Gil Turner Gravestone Fund

His name was Gil Turner. He was one of the most exciting boxers to ever come out of Philadelphia. Turner won his first 31 professional fights (25 by KO) before suffering his first defeat in a spectacular 1952 welterweight championship fight against world champion and all-time great Kid Gavilan. Turner gave Gavilan all he could handle before the Cuban marvel ended the fight in round eleven. Turner fought 46 more pro fights, many on national television, and his exciting career (56-19-2, 35 KOs) earned Turner a reputation as a fan favorite and one of Philly’s greatest legends.

Turner died in 1996 at age 65, and despite his popularity as a boxer, he rests in an unmarked grave in North Philadelphia. As the 30th anniversary of his death approaches, it is high time we honor Turner with a monument to mark his grave.

Many of the great Philly ring heroes lie in unmarked graves all around Philadelphia. Philly Boxing History Inc. is on a mission to provide gravestone memorials for these fighting men and women. Afterall, they gave so much to so many boxing fans. Let’s return the favor.

In recent years, Philly Boxing History has placed headstones for local ring stars Matthew Saad Muhammad, Tyrone Everett, Gypsy Joe Harris, Garnet “Sugar” Hart, and Jimmy and Eddie Cool. Now we want to add Gil Turner to this exclusive club. But we need your help to make this goal a reality.

Please consider getting involved and making a contribution to the Gil Turner gravestone campaign. We need to raise the necessary funds to purchase and place a headstone for Gil Turner, including the funds to purchase the headstone, pay for its installation and on-going maintenance of the gravesite, and all the related costs involved.

Philly Boxing History Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Therefore, any donation you make will not only help to make this effort happen, it also can be a tax deduction.

Please consider donating to this worthy cause. No donation amount is too small (or too large)!

If we raise any funds above the costs of this gravestone, the surplus raised will go toward future gravestone projects. There are many more boxers to honor.

Thank you for your support.