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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 2026 HONORED DURING HALL OF FAME
INDUCTION WEEKEND IN BOXING'S HOMETOWN
CANASTOTA, NEW YORK
CANASTOTA, NY - JUNE 14, 2026 – Over 40 boxing legends of yesterday and today, members of the international boxing community and thousands of boxing enthusiasts from around the world congregated in Canastota to celebrate the “sweet science” and recognize the Class of 2026 as they joined boxing’s immortals as Hall of Famers.
The Official Induction Ceremony capped a fun-filled four-day weekend. A multitude 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 at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
The Official Induction Ceremony took place in The Showroom at Turning Stone.
Inductees in Canastota included boxing champions Gennadiy Golovkin, Nigel Benn, Antonio Tarver, Naoko Fujioka, Jackie Nava; trainer / cut man Russ Anber, physician Dr. Flip Homansky and journalist Kevin Iole . Living honorees received the official Hall of Fame Induction Certificate and Hall of Fame ring symbolizing their status as Hall of Famers.
The ceremony began with congratulatory messages for the Class of 2026 from WBO First Vice President John Duggan before the official induction process began.
Boxer Jimmy Clabby; referee Frank Cappuccino, trainer / cut man Jimmy Glenn and broadcaster Alex Wallau were inducted posthumously
Cappuccino’s brother, Mario Cappuccino and Glenn’s son, Adam Glenn were both on hand for the ceremony and accepted the Hall of Fame certificate of their loved ones. Hall of Famer Bob Yalen accepted for his friend and colleague Alex Wallau.
Longtime Las Vegas Review Journal and Yahoo Sports journalist Iole was the first to accept his Hall of Fame ring and shared a touching story about his dad shortly before he passed away.
“My father loved boxing...The story I want to share is kind of somber because it’s about the day my dad died,” said Iole. “I got to the hospital and he was being given last rites…he grabbed my hand and the last words he ever spoke to me were ‘Please make me proud.’ Dad, I’m in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I hope I made you proud.”
Former NSAC chief ringside physician Dr. Homansky was the next to accept Hall of Fame honors and credited his wife and 2021 Hall of Famer Dr. Margaret Goodman for making boxing safer particularly with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) that she founded.
"I truly treasure this award,” Homansky said. “The reason VADA is successful is because the fighters ask for it. If the fighters don’t ask, it’s not done. As dangerous as our sport is it has to be fair. For those reasons, I really do love her (Goodman) and I’m so glad she is here. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be part of this organization.
Veteran trainer / cut man Anber reflected on a life spent in boxing.
"I've spent 48 years sitting on a wooden stool with a steel bucket at my feet, a towel over my shoulder, a Q-tip in my mouth and a glob of Vaseline on the back of my hand, and it's been the best seat in the house," said Anber.
Fujioka, the first five-division champion from Japan and the first female boxer from Japan to be inducted, accepted next.
“I accept this with deep gratitude, humility and respect,” Fujioka said. “Being here today means more to me than words can express. I stand here because so many female boxers came before me and kept female boxing alive. Boxing taught me that growth does not come lonely from winning but from challenging yourself with honesty and courage.”
Mexico’s two division champion Nava delivered a heartfelt speech.
“Thank you to my family. My mother, my father, my daughters and my husband for always being by my side in good and bad times,” said Nava. “And thank you to the International Boxing Hall of Fame for the unforgettable and fantastic days. And congratulations to the champions. I am a big fan of you all. Thank you so much and viva Mexico and viva Tijuana.”
Light heavyweight star Tarver accepted next and credited the sport of boxing for what it did for him.
"To the sport of boxing, you saved my life," said Tarver. "You give me an identity, you gave me direction and a platform to show the world who I really was. Boxing taught me resilience, courage and the power of belief in yourself when the odds are always stacked against you."
Two-division champion Benn spoke next and credited both the Army and boxing for the impact they had on his life.
“I spent 4 years 256 days in the Army...without the Army I don’t think I would have been here. There were two places I know I’d be, I’d either be six feet under or in a mental institution,” said Benn. “But boxing saved me and turned my life around and I want to thank the International Boxing Hall of Fame for this opportunity. I want to thank you all for welcoming me here today. God Bless you all.”
Hard punching middleweight champion Golovkin was the last to receive Hall of Fame honors and thanked those close to him for their support.
"I have a great time with these people, a great time with my boxing family because, like 35 years I stayed in boxing, and this is my life," said Golovkin. “I’m truly honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. This recognition means more to me than words can fully express. I’m humble and proud to stand among such outstanding individuals. Thanks, thanks, thanks.”
Among the boxing stars on hand for the weekend were Hall of Fame alumni Marco Antonio Barrera, Kenny Bayless, Ron Borges, Timothy Bradley Jr., Dr. Margaret Goodman, Jimmy Lennon Jr., Buddy McGirt, Christy Martin, Michael Moorer, Erik Morales, Ruben Olivares, J Russell Peltz, Fred Sternburg, Winky Wright and Bob Yalen.
Other special guests in attendance included Billy Backus, Gerry Cooney, Mikey Garcia, “Jesse” James Leija, Jorge Linares, Ray Mercer, Kelly Pavlik, Shawn Porter and Nico Ali Walsh.
The Grand Marshal of the 2026 Parade of Champions was the 1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, who celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Olympic Games. Gold medal winners Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks and Leo Randolph; silver medal winner Charles Mooney and team member Chuck Walker.
WEEKEND NOTES:
OLYMPIC REUNION – The 1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team reunited in Canastota to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Gold medalist Sugar Ray Leonard, Leo Randolph and Michael Spinks; silver medalist Charles Mooney and team member Chuck Walker were on hand. The team was honored at the Banquet of Champions and also served as Grand Marshal of the Parade of Champions.
FIGHT NIGHT AT TURNING STONE – Turning Stone Resort Casino hosted an exciting night of professional boxing promoted by Christy Martin Promotions. The card was action packed card and the Class of 2026 and the 1976 Olympic Team were recognized.
IN THIS CORNER – For the ninth 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 boxing stars questions directly. The long-time radio and TV broadcaster also emceed Saturday evening’s Banquet of Champions.
BOOK RELEASE – Hall of Fame trainer / cut man Russ Anber released his memoir, Unrivaled, during Hall of Fame Weekend. The 2026 inductee graciously signed copies for fans throughout the weekend.
HIGH SCHOOL AMBASSADORS – For the fifth year, the Hall of Fame 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.
NAVA MET WITH STUDENTS – 2026 Hall of Fame Jackie Nava was the featured guest at a special Q&A with students in the Sports Management and Exercise Science classes at Canastota High School. Nava shared her story and graciously answered questions and offered advice about never giving up on your dreams. The new Hall of Famer also took photos and signed autographs for the appreciative students.
HALL COLLECTION GROWS – 2026 Hall of Famers Gennadiy Golovkin, Jackie Nava and Naoko Fujioka all donated fight worn gear to the Hall. Golovkin donated a boxing robe, Nava donated a pair of trunks and Fujioka donated a robe and trunks. Thank you all!
ANBER PRESENTED GIFTS TO CLASSMATES & OLYMPIC TEAM– 2026 Hall of Famer Russ Anber presented his fellow inductees with special Rival boxing gloves featuring their photo and text commemorating their Induction. Anber also made gloves for each member of the 1976 Olympic Team to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Montreal Olympics.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE for the 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities were 1970s light heavyweight star Yaqui Lopez, trainer Abel Sanchez, manager Tom Loeffler, light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal, In This Corner TV co-host Lee Groves, International Secretary & Global Chair of WBC Cares Jill Diamond, referees Mark Nelson, Robert Byrd, Ricky Gonzalez and Tony Weeks.
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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.
The Class of 2026 (left to right): Dr. Flip Homansky, Kevin Iole, Russ Anber, Nigel Benn, Naoko Fujioka, Jackie Nava, Antonio Tarver & Gennadiy Golovkin
