MARLEY, Michael L. An Emmy Award winning producer and columnist for the New York Post, died Wednesday (March 2, 2022) of complications relating to Parkinson’s disease, which he handled with spirited optimism, at his home in Falmouth, MA. Marley, 71, was born in Newton, son of Don and Dorothy Corbett Marley. As a 12-year-old growing up in Allston, Marley founded the Cassius Clay Fan Club (later the International Muhammad Ali Fan Club) and became a correspondent for Ring Magazine, billing himself as “The World’s Youngest Boxing Writer.” Marley met Ali in 1964, when Ali came to Boston to prepare for a rematch with Sonny Liston, starting a lifelong friendship. Marley went on to excel as an advisor, manager, matchmaker, promoter. He also stepped inside the ring as an amateur, helped train women’s professional boxers as a sparring partner, and participated in charity exhibitions, going three rounds with Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns in Atlantic City. While attending Taft Junior High School in Brighton, Marley came under the wing of Boston Globe sportswriters Herb Ralby and Bud Collins, who wrote a column about Marley predicting Ali’s success entitled “Pupil Outsmarts Teacher on Clay.” Marley worked part-time in the Globe sports department, along with producing programs and delivering press releases for promoter Sam Silverman. As an amateur, he fought at the Boston Arena Annex, Fargo Building, Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Marley’s ring prowess earned him a scholarship to the University of Nevada-Reno, where he competed on the varsity boxing team and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Marley wrote for the Nevada State Journal and Las Vegas Sun before going to the New York Post, where he emerged as a widely-read boxing columnist. Marley clashed with promoters Bob Arum and Don King, earning their respect and later working for both. In the ’80s, Marley became a producer on Howard Cosell’s ABC Sportsbeat, winning five Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, Marley attained a law degree from Fordham University (Class of 1990) and was a criminal defense attorney in Manhattan for more than 30 years. Meanwhile, Marley managed future world champions Shannon Briggs, Robert Garcia, Terry Norris, and James “Bonecrusher” Smith. Marley followed the careers of all the top fighters, including Larry Holmes, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, and remained close with Ali, whose death in 2016 was Parkinson’s-related. While practicing uncompromising, muckraking journalism, Marley exposed cheats and frauds, making sure to only go after those who could defend themselves. Marley’s friends knew him for having a heart of gold, and he participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program and contributed to the King Jesus Charity Home in Kumasi, Ghana. Among those Marley sponsored was Elizabeth Owusua, who became a striker on the Ghana women’s national soccer team. Survivors include brother Joseph “Chip” Shadyac and his wife, Nancy, of Falmouth; cousins Patricia Corbett of Massachusetts; Kathy Corbett and Jack McArthur of New Hampshire; sister Michelle of Denver; and brothers Greg of San Jose, CA and Mark of Goleta, CA. A final 10-count for Marley was given at the Lowell Golden Gloves recently and a spring Memorial Service is planned.
View the online memorial for Michael L. MARLEY
Published by Boston Globe from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2022.
