The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of light heavyweight champion Jose Torres. He passed away January 19, 2009 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He was 72.. Born May 3, 1936 in Playa Ponce, Puerto Rico, Torres won a silver medal at the 1956 Olympic Games. He turned pro in 1958 and under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Cus D'Amato, he won the world light heavyweight title from Willie Pastrano in 1965. During his career he posted a 41-3-1 (29 KOs) record that includes wins over Don Fullmer, Wilbert McClure, Tom McNeeley, Wayne Thornton, Eddie Cotton and Hall of Famer Carl (Bobo) Olson. He stayed active in boxing as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission (1983-88) and as president of the World Boxing Organization (1993-95). An accomplished author, he penned boxing books Sting Like a Bee about Muhammad Ali and Fire and Fear about Mike Tyson
“Jose Torres was one of boxing's finest ambassadors,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “'He was an Olympian, a world champion, author, commissioner and a true gentleman. The Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing.”
An email from Hall of Fame director Ed Brophy announced the passing this afternoon:
In 1997, Torres was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales (USA), heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (UK), junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell (South Africa), publicist / matchmaker / promoter Bob Goodman (USA), promoter Akihiko Honda (Japan), journalist Hugh McIlvanney (UK), and broadcaster Larry Merchant (USA). “We're extremely excited about the Class of 2009 and very much looking forward to honoring the 20th class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy. “All living inductees are anticipated to attend and participate in 2009 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities.”
The 20th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 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 14th to welcome the newest members. Make your trip to the induction ceremonies a wonderful vacation for the whole family. Find a unique place to stay near the festivities and enjoy great events and attractions all weekend long.
For more information on the events planned for the 2009 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095.
On Saturday evening October 25th, a banner honoring Carmen Basilio will be raised to the rafter at the Onondaga County War Memorial, where the “Canastota Clouter” won his first world welterweight championship (June 10, 1955) and regained the crown (Sept. 12, 1956). The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m., prior to the Crunch hockey game vs. Rochester.
Carmen plans to attend what promises to be an emotional event. The banner’s colors are maroon and white, emphasizing the Canastota connection.
The Crunch organization is also recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct. 25th with free pink tee shirts to the first 2000 fans through the turnstiles. Advance sale tickets are priced at $13, $15, and $17, with an additional $3 charge if purchased on game night. A group rate of $150 for 10 game tickets includes a VIP reception with Carmen at 6:30 p.m. The Golden Gloves package for $300 includes 20 game tickets, VIP reception, ribbon light message, and an insert in the game program. An $11 group rate is also available. Individual tickets and group packages can be ordered by calling the Crunch office at 473.4444.
A few raindrops couldn't dampen the spirits of the thousands of fans who lined up along Peterboro Street in Canastota on Sunday to watch over 50 boxing great make their way to the annual induction ceremony. WTVH was there and had this great report. The Post Standard had a couple of photo galleries at Syracuse.com, One from Friday and one from Sunday. If you are already making plans for next year's event. You might want to start thinking about hotel rooms now so you can find a room closer to the Hall of Fame.
Wondering what to do this weekend? Well as it stands we are in for some great weather and you're in luck because there are some really great things to do with the whole family.
The 19th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will be held from Thursday June 5th to Sunday June 8th in Canastota. With over 20 events planned, there is sure to be something for everyone. Events include, Museum tours by celebrities, ringside lectures, celebrity boxing, a golf tournament, the parade of champions, induction ceremony and the annual hall of fame banquet at the OnCenter with dozens of champions and hall of famers. Whether you're a die hard boxing fan or just looking for some family fun this weekend, the 19th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is for you! Here is the full schedule of events.
Boxing not your thing? How about one of the other events taking place this weekend? How about history and antiques? Head over to Bouckville on Saturday and attend 2 events in one day. First, The Chenango Canal Association features "A Day on the Canal" in support of National Trail Day. Activities will begin at 2:00 pm at the Cottage Museum, with a bus tour of the historic canal, a rubber duck race down the canal and a treasure hunt for the kids. Families can tour the town in a horse and buggy and enjoy music and food on the deck. Call 315-893-7910 or email for more information.
While you're in Bouckville, check out the Madsion-Bouckville Spring Antiques Festival which runs from Friday to Sunday. This is one of the premier antique shows of the spring. Come find antique treasures from various dealers. Food will be available and there will be an ample amount of parking. You can find more information right here.
Back to Canastota we go...its sure to be a happening place this weekend. The 5th Annual Canalway Trail Celebration takes place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday . Join the Canastota Canal Town Museum on the trail with a walk through of 10 interactive galleries of Canal Town history, culture and folklore. Admission $3.00, Children 12 and under free. On Sunday the Canal Museum will host a Strawberry Shortcake and Sundae Festival from 12-3pm...a perfect (and delicious) way to end to a great weekend!
Take some time this weekend to enjoy the weather and check out all of our fantastic events taking place in Madison County.
Well it is time once again for the annual Boxing Hall of Fame induction weekend in Canastota. Over 50 former and current boxing greats will be on hand Thursday through Sunday to honor this year's inductees including Larry Holmes. There is a full lineup of events this year that can be found at the hall of fame's web page. As usual a huge group of volunteers has been working around the clock to make sure the museum grounds are ready. This time tomorrow the sausage sandwiches will be cooking, the boxers will be sparing verbally and physically and the crowd will be taking it all in. Seriously it is one of the best opportunities to meet these professionals up close and personal. Take your Sharpie and get ready to collect a lot of autographs. Don't forget the parade on Sunday as the legends make their way to the induction ceremonies. The grand marshals will start making their way towards the stage at 1pm so get their early and get a good spot.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today legendary comedian and entertainer Pat Cooper and Dallas Cowboys superstar Ed "Too Tall" Jones have been named Grand Marshals of the 19th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday,
June 8th at 1 p.m. "The Hall of Fame is extremely excited about welcoming two legends in their fields to Canastota to celebrate the sport of boxing,'" said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy.
From his 1963 television appearance on The Jackie Gleason Show to his recent sold-out concert performances, Pat Cooper continues to enthrall standing room only audiences with his lovable "comedic anger." For nearly four decades Cooper has appeared on many stages, from comedy clubs to major theaters, and has had the opportunity to share the stage with such superstars as Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. Cooper's humor also reaches the talk show audiences with his successful appearances on The Howard Stern Show, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Jones was the number one pick in the 1974 NFL draft and played defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys for a record 15 seasons (1974-78, 1980-89). One of the most dominant pass rushers in the game, Jones was a key member of Dallas' Super Bowl XII championship team. Jones has also acted in motion pictures and television shows including Necessary Roughness, Married With Children and Diff'rent Strokes. In 1979 he left the Dallas Cowboys for one year to pursue a professional boxing career. Jones was undefeated (6-0, 5 KOs) in the ring before returning to the Cowboys in 1980. "I'm looking forward to visiting Canastota for the first time. I'm a huge boxing fan. It has always been my favorite sport and still is today," said Jones.
The Parade of Champions will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony are heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins, promoters Mogens Palle and Frank Warren, and journalists Dave Anderson and Joe Koizumi.
Over 50 boxing stars, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Ken Norton, and Canastota's Carmen Basilio will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions.
For more information on the Hall of Fame's 19th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
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