CANASTOTA, NY –MAY 19, 2010 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today reigning WBC / WBO middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will attend festivities planned for the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 10-13th. “Sergio Martinez is a charismatic, exciting fighter who really has boxing fans buzzing,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We’re looking forward to welcoming him to Canastota for the first time..”
The fighting pride of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Martinez turned pro in 1997 and is now based out of Oxnard, CA. In 2008 he stopped Alex Bunema to capture the WBC light middleweight championship. Following a draw with Kermit Cintron in his first title defense, he lost a closely contested 12-round war with Paul “The Punisher” Williams in one of the leading contenders for 2009 “Fight of the Year” honors. On April 17th, he challenged WBC / WBO middleweight king Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik in Atlantic City and captured the titles with a unanimous 12 round decision. Martinez, who is advised by Sampson Lewkowicz, boasts a pro record of 45-2-2 (24 KOs).
The June 10-13th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, Madison Square Garden night, parade, golf tournament, cocktail party and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2010. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 13th are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
Over 40 boxing stars are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities. In addition to Martinez, other stars slated to appear include Nino Benvenuti, Carmen Basilio, Tony DeMarco, Ken Norton, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Angelo Dundee, Leon Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Lou Duva and many others.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 21st Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
Broadcaster Al Bernstein To Attend Hall of Fame Weekend
CANASTOTA, NY –MAY 21, 2010 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today veteran broadcaster Al Bernstein will attend festivities planned for the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 10-13th.
“Al Bernstein has been covering the fight game for 30 years,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We are thrilled that he will be joining us in Canastota and I’m sure fans will enjoy meeting him.”
From 1980 to 2003, Bernstein was known as the voice of boxing for ESPN. From 1980-1998, he was analyst and often host of the Top Rank Boxing series. Throughout his 23 years at ESPN he also covered all the major fights for Sportscenter. One of his signature shows was Big Fights Boxing Hour, which still runs on ESPN Classic. He wrote and hosted 26 episodes of this show, which chronicles all parts of boxing history by looking at major matches. In 1992 and 1996 he served as NBC’s Olympic boxing analyst. Since 2003 Bernstein has been boxing analyst for SHOWTIME Championship Boxing.
The June 10-13th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, Madison Square Garden night, parade, golf tournament, cocktail party and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2010. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 13th are light flyweight champion Jung-Koo Chang (South Korea), featherweight champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez (USA), manager Shelly Finkel (USA), referee / commissioner Larry Hazzard (USA), promoter Wilfried Sauerland (Germany), matchmaker Bruce Trampler (USA) and journalist Ed Schuyler (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
Over 40 boxing stars are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities. In addition to Bernstein, other stars slated to appear include Nino Benvenuti, Carmen Basilio, Tony DeMarco, Ken Norton, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Angelo Dundee, Leon Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Lou Duva, Sergio Martinez and many others.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 21st Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.