Class of 2004 Announced

International Boxing Hall of Fame 1 Hall of Fame Drive Canastota, NY 13032 P: 315.697.7095 F: 315.697.5356

BOXERS NELSON, PALOMINO, QAWI, ZARAGOZA ELECTED TO INT'L BOXING HALL OF FAME

Referee Stanley Christodoulou, promoter J Russell Peltz & writer W.C. Heinz

also enter Hall of Fame

CANASTOTA, NY - JANUARY 8, 2004 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include super featherweight champion Azumah Nelson (Ghana), welterweight king Carlos Palomino (USA via Mexico), light heavyweight king Dwight Muhammad Qawi (USA), super bantamweight champion Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico), referee Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa), Philadelphia promoter J Russell Peltz (USA), and writer W.C. Heinz (USA).

"We're extremely excited about the Class of 2004. The new inductees further underscore the international aspect of the sport of boxing and of the Hall of Fame," said Executive Director Edward Brophy. "All living inductees are anticipated to attend and participate in 2004 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities."

The 15th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 10-13th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, professional boxing show, parade and autograph card show, are planned. A celebrity lineup of over 50 boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year's Induction Weekend. The highlight of the Weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 13th to welcome the newest members.

The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: featherweight champion Baby Arizmendi, welterweight champions Young Corbett III and Jackie Fields and lightweight champion Willie Ritchie in the Old-Timer Category; managers Umberto Branchini and Lou Viscusi in the Non-Participant Category; writer Barney Nagler in the Observer Category; and lightweight Billy Edwards in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.

For more information on the events planned for the 2004 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095.

Azumah Nelson

Carlos Palomino

Dwight Muhammad Qawi

Daniel Zaragoza

Stanley Christodoulou

J Russell Peltz

New Inductee Comments

Boxing Community Responds

W.C. Heinz

###