(DEKALB COUNTY) - A Garrett man with a decades-long career in boxing is set to be honored at the state level.
Eighty-year-old Ed Placencia will be inducted into the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend, joining nine other honorees.
Placencia began boxing at age 10 at the DeKalb County Boxing Club, following his father and brothers into the sport. Starting in 1963, he won the Indiana Golden Gloves tournament three consecutive years.
After his final Golden Gloves title, Placencia joined the U.S. Army, where he boxed while serving. According to Garrett High School records, he also served as an infantryman in Vietnam in 1967.
He returned home in 1968 and continued competing in national boxing championships until 1976.
Placencia later returned to the DeKalb County Boxing Club, where he has spent the past 30 years as head coach, training and mentoring young fighters across northern Indiana.
He has recently reduced his involvement after suffering a stroke but still volunteers at least once a week.
Placencia was nominated for the Hall of Fame by a former student, who credited him with decades of dedication to the sport and to the athletes he has coached.