2021 Enrollment Floyd Mayweather’s International Boxing Hall of Fame class recognizes parade participants during the annual champion parade
RFloyd Mayweather Jr. wept at a banquet on the eve of his big day and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame yesterday. [Macau time]A little emotion of his voice when he accepted the honor.
“I’ve done a lot in my career and this is by far the best,” Mayweather said. “I want to thank the International Boxing Hall of Fame for giving me this. He deserves it, so this goes to my dad here. Bernard Hopkins said it best —” You need to earn it Yes. “— And my dad got this ring.
“Thank you for your support. I want to tell all the fighters — thank you, you are noteworthy. Without you I wouldn’t be.”
Mayweather, who retired undefeated in 50 battles, headlined the three classes introduced yesterday. Due to the pandemic, the previous two entrance ceremonies were postponed and crowded in 2022. The ceremony was moved from the House of Fame in Canastota, NY to the nearby Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona to accommodate 36 winners.
Roy Jones Jr., Miguel Cotto, James Toney, and female champions Regina Halmich and Holly Holm attended this year’s class. The 2020 class included multi-division champions Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and “Sugar” Shane Mosley. The 2021 class included Mayweather, Wladimir Klitschko and Andre Ward.
The first female fighters were also enshrined, including Christy Martin, Laila Ali, Lucia Rijker, Regina Halmich and Holly Holm. Martin became famous when he appeared on some of Mike Tyson’s fight cards in the 1990s. Her guidance came on her 54th birthday.
For Laila Ali, it was a return to where her career began — and contrary to the advice of her famous father. She won her first match against April Fowler at Turningstone in October 1999.
“He told me not to do that. I had to win his respect in the ring,” said Laila, who retired undefeated in 24 battles.
All but one of the 27 fighters who joined were scheduled to attend the ceremony. What was missing was former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. He was in Ukraine and was inducted into the Hall of Fame by his brother Vitali while the fight against the invasion of Russia continued and is now helping the mayor of the capital Kieu.
Instead, Vladimir Klitschko, the longest-running heavyweight champion for 12 years and 2 days and ending with a professional record of 64-5 (53 KO), has two short videos on social media to honor him. Released.
“Thanks to the fans. I have never dreamed of going this far in sports. It’s great,” Klitschko said. “Boxing only made me a better person. It taught me a lot.”
Although his video was short, Klitschko criticized fellow member Jones for traveling to Russia-occupied Crimea.
“So Roy, which side are you on?” Klitschko said. “I really respect you as a fighter, but I really have doubts about your moral compass.”
Jones was thinking about something else. MDT / AP
