VERMONT SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Photo Courtesy of Robitaille Family

Newport

Boxing

Inducted 2017

The first boxer to be inducted into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame, Tony Robitaille for four years in the late 70s and early 80s dominated the Vermont and New England Golden Gloves and amateur heavyweight boxing scenes. He won four consecutive state titles at Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, backing up each with a regional title at the New England Golden Gloves in Lowell, Mass. 

A former state champion in two track and field throwing events while at North Country Union High School, Robitaille reached the national Golden Gloves quarterfinals in 1979 and the semifinals a year later. At one time he was ranked the No. 2 amateur heavyweight in the nation. 

Among his fights he lost a disputed split-decision to a young Mike Tyson, the future heavyweight champion of the world, in an amateur bout and later served as a sparring partner for Tyson. Robitaille also won an Empire State Games title as well as New England and Adirondack championships before closing out his amateur career with a 47-7 record. 

During his four-year run, he won four straight Rocky Marciano Awards as the top amateur heavyweight in New England.