Johnny Addie(1902-1971)

Addie was a ring announcer at Madison Square Garden for 23 years. For more than 1,000 boxing matches, including 100 title bouts, he stood in the smoky haze and the glare of the ring lights, nattily turned out in a tuxedo, his shoes polished to a mirror shine and his voice booming in sonorous splendor: "And in this corner...". A former singing waiter and always the master showman, Addie once grabbed the mike and sang the "National Anthem" when a recorded version failed to play.