In the early 1980s, Canastotians decided to honor one of their own, Carmen Basilio, on the 25th anniversary of his win over Sugar Ray Robinson. The village erected a showcase and commissioned a life size statue of the former two-division champion that was displayed in front of the local McDonalds. Soon after, Canastotians had a second statue made, this time to honor Billy Backus, who held the welterweight title in the early 1970s.

The enthusiasm generated by those endeavors sparked the idea for the IBHOF. By the mid-80s a steering committee was formed and boxing's first true hall of fame opened in June 1989. Since then, thousands of boxing fans have congregated at boxing's only existing shrine to the sport.

Canastota's first inductions were held in 1990 and all-time greats Archie Moore, Bob Foster, Billy Conn, Jersey Joe Walcott and Ike Williams were among the living inductees who attended the weekend. That Saturday, the small village nearly experienced its only riot when Muhammad Ali's limousine parked in front of the museum. The annual induction weekend has now become the biggest non-fighting event in boxing.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is no longer a curiosity. It is recognized throughout the industry as boxing's shrine.

On display in the museum itself are the gloves used in the 1901 featherweight world title fight between George Dixon and Terry McGovern. And visitors marvel at the exhibit of fist castings, made by the fighters themselves. Boxing fans can compare their fist size to that of such legendary figures as Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson, Benny Leonard and Barney Ross, as well as every living inductee who attended the induction weekend.

There are three audio visual stations, which feature interviews with boxing legends conducted during their visits to Canastota and fans can also enjoy classic fight films provided by Cayton Sports. A large painting that shows a fallen Mike Tyson in his fight with Buster Douglas dominates one wall and is one of several works on display by noteworthy artists. If that doesn't catch your eye, maybe the photo exhibit donated by Allsport, the leading international sports photography company, will.

The crown jewels of boxing's royalty are also on display in the museum. World championship belts, as well as trunks, shoes and robes from dozens of legends including Joe Louis, Willie Pep, Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler and Fighting Harada appear throughout the museum.

But perhaps the most overlooked feature of the Hall of Fame is its extensive library. The library is utilized by researchers all over the country, who make the trek to Canastota to research legendary fighters or by visitors whose relatives once donned trunks and gloves. The Hall of Fame owns one of only four known complete sets of "The Ring," (the magazine long known as the Bible of Boxing) dating from 1922 to the present. In addition to other boxing magazines, there are countless photos, over 500 boxing books and clip files on fighters ranging from four-rounders to champs.