Press
A national fitness magazine cover, a newspaper feature on the book, two TV reports from his gym, and the Youngstown boxing pages. Each entry links to the original where it is online.
Tribune Chronicle · August 2026
Jack Loew's "Summer Slam, Battle for the Belt" card matched Phil with former Harlem Globetrotter Wayne "Rare Air" Clark in a Masters heavyweight bout.
Phil is a former bodybuilder and well-conditioned athlete who is passionate about the game of boxing.
Jack Loew
Tribune Chronicle · September 2025
A feature on Phil, Body by Phil and The Black Sword: his Army years, 304 pounds, the son who cried at the doctor's office, the 2015 Black Sword trophy, and the clients he trains, including Karen Himes, who started at 71 and now boxes.
God put me here to help. He gave me the strength, with help, to overcome my problems, and now it is my turn to help others.
Philip Albenze
Tribune Chronicle · February 2025
Phil, boxing for Youngstown's Golden String Boxing Club, on the heavyweight card in Campbell against Ed Boehler of Pittsburgh.
21 News (WFMJ) · December 2022
Derek Steyer's report on Tom Wagner, a blind client another gym had called a liability, training three to four days a week at Body by Phil with a bodybuilding stage as the goal.
I realized right away that his affliction had nothing to do with his drive; in fact, if anything, it motivated him even more.
Philip Albenze
The Vindicator · December 2022
How Phil and Tom Wagner worked out numbered mitt combinations: one for a jab, two for a right cross, three for a left hook.
I don't know how, so we'll have to work together to figure it out.
Philip Albenze
Business Journal Daily · August 2022
Joseph Vaglica's boxing film "Standing in Youngstown" lists Philip Albenze among its main cast, with a Kelly Pavlik cameo.
The Vindicator · March 2022
A Masters super heavyweight bout for Phil, then with Downtown Boxing Club, against Gary Garland of Columbus.
The Vindicator · November 2021
Phil won the Masters main event by decision over Jason Cosa at Jack Loew's Thanksgiving Feast card in Girard.
TRAIN magazine · Holiday issue
A two-page "Fat to Fit" feature, with Phil on the cover of the Chris Pratt issue under "Lose your gut: How to drop 133lb at 45". Its stats box: 304 pounds and 26% body fat before, 171 pounds and 4.5% after.
21 News (WFMJ) · 21 News
Ben Ilich had to lose 50 pounds before doctors would test him as a liver donor for his mother. He and his brother trained with Phil four nights a week; Ben was down about 40 pounds when a matching donor was found and she had her transplant.
This wasn't just a challenge any more, this became a life mission and something we just simply can't fail at.
Philip Albenze
Newspaper clipping · Reign of Fire, Akron
At the Reign of Fire contest in Akron, sponsored by Natural Muscle, Phil won Masters Over 50, Transformation and the Overall Poser award, and placed third in Open Bodybuilding.
To ask Phil about the books, recovery, training clients other gyms turn away, or Masters boxing in his fifties, send a message or call the gym at (330) 314-0228.