The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Inductees include Puerto Rico’s multi-division champion Hector “Macho” Camacho (posthumous), Mexico’s two-division champion Lupe Pintor and Panama’s two-division champion Hilario Zapata in the Modern category; judge Harold Lederman, commissioner Marc Ratner, journalist Jerry Izenberg and broadcaster Col. Bob Sheridan.
“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2016 and are very much looking forward to paying tribute to the new inductees in Canastota next June,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.
The 2016 Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 9-12th in Canastota, NY. Over 10 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 12th to welcome the newest members.
The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: Petey Sarron in the Old-Timer Category; and trainer Whitey Esneault in the Non Participant Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2016 can be found on www.ibhof.com
COMMENTS UPON RECEIVING INDUCTION NEWS
“Thank you very much. This is great news for me. I have been waiting for this news and I am very happy it happened while I am alive. I am very emotional and very thankful for this distinction.”
– Lupe Pintor
“Thank you. I want to scream I’m so happy about being elected. I look forward to getting the Hall of Fame ring and seeing the fans and sharing this honor with them in Canastota. I’m especially honored to be in the Hall of Fame with Roberto Duran. I have a close relationship with him. He was an inspiration to my career. ”
– Hilario Zapata
“I’m so excited. It’s one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. I’m so proud. It’s mind boggling. It’s so important to be elected into the Hall of Fame. I think this is wonderful. I’m so happy. It’s amazing.”
– Harold Lederman
“I’m not only humbled, I’m stunned. I’m thrilled and couldn’t be more excited and happy. With all these famous boxers in the Hall, it’s very exciting for me.”
– Marc Ratner
“I can’t believe it. I really appreciate it and I’m just so moved by this honor. I’m absolutely flabbergasted because I really feel so many of the inductees I personally knew. Some of them were my heroes and some of them my compatriots. The fact is I’m just so grateful.”
– Jerry Izenberg
“It’s the culmination of a career that’s almost 50 years long. This is the most prestigious award that I could possibly ever receive and to be elected by my peers and be with such an unbelievable group of guys, all of whom are my friends that are in the Hall of Fame, it’s just a thrill beyond thrills.”
– Col. Bob Sheridan
For more information on the events planned for the 2016 International Boxing Hall of Fame 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.
