Joseph Sciacca, the highly regarded former deputy commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission's boxing division who distinguished himself in both professional sports and political arenas, as well as in the world of entertainment --  died Friday evening in his Grant City home. He was 100-years-old.

Sciacca has been appropriately dubbed the "Man of the Century." This title was primarily earned because of "The Fight of the Century," the heavyweight title bout fought on March 8, 1971 that carved its niche in history when champ Mohammad Ali challenged fallen Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden -- and "Smokin' Joe" achieved victory.