Michael Katz, a legendary American journalist and one of the most renowned boxing writers of all time, passed away at age 85.
The Hall of Fame boxing journalist Michael Katz died on Monday, January 27, 2025, at a Brooklyn nursing home, leaving behind a legacy featuring coverage of all-time greats, including Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Larry Holmes.
Born in the Bronx, New York, on December 2, 1939, Michael Katz got into the newspaper business as a stringer with the New York Times in 1961 before moving to the newspaper’s sports desk.
RIP boxing writer Michael Katz, one of the best to cover boxing for decades, here Mike gives good pre fight assessment of Sugar Ray Leonard – Marvin Hagler fight. Only person on record to give Buster Douglas a shot vs Mike Tyson #MichaelKatz #MikeKatz #RIP #boxing @dougiefischer pic.twitter.com/dZZVSBirlj
— Harry Harish sports and more memories (@HarryHaris48861) January 29, 2025
Moreover, he held numerous jobs at the New York Times, including their international edition sports editor, after moving to Europe in 1966.
It was also the first time he covered his first heavyweight title bout, Floyd Patterson-Jimmy Ellis, in Stockholm, Sweden 1968.
Before becoming a full-time boxing writer in 1979, he freelanced in Europe and worked for Newsweek, Time, and Sports Illustrated.
Similarly, in 1985, Daily News Sports editor Vic Ziegel hired Michael Katz; during his time with Daily News Sports, he covered several stars, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, and many others.
Michael Katz remained a must-read author with The News.
He left The News in 2000 for HouseofBoxing.com, a website that later turned into MaxBoxing.com and moved to the Internet.
Many fans and loved ones are mourning the passing of legendary boxing writer Michael Katz.
Daily News Sports media columnist Bob Raissman, who covered boxing with Katz in the 1990s, stated:
“You could walk up to someone and sit down and talk to fighters. I swear this worked out for Katz, because he was a guy that you wanted to talk to. Fighters would sit down with him, and he’d get to know about their personal lives.”
Similarly, The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of Michael Katz.
Michael Katz Outlived His Wife, Marilyn, and Daughter, Moorea!
Michael Katz was preceded in death by his longtime wife, Marilyn, and only child, daughter, Moorea.
Moreover, Michael Katz suffered the tragedy of losing his beloved wife and daughter years before his demise.
Remembering the writer, fighter and charming curmudgeon Michael Katz by @FrauenheimNorm https://t.co/7oP3HWKhnN
— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) January 30, 2025
Katz’s longtime wife, Marilyn Neal, born in 1953 to father Brian and mother Brenda Neale, was a vice president of Ruder Finn & Rotman Inc., the public relations firm.
She passed away in January 1990 at her home in Manhattan at age 37 after battling breast cancer.
Marilyn, a native of Birmingham, England, was a freelance photographer in Paris and New York.
Similarly, she served as a media coordinator for the Virginia Slims tennis tournament before joining Spencer & Rubinow Ltd., a public relations concern, and then Ruder Finn before her tragic demise.
Years after the tragic demise of his beloved wife, Marilyn, Michael Katz lost his only child, daughter Moorea Katz, on August 1, 2021. She passed away at her home in Brooklyn, New York, after years of battling with cancer.
Moorea Katz, born on January 30, 1982, was an exceptional lawyer pursuing her career with Hone Law.
Hone Law took to their official social media to announce the demise of Moorea; they wrote:
“Our colleague and teammate Moorea Katz passed away peacefully Sunday morning at her home in Brooklyn, New York, after a courageous and valiant fight with cancer. More important than Moorea’s brilliance and success as a lawyer, she was our friend, partner, and mentor — a unique example of all the best that attorneys and humans can be. We grieve with Moorea’s family. The world, our firm, and the legal community will forever be better for having had Moorea. We are dedicated to ensuring that Moorea’s legacy, goodness, and excellence continue through our personal lives and our mission for decades to come.”
Her family organized a funeral service for the late Moorea Katz on August 6, 2021, in Lockwood Funeral Home, New York.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Michael Katz in 2012 for his exceptional boxing writing.
- After leaving high school, Michael began his writing journey. He wrote for the college newspaper, The Campus and became a sports editor while attending City College of New York.
- His son-in-law and granddaughter survive Michael Katz.
