More than three decades ago Dave Tiberi reached the pinnacle of his profession when he boxed for a world championship in front of a sold-out arena in Atlantic City, N.J., and a national TV audience.
Today, Tiberi’s motivation is making sure adults and children from Delaware have the same opportunities to chase their dreams.
For his continued passion and efforts in the community, Tiberi is the recipient of the 2025 Waste Masters Solutions Hometown Hero Service Award.
Tiberi will be honored during pre-race ceremonies before the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 20, and be presented with a $1,000 check to be donated to his preferred cause.
“I'm honored and humbled to be recognized as a Hometown Hero,” Tiberi said. “I accept this award on behalf of all of [the colleagues and volunteers I work with].
“Thank you for the years of joining arms to make Delaware a better place to live, work and play.”
In that 1992 world championship match, Tiberi fought then-undefeated James “Lights Out” Toney toe-to-toe before falling on a controversial split decision broadcast on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.”
Then only 25, the Toney fight turned out to be the last for Tiberi in the ring, as he retired with a career mark of 22-3-3 with seven knockouts.
Tiberi’s fights now are to improve the lives of all Delawareans, which led to the establishment of Delaware Decision Makers in 2011. The group of statewide business, government, education, health care and public safety leaders meet monthly to discuss topics that help move Delaware forward. The New Castle, Del., resident is also the founder of Donate Delaware, an organization which supplied more than 3 million PPEs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to Delaware and regional hospitals, schools, nursing homes, youth organizations and emergency responders.
Tiberi is also the president of Emergency Response Protocol, a security company that assists businesses, schools and government buildings throughout the mid-Atlantic region with services such as CCTV installation, video monitoring, engineering, IT and maintenance.
A member of the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Pennsylvania and Atlantic City Boxing Halls of Fame, Tiberi is board member with the following organizations:
- Leadership Delaware
- Delaware Boys & Girls Club
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Delaware Dream Center
- Jobs for Delaware Graduates
- Multiplying Good
- Parkview Assembly of God
- Claymont Community Center Safety Committee
- Delaware Decision Makers
For more information on Emergency Response Protocol, visit https://erpsafety.com/.
To celebrate Tiberi’s award and watch America’s best drivers take on the World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval next month call 800-441-RACE or explore www.DoverMotorSpeedway.com
