CANASTOTA, NY – APRIL 15, 2011 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today legendary junior welterweight champion Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor will be among returning Hall of Famers attending the 22nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 9-12th in Canastota, NY.
“Hands down, Aaron Pryor was one of the most exciting fighters to watch,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “His aggressive, take no prisoners style endeared him to fans the world over.”
On August 2, 1980 Pryor brought his undefeated record (24-0, 22 KOs) into the ring against WBA junior welterweight king Antonio “Kid Pambele” Cervantes. “The Hawk” scored a 4th round knockout over the future Hall of Famer to begin an impressive title reign that saw him defend the strap eight times before adding the IBF title to his collection in 1984. The fighting pride of Cincinnati, OH, during his career Pryor compiled a 39-1 (35 KOs record) with wins over Gaetan Hart, Alfonso Frazer and Lennox Blackmoore. In 1982 and 1983, he engaged in two legendary wars with fellow Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello (TKO 14, KO 10). In 1996 he was elected to the Hall of Fame.
The June 9-12th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, parade, golf tournament, cocktail party and the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2011. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 12th are three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico), junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (Russia / Australia), heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA), trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Mexico), referee Joe Cortez (USA) and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone (USA). Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
An impressive list of over 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad will participate in weekend festivities.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 22nd Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
FIGHT CAMP 360: Pacquiao v. Mosley Bonus Feature
To truly understand the scope of the Pacquiao phenomenon,
SHOWTIME Sports’ FIGHT CAMP 360° traveled to the Philippines to visit the champion in his native land.
Watch a bonus video from the trip before this weekend’s SHOWTIME premiere of episode 1.
FIGHT CAMP 360°: PACQUIAO VS. MOSLEY, Episode 1
SHOWTIME PREMIERE
FIGHT CAMP 360°: PACQUIAO VS. MOSLEY EPISODE 1
Followed by JuanMa Lopez vs. Orlando Salido Live Boxing at 10:30pm ET/PT on SHOWTIME
For more photos and video, visit sports.sho.com
THIS SATURDAY 10pm ET/PT
Joe Hanks vs. Terrell Nelson, Prescott-Jargal on 4/22
On April 22nd, one of the newest additions to Star Boxing’s growing stable of undefeated fighters, Joe “The Future” Hanks, will make his debut fighting under the Star banner when he takes on Terrell Nelson on the undercard of Star Boxing’s ESPN “Friday Night Fights” card at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. Hanks-Nelson is scheduled for six rounds in the heavyweight division, and will be one of the featured undercard bouts of the evening. Headlining the card is Bayan “The Mongolian Mongoose” Jargal (15-1-3, 10KO’s) taking on “Khanqueror” Breidis Prescott (23-2, 19KO’s) in a ten round jr. welterweight showdown.
“His nickname speaks for itself. Joe has all the tools to be the future of the heavyweight division,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing. “He is a big, strong, fast and athletic heavyweight and has tons of potential. I’ve had my eye on Joe for some-time now. We are confident that by this time next year, Joe will be making some serious noise in the Heavyweight division.”
Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at an average of around 240 lbs of solid muscle Hanks (15-0, 10KO’s) not only looks the part, but also has proven thus far that he can be a true force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division, easily defeating his first fifteen foes. Only 28-years-old, Hanks gained valuable experience during his amateur days, sparring with such fighters as Heavyweight Champion, Wladamir Klitschko, Chris Byrd, Jameel McCline, and Larry Donald. As an amateur Hanks was a five-time Golden Gloves Champion, and was a National Golden Gloves semi-finalist in 2007. After the Nationals, Hanks promptly turned pro, scoring a 2nd round TKO over Joseph Rabotte on none other than a Star Boxing promoted card. Hank’s first two pro fights actually came on Star cards, and if everything goes as planned, so will his championship fights, in The Future.
Hanks (15-0, 10KO’s) vs. Nelson (8-11, 5KO’s) is scheduled for six rounds in the heavyweight division. First bout is scheduled for 7:30PM. ESPN will begin live coverage of “Friday Night Fights” at 8PM ET with highly regarded prospect, 2007 Amateur World Champion and 2008 US Olympian, Demetrius Andrade (12-0, 8KO’s) squaring off against Omar Bell (8-1, 5KO’s) in an eight jr. middleweight match-up.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 (800) 745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting www.starboxing.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Tickets are priced at $80, $50 and $35. ESPN will begin live coverage of the event starting at 8PM ET.