In 1967 when boxer John Imbrenda opened his bar Johnny Brenda's in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, you could get a shot and a beer and a punch in the face if you needed it... or just deserved it. Sugar Ray Leonard was only 11 at the time, and still two years away from beginning his boxing career -- one that would lead him to a 1976 Olympic gold medal, world titles in five weight classes, and recognition as an all-time great of the sport. For a time, you could get just about anything with Sugar Ray's name on it, say, something like this Boxing Glove Bowling Ball -- a clear polyester signature masterpiece now so dramatically lit and lovingly displayed at... where did we start this story? Johnny Brenda's.

09.09.20