ANASTOTA, NY – APRIL 23, 2009 – Former world heavyweight champions Ken Norton and Leon Spinks will attend festivities planned for the 20th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend scheduled for June 11-14th in Canastota, NY.
“Ken Norton and Leon Spinks were two key players in the heavyweight division of the 1970s,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “They took part in some truly memorable heavyweight fights.”
Norton was the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion in 1978. He engaged in a classic three-fight series with Hall of Famer Muhammad Ali. Also during his career Norton scored wins over Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Young among others. In 1992 Norton was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
A 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist, Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali in 1978 to win the world heavyweight title in only his 8th pro bout. One of boxing’s most colorful personalities, “Neon” Leon engaged in bouts with Larry Holmes, Scott LeDoux, Tex Cobb and Dwight Qawi among others during his career. Leon’s son, Cory, is a two-division world champion and currently top 10 ranked junior middleweight.
Events planned for the weekend include a banquet, night of rising stars, parade, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2009. In addition, other special activities will be implemented for the celebration, including a fireworks display.
New inductees to be honored are bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell, matchmaker / publicist / promoter Bob Goodman, promoter Akihiko Honda, journalist Hugh McIlvaney and broadcaster Larry Merchant. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
An impressive lineup of boxing legends of yesterday and today are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 20th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.