Vineland native Rob Haydak was honored as the "Promoter of the Year" by the new New Jersey Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame last week.
Haydak, a Vineland High School graduate and former wrestling coach at Sacred Heart, is the president and co-owner of Vineland-based Cage Fury Fighting Championships.
Haydak, who bought the company with his brother, Joe Stant, last year, staged six events this year, including five in Atlantic City, after holding seven shows on the boardwalk in 2011.
Other honorees included Toms River native Frankie Edgar and Ring of Combat founder Louis Neglia.
Edgar was named the organization's "Fight of the Year." Neglia, who stages almost all of his cards at Tropicana Casino Resort in Atlantic City, received a "Lifetime Achievement Award."
Two local boxing trainers celebrated Smithville resident Virgil Hill's induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame earlier this week.
Pleasantville trainer Mike Hall worked with Hill for almost his entire career, starting in 1987. Galloway Township resident Ray McCline joined Hill's corner in 1993.
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