Outside of titles, legacy is something that boxers fight for.
The idea that they can make a difference while proving they can be something in and out of the ring is a feeling that can never go away once they succeed. For several boxers, their moment to shine as bright as the sun is about to begin.
On June 12, several of boxing’s best will be immortalized in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota. The ceremony will combine the class of 2020, 2021, and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That means that the Hall of Fame is about to be bombarded with greatness.
This year, the ceremony takes place inside Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Legends, champions, and trailblazers will be honored. Stars like Floyd Mayweather, Christy Martin, Roy Jones Jr., Laila Ali, and Miguel Cotto will take the stage for what should be an emotional weekend for them.
“I’m looking forward to what I always look forward to: Being among a lot of great people, great volunteers, and hosting an event that brings smiles to the faces of inductees and smiles to faces of boxing fans,” International Boxing Hall of Fame executive director Ed Brophy said, via Syracuse.com. “It definitely feels good to have the boxing community reunite in Canastota.”
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The Sporting News looks into all the stars who will be enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
2020
Bernard Hopkins
Known as "The Alien," Bernard Hopkins had a long career from 1988 to 2016. During that time, he became the undisputed middleweight champion and the lineal light-heavyweight champion.
After losing his first pro bout, Hopkins would win 22 straight. He lost to Roy Jones Jr. in 1993 for the IBF middleweight title but would win the IBF title following a series with Segundo Mercado. He defended the belt 19 times, beating Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, and William Joppy. The win against De La Hoya made him the undisputed middleweight champion. At 45, Hopkins would get a measure of revenge against Jones, and beat Jean Pascal at 46 to become the WBC and The Ring light-heavyweight champion.
Although he ended his career on a two-fight skid, Hopkins made sure to add the WBA (Super) light-heavyweight title to his collection. He has since worked with Golden Boy Promotions and has seen the development of several young new stars.
Christy Martin
One of the most important figures in women’s boxing history, Christy Martin’s longevity and tough nature has cemented her status as one of the top fighters in boxing history. “The Coal Miner's Daughter” made her pro debut in 1989 and would end up winning the WBC super-welterweight title in 2009. She has over 32 wins via knockout and has faced the likes of Holly Holm, Laila Ali, Mia St. John, and Deirdre Gogarty (the latter her favorite fight/moment from her career).
Speaking with The Sporting News, Martin discussed her journey while promoting her book Fighting for Survival: My Journey Through Boxing Fame, Abuse, Murder, and Resurrection. The book goes into detail about how she started young, fighting under Larry Carrier, her career in general, advocating for rights within the LGBTQ+ community, and her experience being a survivor of abuse.
“How could this small town, coal miner’s daughter from Southern West Virginia get this huge exposure in the boxing world? Getting to fight in Madison Square Garden, fight all over Las Vegas, being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, promoted by the best promotor that’s ever done it in Don King. It doesn’t even make sense. The opportunity presented itself to me, but I was ready. When King gave me the opportunity to fight on those cards, I was ready,” Martin told The Sporting News.
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“What if I had gone up there and stunk up the show? Who knows, women’s boxing may not be where it is today.”
Outside of the ring, Martin is a true warrior. She survived being stabbed multiple times by her ex-husband in an attempted murder case. Martin was ready to take control, and would not give up, just like she did in the ring. She also struggled with her own identity. Now openly gay, Martin does not fear the unknown of the truth being let out.
“After being stabbed by my ex-husband, one of the first things that came out of my mouth in the hospital was God left me here for a reason," Martin went on to say. "I really believe that reason is to help other people. Not for them to get so far down that rabbit hole that they can’t get back out, or they don’t know how to get back out. I was so far in, I didn’t know how to get out. I didn’t think people would believe me, and that’s what women face today. You have to listen if someone is reaching out for help… I knew I had to take control. I really hope I can inspire those in those situations… the underdog. If I can do it, so can you.
“I think that it’s important that I speak out about the difficulties I had back then and the acceptance that I feel today. Every situation is different… I feel a lot of acceptance from the boxing world, the fans, and my family for the most part. I’m comfortable in my skin. I’m happily married. I think we together set a good example and provide a good presence for young females and males who are struggling with their sexuality."
Martin was a Grand Marshal for the Boxing Hall of Fame in the 90s. Now she will be inducted with her fellow legends. It is a full-circle moment for “The Coal Miner's Daughter.”
Lucia Rijker
Considered "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World," Lucia Rijker is a kickboxing and boxing champion. She is a former WIBF welterweight and WIBO junior welterweight champion and has over 37 wins in kickboxing. With 14 wins via knockout, Rijker was a true force during her time in the ring.
Outside of boxing, she appeared in movies. Rijker played a pivotal role in the film Million Dollar Baby. She was originally honored before the pandemic by being one of the first female fighters to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
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Juan Manuel Marquez
A technical boxer known for his toughness, Juan Manuel Marquez could be a Hall of Famer based on the fights he had against Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera alone.
Losing his first pro fight in 1993, Marquez would win his next 29 fights. A WBO-NABO featherweight champion, in 2003 he won the WBA and IBF featherweight title and competed in a draw in his first fight against Pacquaio in 2004. Becoming WBC super-featherweight champion in 2007, Marquez met Pacquiao again in 2008 but lost. Moving to the lightweight division, Marquez won the WBA, WBO, and The Ring titles.
Marquez would head to welterweight and split two fights against Pacquiao, knocking him out via a vicious punch in 2012. Ending his career in 2014, Marquez is honored to join the Hall of Fame.
Shane Mosley
Holding titles in three weight classes, "Sugar" Shane Mosley's career is full of big wins. Making his pro debut in 1993, Mosley won the IBF lightweight title in 1997. He beat Oscar De La Hoya in 2000 for the WBC and IBA welterweight titles. After a stint in which he went 1-4 with one no-contest, Mosley would win the interim WBC and the WBA (Super) welterweight titles.
A fierce title contender, Mosley fought the very best in Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao, Fernando Vargas, and Luis Collazo. Mosley’s son, Shane Mosley Jr., now takes over the Mosley mantle in boxing.
2021
Floyd Mayweather
One of the most accomplished fighters of all time, everyone knows the name, Floyd Mayweather. Following the Olympics in 1996, Mayweather made his pro debut that year at the age of 19. In 1998, he won the WBC super-featherweight title against Genaro Hernandez. Defending it eight times, Mayweather would go on to fight in the lightweight division. It was a sign of things to come.
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He beat Jose Luis Castillo in 2002 for the WBC and The Ring lightweight titles. In 2005 Mayweather beat Arturo Gatti for the WBC super-lightweight title. In 2005, he took down Zab Judah for the IBF and IBO welterweight titles. That same year, Mayweather beat Carlos Baldomir for the WBC, IBA, and The Ring welterweight titles. In a fight to remember, Mayweather bested Ricky Hatton in 2007 to retain his welterweight titles (at the time, the WBC and The Ring belts).
Between the Baldomir and Hatton fight, Mayweather beat Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC light-middleweight title. From 2010 on he would face and beat fighters like Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, and Marcos Maidana. After becoming WBA, WBC, and The Ring light-middleweight champion, Mayweather moved to welterweight.
In a dream fight, Mayweather beat Manny Pacquaio in 2015 to win the WBO welterweight title (he was already WBA, WBC, and The Ring champion). It was a fight that many considered too late in both fighter's careers. Mayweather initially retired that year after beating Andre Berto.
Two years later, Mayweather would return and fight MMA fighter, Conor McGregor. Mayweather would beat McGregor via TKO in what was one of the most profitable cross-promotional fights of all time. Since then, he has competed in exhibition bouts, fighting kickboxer Tension Nasukawa, YouTuber Logan Paul, and Don Moore. He has also taken the part of mentor, thanks to Mayweather Promotions.
Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir, a 1996 Olympic gold medalist, made his pro debut that year. He beat Chris Byrd in 2000 for the WBO heavyweight title, defending it five times before losing the title to Corrie Sanders in 2003. "Dr. Steelhammer" would become champion again in 2006, beating Chris Byrd for the IBF and IBO heavyweight titles. He then beat Sultan Ibragimov for the WBO heavyweight title, Ruslan Chagaev for The Ring heavyweight title, and David Haye for the WBA (Super) heavyweight title.
After beating Byrd in 2006, he defended his titles 19 times. He finally lost the titles in 2015 to Tyson Fury. Returning in 2017, he lost to Anthony Joshua via TKO for the IBF, WBA, and IBO heavyweight titles. Wladimir retired following that fight.
He has since joined his Hall of Fame brother Vitali to fight against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
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Andre Ward
An undefeated fighter who competed from 2004 to 2017, Andre Ward is the last American male fighter to have won a gold medal in the Olympics.
Turning pro that year, Ward won the WBA (Super) super-middleweight title in 2009 against Mikkel Kessler. Ward would beat Carl Froch in 2011 for the WBC and The Ring super-middleweight titles. “S.O.G.” would end his career by beating Sergey Kovalev twice to become WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring light-heavyweight champion.
BoxRec has Ward as the twelfth greatest fighter of all time, as he was known for his speed and counterpunching.
Laila Ali
The daughter of Muhammad Ali, Laila managed to carve her own legacy. Making her pro debut in 1999, Ali became the first woman to headline a pay-per-view event against Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Joe Frazier, in 2001.
Ali is a former IBA, IWBF, WBC, and WIBA super-middleweight champion and an IWBF light-heavyweight champion. She competed on multiple cards featuring Mike Tyson and was a brutal offensive striker. She was able to fight Christy Martin in 2003 and beat her via knockout. With 21 wins via knockout, the now-TV personality continued what the greatest fighter of all time started.
Ann Wolfe
Owner of one of the greatest knockouts in boxing history, Ann Wolfe is as tough as they come. Making her debut in 1998, Wolfe is a former WBA-NABA super-middleweight champion, as well as an IBA light-heavyweight champion. In 2004 against Vonda Ward, Wolfe knocked her out with a devastating punch in the first round that is still talked about to this day.
Wolfe has since trained fighters like James Kirkland and has appeared in the film Wonder Woman. With 16 wins via knockout, Wolfe’s ability was respected enough for her to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
2022
Roy Jones Jr.
From 1989 to 2018, Roy Jones Jr. won gold in four weight classes. He went from the middleweight division up to heavyweight and never slowed down.
A 1988 silver medalist in the Olympics, Jones beat the likes of Bernard Hopkins, James Toney, and Vinny Pazienza in the early 90s to win and retain IBF middleweight and super-middleweight gold. He then moved to the light-heavyweight division, becoming undisputed champion in 1999. From 1998 until 2003, he dominated the vision. Jones then competed in the cruiserweight division, finishing his career on a four-fight win streak.
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The 53-year-old was known for his hand speed and footwork. He has competed in exhibition bouts since retiring, fighting Mike Tyson while continuing to look for a fight against Anderson Silva.
Miguel Cotto
"Junito" is one of the most beloved Puerto Rican fighters of all time. The three-time silver medalist is the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four different weight classes.
Cotto turned pro in 2001. A WBC International light-welterweight champion, Cotto won the WBO light-welterweight title in 2004. Defending the belt six times, Cotto would then win the WBA welterweight title in 2006. He beat the likes of Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, and Paulie Malignaggi to defend his belts. After losing the WBA title against Antonio Margarito, Cotto won the WBO welterweight title before losing that one to Manny Pacquiao.
Since that fight, Cotto went 7-4, losing to fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. During that time, Cotto won the WBA and WBO light-middleweight titles and the WBC and The Ring middleweight titles. Cotto lost his last fight via a questionable decision against Sadam Ali, but the Madison Square Garden faithful did not care. They knew they witnessed history by watching Cotto's last dance.
James Toney
A three-division champion, James Toney was known as a defensive boxer. He never lost a bout via stoppage.
Making his pro debut in 1988, Toney won the IBF middleweight title in 1991. He then won the IBF super-middleweight title in 1993, losing it to Roy Jones Jr. in 1994. Toney would win gold in the cruiserweight division before becoming a heavyweight contender.
With over 77 wins (47 via knockout), Toney is considered one of the sharpest fighters to compete inside a boxing ring.
Holly Holm
The Preacher's Daughter" is the only fighter to hold a boxing and UFC title, as she started her boxing career before her MMA one. She is considered one of the most accomplished athletes in combat sports history.
Holm made her boxing debut in 2002 and won the IBA light-welterweight title, as well as the WBA, WIBA, IFBA, IBA, and GBU welterweight titles. With nine wins via knockout, Holm beat the likes of Anne Sophie Mathis, Diana Prazak, Christy Martin, Mia St. John, and Mary Jo Sanders. She ended her boxing career in 2013 by retaining the IBA and WBC light-welterweight titles against Mary McGee.
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After a career in boxing, Holm has become a mainstay in MMA, winning the UFC bantamweight title against Ronda Rousey. Holm still has an itch to compete, and there are rumors she has shown interest in facing the likes of Katie Taylor down the line.
Regina Halmich
Regina Halmich is considered one of the most influential boxers of all time. The German fighter helped popularize the sport in Europe.
Halmich won the IBF flyweight title in 1995 and defended it 29 times. She also won the IBF super-flyweight title and the IBF light-flyweight title. Her last fight was in 2007, and she ended her career with 16 wins via knockout. The Ring Magazine had Halmich ranked the second-best female boxer of all time in 2016.
Other names in this year’s Hall of Fame include:
- Marian "Lady Tyger" Trimiar
- Jackie Tonawanda
- Frank Erne
- Barbara Buttrick
- Paddy Ryan
