T he reputation of North Philly's Blue Horizon is that it was one of the best places that ever hosted boxing matches in Philly, the US, or anywhere else. However, it took a long time for this intimate fight club to rise up those ranks. The place started as a local venue geared toward smaller fights. A modest seating capacity of about 1,300 relegated the venue to a boxing minor league of sorts. All the important big box office fights took place elsewhere - places like the Arena, Convention Hall and the Spectrum. Meanwhile, the Blue Horizon became the place where young fighters stared careers and older boxers ended theirs. The Blue Horizon hung on for years, many of which were lean times, compiled a dizzying list of events and participants, and in doing so became a long-standing constant in Philadelphia Boxing. In the mid-1980s, when it stood alone as an example of an old fashioned fight club, and thanks to the urging of then house promoter J Russell Peltz, the Blue was discovered by the USA cable network, which featured it many times in their "Tuesday Night Fights" series. The network touted the venue as something special and labeled it their favorite boxing venue - thanks to it's old-world charm and a balcony so close to the action that practically placed the live boxing fan in the ring with the fighters. With a large national TV audience watching the competitive bi-monthly matches, the Blue Horizon's reputation soared. Suddenly everyone wanted to go see a live fight at this unique setting - regardless of who was fighting there. A star was born. But as suggested, it was far from an overnight success.

1865 - Building constructed 1912 - Becomes Moose Lodge 1938 - Initial boxing show (03/01) 1960 - Bought by Jimmy Toppi 1961 - The start of the legendary run 1962 - Turner vs. Thompson 1963 - Briscoe 1st main event 1963 - Stable vs. Turner 1963 - H. Johnson vs. Hank 1964 - Hayward vs. Cokes 1966 - Harris vs. Knight 1969 - 1st Peltz Promotion 1978 - Jody White dies after bout 1982 - Briscoe's last bout 1986 - 1st USA network broadcast 1997 - 1st world title fight 1997 - Wilson vs. Tshabalala 2000 - Becomes PA historical site 2007 - DeVictoria vs. Shmouel

But it was Marty Kramer who ran regular shows through 1963, promoting more than 30 cards during that period. Highlights included six main events headed by George Benton (all KO wins), four by Len Matthews (3 KOs & 1 Draw), three featuring Dick Turner including his upset win over against Federico Thompson, three by Ike White, two by Sidney "Sweet Pea" Adams, another pair starring Jimmy Hairston and Bennie's Briscoe's very first main event (KO6 Sugar Baby Smith). An attendance high-mark for the arena in that period came when about 1,100 customers watched Len Matthews fight a draw with Eddie Armstrong on January 4, 1962. Kramer's Blue Horizon era ended in October of 1963, about two years after it began.

Purchased for $85,000 and slightly renovated by Toppi, the venue took flight when promoter Marty Kramer signed a lease and became the first house promoter. However, Steve Tomassi staged the inaugural show on November 3, 1961. The main event featured North Philly middleweight George Benton against Chico Corsey of Chester, PA in a scheduled 10-rounder. Benton won by KO in three rounds.

The Blue Horizon was originally built in 1865 as a ritzy residential property. For years, wealthy businessmen lived at the property located at 1314 North Broad Street. Around 1912 it was converted to a Moose Lodge and used for meetings, cabarets, and other events. In 1938, there was one, four-bout boxing event held at "Moose Hall", as it was known at the time, but it wasn't until 1960, when fight promoter and Philly boxing landlord-extraordinaire, Jimmy Toppi Jr. purchased the property, that the Blue Horizon's life as major a prize ring began. Toppi named the place "Toppi's Auditorium". Later on, inspired by the song "Beyond the Blue Horizon", Toppi gave the venue the name that is still used today.