at: http://www.joeygiardello.net/
Book information: http://www.openbookspress.com/downbutneverout
Author website: www.charlieredner.com

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Open Books Press publishes adult nonfiction, and fiction for all ages in trade paperback and eBook formats. OBP is a traditional imprint of Pen & Publish, Inc., an education and nonprofit specialist dedicated to a win-win-win collaborative model.