The International Boxing Hall of Fame has announced their 25th Class and the headliner in the eyes of many is Oscar De La Hoya. Arguably the most popular fighter in his generation, the “Golden Boy” won ten different World Championships in six different weight classes and currently holds the record for the most revenue generated on pay per view. He finished his career with a 39 and 6 record with 30 Knockouts and was named Ring Magazine’s top rated Pound for Pound Fighter of the Year in 1997 and 1998. While still boxing, he created his own promotional company (Golden Boy Promotions), which has proven to be successful.
De La Hoya is joined by one of his past nemesis, Felix Trinidad. The Puerto Rican went 45 and 3 with 35 Knockouts and held the Welterweight Championship over six years making fifteen title defences. Trinidad is often regarded as one of the best pugilists ever to come out of Puerto Rico.
The United Kingdom is represented in this class by way of Joe Calzeghe who retired undefeated with a record of 46 and 0 with 32 Knockouts. Calzeghe was the Super Middleweight Champion for over ten years and moved up to become a champion in the Light Heavyweight division. He is one of the few boxers to retire undefeated and as a World Champion.
De La Hoya, Trinidad and Calzeghe enter as part of the Modern Boxer category. The International Boxing Hall of Fame also inducts boxers who competed from 1893 to 1943 in the “Old Timers” category. This year’s group includes George Chaney (137-36-4, 76 KO) who was a top Featherweight contender in the late 1910’s and early 1920’s, Charles Ledoux (99-22-6, 81 KO) a French Bantamweight who starred in the 1910’s and Mike O’Dowd who won the Middleweight Title in 1917. British Heavyweight, Tom Allen, who was the Heavyweight Champion in 1873 to 1876, who enters via the “Pioneer” category, joins them.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame also inducts Non Participants and Observers annually. This year, this includes promoter, Barry Hearn, referees, Richard Steele and Eugene Corri, journalist, Graham Houston and photographer, Neil Leifer.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this year’s class.
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