Monday, May 05, 2008

Former boxer is alleged cop killer

By John McMullen

(The Phanatic Magazine) - Levon Warner, one of three suspects in the slaying of police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, was a former heavyweight boxer who once plied his trade at the legendary Blue Horizon in North Philadelphia.

A heavyweight, the 38-year-old Warner (6-5-2) trained at the Kingsessing Recreation Center in Southwest Philadelphia and was knocked out by Joey Abell in the first round of a fight at the Blue Horizon in September of last year.

Warner has also fought at the National Guard Armory in the Northeast and both Bally's and Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City.

His trainer recommended Warner retire after his loss at the Horizon.

"I wasn't seeing what I wanted to see," Sloane Harrison told the Philadelphia Daily News. "He took some shots. He wasn't boxing like I know he could box. I encouraged him to retire."

Now, the pugilist is behind bars for his role in the murder of Liczbinski after a bank holdup.

One of Warner's alleged accomplices, Howard Cain, was shot to death by police. The other, Eric DeShawn Floyd, is still at large.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

John,

I just came across your The Phenatic Magazine blog, you guys do a good job and there is some very interesting content. I am a little disappointed to see that the only time local boxing gets mentioned is when someone commits a terrible crime. Hopefully you will also in the future give some consideration to the hundreds of other boxing on the local circuit who are genuinely good people. If you can find space for The Soul, I don't see why you can't include Philly boxing. Either way, best of luck with the blog. Is it also available in print?

- Keith
John,

I just came across your The Phenatic Magazine blog, you guys do a good job and there is some very interesting content. I am a little disappointed to see that the only time local boxing gets mentioned is when someone commits a terrible crime. Hopefully you will also in the future give some consideration to the hundreds of other boxing on the local circuit who are genuinely good people. If you can find space for The Soul, I don't see why you can't include Philly boxing. Either way, best of luck with the blog. Is it also available in print?

- Keith