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INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME BALLOTS RELEASED
TO WORLDWIDE VOTING PANEL FOR 2026 ELECTION
Electors from around the world to select newest class of inductees
CANASTOTA, NY – OCTOBER 1, 2025 - Today the International Boxing Hall of Fame released 2026 election ballots to an international panel of voters.
Members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and boxing historians from around the world cast votes. Voters from Japan, England, Canada, Argentina, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, Mexico and the United States are among those who will participate in the election process.
Inductees will be named in the following categories: Men’s Modern (last bout no earlier than 1989), “Early Era” Old-Timer (last bout no earlier than 1893; no later than 1942), Non-Participant (men and women who have made contributions to the sport apart from roles as boxers or observers. Based upon a candidate’s achievements and contributions in their particular field), Observer (print and media journalists, media executives and producers, publishers, writers, historians, record keepers, statisticians, photographers, artists and screenwriters) and Women’s Modern (last bout no earlier than 1989).
“The annual ballot mailing is a special time for the sport of boxing," said Executive Director Edward Brophy. "There is tremendous anticipation as the Hall of Fame and the worldwide boxing community anxiously await the results to determine who will join the list of boxing immortals.”
Appearing on the men’s modern ballot for the first time are middleweight world champion Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (Kazakhstan), 42-2-1, 37 KOs; two-division world champion Vernon “The Viper” Forrest (USA), 41-3, 1 NC, 29 KOs; and two-division world champion “Celtic Warrior” Steve Collins (Ireland), 36-3, 21 KOs.
Five-division world champion Naoko Fujioka (Japan), 19-3-1, 7 KOs; two-division world champion Christina Hammer (Germany), 28-1, 13 KOs; and two-division champion Jackie Nava (Mexico), 40-4-4, 16 KOs debut on the women’s modern ballot.
Flyweight star Willie Davies (Wales), 119-28-17, 8 KOs was added to the “early era” old timer ballot.
Trainer / cutman Jimmy Glenn (USA), referee Jack Reiss (USA); publicist Kelly Swanson (USA); and judge Steve Weisfeld (USA) have been added to the non-participant ballot.
Broadcaster / journalist Steve Bunce (UK); television producer Gordon Hall (USA); and journalist Steve Springer (USA) were added to the observer ballot.
Ballots were distributed October 1st and a press announcement will be made in early December to reveal results of the voting.
The Class of 2026 will be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend on June 11-14, 2026 in
“Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota and nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino. Many events are planned for the four-day celebration and the schedule of events and ticket application will be released soon.
Connect with the International Boxing Hall of Fame through social media:
Facebook: @InternationalBoxingHallofFame
Instagram: @InternationalBoxingHallofFame
X / Twitter: @BoxingHall
About the International Boxing Hall of Fame
The International Boxing Hall of Fame opened to the public in 1989 and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the great sport of boxing. Located in Canastota, New York, it serves as a tribute to the world's finest boxers and contributors to the sport, allowing boxing enthusiasts to appreciate and celebrate the rich history and tradition of boxing. The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located at Exit 34 of the New York State Thruway. Click HERE for hours of operation.
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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
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 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.
