The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced hard-punching 1970s heavyweight contender Earnie Shavers will attend the Banquet of Champions on Saturday, June 8th. The banquet is part of the festivities planned for the 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 6-9th.
 
“Earnie Shavers played a big part of the legendary heavyweight division of the 1970s that produced so many memorable moments,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “We’re really looking forward to welcoming him back to Canastota and to the Banquet of Champions.”

Born in Garland, Alabama, Shavers is considered by many as the hardest puncher in heavyweight history. A top rated contender during the 1970s, he challenged both Muhammad Ali (L15) and Larry Holmes (TKO by 11) in title bouts. Shavers compiled an impressive 73-14-1 (67KOs) record during his career and holds wins over such notables as Jimmy Young, Jimmy Ellis, Joe Bugner and Ken Norton among others.
 
The banquet, which will be held at the Syracuse OnCenter, is a one-of-a-kind event with over 40 boxing celebrities under one roof. Boxing stars already confirmed to attend include Marvelous Marvin Hagler, “Irish” Micky Ward, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Julian Jackson, Wayne McCullough, Lucia Rijker, Mia St. John, Gerry Cooney, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, James “Buster” Douglas and many others.
 
The event will consist of cocktails, dinner, celebrity comments, video highlights, a commemorative program and much more. Tickets are priced at $135 and corporate tables of 10 are available at $1350.

In addition to the banquet, events planned for the weekend include a night of welterweight warriors, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013. Inductees include two-division champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight  champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart. Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

Former heavyweight champion James “Buster” Douglas will return to Canastota for the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend festivities, June 6-9th. 

“Buster Douglas authored one of the biggest upsets in boxing history to become heavyweight champion of the world,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “The Hall of Fame is looking forward to welcoming him back to Canastota and I’m sure fans will be excited to
see him.”

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Douglas turned pro in 1981. Following wins over Randall (Tex) Cobb, Dave Jaco and former heavyweight champion Greg Page, he challenged Tony Tucker for the IBF heavyweight title in 1987. Although unsuccessful in his first bid for the
championship (TKO by 10), he rebounded to record wins over Trevor Berbick and Oliver McCall before meeting undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in Tokyo, Japan on February 11, 1990 for the title. Douglas, a decided underdog (42-1), became the first man to defeat Tyson when he scored a 10th round kayo to capture the championship. Douglas retired in 1990, but returned to the ring for
a comeback in 1996. In 1999 he hung up the gloves again with a professional record of 38-6-1, 1 NC (25KOs).
 
Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, a night of welterweight warriors, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013. Inductees include two-division
champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart. Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored.

An impressive list of over 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, “Irish” Micky Ward, James “Buddy” McGirt, Pipino Cuevas, Carlos Palomino, Aaron “The Hawk” Pryor, Julian Jackson, Wayne McCullough, Lucia Rijker, Mia St. John, Gerry Cooney,
Gasper Ortega, Tony DeMarco, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Tracy Harris Patterson, Ruben Olivares, Carlos Ortiz, Ray Mercer and many
more.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced that legendary bantamweight and featherweight champion—and Hall of Famer--Ruben “El Puas” Olivares and two-division champion Tracy Harris Patterson will attend the festivities planned for the 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 6-9th.

“Ruben Olivares was a dynamic puncher and one of the most exciting fighters to step into the ring. If you are a fan of knockout punchers, than you have to be a fan of Ruben Olivares,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We are very much looking forward to welcoming him back to Canastota from his home in Mexico.”

Olivares turned pro in 1965 and knocked out his first 23 opponents. “El Puas” twice reigned as world bantamweight champion (1969-70, 1971-72) and went up in weight to win the WBA featherweight crown in 1974 and the WBC version in 1975. Olivares holds wins over Lionel Rose, Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimentel, Art Hafey and Hall of Famer Bobby Chacon. A superb knockout artist, of his 88 wins, 77 came by way of knockout. Extremely popular in his native Mexico, Olivares was also one of the greatest draws ever at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, CA.

Patterson will also attend festivities planned for Induction Weekend and pay tribute to 2013 Inductee Arturo “Thunder” Gatti.

“Tracy Patterson was an exciting fighter who captured two world titles and thrilled fans with his performances in the ring,” said Brophy. “The Hall of Fame is excited to welcome him back to Canastota to help recognize the achievements of his former ring foe Arturo Gatti.”

Patterson and Gatti, who passed away in 2009 and will be inducted posthumously, engaged in two compelling IBF super featherweight bouts (1995 & 1997) with Gatti capturing 12-round decisions in both bouts.

Said Patterson on attending Hall of Fame Weekend and paying tribute to Gatti, “After being in battles with him and to now see a man who put everything into the game be inducted, it will be a great honor for me to help welcome Arturo into the Hall.”

The fighting pride of New Paltz, NY, during a 16-year career, Patterson won the WBC super bantamweight title (1992-94) and the IBF super featherweight title (1995). Patterson and his father, Hall of Fame heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, made history by becoming the first father – son to win world championships.  Patterson, who retired in 2001, holds a pro record of 63-8-2 (43 KOs) that includes wins over Thierry Jacob, Jesse Benavides, Eddie Hopson and Hall of Famer Daniel Zaragoza. He currently trains boxers, including featherweight Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today Academy Award nominated actress and Emmy nominated choreographer Rosie Perez has been named Grand Marshal of the 24th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 9th at 1 p.m.
        “Whether as an actor, director or choreographer, Rosie Perez is tremendously talented in so many facets of the entertainment industry,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “She is a passionate boxing fan and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome her to Canastota to lead the Parade of Champions.”
    Born in New York City, Perez began her acting career in Spike Lee’s 1989 motion picture Do The Right Thing. Many film and television roles followed including guest spots on such television series as 21 Jump Street, Frasier, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Cleveland Show and Nurse Jackie. She received an Emmy nomination for her work as choreographer on the hit sketch comedy series In Living Color. On the big screen, Perez starred in the 1992 motion picture White Men Can’t Jump with Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes and earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for her supporting role in the 1993 motion picture Fearless.
    “It’s unimaginable that I have been asked to be the Grand Marshall in the 2013 Boxing Hall of Fame. Honored? Beyond. Excited? An understatement. Boxing is a big part of my life, always has been. I love watching, talking, and of course, tweeting about it endlessly. It has inspired the challenge within myself to make everything in my life better. Witnessing the preparation, commitment, and belief it takes to be a great fighter, to step inside a boxing ring with millions watching is inspirational. And the few who become boxing legends—those who go the extra mile; those who have that strong character, determination and the soul of a champion, are beyond exceptional. To stand amongst these legends is what true boxing fans dream of. Come June 2013, I will humbly have that opportunity and I am very grateful,”said Perez.
    The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 9th at 1:00 p.m., 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. Inductees include two-division champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart.  Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored. Over 40 boxing stars will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions.
    "With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities, community organizations and now Rosie Perez, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all," said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.
    The 2013 Parade of Champions is sponsored by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

    The June 6-9th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature many exciting events including a banquet, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013.

  

    For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

Come to this unusual birding program at the Great Swamp Conservancy April 20th, 1:00 pm. Birding expert Cheri Sassman will lecture and get your ears tuned up to ID the sound of this bird.  It's time for wood warblers to arrive in central New York! Warblers are very active, and are often at the top of a tree hiding behind leaves which makes them a challenge to identify. Being able to recognize their songs is a great help. This program is an active learning experience that will present hints for recognizing warbler songs as an identification tool as they arrive in the spring and raise their young. It's designed as an introduction for adventurous beginners and as practice for birders with some experience.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today featherweight champion and 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Danny “Little Red” Lopez will head to Canastota from his home on the West Coast to attend festivities planned for the 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, June 6-9th.
      “Danny Lopez was ‘Mr. Excitement’ during his championship career and his style made him a favorite to fans all around the world,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “The Hall of Fame is looking forward to welcoming him back to Canastota and fans will surely be happy to see him.”
      “Little Red” turned pro in 1971 and started his career with 21 straight knockout victories. Wins over Chucho Castillo, Ruben Olivares, Sean O’Grady and Art Hafey came before challenging David Kotey in 1976 for the WBC featherweight championship in Kotey’s homeland of Accra, Ghana. In front of 122,000 fans, Lopez became champion after 15 rugged rounds (W15) and a string of eight successful title defenses followed. His title reign came to an end in 1980 when he was TKO’d in 13 rounds by Salvador Sanchez. With a crushing right hand, the hard-hitting Lopez was one of the most electrifying, crowd-pleasing fighters of all-time. His pro record reads 42-6 (39 KOs).
      Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, a night of welterweight warriors, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013. Inductees include two-division champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart.  Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored.
    An impressive list of over 40 boxing stars from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, “Irish” Micky Ward, James “Buddy” McGirt, Pipino Cuevas, Julian Jackson, Wayne McCullough, Lucia Rijker, Mia St. John, Gerry Cooney, Gasper Ortega, Tony DeMarco, Carlos Palomino, Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor and many more.
    For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

The Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota is hosting a spring event with a sneak preview of the new Curious George TV Special "Curious George Swings into Spring". 
Children will also have the chance to plant spring seeds before heading out on a swamp tromp, armed with cameras, to take photos of spring creatures. 
The event is free and open to children of all ages, but reservations are requested as space is limited.  Call the Great Swamp at 435-2424 for more information or to make your reservations.

- The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced female boxing star Lucia Rijker will be in Canastota for festivities planned for the 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 6-9th. Rijker will be making her first trip to “Boxing’s Hometown.”
    “Lucia Rijker was one of the top female fighters in boxing,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “Boxing fans will surely be excited to see ‘The Dutch Destroyer’ in Canastota for the first time.”  
    Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rijker made her boxing debut in 1996. During her career, she posted an undefeated record of 17-0 (14 KOs) and was trained by Hall of Famers Emanuel Steward and Freddie Roach. Rijker holds wins over Chevelle Hallback, Andrea DeShong and Jane Couch among others. She captured the WIBF super lightweight title in 1997 and the IBO light welterweight title in 1998. Rijker portrayed Billie “The Blue Bear” in the 2005 Academy Award winning motion picture Million Dollar Baby, starring alongside Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood.   
    “I’m honored to be there for Arturo Gatti’s induction. I’ve seen him fight several times and watched him go to war. He gave it his all. His heart and what he contributed to boxing with his exciting fights was a great asset to boxing. And I’m also excited for Jimmy Lennon, Jr. He is the face of boxing. When you see him you think of boxing,” said Rijker. 
    Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, a night of welterweight warriors, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013. Inductees include two-division champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart.  Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored.
    An impressive list of over 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.
    For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced “The Knockout” Mia St. John will make her first trip to Canastota for the 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 6-9th.

    “We are looking forward to welcoming Mia St. John to Canastota for the first time,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “She’s never been here so it will be a great opportunity for her to see the displays on boxing history and for fans to have the opportunity to meet her.”

    Born in San Francisco and fighting out of Oxnard, CA, St. John turned pro in 1997. During her 16-year career “The Knockout” has compiled a pro record of 47-12-2 (18 KOs). On August 14, 2012 St. John scored a 10-round win over “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Christy Martin for the WBC female light middleweight title. Next up for St. John is an April 13th WBA / WBC/ WBO female welterweight title bout against champion Cecilia “First Lady” Braekhus in Denmark.

    “I’m very excited and honored to be invited. I’ve always wanted to see the exhibits of so many of the friends that I’ve made through my 16-years as a professional boxer like Tommy Hearns, Ray Leonard and Mike Tyson. I’m sure it will be an exciting and emotional time for me,” said St. John.



  

    Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, a night of welterweight warriors, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2013. Inductees include two-division champion Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (posthumous), five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill and two-time light flyweight champion Myung-Woo Yuh in the Modern category; “Let’s Get It On” referee Mills Lane, ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. and journalist Colin Hart.  Posthumous inductees in the Old-Timer, Pioneer, Non-Participant and Observer categories will also be honored.

      

    An impressive list of over 40 boxing greats from the United States and abroad are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.

    For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor just released a new promotional video.  I'm sure you will recognize some local canal features!