CANASTOTA, NY – APRIL 3, 2007 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame will host the 18th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend in Canastota, New York on June 7-10th. With over 20 events planned, there will be something for everyone in “Boxing’s Hometown.” The Hall’s staff and team of volunteers in Canastota have been busy planning details for the celebration. According to Hall of Fame officials, nearly 300 volunteers and many community organizations will contribute their time and effort to make the annual Hall of Fame Weekend a success..
“The Hall of Fame Weekend is an opportunity for everyone who loves boxing to celebrate the spirit of the sport in ‘Boxing’s Hometown,'” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “Canastota looks forward to again hosting boxing’s highlight weekend of the year.” Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, night of middleweights, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party, and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2007. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 10th are four-division world champions Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran and Pernell “Sweet Pea'” Whitaker, two-division champion Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, trainer Amilcar Brusa, administrator Jose Sulaiman and artist LeRoy Neiman. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
Tickets for all events are moving quickly and capacity crowds are again anticipated for June. “Boxing fans from throughout the United States and as far away as England, South Africa, Ireland, and Australia have already reserved tickets and made hotel accommodations for the weekend,” said Brophy. An impressive list of over 50 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities. Among Hall of Fame alumni and special guests already confirmed to attend include Canastota’s Carmen Basilio, Carlos Ortiz, Jose Torres, Emile Griffith, Gene Fullmer, Ruben Olivares, Ken Norton, Alexis Arguello, Ken Buchanan, Lou Duva, Angelo Dundee, Arthur Mercante, Bert Sugar, Christy Martin, Vito Antuofermo, George Chuvalo, Micky Ward, and Iran Barkley. For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 18th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.