Linda Platt – Boxing and Entertainment Photographer

Copyrighted photos:  Linda Platt

First International Woman Boxing Photographer

Linda was born in Washington, D.C. Her father loved boxing and introduced her to the sweet science at a very young age. She relocated to Las Vegas in late 1979 where she began attending weekly boxing cards at the Silver Slipper Casino making friends and photographing the boxers and fights. Linda was the only woman boxing photographer at that time. Shortly thereafter, boxers, trainers, and managers were coming to her for their photos before and after boxing events. She was a regular mainstay at Johnny Tocco’s Ringside Gym and Golden Gloves Gym where she was warmly welcomed.

Suddenly, her photos began appearing on the covers of Japan World Boxing, Guantes Magazine, Boxing Digest along with Puerto Rican and Panamanian publications thus making her the first international woman boxing photographer. She began writing a weekly boxing column “In My Corner” for the weekly newspaper, The Mirror/Sportsbook. Platt’s photos also appeared in Chuck DiRocco’s Sportsbook, a weekly newspaper as well.

Linda’s photos spilled into the entertainment industry where she amassed many photos of entertainment legends as well as boxing legends. She photographed Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes, Salvador Sanchez, Wilfred Benitez, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes as well as Frank Sinatra, Sylvester Stallone, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, J.J. Walker, Bo Derek, Don Rickles, Danny Thomas and Luciano Pavarotti. She became a contributing photographer for Entertainment Tonight.

Platt’s photographs appeared in numerous magazine publications including Boxing Digest, Guantes Magazine, Rolling Stone, Boxing Beat, South African Boxing, Japan World Boxing, Sports Illustrated, and the New York Post. Her photos of Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Richie Sandoval, Cornelius Boza Edwards and other boxers still appear in BoxRec. Linda worked for the wire services, United Press International, Reuters, and Associated Press. She produced photos for NBC Sportsworld advertisements. Her work has been published in two boxing books, The Good Son by Mark Kriegel and Christian Guidice’s Hands of Stone, The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran. 

Linda has received boxing awards from Guantes Magazine as Photographer of the Year 1983-1986 and Boxing Beat/Top Rank Photographer of the Year 1985.

Before moving to Las Vegas in 1979, Linda lived in  Enterprise, Alabama and worked for Fort Rucker, as an Arts and Crafts Morale Support Specialist for three years. She taught photography, ceramics, jewelry making, and leatherwork at the Morale Support Shops. Linda increased the programs’ attendance. She received Student Photographer of the Year, 1975 from Enterprise Community College where she honed her skills and worked as a student assistant to the photography professor. Platt was promoted and moved to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts where she became Supervisor over the Arts and Crafts Shops that included Wood Shop and Auto Shop.

Linda received her Masters Degree in Special Education from Nova S.E. University   1989 while continuing to work as a photographer and substitute teacher in the Clark County School District. She was a long term substitute in special education and English as a Second Language teaching grades 5-12. In late 1989, Linda moved to Tucson after accepting an offer to teach a full time special education position. She spent five more years teaching in Arizona where she taught many Native American and Mexican students.

Linda created science programs and other projects to include artwork. She promoted student literacy with Trucker Buddies who visited her classes on many occasions. Rose Trentman and Linda created a writing program to promote literacy and cross-cultural friendships. Platt was also recognized by the New York City District 11 Superintendent Frank Aracali for doing exceptional work with special needs children praising her and giving her kudos for her tireless work.

In June 2013, “The Parents and Washoe Country School District Newsletter” published a letter written by an appreciative mother about her son, “I like to call her “Ms. P.” She is the only one of my son’s special teachers. She is special in our hearts and special to all of us in our family. I am happy to have moved into our neighborhood. Ms. P. makes my life easier by calling me anytime to let me know everything about my son. My son has a very hard time learning at school; he’s smart but doesn’t apply himself. Ms. P. works hard with all children to help them learn. Children need teachers that care and are willing to help. Ms. P. thank you for being a hard worker and teaching all children. You’re the best! I wish they all could be like you!”  RC, Mother

Linda was very active in school functions until her retirement from teaching in 2014. She joined various school committees including Social Committee Chairman, Science Club Judge, Literacy Nights, Math Club and promoted Math Club Night twice yearly where parents and their children learned innovative math games to make learning more enticing and interactive. She also taught at a Gold Star Award winning school from 2006 until her retirement. Platt and the committee created free notebooks filled with math activities to provide math practice at home. During Math Night, parents were introduced to the curriculum. In Science Club, she promoted the event and was a judge for five years at the annual event. It was difficult for some special needs students to take part in the science event so Platt assisted them with their projects so they could earn a participation ribbon thus being part of the important event. Linda was an active member for eight years in the PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) promoting academic success and parent/community involvement in many school programs. As Social Committee Chairman for three years, Linda ensured all teachers received recognition for their accomplishments. She participated in the annual Bingo fundraiser event for seven years. Platt enriched her teaching by attending many special education classes past her Master’s Degree in Special Education.

Presently, she resides in Sparks, Nevada. Her favorite boxing gym is still Johnny Tocco’s in Vegas. Linda has an extensive boxing photo collection. She is creating a boxing book of her photos. All of the book’s profits will be donated to boxing charities to help boxers in financial distress. Linda is seldom photographed because she prefers to be behind the camera capturing history in the making rather than in front of it.

Linda told WBAN, “The Hagler/Hearns fight was unforgettable and I was stuck on the platform for that fight but Mel Greb and Bob Arum had me on the apron for Hagler/Duran. I was also ringside for Duran/Moore at the Garden and had predicted Duran by KO in 8. All the male press laughed at me. It was in may column. They weren’t laughing after I returned from the fight and got my photo in Sports Illustrated! The boxing managers, trainers, and boxers were great to me. I loved all of them. So many greats male boxers in the 80’s.”