Walter “Pete” Petroskey was a fearsome hitter for the semi-pro Muskegon Reds baseball team back in the 1930s, but baseball is not where he would make his mark.  Petroskey is known as a boxer and boxing manager who turned professional at 16 while in the U.S. Army.  Petroskey would devote the next 54 years of his life to the sport.  A welterweight, Petroskey was known for his powerful right hand, which he used to compile a 180-37 record as a pro boxer in 16 years of sanctioned fights.

In his younger days, Petroskey was controversial and colorful.  A street kid, he devoted most of his adult life to kids like himself.  He was known for his ability to take tough kids and use their natural aggressiveness and instincts, mix in a large dose of discipline and knowledge, and produce champions at his makeshift Catholic Youth Organization gym in downtown Muskegon.

The most storied boxer in Muskegon history, Kenny Lane, said he owes a great deal of his success to Petroskey, who served as Lane’s manager for many years.  Petroskey worked with national champions Phil Baldwin and Oscar German, along with Doug Lang, Melvin Burns, Solomon Fox and Roy Fox, among others  He also brought in many boxing and wrestling matches to the Muskegon Armory, featuring big names like Jack Dempsey, Jack Sharkey and Primo Carnea.  Petroskey died in 1982 at the age of 74.