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International Boxing Hall of Fame 1 Hall of Fame Drive Canastota, NY 13032 P: 315.697.7095 F: 315.697.5356
CLASS OF 2024 INDUCTED DURING THE HALL OF FAME’S
35th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN "BOXING'S HOMETOWN"
CANASTOTA, NEW YORK
CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 9, 2024 – Despite inclement weather, the spirit of boxing shined brightly in “Boxing’s Hometown” for the Hall of Fame’s 35th Anniversary June 6-9th.
Over 40 boxing legends of yesterday and today, members of the worldwide boxing community and thousands of boxing aficionados from around the world congregated in Canastota to celebrate the “sweet science” and recognize the Class of 2024 as they joined boxing’s immortals.
The Official Induction Ceremony topped a fun-filled four-day weekend. A host of memorable events took place including a 5K Race / Fun Run, boxing autograph card show and Parade of Champions. A variety of activities took place on the Museum Grounds, including the popular "ringside talk" question and answer sessions, celebrity fist casting, raffles and a silent auction. Evening events included Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions were held at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
The Official Induction Ceremony took place in The Showroom at Turning Stone.
Inductees in Canastota included two-division champions Ivan Calderon, Ricky Hatton, Michael Moorer, Jane Couch and Ana Maria Torres; manager Jackie Kallen, publicist Fred Sternburg and journalist Wally Matthews. Living honorees received the official Hall of Fame Induction Certificate and gold Hall of Fame ring symbolizing their status as Hall of Famers.
Hall of Famer Jimmy Lennon Jr. handled emceeing duties for the afternoon.
The ceremony began with congratulatory messages for the Class of 2024 and the Hall of Fame on its 35th Anniversary from WBA President Gilberto Mendoza Jr., WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.
Two division champion Diego “Chico” Corrales, welterweight star “Princess Red Star” Theresa Kibby, heavyweight star Luis Angel Firpo and broadcaster Nick Charles were inducted posthumously.
The Hall of Fame accepted for Kibby and will forward her Hall of Fame honors to her family.
Firpo’s great niece, Lourdes Firpo, delivered a message via video and the Nelson Martin, Deputy Consul General of Consulate of Argentina in New York accepted for Firpo.
Corrales’s children Daylia and Diego Jr. and his brother Esteban accepted for Corrales.
“My father has an amazing legacy,” Daylia said. “He was known for his drive, his spirit, his passion and his undeniable perseverance. This is a legacy that should inspire everybody. It inspires me. I am a daughter of a warrior, a great fighter. That’s something that everybody should hold dear to their heart. You guys can all push down to one more round, no matter what. Don’t put your head down, and keep it up. Thank you.”
“This is an honor to hear all the amazing stories and encounters everyone had with my dad. It is eye opening how much of any impact he had on the boxing world,” said Diego, Jr. “And finally he made it to the peak of a fighter’s career. This is what every fighter hopes to be, the best of the best. This was his dream.”
“We had many conversations and he used to tell me all the time, ‘I’m going to make it to the Hall of Fame,’” said Esteban. “He left it in the ring. Thank you, Chico.”
Cory Charles, wife of Nick Charles, accepted for her late husband.
“I’m honored to accept this award on his behalf. He would have absolutely loved every minute of this. He would be thrilled to know he is inducted with Wally Matthews, Fred Sternburg, Jackie Kallen and all the fighters who are just tremendous.”
Veteran trainer Kenny Adams was unable to attend due to recent health issues.
New York based journalist Matthews was the first living member of the Class of 2024 to accept Hall of Fame honors and thanked the boxers who inspired him.
"The Hall of Fame exists because of these brave men and women who have mastered a sport that is so difficult," Matthews said. "And even if you’re physically gifted, you’ve also got to be mentally gifted. You’ve got to be tough, you’ve got to be determined, you’ve got to be courageous and these people have risen to the top. For me to be inducted in a Hall of Fame where they are is an honor that I couldn’t even begin to describe."
Kallen was up next as she made history as the first female manager to be enshrined.
"I’m so grateful to be up here. When I received the call in December with the good news that I was going to be inducted, I made a pact with myself not to cry. And I’m not going to because big girls don't cry, they make champions," said Kallen. “Thank you to the Hall of Fame. And from the bottom of my heart, I love all of you.”
Ace publicist Sternburg was next to speak.
“To my family and friends…none of this happens without them. I just thank them for their love and support,” said Sternburg. “Inside the International Boxing Hall of Fame, there are plaques dedicated to boxing legends of all generations. I can genuinely tell you it is a privilege to join them all. Boxing has a home at the International Boxing Hall of Fame.”
Super flyweight champion “La Guerrera” Torres was joined by her husband Cristobal and two sons Julio and Cristobal Jr. as she delivered acceptance remarks.
“I got my ring! I got my ring!” Torres said. “It’s an honor to be here. It’s been a bumpy road. We’ve fought hard to get to this place; it hasn’t been easy. I want to thank Jane Couch, Ann Wolfe and Alicia Ashley because we fought together to make women’s boxing a reality. You can dream, and if you work hard, dreams can come true.”
Moorer, the first southpaw heavyweight champion in history, accepted next.
“I am deeply honored to be mentioned alongside the greats Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano and Sugar Ray Leonard….I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the sport I am passionate about at the highest level…I never thought I could be on this level but I am very grateful to be in the record books so my kids can see the accomplishments and that if you work hard you can go out there and do anything you put your mind to.”
The pride of the Fleetwood, England, Couch delivered a heartfelt speech.
“I was right and England was wrong (for denying women the right to box). I really owe America a real big debt for what you did for me and all the girls who fought in the 1990s. I just want to thank the people of Canastota since I’ve been here. I’ve never known people who have made us feel so welcome. You’ve been so absolutely amazing.”
Puerto Rico’s “Iron Boy” Calderon credited his family for his success.
“My mom and dad are not here but I got my sisters, I got my wife, I got my daughter, I got my trainer, I got my promoter, I got my manager. They all helped make today true. I never thought I was going to be a world champion. I never thought I was going to have a career like I did. In an 11 year career, I did 18 defenses and two titles and today I’m in the Hall of Fame.”
Manchester, England’s Hatton entertained the crowd with a humorous look back on his legendary career
“I had some wars, didn’t I?” Hatton said. “When I think back at the Kostya Tszyu fight, Floyd Mayweather fight, Manny Pacquiao fight and my toughest fight, my divorce. I never thought when I laced up the gloves at 10 years old, it would end up here...I feel very humbled. I cried when I went into the museum and saw that my plaque on the wall was just two frames away from Roberto Duran, and Roberto Duran is my hero. I’ve had a great career, and I’ve had a great life.”
Among the boxing stars on hand for the weekend were Hall of Fame alumni Teddy Atlas, Alicia Ashley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Bernard Fernandez, Julian Jackson, Jim Lampley, Jimmy Lennon Jr., Erik Morales, J Russell Peltz, Marc Ratner, Michael Spinks and Ann Wolfe.
Other special guests in attendance included Billy Backus, Lamon Brewster, Butterbean, Cecilia Comunales, Dicky Eklund, Gabriela Fundora, Sebastian Fundora, “Jesse” James Leija, Jorge Linares, Bronco McKart, Ray Mercer, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Cory Spinks and Micky Ward.
The Grand Marshal of the 2024 Parade of Champions was beloved Canastota volleyball, field hockey and softball coach and 2-time Volleyball Hall of Famer “Coach” Marcia Laidlaw.
WEEKEND NOTES:
FIGHT NIGHT AT TURNING STONE – Turning Stone Resort Casino hosted an exciting night of professional boxing promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Boxing. The main event saw WBO minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs) stop Geraldo Zapata (14-2-1, 5 KOs) via unanimous 12 round decision.
IN THIS CORNER – For the seventh year, James “Smitty” Smith, host of the popular In This Corner TV podcast, handled emcee duties for the weekend. “Smitty” hosted the “Ringside Talk” question and answer sessions held on the Museum Grounds each day where fans had the unique opportunity to ask champions questions directly. The long-time radio and TV broadcaster also introduced the celebrity guests at the Official Induction Ceremony and emceed Saturday evening’s Banquet of Champions.
HALL OF FAME COLLECTION GROWS – The Hall of Fame’s collection of fight-worn memorabilia grew significantly this weekend as multiple champions made donations. 2024 Hall of Famers Ricky Hatton, Jane Couch and Ana Maria Torres all contributed fight worn robe and trunks. And the first brother and sister to simultaneously reign as world champion – IBF flyweight champion Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora and WBC/WBO junior middleweight champion “The Towering Inferno” Sebastian Fundora also donated fight worn robes and trunks for display.
HIGH SCHOOL AMBASSADORS – For the third year, the Hall of Fame has partnered with the Canastota school district for a leadership program. Since September, 30 high school students have learned skills including communications, event planning, hospitality, professional image and marketing. They took the classroom lessons and put them to real world use by volunteering as “Event Ambassadors” at the gift shop, raffle, silent and live auctions and membership booth during Hall of Fame Weekend.
THE FUNDORA CHAMPIONS MEET WITH STUDENTS – The first brother and sister to reign simultaneously as world champions Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora and “The Towering Inferno” Sebastian Fundora were the featured guests at a special assembly for middle school students at the Canastota High School auditorium. They siblings were joined by their father / trainer Freddy Fundora and their promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and his wife Ketti. The champions graciously answered questions about their careers, offered advice about never giving up on your dreams and posed for photos and signed autographs for the appreciative students. The students particularly enjoyed the opportunity to hold their championship belts including Sebastian’s WBC / WBO junior middleweight titles and Gabriela’s IBF flyweight and WBC youth flyweight titles.
GERALD “G-MAN” MCCLELLAN UPDATE - Lisa McClellan, sister of former WBO & WBC middleweight champion Gerald “G-Man” McClellan provided an update on her brother, who was injured in his 1995 bout with Nigel Benn. At the Banquet of Champions, McClellan shared details on the Ring of Brotherhood Foundation (ROBF), a health organization that seeks to bring awareness to the overall well-being of athletes in contact sports. McClelland was joined by two of her supporters, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and WBO president Paco Valcarcel.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE for the 2024 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities were Golden Boy President Eric Gomez, The Ring Editor-In-Chief Douglass Fischer, The Ring contributor Lee Groves, promoter Sean Gibbons, trainer Felix Pagan Pintor, WBC subdirector Victor Silva, WBC International Secretary & Global Chair of WBC Cares Jill Diamond, WBO In House Counsel Gustavo Olivieri Esq., referees Kenny Bayless, Benjy Esteves Jr., Charlie Fitch, Russell Mora, Mark Nelson, Sharon Sands and Tony Weeks.
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The Class of 2024 (left to right): Michael Moorer, Ivan Calderon, Ana Maria Torres, Ricky Hatton, Wallace Matthews, Jackie Kallen, Fred Sternburg and Jane Couch
TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
OFFICIAL RESORT CASINO OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
The multi-year partnership between Turning Stone Resort Casino and the International Boxing Hall of Fame spotlights the entire region, garnering national attention and boosting tourism in Central New York. The partnership includes a series of nationally-televised boxing events at Turning Stone, culminating every y ear in June with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend with several exciting events in Madison County and Oneida County throughout the four-day celebration.
