Baseball manager Joe Maddon talks fights

Joe Maddon is famously known in the world of baseball for being the manager of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. What many people might not realize is that Maddon is a huge fan of boxing.

Maddon held his 2nd annual Maddon’s Main Event in his hometown of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The amateur bouts featured fighters from Pennsylvania, Baltimore and Chicago.

John Eric Poli caught up with Maddon prior to the event to discuss his foundation, boxing, his new job as manager of the LA Angeles and more.

Maddon began his coaching career in MLB with the Angels in 1994 and served under managers Buck Rodgers, Marcel Lachemann, John McNamara, Terry Collins, and Mike Scioscia. He served two stints as interim manager during this time. He managed the Rays from 2006 through 2014, winning the 2008 American League pennant. After opting out of his contract following the 2014 season, he joined the Cubs, led them to the 2015 National League Championship Series and was named the 2015 National League Manager of the Year. In 2016, Maddon managed the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908.

On October 16, 2019, it was announced that Maddon would be returning to the Angels as manager for the 2020 season. He signed a three-year deal.