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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
HALL OF FAMERS MICHAEL CARBAJAL AND “CHIQUITA” GONZALEZ
RETURNING TO CANASTOTA FOR 2020 INDUCTION WEEKEND
2020 Hall of Fame Weekend set for June 11-14th
CANASTOTA, NY - FEBRUARY 4, 2020 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today Hall of Fame junior flyweight champions and 3-time ring rivals Michael “Manitas de Piedra” Carbajal and Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez will return to Canastota to attend the 2020 Hall of Fame Weekend scheduled for June 11-14th in “Boxing’s Hometown.”
The 2006 inductees boxed a legendary trilogy with Carbajal winning the first encounter via 7th round KO in 1993’s “Fight of the Year” while Gonzalez won 12-round decisions in the second and third bouts in 1994.
The fighting pride of Phoenix, Arizona, Carbajal captured silver at the 1988 Olympics. He turned pro in 1989 and captured junior flyweight championships five times (IBF 1990-94, 1996-97; WBC 1993-94 and WBO 1994 and 1999). “Little Hands of Stone” has a pro record of 49-4 (33 KOs) that includes wins over Will Grigsby, Melchor Cobb Castro and Jorge Acre. Still active in the sport, he owns and operates Michael Carbajal’s 9th St. Gym.
Following an undefeated amateur career (23-0), “Chiquita” turned pro in 1984 and the 5’1” star reigned three times as WBC junior flyweight champion (1989-90, 1991-93, 1994-95), once as IBF champion (1994-95) and registered 12 successful title defenses. He retired after losing the championship to Saman Sorjaturong in 1995's “Fight of the Year.” “Chiquita’s” pro record stands at 43-3 (30 KOs) and includes wins over Francisco Tejedor, Melchor Cob Castro and Hall of Famer Jung-Koo Chang.
“Michael Carbajal and ‘Chiquita’ Gonzalez brought so much attention and excitement to the junior flyweight division and their three fights will be talked about for generations to come,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “The Hall is looking forward to welcoming them back to Canastota in June.”
Many events in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota throughout the four-day celebration are planned, including a 5K Race / Fun Run, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, VIP Cocktail Reception, Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds. The Hall of Fame Weekend evening events include Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions. Both events will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
The Class of 2020 includes boxers Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Frank Erne, Paddy Ryan, Barbara Buttrick, “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Christy Martin and “The Dutch Destroyer” Lucia Rijker; promoters Lou DiBella, Kathy Duva and Dan Goossen; and journalists Bernard Fernandez and Thomas Hauser. An impressive list of over 35 boxing greats from the United States and abroad will participate in the Hall of Fame Weekend celebration.
For more information on the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, like the Hall on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram. ###
TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
OFFICIAL RESORT CASINO OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
In 2017, Turning Stone Resort Casino and the International Boxing Hall of Fame announced a five-year multifaceted partnership to spotlight the entire region, garnering national attention and boosting tourism in
Central New York. The program includes a series of nationally-televised boxing events at Turning Stone, culminating every year 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.
