News & Notes From The IBHOF

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

HALL OFFERS REWARD FOR STOLEN BELTS - The Boxing Hall of Fame is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual (s) who stole six championship boxing belts (4 Carmen Basilio belts, 2 Tony Zale belts) together with the return of these belts which were stolen from the International Boxing Hall of Fame on November 5, 2015. For more information on additional rewards being offered click HERE. Anyone with information please contact Canastota Police Chief James Zophy at 315-697-2240.

Much like the sport it honors, there is no off season at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Open seven days

a week, the Hall serves in an educational manner for the many visitors from around the world who make Canastota a destination point. Below please find the latest news and notes from “Boxing’s Hometown.”

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: 1990s NIGHT - The Hall is taking boxing fans back to the 90s on Friday, June 10th at the Rusty Rail Party House in Canastota. A Flashback Friday: 1990s Night is scheduled for 7:30 pm and the evening will feature boxing stars and exciting memories of the 90s. In what promises to be a memorable night, there will be great photo opportunities, video highlights, hors d’oeuvres and more. Among the 90s stars attending include Christy Martin, Andrew Golota, Buddy McGirt, Mike McCallum, Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez. More stars will be confirmed in the coming months. Tickets are priced at $60 and can be reserved by calling 315.697.7095.

Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker

FANS REGISTERED EARLY & WON PRIZES - Fans had two chances to win great prizes for registering early for Hall of Fame Weekend event tickets. First, fans who registered by November 30th where automatically entered to win one of ten boxing souvenirs including autographs by Amir Khan, Fernando Vargas and Sergio Martinez. The lucky winners were: Carlos Elias Trani, Joseph McGuire, John Hesko, Lazaros Xanthopoulos, James Kernodle, Eric Murray, Tim Langan, Mark Calder, Walter Bukowski and Joe Constantino. Second, fans who registered by January 31st where automatically entered to win an Everlast boxing glove signed by Sergey Kovalev or Terence Crawford. The lucky winners were Dan Brady and Andrew Rumph. Thank you and congratulations to all!

VALENTINE’S AUCTION A WINNER – The annual Valentine’s Weekend Fundraiser Auction ran from February 10 – 13th and featured 21 unique boxing items including pieces autographed by Riddick, Bowe, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins, Larry Holmes, Felix Trinidad and George Foreman. The fundraiser was a success and the Hall thanks all boxing fans who participated.

CHAMPS GUERRERO & LARA DONATE SHOES - Two-division world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (33-3-1, 18 KOs) and WBA / IBO super welterweight champion Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (22-2-2, 13 KOs) have donated boxing shoes from their championship careers to the Hall of Fame. Mario Serrano, who is publicist for both prize fighters, delivered the shoes to Canastota on December 19th. For more information, click HERE

MEMBERS DRAWING – One perk of being an active, current member of the Hall of Fame is being entered into a drawing to win boxing souvenirs. Three lucky winners – Joseph Mannion, Heath Harlem and Louis Codella – were recently selected at random to win an autographed 8 x 10 photo. Congratulations all! If you’re interested in becoming a member, visit the Hall’s website by clicking HERE

45th ANNIVERSARY OF ALI – FRAZIER I – March 8, 1971. For boxing fans, that date means only one thing, “The Fight of the Century” between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali at “The Mecca of Boxing” Madison Square Garden. The ring these two Hall of Fame legends waged an epic war is on permenant display at the Hall for fans to enjoy. 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of this landmark bout and the Hall welcomes boxing fans to visit the MSG ring to recall the fight many still consider the greatest of all time.

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CELEBRITY GUEST LIST GROWS - The June 9-12th Hall of Fame Weekend celebrity guest list continues to grow. Among fistic stars confirmed to attend include HOFers Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Julio Cesar Chavez, Michael Spinks, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, Pipino Cuevas, Mike “The Body Snatcher” McCallum, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and “The Raging Bull” Jake LaMotta. Special guests set to participate include Leon Spinks, “Irish” Micky Ward, Gerry Cooney, Leo Randolph, “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Christy Martin, Andrew Golota and James “Buddy” McGirt. For complete weekend info, including the Class of 2016, please click HERE

Julio Cesar Chavez

The World Famous Madison Square Garden boxing ring

YOUNG FAN RESEARCHES ALI – The recent winter break presented the James family with an ideal opportunity to visit the Hall. Joseph James, Jr., a student at PS 136 in Queens, NY, had a homework assignment to write about a famous African American. He chose Muhammad Ali and toured the Hall to learn more about “The Greatest.” He and his family enjoyed all the exhibits on Ali and other fighters he fought. “My visit was amazing. I feel like coming here every day! I learned a lot about Ali,” said Joseph. His mother, M. Angela, commented on her son’s enthusiasm for the project, “This is the first time I’ve seen my child so engaged in a writing assignment.”

The James family (left to right) M. Angela, Joseph Jr.,

Jamal & Jourden pose by Ali exhibit