JOEY ALLEN was the name that Angelo Anthony Levecchia boxed under from 1928 through 1943. He was born in Camden, New Jersey on November 12, 1912 to Anthony Levecchia and his wife, the former Anna Maria Onorati. His father worked for as a laborer for many years at Camden Forge. Angelo Levecchia was one of at least six children, coming after Henry and Nicholas and before Lillian, Mary, and Joseph. Under the ring name of Joey Allen, he became one of the many fine boxers that emerged from South Camden in the 1920s and 1930s.
The 1930 Census and the 1931 City Directory lists him at 429 Beckett Street. The 1943 Directory shows him residing at 523 Pine Street.
After Joey Allen hung up his gloves, he stayed in the boxing game as a trainer. Partnering with Anthony Georgette he took over the contract of Moses Lee, better known as Pedro Firpo and was instrumental in getting Jersey Joe Walcott into position to win the heavyweight championship of the world. He also trained local fighter Bill Flowers and Buck Streater. Joey Allen was Walcott’s trainer from 1945 until October of 1948 when they and Walcott’s manager, Felix Bocchiccio agreed to part ways. Joey Allen remained in the fight game as a trainer as late as 1957.
Joey Allen married Antoniette Cardile in January of 1951. The couple lived at 242 Powelton Avenue in Woodlynne during the 1950s. On January 1, 1954 they were blessed with a daughter, Antoinette. A son, Michael, came later. Outside of the ring he was involved with the Zuni Athletic Association.
In 1955 he took a job as a maintenance man with the Campbell Soup Company in Camden, He retired in 1977. In his later years Joey Allen stepped away from boxing. He and his wife had moved to Marlton by 1984.
Angelo Levecchia, known to the sporting world as Joey Allen, passed away in January of 1992.
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
Felix Bocchicchio
Born on August 31, 1906, in Pennsylvania, Felix Bocchicchio left a lasting imprint on boxing history as the manager of Jersey Joe Walcott, particularly during his remarkable ascent to becoming the heavyweight champion in the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, Bocchicchio’s life was filled with diverse and often controversial endeavors, both within and outside…
-
Angelo Anthony Leveccia (aka Joey Allen)
JOEY ALLEN was the name that Angelo Anthony Levecchia boxed under from 1928 through 1943. He was born in Camden, New Jersey on November 12, 1912 to Anthony Levecchia and his wife, the former Anna Maria Onorati. His father worked for as a laborer for many years at Camden Forge. Angelo Levecchia was one of…
-
Angelo A. Levecchia, 79; boxer fought as ‘Joey Allen’
Camden Courier Post – January 30, 1992 EVESHAM—Services will be held Friday for Angelo A. Levecchia, a featherweight and light- weight boxer who fought as “Joey Allen.” Mr. Levecchia, 79, also helped train Arnold Cream, who, when Mr. Levecchia was his trainer, went on to win fame as the heavyweight champion of the world under…
-
Evesham teen indicted in samurai-style attack
Camden Courier Post – February 21, 1985 MOUNT HOLLY—A 15-year-old Evesham youth yesterday was indicted by a Burlington County grand Jury in connection with the Nov. 9 samurai-style sword attack on two elderly neighbors. Steven M. Mazzola, of 9 Carriage Lane, will be tried as an adult on two counts of attempted murder, two counts…
-
Pair attacked by burglar with sword
Camden Courier-Post – November 9, 1984 EVESHAM – An elderly township couple was terrorized and injured this morning by a would-be burglar wielding a sword. Police said Angelo Levecchia. 72, of 11 Carriage Lane, and his wife, Antoinette, no age available, were asleep when a man wielding a 30- to 36-inch sword awakened them at…
-
Cephas Starts Boxing Career
Camden Courier-Post – May 14, 1957 Billy Cephas, former Haddonfield High School baseball and football star, makes his debut tonight as a professional boxer. He is scheduled to meet Billy Boswell, Newark, in a four rounder at Paterson. A welterweight, Cephas spent three years in the Air Force and had about 22 bouts, losing only…
Leave a Reply