There are people in boxing who fight under the lights…and there are those who spend a lifetime honoring the sport in ways the public rarely sees, but never forgets once they do. Richard Slone, the distinguished and talented artist, is one of those people. Long before many knew his name, Richard was living the boxing life. As a teenager, he came to the United States with a dream, and found himself under the guidance of the great Joe Frazier. Not just training, but learning. Absorbing the discipline, the sacrifice, and the soul of boxing from one of its greatest champions. That journey continued in Detroit, where Richard was in the gym alongside another icon of the sport, Emanuel Steward, the man who shaped champions from the Kronk Gym, and in many ways, helped shape Richard as well.

 

But Richard’s true canvas would not be the ring. It would be history itself. Over the years, he became one of boxing’s most respected artists, capturing the spirit, the violence, the beauty, and the humanity of the sport in a way few ever have. His work is not just art. It is preservation. He is the artist behind the iconic imagery associated with the International Boxing Hall of Fame. His paintings, larger than life, have immortalized the legends of this sport for generations to come.

 

And like so many great artists, he was shaped by greatness. His mentor, LeRoy Neiman, was himself a titan of sports art. That lineage is visible in every stroke of Richard’s work. But now, Richard Slone finds himself in the fight of his life. Recently diagnosed with oral cancer, Richard underwent life-altering surgery in California where approximately 50% of his tongue was removed. Multiple skin graft procedures followed in an effort to reconstruct his ability to speak and swallow.

 

As of this writing, he remains in the ICU, beginning a long and difficult road to recovery. In the weeks ahead, he will face chemotherapy and radiation, battles that will test him in ways no canvas ever could. And like so many fighters, inside and outside the ring, this fight comes with a burden no one should carry alone.

 

The medical costs are overwhelming. To those of you who may want to contribute to Richard’s Go Fund Me page, following is the link where you can make a contribution. Every donation, no matter how small, would be appreciated.

 

Richard has never been one to ask for help. Like many in boxing, he has always been the one giving, his time, his talent, his passion. Now, we are asking on his behalf. Boxing is a sport built on pride. On toughness. On the idea that you handle your business and keep moving forward. But at its best, boxing is also a community.

 

Richard Slone has spent a lifetime giving something to boxing that cannot be measured in purses or titles. He gave it memory. He gave it identity. He gave it art. Now, the sport, and the people in it, have an opportunity to give something back. If you know Richard, this is personal. If you know boxing, this matters.

 

Please consider supporting Richard Slone in his fight by contributing to his GoFundMe page and sharing his story with others in the boxing community. Because sometimes, the most important fights don’t happen under the lights. They happen when we decide to stand with one of our own. 

 

Here is a sample of Richard's work: