Melio Bettina

Melio Bettina was the Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World on February 3, 1939 when he knocked out "Tiger" Jack Fox in the ninth round at Madison Square Garden. Melio fought for eighteen years as an amateur and a professional. He won the Golden Gloves Title in Chicago, knocking out future Lightheavy Weight Champion Tony Zale. He had a total of 175 fights, winning 157. For more than eight years he was a world class lightheavy weight boxer. He retired in December 1948.

A lifelong resident of Beacon, he brought pride to the city in a time of economic despair. He put Beacon on the map with a phrase that was coined by the New York City newspapers, "Bring the Bacon Back to Beacon". Melio was a real gentleman, a gentle giant and a bonafide local hero. Melio died December 20, 1996.