CANASTOTA, NY - FEBRUARY 10, 2011 - “Sugar” Ray Seales, 1972 Olympic light welterweight (139 pound) gold medalist, recently toured the Hall of Fame Museum for the first time.
“It was a thrill for the Hall to have ‘Sugar’ Ray Seales visit,” said Hall director Ed Brophy. “He was excited to be here and happily showed fans his gold medal that he proudly carries with him.”
A native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Seales relocated to Tacoma, WA in 1965. At age 16, he qualified for the 1968 Olympic Games, but the age limit to compete is 17. He made the 1972 team and ultimately captured the USA’s only gold at the Munich Games. Seales engaged in 350 amateur bouts, winning 338 and losing only 12. After winning the gold, he turned pro in 1973 and won the NABF and USBA middleweight titles. During a 10-year career (1973-83), he posted a 56-8-3 (33 KOs) record.
"It brought tears to my eyes to see all the fighters I admired like Kid Gavilan with his bolo punch, Ray Robinson with his style…Emile Griffith, Jersey Joe, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano,” said Seales after touring the Hall. “I’m so happy there’s a Hall of Fame to recognize those who do something great.”
Now residing in Indianapolis, Seales trains amateur and pro boxers.
A not-for-profit organization, the International Boxing Hall of Fame opened to the public in 1989 in Canastota, New York and is located at Exit 34 of the New York State Thruway. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Hall of Fame Museum offers unique and exciting exhibits of memorabilia, including fist castings, robes, boxing shoes, championship belts, statues, the Hall of Fame Wall and audio/visual stations highlighting classic boxing matches. Also, the world-famous Madison Square Garden boxing ring, where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought in the “Fight of the Century” on March 8, 1971, is on permanent display.
Admission is $9.50 for adults, $9.00 for senior citizens (age 65 and over), $6.50 for youth (ages 7-15) and ages 6 and younger are free.
For more information please call the International Boxing Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095.
