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After all the fights I have attended, all the fighters, promoters, managers and trainers I have had the pleasure of either interviewing or being friends with to this day nothing excites me more the the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekends.
It is the only time all of our sports greats of the past, present and some possibly in the future get together in one place to do nothing else but reflect on boxing’s past most memorable moments, a time when we can let the former warriors of the ring and those who helped make it all happen know exactly how much we appreciate what they have done for our sport.
It is a time we can say thank you for all the blood sweat and tears shed as we cheered or jeered them. It is a time when everyone can get together with no hard feelings, no egos involved and celebrate the greatest sport in history.
While the first boxing Hall of Fame was sponsored by Ring Magazine and located in the offices of Madison Square Garden, in 1990 Ed Brophy decided to form a Hall of Fame in upstate Canastota, New York to honor local champions of the past Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus.
Within a few years the hall became one of boxing’s most admired historical focal points as it added more and more greats of boxing’s past not only in the ring but those who participated in other avenues as well such as referees, promoters, trainers and even the occasional media member.
The thought of being inducted into the hall truly lets those of today and tomorrow what type of immortality your name can garner for all the efforts in the ring.
Imagine the feeling a boxer must get when he is considered in the same company as past inductees such as Dick Tiger, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Jake LaMotta, Joe Luis and Ezzard Charles.
The honor a promoter must feel knowing he has done his job well enough to be included with the company of Don King, the Duvas or even the great Tex Rickard.
Over the last 20 years boxing inductees have been divided into five categories, “Modern Era” meaning those in this category had their last bout no earlier then 1943, “Old Timer” meaning those in the category fought between 1893 and 1942, “Pioneer” meaning last bout was prior to 1892, “Non Participant” is reserved for managers, trainers, promoters and referees, finally the “Observer” category for media greats of books, newspapers and television.
This year those scheduled to attend are Carmen Basilio and Tony De Marco to celebrate the 55Th year since they met, Ron Lyle and Earnie Shavers the hard hitting heavyweight contenders of the 1970’s, former heavyweight title holder Ken Norton, heavyweight title challenger of the 1990’s Ray Mercer known for his devastating knockout of Tommy Morrison, Mick Ward will be in attendance, Aaron Pryor will be celebrating the 30Th anniversary of his junior welterweight title win and IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute will make an appearance.
Burt Sugar, Angelo Dundee and Lou Duva are scheduled to attend. Also this year’s Parade of Champions Grand Marshals will be the two men who inspired the hall Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus.
This years inductees will be former light flyweight champion Jung Koo Chang, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, referee and commissioner Larry Hazzard. Promoter Wilfried Sauerland of Germany will be inducted along with manager Shelly Finkel. That is just a sample of what is in store for the events to take place from June 10Th through the 13Th.
Anyone looking for more information on the upcoming event please visit the halls website www.IBHOF.com for a complete schedule and how to become an honorary member of the hall, direction and tickets to attend the event, or keep your eye out for the coverage of the weekends events here at SaddoBoxing.
