{"id":14714,"date":"2025-07-15T01:21:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T05:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/?page_id=14714"},"modified":"2025-07-15T16:40:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T20:40:06","slug":"florida-boxing-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/?page_id=14714","title":{"rendered":"Florida Boxing Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inducts 20 People at Summertime Ceremony<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Story by MARK WEISENMILLER<\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

PETERSBURG, FL.<\/em> There was much fun and frolic at the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame (FLBHOF) Induction Ceremony – held here at a Hilton hotel from June 20-22, 2025. For those who attended, they did so with zest and enthusiasm. The FLBHOF inducted 20 people: one for the MEDIA; HISTORIAN, AND PROMOTER<\/u> departments (Bill Calogero; Mike Silver, and J. Russell Peltz, respectively); two in the OFFICIALS\/COMMISSIONS<\/u> section (Dr. Tim Carlson and William \u201cBill\u201d Ray); three in the TRAINERS\/MANAGERS<\/u> division (Osmiri \u201cMoro\u201d Fernandez Jr.; Roosevelt Stanley McKinley Jr., and Tony Morgan); four in the PARTICIPANTS <\/u>department (Aaron Jacobs; Roy Jones Senior; John David Lyons, and Tony Spain), and, finally, in the FIGHTERS<\/u> category, eight boxers (Juan La Porte; Jose \u201cKing\u201d Roman; Byron Mitchell; Lee Sala; Charles Whittaker; Timur Ibragimov; Freddie Delgado, and Laura Ramsey).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF Class of Inductees before the ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Come at five p.m. on Friday, June 20th<\/sup>, there was a meet-and-greet cocktail party. When those in attendance were not sipping their cocktails, some of them put in bids on a variety of items put atop white linen covered rectangular tables. Some of the items were a large autographed picture of Jack Nicholson smoking a cigar and watching intently a smoke ring that he exhaled; an autographed uniform jersey of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen; an autographed picture of Taylor Swift; old red colored Everlast boxing gloves; an old Miami Dolphins football helmet; various color pictures of past boxers, from all weight divisions, and large framed boxing posters of past boxing matches.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Class of 2025 Dr. Tim Carson – Ringside Physician (C) with Bob Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

On Saturday morning, fist castings were available for those who wanted them and, from 9.30 to 11 am, there was a seminar led by past FLBHOF inductee and boxing referee Brian Garry. The seminar began with an explanation of timekeepers\u2019 duties, and, at this point, the mood in the seminar room grew somber for the following reason: Garry\u2019s wife, past FLBHOF inductee and timekeeper Phyllis Garry, died but a few months prior to the 2025 Induction Ceremony weekend. The husband and wife often worked as a team – he refereeing, she being the timekeeper at said matches – and did so at both domestic and international bouts. The news of her death became known largely at the 2025 Induction Ceremony weekend among its participants and visitors. For those of us who knew Phyllis, her death leaves a void that may be unfillable.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Besides being a referee, Brian Garry is also a timekeeper, and he told the 30 members of the audience that \u201ca timekeeper must be ready for anything. I once worked 18 fights in a row (as a timekeeper) down in Fort Myers (Florida).\u201d Then he talked about judging. \u201cThe (the judges) are locked in,\u201d he explained. \u201cA judge has no replay, and his job is difficult if the action is in the far corner where he is seated.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF inductee Jose Alonzo (C), Bob Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Then Garry became noticeably more energized – he began moving more and the tone and pitch of his voice changed – as he talked about refereeing. \u201cWhenever I see a referee not moving, I get mad. Referees should always be moving in the ring. Referees who stand still are not world class referees,\u201d he forcibly said.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

John David Lyons Class of 2025 (C) with Steve Canton (R) and Bob Alexander (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After this came much discussion of ring generalship (it was agreed, by all present, that this is best defined as the pugilist who is controlling the pace of the bout); the many pre-fight responsibilities of a referee; the various tricks that a boxer will do to an opponent (one such favorite is a boxer purposefully hitting an opponent on his or her hip joint; this causes much pain and can greatly debilitate a boxer); a showing of a video clip of eight fights which should have been stopped by referees much earlier than they were (in one of these bouts, one boxer was hit 30 consecutive times by his opponent before the referee finally stopped the match), and a demonstration, by two young boxers, as Garry told the\u00a0 referee what a referee does and what he or she is looking for, as the young boxers demonstrated their boxing skills.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Class of 2025 Welcomes Aaron Jacobs (C) with Steve Canton (R) and Bob Alexander (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

All during Saturday, long time boxing announcer Bob Alexander, who is also on the FLBHOF Board of Directors, conducted interviews with past and present inductees (the numerous events of the weekend were live streamed on the Internet). Alexander, himself a past FLBHOF inductee, was the Master of Ceremonies for the Saturday night gala dinner and the Sunday induction ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF inductee Billy Calogero (C) with Bob Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

For those in attendance who were not watching the interviews, many said people attended a showing of the documentary film entitled Worth The Fight<\/em>. This film, which is about eight boxers who trained, and some still train, at Canton\u2019s boxing gym in Fort Myers, has been shown at past FLBHOF Induction Ceremony weekends. Yet this year was different for Canton told the audience that it is now available on Apple TV and Hoopla and is also available for purchase on DVD. Canton also told the audience that the director has added more interviews to the final cut of the film, thus increasing its\u2019 time length, and, as a result, since the movie is longer, it thus can qualify and may earn an Academy Award nomination at the 2026 Oscars ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Boxing Trainer Roosevelt Stacy McKinley, Jr. – Class of 2025 (C) with Bob Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Next came a round table (which was a long rectangular table) discussion, moderated by Canton, with a panel consisting of Peltz; Silver, and long-time boxing writer and broadcasting commentator Randy Gordon (the latter was also the keynote speaker) at the Saturday evening gala dinner. Canton\u2019s first question was \u201cWhat was your favorite weight class?\u201d and here is how they answered:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Peltz: \u201cNo particular weight class. What gives me pleasure is seeing an audience at the end of a fight that I promoted standing and applauding.\u201d Silver: \u201cThe toughest was the middleweight division because they have the speed of lightweights and the power like heavyweights to knock somebody out.\u201d Gordon: \u201cI started following the heavyweights. Now, if you are a great fighter, in any weight division, I will follow you. Now, it\u2019s usually the little guys, the lightweights that I watch.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Congratulations Boxing trainer Tony Morgan – Class of 2025 (C) with Bob Alexander (R) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Canton and the panel members also talked about the Ali-Frazier I fight in March of 1971; the increase in weight divisions and champions as compared to past decades, and the lack of great fighters now in the 21st<\/sup>\u00a0century.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The gala dinner started with the traditional Ten-Count in which Alexander read a list of names of people in and\/or affiliated with boxing who died since the last gala dinner in June of 2024. Among those named were Joey Archer, George Foreman, Mike McCallum, and Phyllis Garry. In past years, it was Phyllis who clanged the bell at past FLBHOF gala dinners; this year it was her husband, Brian.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF Inductee Laura Ramsey (C), Bob Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The annual FLBHOF President\u2019s Message then followed. Traditionally, such speeches are, in tone, equivalent to January State of the Union speeches by U.S. Presidents—i.e., always optimistic, and so was this speech. \u201cThank you, and congratulations to all of this year\u2019s inductees,\u201d began Canton. \u201cEvery year, more and more people attend these gala dinners. This year, we had 300 people buy tickets (for the gala dinner).\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Bob Alexander (L), 2025 FLBHOF Inductee Charles Whitaker (C) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Gordon, as noted, gave the keynote address. He approached the podium with a bouncing-on-the-balls-of-his-feet enthusiasm of a corporate executive in charge of Procurement and Sales. One expected his keynote speech to end with the sentence: \u201cAll right, men and women, now get out there and sell.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a little guy with a big mouth,\u201d admitted Gordon. \u201cI ask many people \u2019Why do you come to these events?\u2019 One person said, \u2018We\u2019re here to support one another.\u2019 All of us share this love of this sport of boxing.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Then he talked about the success of black Americans in boxing, starting from the time of Jack Johnson in the early 20th<\/sup>\u00a0century. He finished by saying \u201cIn this room you will find love; success; and admiration. This is boxing. I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.\u201d After he concluded the speech, he received enthusiastic applause.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Steve Canton (R), Bob Alexander (L) and 2025 FLBHOF inductee Jose King Roman (C).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Came time for various awards. The Don Hazelton Scholarship Award<\/em> went to Janiyah Rawls (grand-daughter of former boxer Nate Campbell); The Walter A. \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg Award<\/em> to 16-year old boxer Sebastain Perez (his father, Oscar Perez of Venezuela, was a police officer helicopter pilot who, for his protests against that country\u2019s dictator, was murdered by said dictator\u2019s henchmen); a Special Achievement Award<\/em> to boxing judge Efrain LeBron and boxing company business owner and operator William Ramirez, and a Lifetime Award<\/em>, also in Butch Flansburg\u2019s name, to health and fitness expert John Azari (who has invented two patented fitness machines; he also has a black belt in judo from the United States Judo Federation). The night ended with the awarding of door prizes and a raffle.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FLBHOF President Steve Canton (L) poses with 2025 inductee Juan Laporte (C) and Bob Alexander (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Sunday dawned early or so, it seemed because the gala dinner ended late and the following morning was started with a hot breakfast. That ended at 10 am and, one hour later, began the induction ceremony. Slightly before the start, there was the usual lackadaisical but eventually orderly lining up of the inductees. This happened at the back of the hotel\u2019s large seminar room. Each inductee wore a red polo shirt and black slacks.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After a local American Legion\u2019s unit members brought to the front of the room a U.S. flag, in walked the inductees, in pairs, and in various moods. Some were happy; some were somber, and some – as evidence of their facial expressions and body language – were simply following the herd. People happily and vigorously gave congratulations to the inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF Class of Inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Alexander was, as noted, MC for the ceremony and Canton and his wife Beth handed the inductees their FLBHOF plaques and rings as Alexander called each one to the stage. The first inductee was actually a 2024 inductee who could not attend that year\u2019s ceremony; this was ringside physician Dr. Mark Gordon.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The first two inductees of the Class of 2025 are dead. The first was middleweight boxer Lee Sala. Born in Donora, Pennsylvania (same hometown as former Major League Baseball star players Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Jr.) in 1926, he would finish his boxing career with a record of 76 wins and only seven losses. Forty-eight of those 76 wins came by way of knock out. Accepting on behalf of Sala was his friend Eddie Ortega who talked about Tampa\u2019s long boxing affiliated history as well as talking about Sala. In his later years, Sala became a deputy sheriff for the Hillsborough County (political seat of Tampa) Sheriff\u2019s Office; he died in December of 2012. \u201cBoxing was a beautiful sport back then (when Sala boxed),\u201d Ortega reminisced.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next was the late participant Tony Spain who, in his younger days, was a boxer and in his later years became a boxing trainer. After he retired from boxing, Spain devoted the remainder of his life to passing along his considerable knowledge of boxing and physical fitness to anyone who asked. Accepting on his behalf was his friend Aaron Jako. \u201cTony was an ambassador to the sport,\u201d Jako told the audience of approximately 400 people. Brian Garry then did a Ten-Count bell ringing for Sala and Spain while the audience stood.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF inductee Jose Alonzo (R) and his wife Cristina share a tender moment.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Now it was time for the living inductees. Class of 2025 inductee number three was ringside physician Dr. Tim Carlson. He was born in 1956 in Illinois and worked as a ringside physician at both amateur and professional fights. In his induction speech, he noted that \u201cThe legacy that is in this room is humbling. I\u2019m so humbled.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Then it was time for boxing judge William \u201cBill\u201d Ray. This inductee, born in Miami, Florida in 1953, stated \u201cI\u2019m deeply honored. When I started in 1991, I couldn\u2019t imagine that this would lead to some of the most memorable moments of my life. I grew up around boxing; it was part of the fabric of my neighborhood and times. Muhammad Ali lived three houses down from us and my family and I got to know him. Thank you for allowing me to be part of boxing history.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After boxing participant Aaron Jacobs was inducted, then it came time for the following inductee: electrician; police officer; boxer, and boxing trainer Ray Jones Senior. This remarkable man, who has led an action and event filled life, is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. He was not present; Roy Jones Senior is now disabled. His friend, and 2016 FLBHOF inductee, Tommy Kimmons accepted on behalf of Jones Senior.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Announcer John David Lyons was the next inductee. He is just the fifth boxing announcer to be inducted into the FLBHOF. \u201cIn the sport of boxing, and also in life, it\u2019s all about the fighters. If it wasn\u2019t for the fighters, none of us would be here,\u201d said Lyons.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Calogero, the following inductee, stated in his speech that \u201cI\u2019ve been in boxing for close to four decades. If it\u2019s not for the fighters, we don\u2019t have a sport. For the young fans of today, it\u2019s important for them to learn boxing history. I would ask young boxing fans to read as much boxing history as possible.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Historian Mike Silver, in a thick New York accent, told the audience in his induction speech, \u00a0\u201cWhat brings us together this weekend is our love of boxing. Boxing can be a character developer for young people. My intention has been to educate and entertain. I like to think that I\u2019ve done my part in preserving boxing history.\u201d Silver is the author of three books about boxing.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF inductee Byron Mitchel (C) with Bob Alexander (L) and FLBHOF President Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Promoter J. Russell Peltz was next. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism and shortly afterwards, began to work on the sports desk of The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin newspaper. However, he segued into becoming a boxing promoter. \u201cToday,\u201d he began his induction speech, \u201cI get a ring. Yesterday, I got a cast of my fist. I\u2019m not sure why. But I suggest that, in the future, if you want to make a cast of a boxing promoter, make it of him writing a check or bouncing a check. I made it 50 years as a promoter and the last six years as a consultant.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now came the three inductees of the trainers\/managers department; the first of these was Cuban-born Osmiri \u201cMoro\u201d Fernadez Jr. He spoke in Spanish and an interpreter converted the speech into English for the audience. \u201cI want to thank the entire boxing committee. It\u2019s been many years of hard work and dedication, and I want to thank all of my family for being here. Thank you so much for everything,\u201d gushed Ferandez. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Roosevelt Stack McKinley Junior was born in Mississippi. Eventually, he made his way to Michigan and, for 25 years, worked for Don King. As he took to the stage, the song \u201cAin\u2019t No Stoppin\u2019 Us Now\u201d was heard. \u201cI didn\u2019t write a script. I\u2019m just coming up here naturally,\u201d said Class of 2025 inductee McKinley Jr. \u201cWhen I got into boxing, I was trying to find my way in life. I didn\u2019t realize that I was going to be in boxing for 50 years. I didn\u2019t realize that boxing can give you the opportunities to sit down with kings and queens and presidents. I\u2019m still working. I\u2019m still in the game.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trainer Tony Morgan followed. He worked with both male and female boxers. \u201cThank you for everybody who put this together,\u201d said an overwhelmed Morgan. \u201cThanks for this; thanks to everybody, and God bless the U.S.A.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now came the final department of the inductees: the fighters. The first inductee of this section was light heavyweight Freddie Delgado. He spoke in Spanish. No translator was present and thus much of the audience had no idea what he said.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2025 FLBHOF Inductee Juan Laporte and his wife Luci Cruz-Laporte.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Uzbekistan-born Timur Ibragimov had more than 200 amateur fights before he turned professional. His record after he retired from boxing was 31 wins; 4 losses, and 1 draw. This powerful boxer was clearly humbled and even shy when he gave his speech. \u201cI\u2019m so happy. I grew up in a small town 8.000 miles from here and it\u2019s all because of the boxing that I\u2019m here. I\u2019m so nervous. I want to say a special thank you to my family.\u201d Ibragimov then stopped talking; he was so overwhelmed, it was not clear if he could continue his speech.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Byron Mitchell was a young boxer whose pugilistic skills caught the attention of Don King and greatly impressed the famed promoter. Mitchell took many minutes to compose himself before speaking. He never got control of his emotions and broke down crying during his speech. Between the crying, he managed to say, \u201cThank you to the Florida Boxing Commission.\u201d Staring directly at his children, who were seated in front of him, Mitchell said \u201cI did this (his boxing career) for you. I did it for you kids and I hope that you can be proud of me and say, \u2018That\u2019s my dad,\u2019 when they think of me.\u201d This was, at the time, the most clearly heartfelt speech any inductee of the Class of 2025 gave -until two speakers later.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The only female member of the Class of 2025, Laura Ramsey, has the nickname of Lady Ram<\/em>. This grandmother, who was born in Lake Wales, Florida and who can give the impression of being quite intimidating, was surprisingly subdued during her induction speech. \u201cThanks, everybody, for being here. I\u2019m making this speech from my heart so please bear with me. I didn\u2019t think that I would be inducted at my age, at 55, but I truly love to fight.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now came what was easily the most heartfelt inductee speech and it was by the Cayman Islands-born retired super middleweight boxer Charles Whittaker. His boxing career would lead him to a final record of 43 wins (21 by way of knock out); 16 losses, and 2 draws. Yet he spent much of his speech talking about how the racism that he both experienced and saw in the Cayman Islands affected him in his boyhood.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll of my life,\u201d he began, \u201cI heard \u2018Charles, you\u2019re never going to be anything in this world. I was told this at the age of six.\u201d He told stories to the enraptured crowd of being called nigger; a black monkey, a black boy from the bush, and other such words and phrases \u201cand you cannot believe how these words can hurt a boy.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Whittaker became so despondent, he said, that he was planning to commit suicide by hanging himself. He was going to do so when he heard a radio news report about Mike Tyson who, like Whittaker, spent time in a reform school. Tyson gave Whittaker hope. \u201cIn my mind,\u201d said Whittaker, \u201cI ran (i.e., boxing roadwork) with Tyson, while he was training. I was thinking in my mind (that) I was running with Tyson away from our troubles.\u201d His speech ended and the audience gave Whittaker a long and long ovation.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No sensible speaker who had to follow Whittaker\u2019s stunning speech would try to better it and Jose \u201cKing\u201d Roman – Puerto Rico\u2019s first work heavyweight boxing title challenger and the next inductee – wisely did not even try. Roman, who participated in the first heavyweight championship boxing match to be held in Tokyo, Japan (on September 1, 1973, where he was knocked out by George Foreman in the opening frame), was in a wheelchair and said simply \u201cGracias. Thank you, everyone, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Juan LaPorte was the last inductee. Born in November 24, 1959 in Puerto Rico, he had a short amateur career before turning pro. In 1989 his son drowned, and, in La Porte\u2019s grief, he buried his World Boxing Commission (WBC) featherweight belt (which he won in 1982) with his son. The then president of the WBC, upon hearing of this, sent LaPorte a replacement title belt.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When LaPorte retired in 1999; his record was 40 wins; 16 losses, and 1 draw. He lives in Puerto Rico where he has since dedicated his life to training children of all ages, on how to box. \u201cI finally made it,\u201d he said with a laugh. \u201cBeing a little guy, I guess now that I\u2019m in the (Florida Boxing) Hall of Fame, I\u2019m a big guy. Now people will appreciate me for the rest of my life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For information on visiting the wonderful Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, it is located at 4220 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida (239-275-5275).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

__________<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inducts a new class for 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Story by Mark Weisenmiller<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Petersburg, Florida.<\/em> \u00a0The Class of 2024 for the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame (FLBHOF) included eight fighters; two trainer\/managers; one promoter; one for the FLBHOF Media Division; four participants, and four officials\/commissioners. Additionally, two Special Achievement Awards were presented (to Ivan Echevarria and Carlos Albuerne); one Long Time Loyalty Award (to Bradley Ware), and the person receiving the Walter A. Flansburg Lifetime Award was Geri Atkinson-Hazelton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Held at a Hilton Hotel in this city which averages 300 days of sunshine per year (this induction weekend was no exception as daytime temperatures occasionally topped 100 degrees F.), this year\u2019s Induction Ceremony was the first ceremony to be completely sold out since the FLBHOF began in 2009, according to FLBHOF President Steven J. Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees enter the room for the ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The FLBHOF Induction Ceremony Weekend began on Friday evening, June 21st<\/sup> and lasted until late Sunday afternoon of June 23, 2024. Unlike past years, where the Friday evenings were slated with 12 to 15 amateur bouts, this year was different. Instead of having a night of boxing matches, beginning at five p.m. on Friday was a \u201cmeet and greet\u201d cocktail party.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

For those people in attendance on Saturday who were not<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

looking at the fist casting exhibition or listening and watching the live interviews conducted by long-time boxing announcer Bob Alexander (most of the weekend\u2019s activities were streamed online on the FLBHOF website and also YouTube), they could be found at long-time referees Brian Garry and Chris Young\u2019s morning seminar. During the seminar, there was talk about boxing in the soon-to-be Paris, France Summer Olympics and Garry told the audience of 50 people that there are five judges for every Olympic boxing bout.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Kathy Gentile (C) with MC Robert Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

When Young began, he said, \u201cThe first thing that a referee has to do is to be prepared because I literally have a fighter\u2019s life in my hands.\u201d Changing subjects, he told the audience, \u201cThe bottom rope (of a boxing ring is always kept looser to avoid a falling boxer from whiplash.\u201d There was discussion of point deduction if a boxer intentionally hits an opponent while he is down. Garry said that, whenever he referees a World Boxing Association (WBA) bout, that, according to that organization\u2019s rules, he meets with the red and blue corner boxers and their accompanying entourage of trainers and cornermen. Both the red and blue \u201csides\u201d trainers give Garry two sets of boxing gloves – one primary pair and one back-up pair – and Garry takes the four sets of boxing gloves to his hotel room. This is to prevent either side from tampering with said gloves.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The audience was rambunctious but in a good-hearted manner. Fighters\u2019 safety and enforcing the rules are the two most important things that a referee must do during a match. \u201cAnother key point is knowing precisely when to stop a fight. That is really something that can not be taught in any class,\u201d confessed Young. He also remarked, \u201cFor any would be referee or official out there (in the audience), don\u2019t put anything on social media\u201d and the audience laughed at this simple and truthful fact. The discussion, and the overall tone of the seminar, was so vigorous that it lasted thirty minutes longer than scheduled.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Chris Young (R) with FLBHOF President Steve Canton (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Noon to 2 p.m.:\u00a0 The documentary film Worth The Fight<\/em> was held in the same room which held Garry and Young\u2019s seminar. The film is about Canton and eight different boxers who train at his gym in Florida. This had a smaller audience than the referee\u2019s seminar because the film was shown at last year\u2019s Induction Ceremony and, on another scale, innumerable groups of people stood in clusters outside the room and, as the British say, jaw-jawed. Slowly, as the talk subsided, these people came into the room; sat down, and watched the documentary film. Worth The Fight<\/em> won top honors at the Milano, Italy Film Festival last November and will be shown at the 2024 Nagano, Japan Film Festival.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2:15 to 3.45 pm:\u00a0 Again, this was held in the same seminar room after the showing of Worth The Fight<\/em>. The moderators asked a panel of four boxing experts, one of which was Canton, a few questions. Audience members also asked the panel members questions. They talked about weigh-ins (day before the fight vs. morning of the bout); the average number of deaths of active people per year (for many years that figure was eight; now, depending on the source that figure is either 13 or 14) and why that number has increased; too many sparring rounds for boxers who are training for a match; nutrition for boxers (much talk about high-twitch fiber vs. low-twitch fiber in the human being musculature system); who was the fastest boxer that the panel members ever saw (unanimous consent for Sugar Ray Robinson) and beards (they used to be illegal). Today, in some boxing associations, beards are, to a certain length, legal.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Tim Shipman talks to the crowd on hand at the ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The Saturday night Gala Dinner, which was sold out, started at 6 p.m. and, two hours later, there was the annual Ten Count by time-keeper Phyllis Garry (a past FLBHOF inductee and the wife of Brian Garry) for boxers and others in the boxing field who have died in the past year. Master of Ceremonies Alexander welcomed everybody to the dinner and then came the President\u2019s Message from Canton (who is a member of the original FLBHOF Induction Class of 2009). The keynote address was given by boxing author Mark Silver. He talked about the long and rich history of boxing in Florida. Silver also praised Canton and his long life-time devotion to the sport.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The presentation of the Don Hazelton Scholarship Award was next. There were two recipients:\u00a0 Max Curren and Dominic Vellucci. Each received a check for $1,000. Jose Diego was presented with the Walter A. \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg Award; he received a $2,500 check. The Lifetime Flansburg Award was, as noted previously, given to Geri Atkinson-Hazelton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Marc Hager (C) with MC Robert Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Today:\u00a0 after a hot buffet breakfast, one hour elapsed before the start of the Induction Ceremony at 11 am; said ceremony was held at the Hilton Lake Carillon Hotel Grand Ballroom. To the left and right of M.C. Alexander, who stood behind a podium to do his job, were two vertical banners with the FLBHOF logo on them. The induction ceremony was well attended – easily more than 700 people were in the room -possibly to escape the nearly 100 degree F. day. After the singing of the National Anthem, the American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard brought in the U.S. flag.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Then the ceremony commenced. Canton and his wife Beth handed to each inductee their respective plaques and rings as the inductees made their way to the stage. Each Inductee then gave his or her speech. Then the Class of 2024 posed for pictures with past inductees. \u201cTo the Inductees, remember this day; it should be like a stroll in the clouds,\u201d said Alexander.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Raul Alvarez (R) with FLBHOF President Steve Canton (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The induction ceremony began with the recognition of the two deceased inductees:\u00a0 fighters Saoul Mamby and Arthur Williams. Mamby (45-34-6, 18 KO\u2019s) held the World Boxing Commission (WBC) Super Lightweight Championship Belt for two- and one-half years. A tough and tenacious man, he fought well into his fifties (he began boxing at age 16) and, when he was 60, Mamby fought in an officially sanctioned match. The Pensacola, Florida-born Williams (47-17-1, 30 KO\u2019s) held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserwegith title for one year. Phyllis Garry clanged the time-keeper bell a Ten-Count for Mamby and Williams.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Three inductees were unable to attend the ceremony:\u00a0 fighter Stacy Prestage (7-5-3, 3 KO\u2019s); Dr. Mark Gordon, and John Beninati.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Kathy Gentile was the first inductee to give a speech. Some of it was \u201cMy sister and I used to watch boxers train. We were trying to figure out why the boxers were making funny noises through their noses (i.e., heavily inhaling and exhaling).\u201d She then talked about meeting a young Mike Tyson and ended her speech by saying, \u201cBoxing is a challenge. It requires discipline. Always do the right thing, especially when no one is looking. It\u2019s called integrity.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The second inductee, and thus speaker, was Young. \u201cI would be remiss if I didn\u2019t thank (FLBHOF founders) Butch and Kathy Flansburg. As a young referee, I was very impatient to advance but Frank Gentile (Kathy\u2019s husband) told me \u2018Don\u2019t worry. If you\u2019re good, you\u2019ll advance.\u2019 If you want to be the best in your field, be in competition with yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Carl King (R) displays his FLBHOF ring as President Steve Canton (L) holds up his plaque.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Next was, from the Officials\/Commission Division, Tim Shipman. He began by thanking his wife and children and immediately started to tear up. He also profusely thanked Frank and Kathy Gentile and, especially, Brian Garry. \u201cI have friends. I have enemies. I have frenemies (laughter from the audience). That\u2019s my job. With every job, I wanted to do the best I can without reward. This is a special reward.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee John John Molina (C) with Robert Alexander (L) and FLBHOF President Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then came the Participants Division; first of these went to Marc Hager. He spoke in a low, gravelly voice. He somewhat meandered when delivering his speech but he had a valid reason:\u00a0 his boxing career was filled with a remarkable divergence of people. Next inductee Raul Alvarez told the audience \u201cThis is one of the most personal honors I have ever received. Thanks to my children for listening to my boxing stories over and over again.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Carl King.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The ever-energetic Carl King followed Alvarez. King took to the stage waving two tiny U.S. flags just as his famous father, Don King, would often do. \u201cBefore I start, I want to say congratulations to all other inductees this year. There are so many people that I would like to thank but I wouldn\u2019t because of time and (now laughing) memory. I got my love of boxing from my father who also got me my first pair of boxing gloves. He encouraged me to stay the course when things got down.\u201d After his speech, he did a funny and very accurate imitation of his father shouting \u201cOnly In America!\u201d while waving the two tiny U.S. flags.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Jose Alonzo (C) with MC Robert Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0The Media Division inductee was Cuban-born Jorge Ebro. \u201cMy first memory of boxing,\u201d he began, \u201ccame from Havana in 1964. My next big memory was in 1977 when it appeared that Muhammad Ali would fight (the Cuban multiple Olympics gold medal winner) Teofelio Stevenson (this bout never happened\u2014MW). When I got to America, I was amazed that boxers are paid since, of course, they were not paid in Cuba. I thank the boxers and their trainers who allowed me to tell their stories.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Jorge Ebro (R) with FLBHOF President Steve Canton (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The FLBHOF Promoter Division inductee was Khalilah Escalera. Her husband, Tito, is a past FLBHOF inductee. She began her speech saying, \u201cWhen Tito and I started out (as a husband-and-wife team of boxing promoters), we wanted to expand boxing in Florida. We went through the anxiety of wondering, \u2018Are people going to show up?\u2019 and then the happiness when people did show up (laughter from the audience). I love the engagement of meeting with the fans because we need the fans. I need to thank my dad because he named me Khalilah after Muhammad Ali\u2019s wife Khalilah. Thank you so much for the boxers as we wouldn\u2019t be here without you.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Edner Cherry (R) with FLBHOF President Steve Canton (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The two inductees in the Trainers\/Managers Division were next. They were Sherman Hensen and William \u201cPapo\u201d Vargas. Henson: \u201cMy sister was the only one who saw me box competitively. So, also, I would like to thank my daughter Kathy.\u201d He pointed to where she was sitting in the audience as he said that sentence. Henson then took a breath and said, \u201cBoxing is a sweet science. You don\u2019t play with it.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Tim Shipman.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Henson added, \u201cI want to thank all of the kids that I\u2019ve worked with who have come off of the streets. There are times as a trainer when I wanted to give it up, but my wife told me \u2018No, never.\u2019 So, she is my Hall of Famer. Being Inducted into the Hall of Fame remains the world to me because it shows that somebody really cares. A trainer means everything to a boxer and a boxer means everything to a trainer. We (trainers) create warriors. Fear is the greatest obstacle in learning how to be a fighter. You work hard to learn to be the best of your game.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Khalilah Escalera (C) with Robert Alexander (L) and FLBHOF President Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The final division of inductees were Fighters. The first of these were Chicago, Illinois-born David Diaz (36-4-1, 17 KO\u2019s). He was the owner of the WBC Lightweight Title from 2007 to 2008. Diaz was a 4-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion and three times he won the National Golden Gloves. \u201cI was blessed to have a career in boxing,\u201d said Diaz. \u201cAnd I thank my father. Some people say that to be a boxer you have a few screws loose in your head and I think that\u2019s true, especially when you start to talk to us. To my colleagues, enjoy it. God bless you guys and I\u2019m humbled.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Raul Frank gives a speech.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Born in Georgetown, Guyana, Raul Frank (29-5-3, 14 KO\u2019s) briefly held the United States Boxing Association (USBA) Welterweight Title. Later in his career, Frank would be the IBF Latino Super Welterweight Champion. In 1997, he was USBA Fighter of The Year<\/em>. \u201cAs many of you know,\u201d he told the audience, \u201cThe life of a boxer is a hard one. I loved boxing except for getting up at 4 a.m. to do roadwork. I thank my mom, who was the first to congratulate me when I finally learned to put my combinations together.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Sherman Hensen.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Edner \u201cCherry Bomb\u201d Cherry (37-7-2, 19 KO\u2019s) started to box at 14 and turned professional at the age of 21. As a boxer, he held, at different times in his career, the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation Lightweight Title and the National Boxing Association (NBA) Intercontinental Lightweight Championship. In the course of training for a bout, Edner suffered a heart attack. His heart stopped for three minutes — the length of a boxing round – and he was revived by a nurse.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame attendee and former heavyweight king Pinklon Thomas.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Taking the stage to much applause, he began by saying, \u201cI want my wife Elizabeth to come up here and stand by me.\u201d She got up from her seat in the audience and did so. \u201cMy boxing career wasn\u2019t an easy one. I fought anyone they put in front of me. I told me trainers and cornermen that I would do anything and everything to work hard and become a world champion.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee William Vargas (R) with FLBHOF President Steve Canton (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Jose \u201cEl Cheloman\u201d Alonzo was born in April of 1977 in Newark, New Jersey. He won the Florida State Golden Gloves in 1993. In a fight across the bay in Tampa, Alonzo (13-1, 7 KO\u2019s) won the WBA Fedocentro Championship. In 2011, he became Florida State Super Middleweight Champion.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This was the only inductee who brought the majority of the audience to its feet when he took to the stage. \u201cMadre and padre, I want to thank you for teaching me how to be a man and how to be a good family man. I boxed at the Boys Club (when young) and got beat up a lot. To all of my class-mates, I am honored to be included with you.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2024 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee David Diaz (C) with MC Robert Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The final inductee was John John Molina (57-7, 33 KO\u2019s). Born in Puerto Rico in 1965, he represented that country as a bantamweight boxer at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In Seoul, South Korea, his numerous boxing abilities won him the Boxing Cup. In late April of 1989, he won the WBO Super Featherweight Title; he also won the same weight division Title of the IBF.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI used to fight in the street,\u201d Molina remembered. \u201cAnd my mother was tougher than some of the boys I fought in the street. I chose boxing. I wanted to hit, not get hit,\u201d he told the audience.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The FLBHOF Class of 2025 will be announced in January of that year. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 __________<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame hosts a championship induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2023<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Story by Mark Weisenmiller<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

St. Petersburg, Florida<\/em>. Friday evening, June 30, 2023, began the festivities for the annual Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. In a boxing ring set up at the St. Petersburg Hilton Lake Carillon Hotel, where the weekend\u2019s activities took place, eight exhibition bouts were held. Perhaps it was the fact that the induction ceremony weekend was held concurrent with the monthly phase of the full moon that there seemed to be an abundance of energy and excitement, along with kinesiology in the fight show.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee Ada Velez.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

From 10 to 11.30 am the following day, Saturday, Brian Garry, long-time boxing referee, held a seminar. This was different from past years\u2019 similar seminars by Garry in the fact that, the conference room where the 2023 seminars were held was so big, a boxing ring was constructed in it. Garry stood inside of the ring and addressed those seated below him in the audience.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This boxing-ring-as-prop, so to write, helped immensely, both for Garry and other speakers and, especially for those who attended the seminar. Garry explained, and demonstrated, to the audience the usual and multiple things that happen before, during, and immediately after both a non-championship bout and a championship fight. Many of the questions that audience members had for Garry had answers that depended on what state said example fights were held in.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee David Izon (R) vs. Joe Mesi (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Garry, an affable Irishman who, to referee bouts in Germany, taught himself German, told the audience that the four criteria for a boxer to win a round are effective punching; defensive boxing talents; ring generalship, and sportsmanship. He also said that he \u201cabsolutely hated\u201d when he had to be both judge and referee in a bout. This old habit in U.S. boxing ended, mercifully for Garry and his colleagues, sometime in the mid 1980\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 s.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

At the halfway point of his seminar, the lights were dimmed and projected onto a side wall was a YouTube video comprised of short video clips of examples of things that Garry had previously discussed. One of these fights was the Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Floyd Mayweather Sr. bout from September 9, 1978.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee Alredo Escalera.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After the seminar, people perused among the vendors who had their wares spread atop long rectangular tables covered in black velvet. The vendors sold everything from baseball caps, T-shirts, signed gloves, and framed pictures of celebrities ranging from Muhammad Ali to the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. There was also a fist-casting station.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

From 1 pm to 2:45 pm, a documentary entitled Worth The Fight<\/em> was shown in an audience-packed conference room. The documentary is a biography of FBHOF President Steve Canton and his extraordinary life (Canton was profiled in the past in a story that was published in The USA Boxing News<\/em>) – both his career in boxing and his work done with the many boxers that he has worked with in his gym (SJC Boxing Gym) located in Fort Myers, Florida.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. 2023 Inductee Ada Velez (L) with Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Each segment of the documentary, which will make its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in November, was tagged Round 1, Round 2, et cetera. The last half of the documentary film was a series of short profiles of young boxers who began their pugilistic careers at Canton\u2019s gym.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Starting at 3:15, a panel discussion took place. The panelists were Steve Canton, FBHOF board member and ring announcer Bob Alexander, veteran boxing referee and keynote speaker at Saturday night\u2019s dinner Joe Cortez, promoter Jesus \u201cTito\u201d Escalera, trainer Aaron Snowell, and Florida-based boxing referee Christopher Young.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions Championship Cake.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The first question, addressed to all panel members, was \u201cWhen do you stop a fight?\u201d Young said, \u201cSafety is our priority.\u201d He emphasized that he goes into both boxers\u2019 dressing rooms before a fight \u201cbecause then I see them at their 100 percent best\u201d and that, in turn, later helps him to determine whether or not to stop a fight.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Canton said that he disagreed with the saying \u201cIt\u2019s better to stop a fight earlier than later\u201d because \u201cSometimes you have referees in the ring who don\u2019t have the experience to make that decision.\u201d Other questions led to the panelists providing answers that were very informative.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee Peter Kahn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After dinner (choice of chicken or sauce-covered tilapia) came the traditional Ten-Count. This was the announcing of the names of the various people affiliated with boxing who died in the previous year. \u201cMay their souls rest in peace,\u201d concluded master of ceremonies Bob Alexander (FBHOF Class of 2010). Then came introductions of various notable people in the crowded dining room. This night -Saturday, July 1, 2023 – was the 15th<\/sup> anniversary of the FBHOF.\u00a0 Canton told those present, \u201cYou can\u2019t buy your way into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame – you have to earn it.\u201d Then he briefly talked about what and how the Class of 2023 inductees earned the honor. On this night, two Special Achievement awards were presented – to Craig Houk and Aaron Snowell – and the Walter A. Flansburg Lifetime Award went to John Westerterp. Saturday\u2019s festivities concluded at 11.15 pm.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Class of 2023<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fighters:\u00a0 Roy Jones Jr<\/em>., Ossie Ocasio<\/em>, David Izon<\/em>, Vivian Harris<\/em>; Alfredo Escalera<\/em>; Ada Velez<\/em> (the sole female), and Joey Negron<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trainers\/Managers:\u00a0 Peter Kahn<\/em>; Jessie Robinson<\/em>, and Alfred \u201cAlfy\u201d Smith<\/em>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Promoters:\u00a0 Jesus \u201cTito\u201d Escalera<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Historian:\u00a0 Mario Rivera Martino<\/em> (deceased)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Media:\u00a0 Vonda Carson<\/em>; Marc Lichtenfeld<\/em>, and John Moceyunas<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Participants:\u00a0\u00a0 Ruben DeJesus<\/em> and Ali Tareh<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Officials\/Commission: Harry De La Vega, Fred Fluty <\/em>and John Rupert<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, July 2, 2023:\u00a0 This was yet another hot summertime day in West Central Florida; if one included what is known as the \u201cheat index,\u201d the temperature was well above 100 degrees F. Fortunately, for those attending breakfast, they did not have to sit outside to eat. Seven minutes past the slotted 11 am start time, the induction ceremony began.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. 2023 Inductee Ossie Ocasio vs. Larry Holmes fight poster.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Two by two and dressed in red Florida Boxing Hall of Fame polo shirts, the inductees walked in behind the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 5. In keeping with this spirit of U.S. patriotism, the national anthem was sung by southwest Florida radio personality Kerry Block. Bob Alexander then started the ceremony and the first thing that he did was to thank FBHOF\u2019s sponsors and, especially, the volunteers. The latter worked quite hard before, during, and even after the ceremony to make sure that the induction weekend was a success – and they sure triumphed.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Regretfully, with every induction class, there seems to be at least one inductee who is deceased. In the case of the Class of 2023, that person was Mario Rivera Martino.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee Roy Jones Jr.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The first person to be inducted was former WBC Junior Lightweight champion Alfredo Escalera. He said, with simplicity, \u201cThank you! You are wonderful people. You\u2019re very nice and I\u2019m very old.\u201d His acceptance speech lasted less than two minutes.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Every year, the FBHOF nominating board has one inductee who gets the most nominations. For the Class of 2023, that person was Harry De La Vega and he, too, gave a short induction speech.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Inductee number four was Fred Fluty. \u201cI will try not to get emotional,\u201d he began, \u201cbut (and here his voice cracked) my dad would be quite proud. \u2019Get it right\u2019 was my motto. Lately, I think there\u2019s some judges out there who need to retire (he did not name them). \u2018Get it right,\u2019 I would say to them.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. 2023 Inductee Alfredo Escalera (L) with Steve Canton (R) and Bob Alexander (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Next came John Rupert. Belay that; rather, next would have come Rupert but he was absent. Ruben DeJesus followed and he gave a pithy but heartfelt speech. He said \u201cI am humbled for this recognition and for everybody coming out this Fourth of July weekend. I enjoy these Hall of Fame ceremonies because we get chances to reminisce. I want to thank every single fighter because they are our bosses. This is a noble job.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. 2023 Inductee Vivian Harris (L) with Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Ali Tareh was the seventh inductee and what he has achieved in his life is remarkable. Born in Iran into poverty, and to a large family, he first specialized in the martial arts and then made the decision to become a professional boxer. \u201cI fought 30 (boxing) bouts and about 200 amateur bouts, but I still have fight in me. My fight is not done,\u201d he told the audience.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Without question, the inductee who gave the most eloquent speech followed:\u00a0 Vonda Carson. She has worked on more than 100 projects for Don King Productions. She spoke quickly and efficiently. \u201cI heard Don King say numerous times, \u2018Working together works.\u2019 I owe it all to my father. This is a tedious job of self-sacrifice. We are the servants of this great sport. We are the guardians of the gate of boxing.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Vonda then closed her simultaneously rousing and impassioned speech by quoting the late Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi: \u201cThe best way to serve yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.\u201d The audience gave her a well-deserved energetic, long, and loud ovation.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. 2023 Inductee David Izonritei.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Marc Lichtenfeld followed; then Peter Khan was scheduled to be next, but he was not present, and then came the promoter of more than 70 boxing shows:\u00a0 Jesus Escalera. The latter\u2019s wife joined him onstage.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jessie Robinson was next and gave much thanks to Don King, and then following him came Alfred \u201cAlfy\u201d Smith who thoughtfully said \u201cI want to thank all of the women and children who have been in boxing because it takes a team to be successful in boxing.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cHello!\u201d proclaimed the bombastic, happy, and energetic former IBA Bantamweight and IBF Super Bantam Female Champion Ada Velez. This woman, who won six title belts in her boxing career, started off by saying \u201cPeople said, \u2018You will get nervous,\u2019 but I will not be because I am used to speaking with my students.\u201d Here, she was referring to her work with students at her gym, Velez Boxing and Fitness, in Oakland Park, Florida.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. Ossie Ocasio (L) with FBHOF President Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u201cI train a lot of amateurs,\u201d informed Velez, \u201cbecause it\u2019s not our turn, it\u2019s time for the students.\u201d Shen then looked upward and said, \u201cThanks Mom for everything.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWow!\u201d exclaimed former Super Lightweight contender Joey Negron. \u201cPeople said I would cry. All praise to God.\u201d He teared up, but never completely lost control and cried.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nigerian-born David Izonritei, who fought under the name David Izon, won the silver medal in the heavyweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympiad held in Barcelona, Spain, and was a top-ranked heavyweight contender. \u201cI was fortunate to box on television,\u201d stated Izon. \u201cWe had six boys and one girl in our family. If anybody messed with us, we beat the hell out of them. I\u2019m grateful that I did boxing and the one who put me into boxing was my mother.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee Joey Negron.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Heavyweight title challenger Ossie Ocasio took to the stage to an exploding ovation. He spoke in Spanish and, via a translator, told the audience, \u201cI want to thank my fellow inductees.\u201d He was quite emotional and cried openly.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ex-WBA Junior Welterweight King Vivian Harris took to the stage to the accompaniment of the song Can\u2019t Touch This<\/em>. He, too, took many minutes to begin talking. When it was evident that he was too emotional to continue, members of the audience began shouting \u201cWe\u2019re with you, we\u2019re with you!\u201d They may have been with him, but this did not stop him from crying.\u00a0 At one point during all of this, a woman sitting next to this reporter voiced her encouragement, \u201cYou\u2019ve got this! You\u2019ve got this!\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions. 2019 Inductee Nate Campbell (C) accepts the award, welcome to Class of 2023 Roy Jones, Jr. with Bob Alexander (L) and Steve Canton (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Settling himself, Harris ended by saying, in a calm and clear voice, \u201cWith hard work and dedication, you can believe in anything.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nate Campbell accepted Roy Jones\u2019 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Plaque. Due to promotional duties, the former Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champ regretfully was unable to attend.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2023 FBHOF Inductions – 2023 Inductee Harry De La Vega.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame is a wonderful institution that gives credit to those individuals who got involved in the sport of prizefighting, whether it be as a boxer, trainer, manager, writer, promoter, or official.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The USA Boxing News<\/em> has three representatives in the FBHOF \u2013 Gerard Rinaldi (Class of 2012), Alex Rinaldi (Class of 2017) and John Rinaldi (Class of 2017).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you are near Fort Myers, Florida, it is worth visiting the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame at 4220 Cleveland Avenue, in Fort Myers. You can check out their website at: http:\/\/www.floridaboxinghalloffame.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

______________<\/strong><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

The USA Boxing News Interview <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

with Steven J. Canton <\/span><\/strong><\/span>President of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Steven Canton -L- with the former FLBHOF President – the late Butch Flansburg -R-.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

By Mark Weisenmiller<\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/p>\n

PETERSBURG, FL<\/em> – When The U.S.A. Boxing News<\/em> last interviewed Florida Boxing Hall of Fame President Steven J. Canton, he had just become the leader of the esteemed institution and told this newspaper what he planned to do, and also what he wanted to do, while in the position. We decided to talk with him mere days after the 2022 FLBHOF induction ceremonies weekend held in a hotel here from Friday June 17 to Sunday June 19.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

L-R – Alex Rinaldi, FLBOF President Steve Canton, and John Rinaldi at the SJC Boxing Gym. Photo by Alexander Rinaldi.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Despite suffering from a sore throat, Canton acceded to do a telephone interview. He was in a good mood:\u00a0 his favorite Major League Baseball club, the New York Yankees, had at the time the best record in baseball. More germane to his duties as FLBHOF President, he was living in the burning-bright afterglow of what was, in terms of attendance, the most successful FLBHOF induction ceremonies weekend in the 14-year history of the organization. According to Canton, 1,000 people attended the exhibition bouts on Friday night; 370 people went to the Saturday night dinner, and anywhere from 2,000 to 2,500 people showed up, for various periods of time, during the weekend. \u201cLast year,\u201d informed Canton, \u201cthat last figure was 2,000 people.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The U.S.A. Boxing News<\/em> began by asking Canton, who is 76, about this year\u2019s inductees, followed by a scatter-shot of other topics.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Announcer Bob Alexander -C- with The USA Boxing News writers Alexander Rinaldi -L- and Joseph Rinaldi -R- at the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. Photo by John Rinaldi.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

NEWS:<\/em> What is your opinion about the overall quality of the inductees this year?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CANTON: I would say that it\u2019s one of the best overall class of inductees that we\u2019ve had in the 14 years that we\u2019ve been in business. We had people from all over the boxing world as inductees. It was a great weekend in terms of the class of inductees; attendance, and anything else I could think of.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/em> Boxing is a business and, like all businesses, boxing in general and the FLBHOF in particular are having to grapple with declining figures due to COVID; inflation, and the possibility of a recession. What is the FLBHOF doing to keep people visiting it?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Plaque of fistic greats Roberto Duran and Aaron Pryor hang in the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. Photo by John Rinaldi.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

CANTON: There\u2019s not a shortage of enthusiasm from boxing fans; we are still getting people visiting the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame (located at 4220 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, Florida<\/u>). We only have four sources of income: sponsors; the raffle held during the (induction ceremonies weekend) dinner; advertising, and finally by people buying tickets to come to the induction ceremonies weekend. We\u2019re a non-profit and tax-deductible organization; the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame has no employees. We\u2019re always looking for sponsors and advertisers. We\u2019re also investigating doing a golf tournament weekend, somewhere in the Orlando area in October when it cools down, to generate income.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 Inductee – Fres Oquendo -L- and Florida Boxing Hall of Fame President Steven Canton -R-.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

NEWS:<\/em> What is the one thing that is your proudest achievement since becoming FLBHOF President?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CANTON: One of the greatest things that has happened since I\u2019ve been (FLBHOF) President is the accomplishment of the museum itself. We now have an actual building devoted to the boxing greats of Florida. We (FLBHOF board members) are always tinkering with the (induction ceremonies) weekend (activities and events). For example, we used to have the inductees march in behind a Color Guard. Now, this year, we had the inductees march in behind past inductees who have served in the past in various branches of the military.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Former light heavyweight champ Antonio Carver -L- and The USA Boxing News Writer Ron John Rinaldi at Steve Canton’s SJC Boxing Gym. Photo by Alex Rinaldi.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

NEWS:<\/em> Regarding the annual FLBHOF induction ceremonies weekend: are there any plans to add more vendors and or more seminars and\/or different things to do next year as compared to past FLBHOF induction ceremonies weekends?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CANTON: I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll add more vendors and seminars because it\u2019s a full schedule now. I just don\u2019t see where we could find the time to add more things. It\u2019s a full slate now. In thinking about it, I\u2019ve accomplished everything I\u2019ve set out to do before I became FLBHOF President. Now it\u2019s just a matter of keeping everything up and maintaining it, to keep everything operational.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/em> How often do you meet with your fellow FLBHOF board members? Do you meet in person or by way of Zoom?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R 2022 Inductee and former welterweight and jr. middleweight king Cory Spinks and Steven Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

CANTON: We meet by Zoom four or five time a year, almost once a season, and we meet whenever we need to discuss items or topics that come up. We all know each other; we\u2019re all good friends. If something arises, if something comes up, we\u2019ll talk about it.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/em> How many months of planning by you and your compatriot FLBHOF board members does it take to plan the annual FLBHOF induction ceremony?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CANTON: It takes us one year; it seems like there\u2019s a million and one things to do. Right now, today, I\u2019m recapping everything that happened (during the 2022 FLBHOF induction ceremonies weekend) and we (FLBHOF board members) are already looking at 2023. By recapping, I mean checking the (bank balance account) books and writing the checks to cover the many different things that go into making an induction weekend. When we started, we were at a hotel in Tampa, and for the past few years we\u2019ve been at the Marriott in St. Petersburg, but we\u2019ve gotten so big (in terms of attendance numbers) that we may move to another hotel that can offer us more space. We (FLBHOF board members) are looking into this now. I\u2019m not sure where we\u2019ll end up, but we want it (the 2023 FLBHOF induction ceremonies weekend) to stay at a hotel in the Tampa\/St. Petersburg area.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Plaque of legendary writer of The USA Boxing News – Gerard Rinaldi – in The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. Photo by Alex Rinaldi<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

NEWS:<\/em> Does the FLBHOF ever show a profit after an induction ceremonies weekend? If so, how much?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CANTON: There\u2019s not a (FLBHOF board member) who gets a salary, or money to do it (i.e., their duties and responsibilities). Like I said, we\u2019re a non-profit. We make enough money to cover the checks (to pay for the induction ceremonies weekend) and that\u2019s it.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/em> Final question: how long do you want to be President of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame? Do you have a time frame in mind, or do you want to stay FLBHOF President indefinitely?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The USA Boxing News editors L-R – Alex and John Rinaldi at the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. Photo by Joseph Rinaldi<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

CANTON: At age 76, I can\u2019t stay President forever. I don\u2019t have a time frame. I\u2019ll keep doing it for as long as I\u2019m able to. Who knows when that will be? I\u2019ll do it for as long as I can, and when I can\u2019t, I\u2019ll pass it off to someone else.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

_________<\/strong><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

FLORIDA BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND TAKES PLACE DURING UNUSUAL DANGEROUS HEAT WAVE<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Story by Mark Weisenmiller<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PETERSBURG, FL<\/em> – Despite a dangerous, life-threatening heat wave that covered much of the American South, The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/em> (FLBHOF) conducted its annual induction weekend this year. The event was held at the Marriot Hotel here in St. Petersburg from Friday June 17th<\/sup> through induction day of Sunday June 19th<\/sup>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Eleven fights were scheduled for Friday evening, but one of them was cancelled. Thus, only 10 bouts happened. These fights, and the entire proceedings, were livestreamed by Gold Star Television.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s first seminar was conducted by long-time Florida-based referees Brian Garry and Chris Young. These two have been conducting this seminar, or variations of it, during past FLBHOF induction ceremony weekends for many years and, like a singing duo that has worked together for many years, they know each other\u2019s physical actions and vocal syncopations.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 Inductee – Former Heavyweight king Shannon Briggs.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The theme of the seminar was boxing refereeing and judging and Garry and Young relayed anecdotes of both fields from their past, and current experiences. Garry told a story of himself refereeing a bout in St. Petersburg some years ago that got so out of control that the frenzied audience moved their physical and vocal mayhem out of the arena where the fight was being held and continued their hellraising. Result: 25 of these people were arrested by St. Petersburg police. Young often emphasized the importance of positioning by referees, of themselves, during a bout. \u201cPosition is everything,\u201d Young told the audience of 25 to 30 people.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Shannon Briggs -L- fires at George Foreman -R- in 1997 Lineal Heavyweight Title Fight. Photo by Pat Orr – The USA Boxing News.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Antonio Tarver was slated to give the next seminar with the theme of it being \u201cA Fighter\u2019s Perspective.\u201d Tarver did not show up so former lightweight king Nate Campbell Jr. – a past FLBHOF inductee and a talented boxer who fought from 2002 to 2014 – filled in. Campbell spoke much about how mental preparation for a bout is just as important – indeed, in Campbell\u2019s estimation, more important – than physical preparation. \u201cWhen boxers trash talk an opponent,\u201d explained Campbell to a packed audience, \u201cIt is not just done for the benefit of the media, but is a form of a boxer mentally psyching himself up for a upcoming bout.\u201d Nate also admitted that he and his compatriot boxers undergo the mental strain of getting ready for a fight. \u201cI can\u2019t eat what I want; I can\u2019t see the woman I love, I can\u2019t see my kids. All of this is mentally grueling,\u201d Campbell confessed.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 Inductee – Former WBO jr. welterweight and IBF welterweight champion Randall Bailey.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After lunch, FLBHOF President Steve Canton led a four-person panel (himself included) of a round robin discussion of many boxing-related topics. Among the things that he and his fellow panel members talked about \u2013 before another packed room – was how long fights should be; where fights should be held (Canton remembered when fights were held in baseball stadiums); the fact that TV network executives prefer 12-round fights to 15-round fights because the former fits television\u2019s peculiar way of bending time; the point that major fights are no longer held on free TV and that this leads to less name recognition; the fact that good fighters will always watch and study both tapes of themselves and their opponents, and other matters. Canton said, \u201cFighters train for their fights; champions train all the time.\u201d He also highly praised this year\u2019s class of inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 FLBHOF Inductee and former IBF Cruiserweight King Al Cole.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The seminar lasted until 3 PM and, in the interval until the formal dinner began at 6 PM, people lulled about or visited vendors who sold their wares (T-shirts, hats, etc.) from glass topped covered tables. There was also, as has been the case in past years, a plaster cast company\u2019s worker making plaster casts of peoples\u2019 fists.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

IBF Cruiserweight Champion Al Cole. Photo by Alex Rinaldi<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Seated at Table 25, at the back of the hotel space where the formal dinner was held, we had a full, wide-angle view of the room. Master of ceremonies for the evening, as has been the case in past years, was FLBHOF Vice President Bob Alexander. Two massive, large-screen movie screens – onto which was projected continuously played highlights of past boxing matches – enveloped the podium where Alexander reigned over the proceedings. Ten chairs were at each table and old friendships were renewed while new friendships began.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R Announcer Bob Alexander and 2022 Inductee and former welterweight and jr. middleweight king Cory Spinks.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Between the salad and the entr\u00e9e, many people looked at the aforementioned tables. Atop them now were dozens of items up for sale at a silent auction, ranging from a football jersey of local NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Mike Evans to a signed photo of local NHL team Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky (the Lightning were playing the Colorado Avalanche in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at the time of this year\u2019s FLBHOF induction ceremony weekend).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

IBF welterweight king Cory Spinks -R- clobbers Ricardo Mayorga -L- with a right hand in their 2003 title bout.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Alexander announced the names of people from the boxing world who died in the previous year and one of these people was past FLBHOF President Walter \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg. Canton thanked the crowd for coming and congratulated the new inductees. After this, Alexander acknowledged the people in the room who were Class of 2022 FLBHOF inductees. Keynote speaker of the evening was former amateur boxer, and now President of the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame, Craig Houk.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF -Inductee Fres Oquendo gives his acceptance speech.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Before the evening ended with dancing, awards were presented. More specifically, Chris Young, and brothers Vernon and Russell Ansell were given Special Achievement Awards<\/em>, and the final award was the first annual Walter \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg Award<\/em>; this was presented to Tim Shipman, who is the Assistant Executive Director of the Florida State Boxing Commission.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Fres Oquendo stabs IBF heavyweight king Chris Byrd with a hard jab in 2003 bout. Photo by Tom Hogan-The USA Boxing News.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

As people made their way to the Sunday morning hot buffet breakfast of eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes – all washed down with a selection of coffee; tea; or apple or orange juice – many seemed somewhat groggy. Two possible reasons: they stayed up too late after the previous evening\u2019s festivities, or they watched the Lightning lose Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final. Yet, as these people took in sustenance, their spirits seemed to brighten.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 Inductee – Former Heavyweight Challenger David Tua has his fist casted to be placed in the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Museum. Photo by Damon Gonzalez – LatinboxSports<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The induction ceremony started at 11:20 AM. The FLBHOF Class of 2022 inductees was, and is, made up of 20 people – one PROMOTER<\/u> (Richard Dobal<\/em>); one person from the MEDIA<\/u> world (Claudia Trejos<\/em>); two OFFICIALS<\/u> (Dennis DeBon<\/em> and Dr. Ramon Garcia-Septien<\/em>); three TRAINERS<\/u> (Gus Curren<\/em>; Tito Tiburon Ocasio<\/em>; and Armando Wiz Fernandez<\/em>); five PARTICIPANTS<\/u> (Phil Alessi Jr.<\/em>; Richard Fabian<\/em>; Jerry Reyes<\/em>; Joey Orduna<\/em>; Steve Harris<\/em>), and eight FIGHTERS<\/u> (Randall Bailey<\/em>; Al Cole<\/em>; Fres Oquendo<\/em>; David Tua<\/em>; Shannon Briggs<\/em>; Keith Mullings Sr<\/em>.; David Armstrong<\/em>, and Cory Spinks<\/em>).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

David Tua KO’s Michael Moorer. Photo by Alex Rinaldi.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The inductees walked into the room, two by two, to the tune of \u201cRocky\u201d which was followed by the National Anthem. As it was Father\u2019s Day, Alexander started the day by proclaiming, \u201cA Happy Father\u2019s Day to all of you fathers out there.\u201d All of fathers applauded unabashedly.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 Inductee – Former WBO jr. welterweight and IBF welterweight champion Randall Bailey has his fist casted. Photo by Damon Gonzalez – LatinboxSports<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The first inductee was the only posthumous one – Keith \u201cThe Brooklyn Assassin\u201d Mullings Sr.<\/em> He was only 53 when he died last May; cause of death has never been announced. Mullings captured the WBC super welterweight title on December 6, 1997 when he TKO\u2019d the legendary \u201cTerrible\u201d Terry Norris in the ninth round. His eldest sister accepted on his behalf. \u201cHe [Keith] wanted to be remembered as a great fighter and he was. We (his immediate family) are deeply honored for this recognition,\u201d she said. Before leaving the stage, she added \u201cBrother, your fight is over.\u201d Mullings\u2019 final record was 16-8-1 (11 KO\u2019s).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 Inductee Gus Curren.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Brian Garry gave a final 10-count bell ring to all who died in the boxing world in the past year. A video tribute to the late Walter \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg<\/em> was then shown. Beforehand, Alexander told the room packed with boxing fans, \u201cThis is the first induction ceremony that we\u2019ve had where Butch Flansburg was not in attendance.\u201d It ended as the crowd watched, in the video tribute, Flansburg getting inducted into last year\u2019s FLBHOF class. Kathy Flansburg, Butch\u2019s heartbroken wife, was not in attendance at this year\u2019s induction ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – The late, legendary former FLBHOF Fame President Butch Flansburg was honored at the Induction Ceremony.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The ceremony continued and the next inductee was Steve Harris<\/em>. He first thanked God, then his mother, then his brothers, and then, overcome with emotion, Harris nicely wrapped up his speech when he told his fellow inductees \u201cThis isn\u2019t the end of the world. Keep involved in boxing. You can always teach a young person something.\u201d Earlier in his life, he took this advice for, after an amateur boxing career of some 250 bouts, rather than turn professional, he decided to become a full-time boxing coach.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next came Jerry Reyes<\/em>. He took the stage accompanied by the Whitney Houston song Hero<\/em>. When he told the audience that he was born in Puerto Rico, many of the crowd yelled approval and began to loudly yell \u201cWoo, woo!\u201d He is the founder and operator of Reyes Macho Time Boxing<\/em>. Reyes gave it this name, for he was close friends with FLBHOF inductee and former world champion Hector \u201cMacho\u201d Camacho.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Former inspector for the Florida State Boxing Commission Richard Fabian<\/em> followed. In addition to the above, he later went on to own and operate his own boxing consulting company. \u201cYou have to have passion before you have progression,\u201d was Fabian\u2019s motto during his boxing career. He told the crowd that his career in boxing has been a series of meeting the right people at the right time. \u201cThe thing that\u2019s been important to me is the friends I\u2019ve made along the way,\u201d he confessed. Overcome by emotion, Fabian ended his speech in tears.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R Bob Alexander, inductee Dr. Ramon Garcia-Septien, and FLBHOF President Steve Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Joey Orduna<\/em> was next. The matchmaker for T & K Boxing Promotions<\/em> took the stage to the tune of Ain\u2019t No Stoppin\u2019 Us Now.<\/em> He remembered first getting interested in boxing when he watched bouts on TV, especially those with Muhammad Ali, with his father. \u201cYou get stronger through adversity. These are tough times in the world now, but don\u2019t get down. Let\u2019s get going,\u201d he enthusiastically said. He gave the longest acceptance speech of all the inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Keith Mullings fires a left jab at Terry Norris in winning the WBC jr. middleweight title bout.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Phil Alessi Jr.<\/em> is an example of a son taking over a business run by his father and making it even more successful. In this case, his father started the well-known and successful Alessi Bakery<\/em>, which is based in Tampa. This affable Italian – who was inducted for his work in the fields of boxing management and promotion -took to the stage to the tune of That\u2019s Amore<\/em> as sung by Dean Martin. \u201cI do all of this for my Lord, my family, and the legacy of my father,\u201d he told the audience.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R Inductee Claudia Trejos with FLBHOF President Steven Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The next inductee was Dr. Garcia-Septien<\/em>. Born in Cuba in 1952, his family made their way to Florida. In 1984, in Tampa, he received his first state license. During his decades long work in helping boxers, he has never charged a boxer for a medical service. Uniquely, the first person that he thanked was his sister. \u201cBoxing is my life and boxing is my family,\u201d he said. Dr. Garcia-Septien gave the shortest acceptance speech.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R 2022 Inductee Steve Harris and FLBHOF President Steve Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Born in 1954 in Buffalo, New York, Dennis DeBon<\/em>, the next inductee, has refereed more than 400 professional bouts. He collects autographed boxing gloves and, for a hobby, works as an artist specializing in works made from glass. DeBon was the first inductee who, in his acceptance speech, first thanked everybody at the FLBHOF. DeBon recalled getting hit in the face while refereeing a bout and thanked Brian Garry who was his mentor.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – 2022 FLBHOF Class of Inductees Cake.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Born in 1969, Claudia Trejos<\/em> was the MEDIA department inductee. As a child, she was a talented athlete. For more than 25 years, she has worked as a television boxing commentator. In 2002, she started work for the Univision broadcasting network and her career has continued to climb. \u201cWhen they say you can\u2019t, guess what? Yes, you can,\u201d she gushed in her acceptance speech. Bob Alexander, who has worked professionally with Trejos, echoed this theme when in his introductory speech of her, he told the crowd that the Hispanic boxing commentator \u201cis serving as a great role model for Hispanic women and also young girls out there.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – Former NBA Lightweight Champ and 2022 Inductee David Armstrong.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Next was boxing promoter Richard Dobal<\/em>. Taking the stage to the accompaniment of the Phil Collins song In The Air Tonight<\/em>, he remarked, \u201cI\u2019ve worn many hats and promoter wasn\u2019t originally one of them.\u201d Eventually, he made his way to the vocation of boxing promoter with an emphasis of promoting matches in Miami and Key West. \u201cThrough the years, I\u2019ve co-promoted fights in Ireland and Australia. It\u2019s been a helluva ride,\u201d Dobal mused.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R Florida Boxing Hall of Famer and ex-heavyweight king Pinklon Thomas poses with 2022 Inductee Shannon Briggs.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Now came the TRAINERS inductees. First up was Gus Curren<\/em>. He was born in 1974 in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Later his family settled in Vero Beach, Florida. The affable Curren, the only inductee clad in blue jeans, made his way to the stage and first thanked his mother and father. He then thanked his wife and told the crowd of the circumstances of their first meeting. \u201cShe (his wife) shook my hand and said, \u2018Hello Gus, it\u2019s nice to meet you.\u2019 I said to her \u2018Shake the hand that shook the world, baby!\u2019 It turns out that you shook my world, baby, and I love you.\u201d He then asked the audience to give applause to the FLBHOF board members; the audience did so.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trainer Armando<\/em> Wiz Fernandez<\/em> was, to borrow a phrase from baseball, next up to bat. He was born in Cuba and had relatives who worked with Chris and Angelo Dundee in their gym in Miami. This led to Armando getting work in boxing. By the 1990\u2019s, he was a fulltime trainer and cut man. The humble Fernandez told the audience that his father did not want him to go into boxing. \u201cTo me, it is an honor to be inducted with this great group of champions,\u201d he proclaimed.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2022 FBHOF – L-R Announcer Bob Alexander, inductee David Tua, and FLBHOF President Steve Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

The final trainer inductee was Tito Tiburon Ocasio<\/em>. In 1996 he stopped his career as a boxing trainer due to being involved in a major car accident; six years later, Ocasio returned to the Sweet Science<\/em>. Among the many boxers that he worked with was Antonio Vargas, who represented Brazil in a Summer Olympiad. As Ocasio opened a Christian ministry and does volunteer religious work at the Coleman Correctional Facility, it was not surprising to hear him open his speech with \u201cGod bless everyone here today.\u201d The most striking thing that he said was \u201cNever think you are nobody. You are somebody.\u201d His father, mother, and children were in attendance and Ocasio thanked all of them.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By tradition, now came the final department, the FIGHTERS. First of these to be inducted was Cory \u201cThe Next Generation\u201d Spinks<\/em> (39-8, 11 KO\u2019s). The former undisputed welterweight king and 2-time IBF jr. middleweight champion was born in 1978 in St. Louis, Missouri, only five days after his father Leon upset heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in their memorable bout. Cory would go into boxing and eventually win five different title belts. Before stepping behind the podium, he got up from his front row seat and started dancing. He had a hard time controlling his emotions during his acceptance speech. \u201cWe\u2019re (boxers) the biggest giants and we\u2019ve got the softest hearts,\u201d he admitted.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Randall<\/em> \u201cThe Knock-Out King\u201d Bailey<\/em>, the next inductee, was said to be one of the hardest boxers in boxing history by Alexander. The former WBO jr. welterweight and IBF welterweight champ now lives in Georgia with his family. Bailey finished with a pro record with 46 wins, 39 by KO, and 9 losses. Randall also gave a very short acceptance speech.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

David Armstrong.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

David \u201cDiamond D\u201d Armstrong<\/em> (20-13-2, 12 KO\u2019s) was next. As an amateur boxer, he had a record of 108 wins and only 7 losses. He ambled onstage to the accompaniment of a country and western song and wore a tan cowboy hat as he gave his speech. \u201cAmazing, amazing, amazing,\u201d the former NBA lightweight champion began and finished in a direct and to-the-point manner: \u201cThat\u2019s it. We\u2019re all good. I ain\u2019t got anything more to say.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Induction ring.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Fres \u201cThe Big O\u201d Oquendo<\/em> was introduced by Alexander as \u201ca man who always has a smile on his face.\u201d Possibly that is since his final record as a pugilist was 37-8 (24 KO\u2019s). Born in Puerto Rico, but raised in Chicago, he had 105 wins and only five losses during his amateur career. One of his bouts was against fellow inductee Tua. \u00a0The three-time world heavyweight challenger Oquendo held the USBA and NBA heavyweight titles, along with the WBO and WBC Latino heavyweight crowns, and the WBA Fedelatin belt. He spoke for many minutes and closed by telling the audience that his wife was in Chicago tending to their child who was recently diagnosed with COVID.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Former cruiserweight division champion Al \u201cIce\u201d Cole<\/em> (35-16-3, 16 KO\u2019s) was the next inductee. Born in 1964 in New York, he grew up as an athlete who specialized in playing basketball; he did not take up boxing until he joined the Army. In 1989 he turned pro and then won his first 15 fights. Cole captured the IBF cruiserweight title with a 12-round decision over James Warring on July 30, 1992, at Waterloo Village in Stanhope, New Jersey. After 5 successful title defenses, Cole moved up to the heavyweight division. Before his fight with former heavyweight champ Tim Witherspoon, he was involved in a car accident which injured his back, yet he went ahead and fought Witherspoon anyway. He lost this fight, but the scoring was close. \u201cHey everybody, welcome to the Hall of Fame,\u201d he gushed.\u00a0 Although he has 16 losses to his record, the former cruiserweight king only suffered 1 loss in the cruiserweight ranks.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shannon \u201cThe Cannon\u201d Briggs<\/em> was the next to last inductee. Born in Brooklyn in 1971, he had to deal with asthma as a child and he still suffers from it. Shannon won his first 25 bouts and then proceeded to beat George Foreman in a 12-round bout on a majority decision on November 22, 1997, in Atlantic City, NJ for the lineal heavyweight title. Briggs later captured the WBO heavyweight championship in the most dramatic way possible -by technical knockout with only one second remaining in the bout against title holder Siarhel Liakhovich on November 4, 2006, in Phoenix, AZ. His record was 60-6-1 and 1 NC (53 KO\u2019s). Often gesturing with his arms while giving his acceptance speech, he began by telling the audience \u201cGet comfortable because this is going to be awhile.\u201d That it was – his speech covered many themes and was entertaining.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Randall Bailey (R) of the US floors compatriot Mike Jones (L) for an 11th round knock out victory in their fight for the vacant IBF Welterweight Championship at the MGM Grand Arena on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO \/ JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR\/AFP\/GettyImages)<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

The final inductee was former #1-ranked heavyweight contender David \u201cTuaman\u201d Tua<\/em>. He and his wife travelled the farthest distance out of all who attended the weekend ceremonies: they live in their native New Zealand. Tua wrapped up his professional boxing career with an impressive 52-5-2 (43 KO\u2019s) record.\u00a0 He was mighty a slugger who KO\u2019d future 3-time WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz 19 seconds into the opening round on March 15, 1996, and then later KO\u2019d former cruiserweight and 2-time heavyweight king Michael Moorer in 30 seconds of the first round on August 17, 2002. Tua only received one shot at the heavyweight title, facing Lennox Lewis on November 11, 2000, where he lost a 12-round unanimous decision.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Another highlight of Tua\u2019s career was winning a bronze medal during the boxing competition at the 1992 Summer Olympiad held in Barcelona, Spain. He wore several leis around his neck and got the audience on his side when he began by saying \u201cI\u2019m going to keep this speech like me – short and sweet.\u201d He thus proceeded to do so, and he kept the audience on his side when he told us that, in addition to it being Father\u2019s Day and Induction Day, Sunday was also his wife\u2019s birthday.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame is wonderful credit to the sport of boxing.\u00a0 The USA Boxing News<\/em> congratulates the 2022 Class of the FLBOF.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

______________<\/strong><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

2021 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend a resounding success!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Story by Mark Weisenmiller<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

St. Petersburg, FL<\/em>. The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame (FLBHOF), in it\u2019s 13th<\/sup> Induction Weekend (June 18-21, 2021), was the most attended Induction Weekend since the inaugural one in 2009.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF 2021 – 2021 class of inductees.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The new team handling the FLBOF are President Steven J. Canton, and the husband and wife team of Bob and Mary Alexander (Bob is Vice President and Mary is Chief Financial Officer). All three assumed said jobs in January of 2021.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Anywhere from 900 to 1,000 people attended the Friday\u00a0 night fights (the highlight of which was a TKO by Antonio Tarver Jr.; his father, former light heavyweight king Antonio Tarver, was one of the 23 inductees of the Class of 2021), and 400 people attended the Saturday night gala dinner.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF -Art Piece for the 2021 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2021 inductees are:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fighters<\/u>: Antonio Tarver; his long-time rival Glen Johnson; Jameel McCline; Danny Santiago; Frankie Randall; Marcel Clay, and Danny Sanchez.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trainers<\/u>: Orlando Cuellar and Luis Camacho.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Promoters<\/u>: Terry Trekas.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Media<\/u>: Artist Arcadio Castro Jr. and Brad Berkwitt.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Historian<\/u>: Caroline Myer.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Participants<\/u>: Rodolfo Aguilar; Walter \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg; Orlando Fernandez, and Charley \u201cDoc\u201d Williams.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Officials\/Commissions<\/u>: John Birmingham; Richard Green, and Alex Levin.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Special Achievement Award<\/u>: Steve Harris and Joey Orduna (these two were given their awards, and made their acceptance speeches, before the Saturday night gala dinner).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lifetime Achievement Award<\/u>: Bob Nicholson. He, along with Frankie Randall and Charley \u201cDoc\u201d Williams, were honored posthumously.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – 2021 FBHOF Inductee Frankie Randall batters Julio Cesar Chavez to win WBC super lightweight title.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

As is the norm, most of the day Saturday (specifically, from 9 am to 3 pm) was spent by past, present, and future FLBHOF inductees commingling with boxing buffs of all ages at the Marriott St. Petersburg hotel (which, as it did late last year, hosted the induction weekend activities). There were autograph signings; book signings; fist casting; various forms of memorabilia for sale; a radio program, which broadcast from the hotel (all of this took place on the hotel\u2019s \\second floor), and – most pertinently for those who either like or love boxing – various seminars.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – 2021 FBHOF Inductee Arcadio Castro Jr. with Kathy Flansburg.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The first of these dealt with the topics of judging and refereeing and was co-hosted by Brian Garry and Chris Young, two long-time boxing referees, who have made this\u00a0 seminar a tradition at the annual FLBHOF induction ceremonies. Yet, with each passing year, they tweak it to change things up and make the seminars interesting.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – 2021 FBHOF Inductee Antonio Tarver rocks Roy Jones with a left hook.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

This year, for example, they passed out to each of the large audience members a yellow, rectangle-shaped weigh-in \u201cinduction list\u201d (their words); a gray and blue colored brochure called a judges brief<\/em>, and – from long-time boxing judge Tom Kaczmarek of New Jersey – a 1996 copyrighted card entitled, Guideline for the Professional Boxing Judge<\/em>. All of these hand-outs helped the audience immeasurably as Garry and Young talked about topics ranging from certain boxers preferring various sized rings (Muhammad Ali, with his energetic boxing style, preferred a 22-foot ring; Mike Tyson, with his brawling style of boxing, favored a 16-foot ring) to tips for referees (always take a nap the afternoon of a bout, to be energized for the long night of referring ahead).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – 2021 FBHOF Inductee Antonio Tarver jolts Roy Jones with a right hand.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After Bob Alexander conducted a seminar on ring announcing, Canton and four other boxing personnel participated in a panel discussion seminar. One of the subjects discussed before the audience was performance enhancing drugs (or P.E.D.\u2019s). All five panel members were against them and Canton took the point even further.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The new FLBHOF President stated that he believed that if a boxer tested positive for P.E.D.\u2019s after a bout that: A) The fight should not officially be recognized, B) If the fight is officially recognized, then the boxer who testified positive for P.E.D.\u2019s should automatically be disqualified, and C) Said boxer should have his license revoked.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Came the evening and diners nibbled on a salad, garlic bread, and a slice of lasagna. Diners chatted among themselves until the next major event of the evening. That was \u201cto pay respect and tribute to those we lost (in the boxing world) since we last met in 2020,\u201d explained Bob Alexander. He then read aloud a long list of names and Phyllis Garry (a past FLBHOF inductee and long-time boxing bell-ringer) did so, as the audience rose to pay tribute to them.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF 2021 – Inductee Butch Flansburg with FBHOF President Steve Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Canton gave a short speech welcoming everyone; the annual Don Hazelton Scholarship Awards<\/em> were presented to Xavier Castro and Terrance Williams; the keynote speech\u00a0 was given by Phil Alessi Jr., and then, as noted, Canton gave the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Awards<\/em> to former boxer\/coach\/trainer Steve Harris and matchmaker and promoter Joey Orduna.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, June 20, 2021, was notable for it was: A) The first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, B) Father\u2019s Day, and C) Most importantly for our purposes here, Induction Day for the 23-member Class of 2021. The Breakfast of Champions<\/em> was for early risers from 7 to 9 am, where – over eggs, bacon, coffee, cranberry or orange juice, and bagels – people munched away and conversed (not simultaneously).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – 2021 FBHOF Inductee – Light heavyweight great Antonio Tarver.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Master of ceremonies was, as he has been since 2009, Florida Boxing Hall of Famer Bob Alexander. The induction ceremony was live-streamed\u00a0 online. As noted, the three posthumous inductees of the Class of 2021 were inducted first. Previous to this, the remainder of the Class of 2021 walked into the hotel ballroom, two by two, and took their seats in front of the room as audience members stood. To the inductees, Alexander said, \u201cYou earned this moment through hard work. Savor this moment and enjoy it.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Frankie Randall was first inducted, and then Nate Campbell Jr. accepted the honor for Charley \u201cDoc\u201d Williams. \u201cThis man,\u201d Campbell said, (while holding Williams’ plaque) \u201cwas a mean old fart.\u201d Campbell then told a number of numerous stories about Williams and the longer that Nate spoke, the more apparent it was that he loved and respected Williams, so much so that by the time Campbell got to the end of his speech, he was crying.\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Accepting for Bob Nicholson was his wife of 40 years, Debbie, and his daughter Heather. The latter gave an emotional talk that ended with \u201cI hope that he\u2019s (Nicholson) enjoying this Father\u2019s Day in heaven because we sure as hell miss him here.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Panama-born Rodolfo Aguilar was the first of the inductees to speak. This ex-boxer won his first 21 bouts and overall, the tone of his speech was quite humble.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Walter \u201cButch\u201d Flansburg, who was next and who is the former President of the FLBHOF, began by thanking his wife Kathy. \u201cMy wife did the hardest part of the job (i.e., starting the FLBHOF) because she did all the work, all I did was go around shaking hands,\u201d he said to chuckles from the audience.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF 2021 – AWARD WINNERS KATHY AND BUTCH FLANSBURG.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Orlando Fernandez then stepped behind the podium; he told the audience that his godfather was the famed former baseball player Orlando Cepeda, whose picture was on a wall in the house that he grew up in. every time that Fernandez walked past it, he tapped the picture for good luck.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

John Birmingham made a point of thanking Don Hazelton, while Richard Green (who traveled widely for his boxing job) stated, \u201cWith this sport, you can make friends from all over the world, and I have, and I hope to keep them.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking in a quiet voice, Alex Levin told the audience that his love of boxing began when he watched the first Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks fight on television in 1978. \u201cI fell in love with Ali, and when he lost, I cried.\u201d During Levin\u2019s speech, Canton fell backwards off of his chair. Levin handled this with adroitly when he said \u201cIt\u2019s OK everybody, he\u2019s (Canton) fine. It\u2019s OK, everybody, my father fell this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FHBOF – 2021 FBHOF Inductee Jameel McCline lands a crunching right to the head of IBF heavyweight king Chris Byrd.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Brad Berkwitt thanked Aaron Pryor and Alexis Arguello (\u201cwho were my favorite fighters\u201d), while artist Arcadio Castro Jr. said, \u201cSecond to my kid being born, this is the greatest moment of my life. All I do is paint pictures, but look at these guys,\u201d as he arm-gestured towards his fellow inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Caroline Myer gave the shortest acceptance speech of the inductees, while Terry Trekas, who followed her, began his speech by noting, \u201cThank you for this over-sized podium, so I don\u2019t have to hold in my gut!\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – L-R 2021 FBHOF Inductee and former heavyweight title challenger Jameel McCline hold the 2021 FBHOF Artwork.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Luis Camacho (who, at age 83, was the oldest inductee) took to the stage to the accompaniment of recorded salsa music to which he danced along with. He was the only inductee to thank both the men, and especially the single women who raise their children alone, on Father\u2019s Day 2021. He then proceeded to give a hilarious speech comparing boxing to marriage. This caused Orlando Cuellar, who followed Camacho, to publicly ask him \u201cWhen did you steal my speech?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Now came the final division of inductees, those of the fighters. Marcel Clay gave the longest speech of the afternoon and Danny Sanchez one of the shortest. Danny Santiago was the only inductee who noticeably thanked all of his past trainers. Jameel McCline, a massive man (both in height and weight and he still looks in good physical shape) began his speech by saying, \u201cI will be kindly short.\u201d He then took the audience on a vocal voyage of his boxing career and remarked, \u201cWhere there is no struggle, there is no success.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF -2021 FBHOF Inductee Glen Johnson smashes a right hand into the face of Clinton Woods en route to win.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Glen Johnson kept his speech short and made a point of thanking both Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. This paved the way or the last inductee, Antonio Tarver, who took to the podium among long, sustained applause and to the strains of the Bob Dylan song \u201cBlowin\u2019 In The Wind.\u201d As he made his way to the podium, numerous audience members rushed to the stage to take pictures and video of him with their cell telephones.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2021 FBHOF – 2021 Inductee and great light heavyweight king Antonio Tarver poses with his two kids at the 2021 FBHOF dinner.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u201cThank you to everyone who came here and safe travels back,\u201d Tarver began. He admitted that, \u201cI was moved by all of the testimony from all of the inductees.\u201d He went on to thank his mother and three sisters and, noticeably moved, made a point of thanking Johnson.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Johnson and Tarver, the co-protagonists of an intense rivalry when both were active boxers, have mellowed. The fires of youthful ambition no longer bank their personalities. Today they are friends; such is the way with long-time opponents in the sport of boxing.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

_________<\/strong><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

THE USA BOXING NEWS INTERVIEW<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0STEVE CANTON<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

President of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/p>\n

By Mark Weisenmiller<\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/p>\n

The new President of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame talks with The U.S.A. Boxing News about his long-time boxing experience; explains his goals to be achieved while President; the opening of the new FLBHOF located in Fort Myers, FL, and his long-time admiration and love for the New York Yankees<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The year 2021, depending on how one tracks time, is the start of a new decade and for Steve Canton, 74, the new President of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, all indicators suggest that it is going to be a busy year for him.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Steve got involved in boxing at the age of 11. In his six-decade long career in boxing, he has done just about everything (as we will find out below).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Steve Canton (R) with 2020 FBHOF inductee Dalia Duran (L).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

His interview with The U.S.A. Boxing News was conducted during the closing weeks of 2020 and, even then, during the annual winter holiday season, Canton told us that he was working 12-to-16-hour long days \u201cand sometimes I don\u2019t even have time to eat.\u201d Besides assuming the many responsibilities of being the FLBHOF President, he also owns and operates SJC Boxing Club, Inc., a boxing gym which has been in existence in Fort Myers for more than 30 years.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additionally, when we interviewed him by telephone, he was supervising the laying out of exhibits and memorabilia of the new \u201cfacility\u201d – a word he uses to describe the three rooms in Fort Myers which constitute the actual, physical Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, which is to have its grand opening ceremonies on January 9, 2021. Previous to this, the FLBHOF had a sort of three-dimensional existence; in other words, the FLBHOF did not exist in actuality. Canton told the USABN that he hopes that the FLBHOF will grow to the point where it needs more than three rooms.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We began the interview by asking the tall, thin, swift, white-haired Canton- – who, with his classical facial features, resembles a Harvard-educated Boston Brahmin trustee attorney, although he speaks with neither a Boston or Brooklyn accent – about his boxing experience and how he feels about becoming the new FLBHOF President.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Steve Canton (L) with 2020 FBHOF inductee Robert Daniels (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

NEWS:<\/span> What in your background, in your estimation, makes you best suited to be the new President of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> I\u2019ve been in the sport since the age of 11, when I started boxing at the Police Boy\u2019s Club in New York City, and I\u2019ve been involved in boxing ever since; and now I\u2019m 74. You name it and I\u2019ve done it: promoter; announcer; trainer; cut-man; judge; referee; timekeeper; and I boxed myself when I was younger. Plus, I was serving as the FLBHOF Vice-President for quite some time. I was part of the inaugural inductee class of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame back in 2009, of which I\u2019m grateful.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> On the point of inductees, now that you are President, would you like to see, on average, many more inductees put into the FLBHOF every year?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> It will be the same. Every year we put in about 20 people, plus we give out two awards to people who have contributed to boxing in some way. That\u2019s probably more than any other boxing hall of fame in the world, so I don\u2019t see us putting even more inductees in every year.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> What are some of your aims, or your goals, for the future of the FLBHOF?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> We want to get more involvement with the past inductees and their families helping newer inductees and their families join our (FLBHOF) fraternity. That way, we will become even more popular and, by word of mouth with all of these people talking about the FLBHOF, more and more people will hear about us.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Every year, we have two big events: the announcement of the year\u2019s inductees, which is done here at Fort Myers and the June induction ceremony weekend which is done in the Tampa\/St. Petersburg area. What we would like to do is something between those two events. For example, I would like to see a casino night held in, say, Miami and then, the following year, something held in Orlando. I\u2019ve begun work on about 15 or 16 different ideas about all of this. In other words, more ideas spread all throughout the state.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a busy time for us. We\u2019ve got a new gym and we loaded a U-Haul (moving truck) three times, moving things from the old gym to here in the new gym. We did all of this over a weekend and by the Monday of the next week, the new gym was open for business and for boxers to train; it was as though there was no break in our business.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Steve Canton with his terrific book – Steve Canton’s Tributes, Memories, and Observations of the Sweet Science.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

NEWS:<\/span> Do you plan for the FLBHOF to get bigger during your tenure as President? If so, how will this be accomplished?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> When you use the word bigger, that\u2019s a relative term. If you mean bigger by way of putting more inductees into the Hall of Fame, as I\u2019ve said, no, we\u2019re not going to do that. But if you mean bigger by way of space then YES. The new facility (i.e., the new FLBHOF) is three separate rooms in the gym. They have exhibits; memorabilia, and a continuously playing video will soon be installed, where visitors can watch the great boxers in their great fights. In time, we\u2019ll add plenty more.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> We live and work in an Internet-connected world. On that point, would you like to see the FLBHOF\u2019s website made more efficient and informative while you are the FLBHOF\u2019s President?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> The website will be totally revamped [Note: he hopes to have this done by the end of 2021]. We\u2019ve got people working on it now. I\u2019m the type of leader that wants everything done yesterday. I\u2019m getting wi-fi installed here as we speak. I\u2019ve got three different guys here, doing three different things, and one of them is the wi-fi guy.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> Tell us about your background.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York until the age of 16. That makes me a life-time New York Yankees fan. They\u2019re my favorite team to watch and I\u2019ve been watching them since I was a boy. I finished high school in Ohio and then went into the Air Force. One thing led to another and for the past 30 years, I\u2019ve had the gym here in Fort Myers. I grew to love this area because when by the time I was in the Air Force, my mother and father were retired and they moved here to Fort Myers. When I got military leave, I would come to visit them and I fell in love with the area. I grew to love the climate and the fact that there was no snow and ice here.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> Has any fighter donated items to the FLBHOF?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> There\u2019s been so many items donated by so many fighters. Some that quickly come to mind are David Jaco\u2019s gloves when he fought (Mike) Tyson; a painting by Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, and the boxing gear worn by Nate Campbell during his final bout (trunks, robe, etc.). All of that, and plenty more, are here.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> How big is the new building, in terms of square feet, and are there plans to expand said building within, say, the next two to three years?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> The square footage of the three rooms adds up to 5,200 square feet. We plan on constantly updating and arranging exhibits in the facility. We\u2019re going to constantly be having things – items, memorabilia, etc. – moving in and out of the facility. Yes, I would like to see us expand in the future.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> How are you going to give enough time to fulfilling your many FLBHOF Presidential duties if you are also running your boxing gym?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> I\u2019ve been doing this (i.e., multi-tasking) all of my life, so it\u2019s nothing new to me. I run my gym; I\u2019ve got my (FLBHOF) Presidential duties; I\u2019m working with the city of Fort Myers to create a program in which under-privileged kids will come to the gym to box and train, and hear inspirational talks from athletes of all walks of life, and also get a hot meal. I\u2019m always doing all sorts of things here.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> Who is going to be your FLBHOF Vice-President and do you have plans of working closely with him or her on various projects?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> Yes, Bob Alexander is my V.P. He is one of the great boxing announcers in the world. I used him in many of my fights and respect him so much that I brought him along on some overseas fights that I promoted. He\u2019s been on the FLBHOF board for years. Bob handles Media Relations; Press Relations; Organization, and other things. Besides those things, we work on many other matters as a team.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> Your life is already boxing oversaturated and with your new duties as FLBHOF President, it\u2019s going to be even more so. So, what do you to do to relax? What do you do to take the stress off?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> I\u2019m training every night here in the gym. Boxers from 72 different countries have trained here in my gym. I relax by training. I tell people that I have three ages: when I\u2019m in the ring, I fee like I\u2019m 25; when I get out of the ring, I feel like I\u2019m 85, and all of the other times, I\u2019m 74.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I usually get home sometime after midnight. There are only two hobbies in my life: baseball and boxing. I will watch the Yankees whenever I get the chance on TV, but I\u2019ll settle for watching any team play. I\u2019ll also watch the news on occasion. That\u2019s all I do.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEWS:<\/span> What specific things did Butch and Kathy Flansburg (Canton\u2019s FLBHOF President predecessor and his wife) do to make sure that the FLBHOF succeeded? What, in your estimation, was the most significant achievement of your predecessor and Kathy?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CANTON:<\/span> Creating the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame is easily their greatest achievement. Plus, they were smart enough to surround themselves with knowledgeable board members who knew all sorts of things about boxing. That was a very smart move that ensured that the Hall of Fame would succeed. They set it up properly.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re (Butch and Kathy and Steve and his wife Beth) long-time friends. I knew Butch back when he was a photographer shooting boxing back in the 1970\u2019s. Butch and Kathy were just down here this past weekend, helping Beth and I sort through boxes of memorabilia. Before we had the new facility, we had all of the memorabilia stored in a storage space in Tampa. Now, people can see some of the stuff in the new Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. And now I\u2019m eager to see what I can do as President. I want to put all of my boxing experience to use (as FLBHOF President).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information on the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame go to:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.floridaboxinghalloffame.com\/<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

__________<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A Fun-packed Winter Induction Ceremony for the 23 Class of 2020 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Story by Mark Weisenmiller<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photos by Damon Gonzalez<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Petersburg, FL – On the same early November 2020 weekend that a new President of the United States, Joe Biden, was projected to be elected, there occurred the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction weekend.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The election of Biden over his predecessor took some days to formalize and at press time, there are still questions regarding the election’s integrity. For the 23 inductees of the Class of 2020, such was not the case.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2020 FLBHOF inductee Rocky Torres.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In 2020, the year of the international pandemic best know by the acronym of COVID 19 (this is easily the most important story of the year and, possibly, the new decade), all aspects of people’s personal and professional lives have changed. Such was also the case with the 2020 FBHOF induction Weekend.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Championship<\/a>

Championship Fight card held at the 2020 FLBHOF Induction Weekend.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In past years, FLBHOF induction ceremonies have always taken place during the week of the North American summer solstice in late June at the Westshore Hyatt Hotel in Tampa. Now, in these post-COVID days, 2020\u2019s ceremonies took place, as previously noted, in the winter month of early\u00a0 November, but this time at the St. Petersburg Marriott Hotel.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Class of 2020 Inductee former IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy getting his hand casted by Paul Goddard from Hands Unlimited.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Life in these COVID (China Virus) times did not seem to scare away eager and interested boxing fans, for it seemed as though there appeared to be more people attending the ceremonies as compared to past years! Also, there seemed to be more women here this year as compared to past induction ceremony years.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2020 FBHOF Charles Mooney (R) winning a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympic Games.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All of these people, as per an anti-COVID ordinance from Florida\u2019s Governor, wore protective face masks. Some of these individuals wore black colored masks which had the FBHOF\u2019s circular orange-colored emblem printed on them.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Class of 2020 Inductee Jeff Gibson from FBHOF Announcer Bob Alexander.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 On Day One (actually evening, Friday, November 6) – had 14 pro boxing bouts held in the hotel\u2019s grand ballroom. The fisticuffs began at 7:30 and did not finish until 1:30 am the following morning. The bouts were put on by T & K Promotions.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 From 10 am until four pm on Saturday, on the second floor of the hotel, there was the following: fist casting; autographs; book signings; various types of memorabilia on sale (boxing gloves, old boxing magazines with aging, yellowing paper, etc.), a two-hour podcast, and two seminars.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Class of 2020 Inductee Phyllis Garry getting his hand casted by Paul Goddard from Hands Unlimited.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The first of these seminars was conducted by former Referee Brian Garry (FLBHOF Class of 2009; he worked as a referee in amateur bouts for 22 years and professional fights for 25 years), and the second was \u201cThe Fine Art of Coaching\u201d by Steve Canton (also a FBHOF inductee member).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The entire weekend events were hosted by the terrific announcer Bob Alexander, who is also a former inductee in the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Inductees were the following:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fighters<\/u>: Bonnie \u201cThe Cobra\u201d Canino (Former IBF and IBA Female Featherweight Champion \u2013 11-4-5 KO’s); Eliseo Castillo; Robert \u201cPreacherman\u201d Daniels (Former WBA and IBO Cruiserweight Champion – 49-10-41 KO’s); Jeff \u201cLeft Hook\u201d Lacy (Former IBF and IBO Super Middleweight Champion \u2013 27-6-1 -18\u00a0 KO’s); Buster Mathis, Jr. (Former IBF USBA Heavyweight Champion \u2013 21-2-3 NC-18 KO’s); Jeff Sims (Former Florida State Heavyweight King \u2013 22-9-20 KO’s); Rocky Torres (Former WBA FEDELATIN and WBC FECAR BOX light heavyweight champion – 22-7-8 KO’s), and Glenn \u201cBig Bad\u201d Wolfe (Former 2-time IBF Super Middleweight Title Challenger \u2013 27-5-1-24 KO’s).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"FLBHOF<\/a>

FLBHOF Alumni Bob Alexander opens up the ceremony on Saturday night during the FLBHOF Gala Dinner.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trainer\/Manager<\/u>: Ben Getty.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Promoter<\/u>: Jeff Gibson.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Media<\/u>: Joe Bruno; Dalia Duran (daughter of one of this publication\u2019s most favorite fighters, Roberto Duran, FBHOF Class of 2012. With her induction, this became the first father\/daughter combination to be inducted into the FLBHOF), and Alan Hopper.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Participants<\/u>: Lucius Harris; Lou Martinez; Charles Mooney, the Bantamweight Silver Medalist at the legendary 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Floyd Self.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Official\/Commission<\/u>: Phyllis Garry; Emil Lombardi Jr., and Mark Streisand.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"FLBHOF<\/a>

FLBHOF Alumni Steve Canton facing off against 2020 Inductee Jeff Daniels.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, Phil Alessi Jr. and Orlando Cuellar received Boxing Achievement Awards<\/em> and Kathy Gentile received a Lifetime Achievement Award<\/em>. These last three received their awards during the Saturday evening dinner.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sunday was induction day for the 23 honored people of\u00a0 The Class of 2020. After a breakfast (from eight to 10 am), where it seemed as though there was more reminiscing than actual eating, the ceremony started with the presentation of the American flag by American Legion Post 5 of Tampa. Then outgoing FBHOF President Butch Flansburg and his wife, Kathy, (a quiet, unassuming woman who is a whirling dervish during annual induction weekends) were asked to come to the stage as well as the new FBHOF President Steve Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"FLBHOF<\/a>

FLBHOF Class of 2020 Inductee Glenn Wolfe getting his hand casted by Paul Goddard from Hands Unlimited.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 A video tribute to both of them was shown to the hundreds of people who packed the grand ballroom for the ceremonies (perhaps symbolically, Billy Joel\u2019s song \u201cI\u2019m Still Standing” was the song played during the length of the video presentation). Canton enthusiastically praised both of the Flansburgs \u201cfor laying the foundation for us (the FLBHOF) to grow.\u201d He then gave a commemorative plaque to Butch and a $50 gift card to a famous steak house in Tampa to Kathy; this caused the latter to jump up and down and pump her arms vigorously as though she was a high school cheerleader.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"THE<\/a>

THE FLBHOF 2020 INDUCTEE CAKE.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All of the inductees wore red short sleeve polo shirts and were given rings and FLBHOF plaques as they came to the stage. The introductions for the inductees were quite laudatory but tended to be a bit too long. Also, due to the COVID pandemic, a number of inductees chose not to attend the ceremonies; however, they did watch said ceremonies from their respective homes (the induction ceremony was shown, live, via the Internet).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Jeff<\/a>

Jeff Lacey and FLBHOF President Butch Flansburg.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The inductees ceremonies began with the presentation of said awards to relatives of the four deceased inductees: Self (which was accepted by his daughter Gayle Sierens who, in the 1980\u2019s, was the first woman announced to broadcast play-by play commentary of an NFL football game; later, she worked for many years as a news reader for the NBC-TV affiliate station in Tampa); Sims (who died in 1993 at the age of 39 due to a physical altercation. He may best be remembered for splitting Muhammad Ali\u2019s lip during a sparring session; the egotistical Ali grew a mustache to hide the cut); Getty (accepted by his son Chris), and the man who trained Antonio Tarver and scores of other boxers, Lou Harris (this was accepted by his widow who gave a calm, well thought out, and very well delivered speech. Here was, and is, a woman of class and distinction). Brian Garry came to the stage and clanged the ten-count bell in honor of the four men. Then came a video, with Bruce Springsteen\u2019s \u201cBorn To Run\u201d song played on the video\u2019s soundtrack, of the highlights of the induction ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R 2020 Inducted Dalia Duran with the new FLBHOF President Steve Canton.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Now came the living inductees and, mostly, they kept to their five-minute long speech deadlines. First up was trainer and promoter Lou Martinez (\u201cI\u2019m glad that there\u2019s a community among people. I\u2019m going to wrap it up because that\u2019s all I have to say,\u201d he concluded amidst laughter from the audience); Charles Mooney (who was not in attendance; it was accepted by Canton); Phyllis Garry (a timekeeper and judge, who worked at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia); she joined her husband Brian as the first husband\/wife inductees in FLBHOF history. She explained just what she does, and how she does it – that is, timekeeping – as per Florida boxing rules. Mark Streisand (not in attendance); and the ever popular and loquacious referee Emilio Lombardi Jr. (when he came to the stage the theme song that he selected for his walk was \u201cRock You Like A Hurricane.\u201d That is a song with much guitar playing in it and Lombardi, like the author, is a guitar player.) Lombardi got a long and loud ovation. He graciously first offered his congratulations to his fellow inductees. Lombardi easily gave the longest speech of the afternoon, but it was laced with humor and good intent).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R FLBHOF Announcer Bob Alexander with 2020 Inductee referee Emil Lombardi, Jr. showing off their FLBHOF Championship Rings.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Now it was time for the three media inductees: Hopper (yet another no-show); Dalia Duran, who very much was there, was very happy. After she came to the stage, she took some minutes to gather her composure before speaking. Her contingent in the audience promptly went loco as she walked to the stage. \u201cWe did it; we\u2019re in!,\u201d she said to her contingent in particular and the audience in general. Then was Joe Bruno, whose speech was brief, and at different times, hilarious and or quite emotional. Promoter Jeff Gibson was next. Coming to the stage (to the tune of \u201cBad Boys\u201d), he began his speech by saying \u201cIt\u2019s not a good idea to give a mike (microphone) to a boxing promoter but I\u2019ll make this short as possible.\u201d He did not do so, but his speech was both funny and informative. Gibson has put on 104 boxing shows in Florida.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R FLBHOF Announcer Bob Alexander with 2020 Inductee Glen Wolfe.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The final section of inductees were the fighters: Rocky Torres, who said, \u201cI want to give Glory to God and thanks to my birthplace of Homestead, FL, which is undergoing a big storm now.\u201d He was referring to the hurricane which then plagued South Florida); Robert Daniels (who gave the shortest speech of the inductees who were present); Buster Mathis Jr. (whose theme song was \u201cHit Me With Your Best Shot.\u201d He was yet another person who could not attend. Canton, who accepted for Mathis, told the crowd that Buster was not in the best of health, but was watching the induction ceremony from his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan); Castillo (also not in attendance); Bonnie Canino, who actually was there at the beginning of the weekend, but had to rush back home to her home in South Florida due to a personal matter. Lou Martinez accepted the award for his good friend Canino); Glenn Wolfe (who got a boisterous reception and gave a short and hilarious recap of his boxing career), and, finally the intense Jeff \u201cLeft Hook\u201d Lacy (there was noticeable gray in his beard and, while intense, he was also quite emotional and came close to breaking down and crying during his speech), who remarked, \u201cThis is the icing on the cake for me (i.e., his FBHOF induction).\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R FLBHOF Announcer Bob Alexander with 2020 Inductee Jeff Gibson.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The day, and the Class of 2020 Induction Weekend, ended when the master of ceremonies formally introduced the Class of 2020. The FLBHOF Class of 2021 will be announced In early January of 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Letter sent out by the departing FBHOF President Butch Flansburg and his wife, the FBHOF CFO Kathy Flansburg:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Boxing Fans,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

After many years of attending the IBHOF, I felt that Florida should have this same honor. Florida has had many champions come from our state as well as many who have helped those become champions. After talking with some friends, I asked my wonderful wife if she would be willing to help me establish the FBHOF which she gracefully agreed to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0After all the jargon of becoming a corporation, getting our nonprofit, we established a board of directors. I remember that very first dinner, the Board prayed for at least 75 people to attend so we would not have to be personally responsible. To say that we were received with open arms is an understatement with over 250 people supporting us, we knew we could only get better.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R Omar Sheika trades with IBF super middle king Jeff Lacy on 12-4-2004.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>It has been an honor and a pleasure for us to be able to create this wonderful organization for all of those who love boxing. After 12 years Kathy and I are retiring at the end of this year and looking forward to traveling, spending more time together and visiting us grandchildren more often.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The FLBHOF Class of 2020 welcomes Lou Martinez during the FLBHOF Induction Ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

I would like to thank Steve Canton for agreeing to start this adventure with us, Bob Alexander for being a great MC each year, Arcadio Castro for our amazing logo and all of you who have supported and believed in us.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R Referee Emilio Lombardo Jr. and FLBHOF President Butch Flansburg.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>I would like to also thank Steve Yerrid and The Yerrid Foundation for its continue support through the years, along with Fred Levin, Christopher Young, NISA Brian Garry, Jimmy Resnick, Renaissance Gems for our rings, Ira with Goldstar streaming & Phil Alessi Jr. it would not be a hall of fame weekend without the delicious beautiful cake donated by Alessi bakery each year.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"L-R<\/a>

L-R The FLBHOF Welcomes historian boxing writer Joe Bruno to the Class of 2020 during FLBHOF Induction Ceremony.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Through the past 12 years we have learned a lot, met some of the most amazing, interesting and generous people and have had so much fun. \u00a0We offer to all, please keep in touch with us. We are thankful to everyone who has worked with us through the years to make the Hall what it has become and we believe that it is being left in good hands to continue the legacy for many years to come. Vice President Steve Canton will be taking on the position of President and will fill any empty board seats. We will always be available to assist the Hall as needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are forever your friends in boxing<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Butch & Kathy Flansburg<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Editors’ Note: We first came in contact with Butch and Kathy Flansburg in 2012.\u00a0 We were grieving at the time of the loss of our brother Gerard Rinaldi, who had died the previous year at New Port Richey, Florida.\u00a0 Gerard had covered boxing for us at The USA Boxing News and for numerous other boxing publications and newspapers over the past 30 years.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 One afternoon in January, we received a call at the offices of The USA Boxing News from Butch Flansburg notifying us that Gerard was chosen to be inducted into the 2012 class of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. The phone lit up our day and we were genuinely gratified that a boxing hall of fame had recognized the great achievements of our brother Gerard.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 We both attended the 2012 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend and spoke at the Ceremony honoring Gerard. We personally met both Butch, who was the president of the FBHOF, and his wife Kathy, who was the CFO of the FBHOF.\u00a0 They were friendly and accommodating to us and could not have been nicer. <\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Over the course of the years, The USA Boxing News has promoted the efforts of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.\u00a0 We are big supporters of organizations in various states that organize state boxing hall of fames to honor fighters and others who have made incredible contributions to their respective states in the wonderful sport of boxing.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 People such as Butch and Kathy Flansburg are credits to the sport of boxing with the tireless efforts each year to make the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame the resounding success it is. They are a first-class couple who are champions in their own right.\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 We are proud and honored that in 2012 our brother Gerard was a 2012 Inductee into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, and that we followed him in the 2017 FBHOF class of inductees.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 We both wish continued success to Kathy and Butch Flansburg, and we also congratulate their worthy successor Steve Canton, who we are sure will do a knockout job.<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

–The USA\u00a0 Boxing News Editors John and Alex Rinald<\/span>i.<\/strong><\/p>\n

__________<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

2019 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame<\/span><\/p>\n

inducts an esteemed group<\/strong><\/span>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Story by <\/em><\/strong>Mark Weisenmiller\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TAMPA, FLORIDA. Twenty people, from six different specialties of boxing, were inducted today into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Induction weekend. Additionally, two men were given Boxing Achievement Awards.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame 2019 Inductees at announcement their induction.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2019 are the following:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fighters<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Eromosele Albert, Juan Arroyo, Nate Campbell, Lou Esa, Richard Hall, Lamar Murphy, Jimmy Navarro, and James Scott.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trainer\/Manager<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Birmingham and Pete Brodsky.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Promoter<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Nathan Lopez Senior.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Media<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Damon Gonzalez and Sean O\u2019Grady.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Participant<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pete Balcunas, Henry Grooms, and Chico Rivas.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Official\/Commission<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Telis Assimenios, Dr. Rodolfo Eichberg, Frank Gentile,\u00a0 and Dr. Mel Jurado.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inuctee EROMOSELE ALBERT.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The two men who were given Boxing Achievement Awards were Seminole Tribe of Florida politician Mitchell Cypress (when in the U.S. Army, he fought in matches in Germany and the United States. Decades later, as Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, he was seminal in attracting boxing promoters to stage matches at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida) and Emile Lombardi Jr. (who began his affiliation with boxing while working as a judge before becoming a referee; he has refereed more than 50 fights).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee – SEAN O’GRADY (L) IN HIS TITLE WINNING EFFORT AGAINST HILMER KENTY (R).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

On the evening of Friday, June 21st<\/sup>, the annual day of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, 17 amateur fights were held at The Westshore Grand Hotel (whose facilities also hosted all of the other activities affiliated with this weekend\u2019s induction ceremonies). 2018 FBHOF inductee Christy Martin came down from her home in North Carolina to attend the bouts.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee – Juan Arroyo.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

All day on Saturday, vendors had tables selling boxing memorabilia; local authors signed their books (whose subjects were an array of boxing-affiliated topics); and autographs were asked for and given. From 10 to 11 am, a referee and judge seminar was conducted by Brian Garry (who was inducted into the FBHOF 10 years ago). Assisted by his wife Phyllis Garry (a long-time boxing match bell ringer and the recipient two years ago of the FLBHOF Boxing Achievement Award), his talk was divided into three sections titled, respectively, \u201cWho Is Da Ref?,\u201d \u201cPurpose and Function of the Referee,\u201d and \u201cRing Mechanics.\u201d When husband Garry began and ended a section, wife Phyllis would clang a hammer on a bell. Ever the diligent worker, when the seminar started to last longer than the one hour scheduled for it (due to audience members having many comments and questions for Brian), Phyllis loudly and repeatedly hit the bell, a not-so-subtle hint to Brian to wrap up the talk.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Florida Boxing Hall of Fame inductee – FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER LOU ESA<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Referee Garry, who officiated boxing matches at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, had a series of bon mots during his seminar. Among them: \u201cRemember, it is always better to stop a fight one punch before it\u2019s too late (i.e., before a boxer gets injured)\u201d; \u201cThe critical job of the referee is safety, safety, safety,\u201d \u201cRoberto Duran and Archie Moore were the two greatest defensive boxers I ever saw,\u201d and \u201cA boxer will try everything in the book (i.e., to score points against, and to hurt, his or her opponent).\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Nate Campbell former undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World (WBA, IBF, and WBO)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Garry also explained to audience members that judges can not get out of their chairs during a boxing bout; that punches on an opponent\u2019s arms aren\u2019t scoring (\u201cbecause arms are used for defense\u201d); that when judging a fight at home, the first thing that a television viewers should do is mute the volume, and that Garry is in favor of increasing the number of judges for a bout from three to five \u201cbecause it would eliminate draws.\u201d After this came a two-hour long podcast, done from The Westshore Grand, of a show called \u201cThe Shadow League,\u201d which was hosted by Rhett Butler and no, this was not the same Rhett Butler of \u201cGone With The Wind\u201d fame.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF – 2019 INDUCTEE RICHARD HALL.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

People commingled, ate lunch, told each other boxing stories (most of which seemed to be fact and not fiction) and then, from 1.30 to 2.30, Dwaine Simpson (Class of 2014) hosted a seminar entitled \u201cBoxing At It\u2019s Finest.\u201d He has 65 years of experience in boxing; he began fighting as a young man in Florida. Simpson likes to joke and say \u201cI had 142 professional bouts and all of them ended in knockouts except for the two that I won,\u201d but in actuality, this man was a talented pugilist. His record, after he completed his 14 year (1956 to 1970) career, is 113 wins, 22 defeats, and seven draws. After retirement, he has stayed active in boxing as a consultant, teacher, and trainer.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF Class of 2019.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Simpson began by talking about the fundamentals of boxing and he also noted that Alexis Arguello (who he knew when Alexis was a youngster) would push himself to train hard even when he was 14 years-old. The 87 year-old Simpson then talked about something that many of today\u2019s boxing cornermen do which makes him mad: \u201cI see the cornermen turn away from the ring and start to gaze around and look for people that they know, as though these people came to see them rather than the boxers box.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF – BOB ALEXANDER WITH 2019 INDUCTEE AND FORMER BANTAM CONTENDER JIMMY NAVARRO .<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Continuing, Simpson said, \u201cI\u2019m tired of seeing cornermen teach boxers either the wrong way to do things or, worse, the wrong things. If I seem to be down on boxing, it\u2019s because there doesn\u2019t seem to be any good teachers anymore. The first thing a trainer should teach a boxer is how to bob and weave.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF Nate Campbell<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

On this theme of current coaches and cornermen being inferior to those who worked in these professions in the past, next came, from 2.30 to 3.30, the seminar \u201cThe Fine Art of Coaching,\u201d hosted by Steve Canton (FBHOF Vice President and Class of 2009). He is a long-time manager and trainer of the Florida boxing scene and was introduced by Bob Alexander (FBHOF Media and Public Relations Director and Class of 2010). \u201cThere are good fighters today,\u201d began Canton, \u201cbut not great fighters and that\u2019s because there aren\u2019t that many great trainers left. The old boxing gyms are gone; now we have physical fitness centers.\u201d For the past 30 years, Canton has run a gym in Fort Myers.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF – FORMER WBA INTERIM LIGHT HEAVY KING RICHARD HALL WITH BUTCH FLANSBURG.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

During his talk, Canton noted that only eight of the 22 FBHOF Class of 2009 inductees are still living and \u201cfour of them are in his room.\u201d He also noted that \u201cThere are 85% more broken jaws today as compared to 30 years ago and that\u2019s because boxers are always making sounds with their mouths. Why?\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Saturday night dinner banquet and ceremonies began, surprisingly, on time (traditionally these things usually are not because of the large crowds which move slowly about in and out of the outlay convention and dining rooms). After a dinner of chicken, rice, and vegetables—and a dessert of a slice of thick chocolate cake, came the welcoming speech by FBHOF President Butch Flansburg. \u201cThis weekend we celebrate out second decade of existence. This is the weekend we are here to celebrate the greats and congratulations to all of the inductees,\u201d Flansburg said.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The keynote speaker was Julio Martinez (Class of 2015) who began by asking for a moment of silence for those in the boxing world who died in the previous year. He talked fondly of being tutored as a young man by Kid Gavilan and Chris Dundee. Martinez\u2019s speech was done in a stream-of-conscious manner.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF – SEAN O-GRADY GIVING INDUCTION SPEECH.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Afterwards, the Don Hazelton Scholarship Award was given by his widow to 20 year-old Chris Samuels. The young boxer is studying finance at the University of Florida and he was grateful for the $1,000 award. Besides boxing and studying at the University, Samuels is also coping and dealing with the following: his father is disabled; his sister is ill and needs a kidney and his mother works long hours at a store to pay for everything. Young Samuels’ life, so far, reads as though it is a 21st <\/sup>Century version of a plot of a Charles Dickens novel. \u201cBoxing has brought stability to my life. I don\u2019t feel that I\u2019m riding the wave of life; I feel like I am in control of my life,\u201d he told an enraptured audience.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Music was provided by singer Sasha Vargas (who has two Master\u2019s degrees, sings in six language although not simultaneously, and currently performs with the Orlando Philharmonic). Shortly after she began singing, in Cuban Spanish, the classic Cuban song \u201cGuantanamera,\u201d many of the Hispanics in the dining room began to boisterously joining her in singing the song.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

19 AUG 1995: LAMAR “COCHISE” MURPHY KNOCKS MIGUEL ANGEL GONZALEZ AGAINST THE ROPES DURING THEIR WBC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. GONZALEZ WON THE FIGHT IN A CONTROVERSIAL 12 ROUND DECISION TO RETAIN HIS TITLE<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

For those who had others interest than music, they could make bids on items at a silent auction. Some of the items were a poster for a concert by Sam Cooke and The Platters; a painting by the late boxing physician Dr. Ferdie Pacheco; a 2003 program from a fight between Evander Holyfield and James Toney; a baseball signed by the New York Yankees Starlin Castro; a red boxing glove signed by John Mugabi, and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday dawned hot and humid and that was the weather report for the entire weekend; women\u2019s face make-up ran and smeared and men quickly developed sweat stains on their shirts. Inside The Westshore Grand, however, the air-conditioning kept things cool. From 8.30 to 9.30, people could have a hot breakfast (scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes) with the inductees. At precisely 11 am, the formal induction ceremony commenced and the national anthem was sung by Tristan Miller.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2019 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Mel Jurado with Butch Flansburg.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

The room was full of people; hotel workers had to bring in extra chair to seat everybody. \u201cThis is an honor that will never be forgotten and you will never be forgotten,\u201d Alexander told the inductees. The inductees wore red polo shirts and sat in front of the stage and when their name was called, they would walk up steps to accept their inductee plaque, pose for photographs, and then give their acceptance speech. First to be inducted were the three posthumous inductees: James Scott (Who when he was incarcerated in a New Jersey prison, once sparred with Rubin \u201cHurricane\u201d Carter; Canton accepted the plaque on behalf of Scott); Pete Balcunas (a coach and trainer who coached U.S. and international programs and who died in March of 2016; his widow accepted on his behalf), and Birmingham (Butch Flansburg accepted on his behalf). Phyllis Garry clanged her boxing bell three times to honor the three posthumous inductees. The ceremony was put on the Internet by Gold Star Productions and the FBHOF has a YouTube channel; the activities of the weekend were posted on said YouTube channel.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF – 2019 INDUCTEE AND FORMER NUMBER 1 LIGHT HEAVY CONTENDER THE LATE JAMES SCOTT .<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Then came the induction of the living inductees. Promoter Nathan Lopez was the first of this group to be inducted and when he took to the stage, he received a warm applause \u201cWow, this is awesome !,\u201d he gushed. \u201cI am so proud to be part of a family that fights then makes up (he was speaking metaphorically).\u201d The line got much laughs and then he said \u201cYou go into a ring, you fight your opponent, and then at the end, you say to him \u2018You\u2019re the champ, even though I just beat your ass.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trainer Pete Brodsky said \u201cThis is one of the best days of my life.\u201d Due to his being born on Long Island, and his long time working in New York City, he speaks with a thick Noo Yawk accent. He thanks his wife Sharon and then said \u201cDon\u2019t ever train a fighter you don\u2019t like.\u201d He ended by telling the audience that his daughter and husband were currently making a film about boxing called \u201cSometimes you\u2019re The Dog, Sometimes You\u2019re The Tree.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

2019 FBHOF CHAMPIONSHIP RING.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Long-time promoter Henry Grooms was next and this is a man whose life accomplishments ranged from being a friend to Muhammad Ali to Elvis Presley. Grooms received the loudest and longest standing ovation of all of the inductees. As he took to the stage this 86 year old man heard the strains of the song \u201cLean On Me\u201d – a rather appropriate tune. He knew and was good friends with legendary trainers Emanuel Steward and Eddie Futch. He first thanked God, then his mother and father. Grooms told the audience that \u201cI have no living relatives and have not had any for the past 25 years. I grew up in a house without water and electricity.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Nate Campbell (R) on his way to knocking out Ricky Quiles (L).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

How far this man has gone, and how much of the multiple facets of life, this man has seen ! He closed by saying \u201cI\u2019m not going to take any more of your precious time\u201d and then took his seat on stage. Many in the audience must have felt that the inverse was true—that we were taking up much of Grooms valuable time. After he sat down, Bob Alexander said \u201cI love you Henry but you are wrong about one thing – you have a family. We are your family,\u201d at which point Grooms began to cry.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rivas was next and he took to the stage to the tune of Queen\u2019s \u201cWe Are The Champions.\u201d He frequently broke down emotionally during his speech. Before the induction ceremony, inductees are asked which song they would like to be played while they are walking up to the stage; if they can not chose one, the audio production crew chooses a song. When Dr. Eichberg slowly made his way to the stage, a tango was played. He served as a ringside physician for decades until his retirement in 2016. He spoke with pride to the fact that \u201cin all of the bouts I worked, none of the participants was ever seriously injured.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gentile was next and he was the first inductee to give much thanks to Butch Flansburg and to give warm congratulations to his fellow inductees. All three of Gentile\u2019s sons—Frank, Jose, and Paul—are boxing referees. \u201cThank you for this unforgettable moment of my life,\u201d this inductee said. Jurado, Gonzalez, and O\u2019Grady, respectively, were the next three inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Master of ceremonies Bob Alexander then proclaimed \u201cNow we move on to our fighters.\u201d\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jimmy Navarro was the first such inductee and Alexander reminded the crowd that he was only 26 when he decided to retire. Murphy followed. After him came Puerto Rico-born Arroyo. His record upon retirement reads 37 wins, five losses, and four draws. In his personal life, he had, and has overcome, a drug addiction.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jamaica-born Richard Hall followed. Alexander told the audience of his horrific childhood. He was abandoned by his parents at the age of 18 months and was found wandering the streets of Kingston by a local policeman. His grandmother then took charge of him but Richard was horribly abused by her husband (i.e., Richard\u2019s uncle). Fleeing Jamaica, he found work as a baker and eventually decided that he would try to become a boxer; Hall eventually became the lightweight champion of the world. He received a long, loud applause from his large entourage in the audience. As he took his seat on stage, audience members heard fellow Jamaican Bob Marley\u2019s rendition of the song \u201cOne Love.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Big Lou Esa (the man is well over six foot tall) came next. As a young man he went to a Miami gym to see his boxing hero, Muhammad Ali, train. While waiting for Ali, he saw a heavy bag , threw one punch (a left hook) that broke the chain that held the heavy bag aloft, and that was enough for Angle Dundee who saw all of this happen. He began to work with Esa. The Wayne, New Jersey-born Esa gave the shortest speech of all of the inductees.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Nigeria\u2019s Eromosele Albert followed and this is a man who was a member of the 1996 and 200 Nigerian Olympic boxing squads. His final record is 24-6-1 and when he fought, Albert\u2019s bouts were often broadcast on ESPN. He fought in 12 different countries, is now a coach, and the first words of his speech were Oh, boy!\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FBHOF Display of Artifacts.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Nate \u201cThe Galaxy Warrior\u201d Campbell, the former WBO\/IBF\/WBA Lightweight Champion, was the final inductee. \u201cMy dad made me promise to never back down from anyone and I carried that into the ring\u2026I realized that being a good man is what made me a great boxer,\u201d Campbell proclaimed.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Although Sean O’Grady was inducted in the MEDIA category, he was once a talented lightweight. \u201cThe Bubblegum Kid\u201d had an impressive career that culminated with him defeating Hilmer Kenty on a unanimous 15-round decision (146-139, 146-138 and 147-137) for the WBA World’s Lightweight Championship on April 12, 1981 at Bally’s Park Place Casino in Atlantic City.\u00a0 The O’Grady-Kenty fight was nationally televised and is one of the greatest lightweight title bouts of all-time. O’Grady retired with a terrific 81-5 (70 KO’s) record. From October 1, 1982 to August 25, 1998, the\u00a0 USA Network held the popular Tuesday Night Fights<\/em> and O’Grady was one of the announcers. O’Grady provided wonderful insights to the television audience with his color commentary of fights that featured the likes of Roberto Duran, Roy Jones Jr., George Foreman, Vinny Pazienza and Larry Holmes, among many others.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

After a coffee-and-cake party, people went their separate ways. Many of them will not see each other until next June 21st<\/sup> when the 2020 FBHOF ceremonies will commence. Yet again it will be time for another summer solstice and, simultaneously, another FBHOF ceremony. The two are concurrent.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Butch and Kathy Flansburg, along with the rest of the staff of The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame are credits to the sport of fisticuffs and put on a great weekend for boxing fans each year.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

For videos of the glorious 2019 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, go to their YouTube channel at: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/FBHOF1#p\/u.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2019 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend was from June 21 to June 23.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Florida Boxing Hall of Fame   Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inducts 20 People at Summertime Ceremony Story by MARK WEISENMILLER Photos courtesy of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame PETERSBURG, FL. There was much fun and frolic at the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame (FLBHOF) Induction Ceremony – held here […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14714","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14714"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26492,"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14714\/revisions\/26492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theusaboxingnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}