Tony DeMarco

Beloved Boston icon Tony DeMarco, Boxing Hall of Famer, and former undisputed Welterweight Champion of the World, “The Flame and Fury of Fleet Street,” passed away of natural causes on October 11, 2021at the age of 89. DeMarco captured the hearts of Massachusetts boxing fans and proud Italians all over the country on April 1, 1955, by knocking out Welterweight Champ Johnny Saxon in front of a delirious crowd at the Boston Garden, just blocks from his home on Fleet Street in Boston’s North End.

Born Leonardo Liotta, he “borrowed” the name Tony DeMarco from an older friend so he could box professionally, because at 15 years old, Leonardo was not eligible. By showing his friend’s baptismal certificate as proof of age, Leonardo was able to get his boxing license, and from that point on he was known as Tony DeMarco.

Following his championship win, DeMarco’s historic matches with Boxing Hall of Famer, Carmen Basilio, are still considered two of the greatest fights of all time. Although DeMarco lost the title fight and rematch to Basilio, he went on to fight a total of eight world champions beating the likes of Kid Gavilan, Paddy DeMarco, Virgil Akins, and Chico Vejar.

After his retirement from boxing, Tony moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and opened a successful nightclub, Tony DeMarco’s Living Room, which he operated for twenty years before returning to Boston where he resided for the rest of his life. Referred to as “The Champ” in the North End, Tony was always very accommodating to fans and tourists. The unofficial ambassador of the North End, Tony would often be seen chatting with fans and posing for pictures with them. Former Mayor Thomas Menino renamed Fleet Street to Tony DeMarco Way, and several years later, in 2012, Tony was honored with a statue at the corner of Cross and Hanover streets, the entrance to Boston’s North End. Tony’s autobiography, Nardo: Memoirs of a Boxing Champion was released in 2011, and in 2019, Tony DeMarco was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame to take his place alongside many of the champions he faced during his career.

Predeceased by his son Vincent Liotta, daughter Sylvia Liotta, brother Andrew Liotta, and sister Mary Liotta Scolaro, he is survived by his wife Dorothy McGarry, stepchildren Jessica Hain and husband Christopher of Leander, TX, Rachael Talbot and husband Paul of Auburn, MA, Jason McGarry of Franklin, MA, Paul McGarry and wife Rachel of Millis, MA, grandchildren Rosemary, Reagan, Tyler, Catherine, and Abagayle, as well as his sister Josephine Liotta Vitale of Medway, MA, several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and fans.

The family will receive visitors on Monday from 2pm to 8pm in the J.S. Waterman-Langone Chapel, 580 Commercial St., Boston. Complimentary valet attendants at front door. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11am in St. Leonard Church, 320 Hanover St., Boston. Please meet at church.

At the family’s request, please omit flowers. Donations may be made to The Liotta Family Scholarship and mailed to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Chapter, 51 Pleasant St., Malden, MA 02148.