Lou DiBella
Born: May. 17, 1960
Induction: 2020
Born Louis John DiBella on May 17, 1960 in Brooklyn, NY.
DiBella was Vice President in Charge of Programming at HBO for 11 years (1989-2000) and during his tenure his vision saw the “Network of Champions” become the preeminent boxing network. He was the creative force responsible for the highly successful and influential Boxing After Dark series which began with 1996’s Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Kennedy McKinney classic. He also created HBO’s afternoon boxing series KO Nation. In mid-2000, he left his position at HBO and established DiBella Entertainment where he created the popular monthly televised series Broadway Boxing. Among the stars he promoted include Bernard Hopkins, Sergio Martinez, Jermain Taylor, Ike Quartey, Paulie Malignaggi, Yuri Foreman, Micky Ward, Dmitry Salita and many others. DiBella was one of the promoters who collaborated with SHOWTIME to facilitate the Super Six World Boxing Classic super middleweight tournament (2009-11). In 2016, he promoted the first heavyweight title bout in Brooklyn in 115 years when WBC champion Deontay Wilder stopped Artur Szpilka at Barclays Center.
Known for his passion for the sport and his boxers, DiBella continues as CEO of his company guiding such stars as Tevin Farmer, Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Regis Prograis and Richard Commey.