Tocco honored on special day

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, July 2, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

He's going with 86.

But it might be 87.

Whatever the number, gym owner Johnny Tocco enjoys the birthday recognition directed his way every July 1. Monday evening at his boxing emporium near downtown Las Vegas, Tocco held court at a party that attracted a wide range of not only sports personalities but politicians and business types.

What no one including Tocco knew: Just how old is he?

"They didn't have doctors or vital statistics back when I was born," he said in what may have been a slight overstatement. But because he was delivered by a midwife and no record exists of his birth in St. Louis, Tocco's assessment of the times might be more accurate than the statement seems on the surface.

"According to both of my sisters -- and one's older than I am -- I was 87 on June 1," he said. "My older sister -- she'll be 89 soon -- said, 'I should know how old you are and you're 87.' I guess she ought to know, but I always told people I was born July 1, 1910, so I'd better stick to that."

So he's 86.

"The honest truth is I never thought I'd make it this far," he said. "I've had three heart attacks. I've had a pacemaker now for seven years. I went to see the doctor last week and I had a cigar in my shirt pocket and he said 'What are you doing with that?' But then he said I had the blood pressure of a young man and that I should keep on doing what I'm doing, because I might be around long after he's gone."

It hasn't been quite that easy of course. Just last Friday, Tocco fell in a parking lot as he was exiting his car, leaving his face and knees scraped. He blamed it on the heat and refused medical treatment from the attendants in an ambulance that had been summoned by a passerby.

He's also looking to sell his Ringside Gym, which he opened on Charleston Boulevard after moving here in 1953.

Monday those concerns were set aside as a host of dignitaries dropped by with birthday greetings.

"I've been around a long time," Tocco said. "I hope the good Lord lets me stay a little longer."