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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