Ocean City Celebrates Local Boxing Hall Of Famers

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City officials recognized Chuck Betson and Guy Gargan with proclamations tied to their inductions into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame during a recent City Council meeting.

Councilman Keith Hartzell read a proclamation for Betson, whom he described as “my good friend Chuck Betson,” and said Betson “was inducted posthumously in the Atlantic City Hall of Fame of boxing in the class of 2026.”

Betson was an award-winning journalist who became “a staple of South Jersey sports media,” writing for The Atlantic City Press and hosting “the Betson Connection.”

Hartzell said Betson covered boxing during the 1980s and 1990s “when it was the epicenter of the world.” He said Betson was ringside for fights involving “Mike Tyson, Michael Spence, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Aando Hollyfield, and many, many more.” The proclamation also recognized Betson as a supporter of minor league sports, including the Atlantic City Seagulls and Atlantic City Surf, and as a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

Hartzell said Betson was especially proud of the Ocean City Beach Patrol Hall of Fame. He said Betson’s legacy lives on through his family, including his wife, Barbara.

The meeting then turned to Gargan, who was inducted in the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024.

Gargan’s media career began in 1983. According to the proclamation, Gargan also boxed professionally and had 11 wins, four losses, five draws before retiring from the ring in 1979.

Gargan covered Red Raiders football for his father’s paper, the Ocean City Record, as well as Ocean City Beach Patrol competitions and high school swimming.

Hartzell described Gargan as “a familiar face on the streets near his home in Ocean City downtown” and said he had “always conducted himself with unfound grace as a true gentleman.”

In brief remarks, Gargan thanked the coaches who helped build the Ocean City Boxing Team.

“Those four men had full-time jobs here in Ocean City and they still had time to give to the kids at night,” Gargan said. “Of course, I want to thank them very much. I want to thank you.”