Correspondent photo / Sean Barron ... From left, boxing legends Greg “The Flea” Richardson, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Jeff “Prime Time” Lampkin and Harry “Dirty Harry” Arroyo stand next to their individual plaques that were unveiled during a special ceremony Friday at Wean Park in Youngstown. The five championship fighters were inducted into the Youngstown Walk of Fame.

YOUNGSTOWN — Legendary boxer Jeff “Prime Time” Lampkin may have been ruthless with hard-hitting power against those he fought, but outside of the ring, very different, more gentle traits emerge, one of his biggest fans says.

“He’s goofy and always cracking a joke,” Lampkin’s daughter, Deja Lampkin of Houston, said.

Suffice it to say Deja Lampkin didn’t travel 1,400 miles from her home to the city merely to partake of her father’s sense of humor, though she did make the trip for something more special and serious. Specifically, the elder Lampkin was one of five area boxing legends who were the guests of honor for a special ceremony Friday afternoon in Wean Park, downtown, and who were inducted into the Youngstown Walk of Fame.

A few hundred boxing fans, elected officials and others attended the outdoor event to see Lampkin, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Greg “The Flea” Richardson, Kelly Pavlik and Harry “Dirty Harry” Arroyo receive the honor. Each fighter unveiled his own plaque, near the Market Street Bridge, on which was a star and biographical information about him.

For his part, Lampkin was stoic about the honor that was about to be his.

“It is what it is,” said Lampkin, who captured the International Boxing Federation’s Cruiserweight world title March 17, 1990, after he knocked out Glenn McCrory in the fifth round of a fight in London.

The world title victory earned him lasting respect in the boxing world, many have said.

“This is one of the most honorable things I’ve ever achieved,” Mancini said about his induction, adding, “I fought to help make the city and my family proud.”

For his part, Mancini, 64, who competed professionally from 1979 to 1992, became the World Boxing Association lightweight champion May 8, 1982, when he beat Arturo Frias in the first round of a dramatic fight in Las Vegas. Mancini also became known for his warrior spirit and close connection to boxing, and he defended his title four times. In addition, he held the WBA lightweight title from 1982 to 1984.

“We’re rough and tough and have a lot of respect,” Pavlik said in his comments.

On Sept. 29, 2007, Pavlik surprised many in the boxing community when he scored a knockout against Jermain Taylor to win the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization middleweight world titles. Many fans have praised Pavlik for his calm demeanor, sharp jab and ability to fight back against adversity.

Arroyo, who lived on the city’s East and South sides, won the IBF lightweight world title April 15, 1984, after defeating Charlie “Choo Choo” Brown in a 14-round contest.

On Feb. 25, 1991, Richardson beat Raul Perez by a unanimous decision, which gave him the WBC bantamweight world title. The fighter also was known for having fast footwork, and earned his nickname for his slipperiness and speed.

When it came time for him to speak on the stage, Lampkin said little, except to thank his children and grandchildren for attending the event to honor him.

Richardson may be 67, but he was still able to display a variety of quick moves with his arms and feet when he took the stage during Friday’s ceremony — to the delight of his fans in the audience.

“Let me get out of dodge, man,” Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said to laughter.

Brown recalled having worn a shirt on which was emblazoned “City of champions” while on a trip to China in 2019. Several people inquired about who the champs were, to which the mayor proudly mentioned the five boxers, he said in his remarks.

Brown added that he’s grateful to have the five boxing champions — all of whom represent the Mahoning Valley well — in Youngstown.

Friday’s honorary event also was another example of how the city continues to grow, said city Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward, who observed that the Walk of Fame is in the shadow of the large statue that shows baseball legend Jackie Robinson shaking hands with his teammate George Shuba, a Youngstown native.

In addition, the Walk of Fame includes a plaque bearing the name of the longtime R&B and funk band Kool & the Gang, which formed in the mid-1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey. One of the band’s founders, Robert “Kool” Bell, 74, is from Youngstown.

Their string of hit songs includes “Ladies Night,” “Get Down on It,” “Celebration” and “Hollywood Swinging.”

Friday’s ceremony also included musical entertainment from several area bands, along with a fireworks show for the Fourth of July.