"The Hawk" Back in Canastota

CANASTOTA, NY -- The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today former junior welterweight champion Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor will attend the Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend scheduled for June 8-11th.

"Aaron Pryor was one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the ring," said Hall of Fame Director Edward Brophy. "It will be wonderful to welcome him back to Canastota."

An accomplished amateur, Pryor turned pro in 1976 and in 1980 he defeated the great Antonio Cervantes for the WBA junior welterweight title. In 1982 and again in 1983 Pryor defeated Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello in action-packed world title defenses. Pryor retired from the ring with an astounding 39-1 (35KOs) record and was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.

Pryor will join an impressive list of over 30 boxing legends from throughout the United States and abroad, including Ken Norton, Ruben Olivares, Willie Pep, Gene Fullmer, and Jose Torres, in Canastota for the festivities honoring the new class of inductees. Events planned for the four-day weekend include a include a banquet, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party, breakfast of champions and professional boxing show.

Inductees to be honored include Ken Buchanan from Scotland, Jeff Chandler from Philadelphia, "Bobo" Olson from Hawaii, and promoter Tito Lectoure from Argentina. All four are confirmed to be in Canastota for their induction into the Hall of Fame.

For more information on the Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, or to order event tickets, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095.