Boxer, Actor, Restaurateur Sal “Rocky” Cenicola, 62, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2021. Sal was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father, and friend to many. Funeral services will be conducted at St. William Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11am. Interment will follow Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens.
Sal was born in Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey on July 13, 1959, to Salvatore Ugo Cenicola and Maria Boccanfuso Cenicola. Sal graduated in 1976 from Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, New Jersey, where he carved his path becoming a star wrestler, winning many tournaments and matches. He soon began a boxing career that would take him to new levels of success. In 1976 he won the New Jersey Golden Gloves Tournament and went on to win the 1977 N.J. State Blue and White Gloves Championships and the 1977 State AAU Championships. Cenicola made his name as a professional fighter in New Jersey in the mid-eighties for Main Events under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva. On April 13, 2013, Cenicola came back at age 53 and won a 3 round unanimous decision over 34-year-old Nathan Petty in a fight dubbed “Comeback to Reality.” This fight set an official Guinness Book of World Records mark for the longest comeback ever by a professional boxer: 25 years and 66 days. Cenicola ended his boxing career with 19 wins, 2 Losses and 11 knockouts.
Cenicola, born Salvatore Cenicola III, founded, owned, and operated the legendary and highly successful Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria and became a South Georgia legend who attracted N.Y. Style Pizza lovers from all over the world who visited the Golden Isles area for the past 15 years. Cenicola in recent years became a successful play by play broadcaster for LDLTV Boxing Webcasts working with Boxer Hall of Famer Christy Martin on several shows. He was also a regular guest on the Talkin’ Boxing with Billy C show for many years.
Survived by his sons Nicholas and Sal Junior and their mother Lisa, his stepmother Connie, his stepbrother Ricky, his brother David, and many friends, he was predeceased by his mother Maria and Father Salvatore Ugo.
The family will receive friends Monday evening September 6, 2021 from 6pm until 8pm at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. www.edomillerandsons.com
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