The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today former WBA and IBF light welterweight champion Amir “King” Khan will make his first visit to Canastota to attend festivities planned for the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 11-14th.
“Amir Khan is one of today’s most exciting fighters and a superstar the world over,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “The Hall of Fame is very excited about welcoming him to Canastota for the first time to participate in weekend events.”
While visiting the Hall of Fame, Khan will donate a fight worn robe to the Hall’s growing collection.
“We are so appreciative of Amir helping us preserve boxing history by donating memorabilia from his championship career to the Hall for fans from around the world to enjoy,” said Brophy.
Boxing out of his hometown of Bolton, Lancashire, UK, Khan captured a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games at age 17. He turned pro the next year and won the Commonwealth lightweight title before reigns as WBA and IBF light welterweight champion. Khan holds wins over Marco Antonio Barrera, Dmitriy Salita, Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, Zab Judah, Luis Collazo, Devon Alexander and, most recently, on May 29th a unanimous decision over Chris Algieri live on Spike TV at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. His pro record stands at 31-3 (19 KOs).
“I’m delighted to be attending this year’s International Boxing Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is legendary throughout the world so to be invited for this year’s ceremony is a great honour. So many great champions are part of this institution so I’m looking forward to visiting Canastota and finding out more about boxing’s rich history. To present one of my robes and put it alongside those of the greatest fighters ever is something which I’m extremely proud of,” said Khan.
Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2015. Living inductees include heavyweight champion Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe, featherweight champion “Prince” Naseem Hamed, lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, light flyweight champion Yoko Gushiken, manager Rafael Mendoza, referee Steve Smoger, journalist Nigel Collins and broadcaster Jim Lampley. Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer and Non-Participant categories will also be honored.
An impressive list of over 40 boxing stars from the United States and abroad, including “The Raging Bull” Jake LaMotta, Nino Benvenuti, Michael Spinks, “Irish” Micky Ward, William Joppy, Ray Mercer, George Chuvalo, Peter Manfredo Jr., Pipino Cuevas, Ruben Olivares, Buddy McGirt, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Winky Wright, Sergio Martinez and Fernando Vargas, are scheduled to participate in the weekend.
Grand marshal of the Parade of Champions, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 14th, is Jon Seda, star of the hit NBC drama Chicago P.D.
For more information on the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.
