It is with much sadness that I announce the passing of George Kimball, last Wednesday at the age of 67. George had been very ill since being diagnosed with cancer in 2005, but served as an inspiration by not allowing it to slow him down in subsequent years.

George was a legendary newspaper man who wrote about many sports, but it is his work within the BWAA that I will focus on. He was an active member who helped out in numerous ways.

In 1985, George won the BWAA’s Nat Fleischer award for “Excellence in Boxing Journalism” and in 2008 shared with Genaro Hernandez the Bill Crawford award for “Courage in Overcoming Adversity.” When he received the later award in New York, on a June night of 2009, George modestly proclaimed that neither he or Genaro deserved their accolade. “All we did was get cancer, we couldn’t help that” he said. On that point George may have been correct, but both men were very worthy winners. They refused to give in to their illness and continued to live life to the fullest just as if they had been perfectly healthy.

George was the chairman of the BWAA’s Liebling committee that honors “Outstanding Boxing Writing.” He took great pride in this responsibility and was determined to see that the process continued to run smoothly after he was gone. Although George maintained his everyday activities he indicated on numerous occasions that his life was winding down and he wouldn’t be around for next year’s Liebling vote. He requested about six months ago, that upon his death his good friend and past Fleischer winner, BWAA member John Schulian assume the role of chairman. Of course, that request was granted.

George’s reputation was that of a rebel who could be very difficult to get along with. Perhaps there was truth to that, but in my substantial dealings with him regarding BWAA issues he was always the perfect gentleman.

A link to the fine story on George that Thomas Hauser wrote for the “Sweet Science” is up on our website bwaa.org

In addition to that, BWAA member Matt Richardson paid tribute to George with a touching story on Fight News.com

You can Google George Kimball’s name to find other accolades as well.

I’m sure that George would not have objected to one last plug of his latest book “Manly Art.” It is comprised of stories that George had written for numerous publications. It is published by McBooks Press (www.mcbooks.com).