International Boxing Hall Of Fame

CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 11, 2023 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 was honored for their incredible achievements in the sport during the annual Hall of Fame Weekend, June 8-11 in “Boxing’s Hometown.”

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Over 40 boxing legends of yesterday and today, members of the worldwide boxing community and thousands of boxing enthusiasts from around the globe assembled in Canastota to celebrate the “sweet science” and recognize the new inductees as they joined boxing’s immortals.

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A multitude of memorable events took place in “Boxing’s Hometown” including a 5K Race / Fun Run, boxing autograph card show and Parade of Champions. Evening events included Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone featuring the return of SHOBOX: The New Generation and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions, both held at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, NY.

 

Due to poor air quality due to northern wildfires, all outdoor activities slated for the Museum Grounds, including the popular "ringside talks" question and answer sessions and celebrity fist casting, were moved indoors to the Turning Stone Resort Showroom.

 

The Official Induction Ceremony, held at Turning Stone Resort Showroom, topped off the exciting weekend as living honorees received the official Hall of Fame Induction Certificate and gold Hall of Fame ring symbolizing their status as Hall of Famers.

 

Legendary ring announcer and Hall of Famer Jimmy Lennon Jr. emceed the ceremony and a video package highlighting the new honorees was played before official acceptance remarks began.

 

The ceremony commenced with well wishes to the Class of 2023 by WBO president Paco Valcarcel.

 And WBC vice president Alberto Leon.

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Prior to honoring the Class of 2023, two 2020 Hall of Famers who were unable to attend their induction, addressed the crowd.

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Journalist Bernard Fernandez, who remained by his wife Anne’s side while she battled cancer last year, spoke first. “I just want to say one thing, she’s the fighter in the family and to use terms any boxing person would understand, she’s kicking cancer’s ass.”

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“The Dutch Destroyer” Lucia Rijker, who was unable to travel last year due to COVID-19 restrictions in the Netherlands, accepted her gold ring and certificate. “I’m very grateful that I’m here today. I was that girl with a dream…when I flew to Los Angeles with a suitcase of clothing I was able to live the American Dream. It was a bumpy ride. There were times when I had no fights, there were times when I had no money I didn’t’ know how to pay my rent. But I kept believing with a mantra from a song that a lady once wrote for me. ‘Lucia Rijker, there’s no one like her. Beauty and power, strength and grace. She can pack a punch, but don’t get in her face. Protected by angels, she’s a bringer of light. So watch out world, she’s going to knock you out . She’s not a red head but wait and see the whole world is going to shout I love Lucy.”

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Inductees in Canastota included world champions Timothy Bradley Jr., Carl Froch, Rafael Marquez, Alicia Ashley and Laura Serrano; matchmaker Brad Goodman, trainer Joe Goossen, promotional executive Brad Jacobs, television executive Seth Abraham and broadcaster Tim Ryan. Living honorees received the official Hall of Fame Induction Certificate and gold Hall of Fame ring symbolizing their status as Hall of Famers.

 

The official induction ceremony started with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Mark Carey and Tim Grant.

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Posthumous inductees, light heavyweight star Tiger Jack Fox, Thailand’s three-time flyweight champion Pone Kingpetch and women’s trailblazer JoAnn Hagen were recognized.

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Mr. Fabio Chinda, Consul General of Thailand, offered remarks on Kingpetch via video.

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After thanking those who played a significant role in his career, including his Top Rank family, the highly respected matchmaker Goodman concluded his remarks with a wedding proposal. “When people ask me what was the best match that I ever made, she’s sitting with me today, and for the rest of my life, Vivian Fierro Rojas, will you marry me?” 

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Top Rank COO Jacobs was next. “Brad, that’s a little hard to follow! I’m humble and grateful as I accept my induction into the Hall of Fame. This is a moment I know my family and I will cherish the rest of our live. Boxing is a sport that unites people across the world and I’ve been fortunate to have it as my life long work…It’s a wild and crazy business and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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Veteran trainer Goossen stated, “I’d like to reflect on my brother Dan, who went into the Hall of Fame a couple of years ago. Dan was really an incredible person. If it weren’t for Dan, I wouldn’t be standing here today. That’s a fact. It’s been an incredible ride. I’m just so thankful to my brother or else I don’t’ think any of this would have happened. So thank you Dan.”

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Innovative and influential HBO executive Abraham said, “Boxing fills history and today this place is the boxing capital of the world.”

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Legendary broadcaster Ryan said, “It’s a great honor. I’m in the greatest company in the sport of boxing here and I thank all of them. .”

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Mexico’s lightweight champion Serrano, who was unable to attend offered comments via video, “I humbly and respectfully accept this induction. I’m sorry I’m not there. The reason why is because of my religious beliefs. I’ve always been very consistent with my convictions, first as a fighter, now as one of Jehovah’s Witness. So that’s why I’m not there celebrating with you. But, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say to everyone responsible for my induction thank you, thank you, thank you.”

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Jamaica’s three-division champion Ashley, who trained to be a ballerina before boxing, said, “I started boxing at 28 and turned pro at 32…the road that I took to get here was akin to climbing Mount Everest; there are twists and turns such as ageism and the hostilities with limited support. I had to work harder, persevering through injuries, a lack of financial support, working full time, going to school part time to earn a bachelor’s degree, but, eventually, I was able to get this pro career that started late going.” 

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Mexico’s two-division champion Marquez, said, “It is a sacrifice of 30 years to be able to achieve this here today, which is very difficult, but very beautiful as well,” he said.

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Nottingham’s four-time super middleweight champion Froch said, “I didn’t win them all. But what I didn’t do was quit. World champions don’t quit and quitters don’t get inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I’m going to fly back to England tomorrow and when I step foot on U.K. soil I will be the proudest man in the West because of this so thank you very much.”

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Two-division champion and fighting pride of Palm Springs, CA Bradley, Jr. said, “I didn’t get here because I was better than everyone I fought. I got here because I wanted it more.”

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If you missed it, you can relive the memorable ceremony on the Hall of Fame’s YouTube page by clicking HERE.

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Among the boxing stars on hand for the weekend celebration were Hall of Fame alumni Bob Arum, Al Bernstein, Ron Borges, Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe, Michael Carbajal, Lou DiBella, Roberto Duran, Bernard Fernandez, Chiquita Gonzalez, Jimmy Lennon Jr., Buddy McGirt,  Lucia Rijker, Michael Spinks, Ann Wolfe, Winky Wright and Bob Yalen.

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Other special guests in attendance included Dicky Eklund, Gabriela Fundora, Sebastian Fundora, Robert Garcia, Andrew Golota , Junior Jones, Zab Judah, Angel Manfredy, Ray Mercer, Michael Nunn, Vinny Paz, Marlon Starling, Micky Ward and Zhilei Zhang.  Also, referees Kenny Bayless, Tony Weeks, Mark Nelson, Sparkle Lee, Sharon Sands, Bill Clancy, Tony Zaino and Mike Griffin were on hand.

 

The Grand Marshal of the 2023 Parade of Champions was legendary hip-hip icon, co-founder of Public Enemy, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Flavor Flav.

 

WEEKEND NOTES:

 

FIGHT NIGHT AT TURNING STONE – Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, NY hosted an exciting night of professional boxing promoted by Salita Promotions in conjunction with Hall of Famer Lou DiBella and Murphys Boxing. The ShoBox: The New Generation show was televised live on SHOWTIME and saw light heavyweight contender Ali Ismailov remain undefeated with a decision over Charles Foster. The broadcast team included Raul Marquez and Hall of Famer Barry Tompkins. Hall of Famer Jimmy Lennon Jr. handled ring announcing duties while Al Bernstein conducted interviews with new inductees.

 

IN THIS CORNER – For the sixth year, James “Smitty” Smith, host of the popular In This Corner podcast, handled emcee duties for the weekend. “Smitty” hosted the daily “Ringside Talks” question and answer sessions where fans had the unique opportunity to ask champions questions directly. The long-time radio and TV broadcaster also emceed Saturday evening’s Banquet of Champions and introduced the celebrity guests at the Official Induction Ceremony.

 

TOP RANK CONTINGENT – Hall of Famer Bob Arum and many members of the Top Rank staff were in Canastota on Induction Sunday to salute their colleagues Timothy Bradley Jr., Brad Jacobs and Brad Goodman. The contingent traveled early Sunday morning, arriving in Canastota from New York City following Saturday evening’s show featuring Teofimo Lopez’ decision over Josh Taylor. Among those in attendance included president Todd duBoef, VP Boxing Operations Carl Moretti, broadcaster Crystina Poncher, photographer Mikey Willams and many more.  

 

HIGH SCHOOL AMBASSADORS – For the second year, students from the Canastota school district’s leadership program participated in Hall of Fame Weekend festivities. Approximately 30 high school students worked since September learning skills including communications, event planning, hospitality, professional image and marketing. They took the classroom lessons and put them to real world use by volunteering as “Event Ambassadors” at the gift shop, raffle, silent and live auctions and membership booth during Hall of Fame Weekend.

 

FUNDORA’S MEET WITH STUDENTS - Brother and sister champions Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora spoke to Canastota’s Sports Management class and then were featured guests at a special assembly for junior high school students at the Canastota High School auditorium. The fighting siblings graciously answered questions about their careers, offered encouraging advice about following your dreams and never giving up before signing autographs and posing for pictures. The students were also afforded a special treat, posing for pictures with the boxers and their championship belts!

 

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE for the 2023 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities were WBO president Paco Valcarcel, WBC vice president Alberto Leon, trainer Robert McCracken, promoters Tommy & Terry Lane, manager Jackie Kallen, former champion and current trainer John David Jackson, heavyweight contender Kevin McBride and Rival Boxing founder and corner man Russ Anber.

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