The International Boxing Hall of Fame chronicles the colorful history of boxing, exhibits the fist casts of champions, and its most treasured artifact: the historic boxing ring from Madison Square Garden used from 1925 to 2007. It’s the ring from the ‘fight of the century’ between Mohammed Ali and Joe Frazier.
The pride of Canastota is boxer Carmen Basilio. He left work in the onion fields to follow a dream – become a boxer and world champion. His dream came true when he beat Sugar Ray Robinson in 1957.
In 1982, residents of Canastota wanted to honor Carmen Basilio, and his nephew, Billy Backus, who won the world welterweight title in 1970.Eventually, the International Boxing Hall of Fame was completed in 1989. Two dozen former champions witness the ribbon cutting ceremony. A year later the first class of boxing legends, including Muhammad Ali, were on hand to receive their long overdue enshrinement. Since then the Hall of Fame has added one wing to the Museum and an event pavilion adjacent to the Hall. The Hall of Fame holds an annual induction ceremony in early June as the highlight of a four-day celebration of boxing and its legends.
For more information:
International Boxing Hall of Fame
http://www.ibhof.com
