As a result , he started playing basketball and attended Union Hill High School in Union City .
He was persuaded to give up boxing by his mother , Stella Georgalis , who was terrified each time that her son would return home with a new facial injury .
He started playing basketball and attended Union Hill High School in Union City .
He was persuaded to give up boxing by his mother , Stella Georgalis , who was terrified each time that her son would return home with a new facial injury .