Diane Fischer

Status: Founder of Dee Lee Promotions, Inc. based in Vineland, N.J. New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.

Early boxing memory: My earliest memory is watching the Gillette Friday Night fights with my Dad. “My Daddy’s Dream” is the motto for my company, Dee Lee Promotions, Inc. My father had urged me to live my dream by working in boxing.

Boxing inspirations: I am inspired by the fighters themselves; watching them focused in the gym and using their talents in a positive way and not wasting time in the streets. I have a heart for the underdog doing well.

First job: One of my first jobs was as a meat wrapper in a butcher shop.

Childhood dreams: My father raised me to believe that I could do or be anything I wanted. I always wanted to operate heavy equipment like a backhoe. I wanted to go to school for it, but was told because I was a woman that I could only be trained to be a truck driver and not a heavy equipment operator. I wasn’t interested in learning how to drive a truck.

Last book read: I just finished a great book, Don’t Blink, by James Patterson.

Favorite movies: My favorite movies are Casablanca and The Bird Cage

Current Car: I like two-seater cars with a stick shift. With that being said, I drive a BMW Z4.

Greatest career moment: Two of my greatest career moments were being named promoter of the year in 1998 by the Press of Atlantic City and being inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. Also, it was being told by Don King that I was going to be the next Don ‘Queen.’

Most painful career moment: A painful and confusing career moment was watching light heavyweight Will Taylor, who had the greatest right hand, became a southpaw in the fifth round of a title fight. I had no idea why he did that and couldn’t believe it was happening.

Another painful memory was barely getting out of Panama!??

Favorite boxers to watch: I do not have a favorite boxer. I enjoy watching the talent and heart of fighters emerge in the ring.

Funniest boxers encountered: Some of my funniest boxing encounters were with Chuck Wepner, one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. He is just a funny guy.

Funny boxing memory: When I held my first girl fight in Atlantic City, I learned that after the weigh-in and when the blood results came back that the fighter’s pregnancy test came back positive. Neither I nor the commission wanted to be the one to break the news, but I did.

Strangest fight: All fights are unique in their own way. You never know what can happen; it’s the nature of the game.

Embarrassing boxing memory: A tough moment for me was when I had to stand in front of a crowd of about 1,500 people and tell them that the main event was canceled because one of the fighters was four pounds overweight. Fortunately, the first fight that evening was fantastic and the crowd was in great spirits. The room was full of energy and when I climbed into the ring to make the announcement I was nervous and not sure how they would react to the news of the cancelation. I let them know the main event was not happening but that the rest of the card was full of talented young boxers and that one day they may be the champions they would see fight on HBO. I asked for the fans to support the fighters and the crowd cheered. Not one person asked for a refund. The moment went from embarrassing to inspirational just that quickly! Boxing fans are great!

First famous boxer you ever met: He was not the first famous boxer I ever met, but a great moment for me was spending a week with Archie Moore in Atlantic City. He was in town because his daughter was fighting on one of my cards. He was like a grandfather to me. I remember him drinking strawberry milkshakes all during that week. I sat with him and watched the Tyson-Holyfield fight. When Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear during that fight, Archie wasn’t surprised.

Favorite fights: My favorite fights include: Gatti vs. Ward, Hagler vs. Hearns, Hearns vs. Leonard, Lewis vs. Morrison.

Favorite boxing movies: My favorite boxing movies are: Cinderella Man, Million Dollar Baby, and Raging Bull.

People qualities most admired: I admire honesty, caring, and loyalty. Dave Jones and Fran Malinowski have all these qualities. They have been with me from the beginning, through the ups and downs.

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