By Ryan Burton
On Saturday evening the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame will hold its inaugural induction ceremony at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The NVBHOF's Founder and CEO Rich Marotta recently spoke to us on BoxingScene Radio about how the Hall of Fame came to fruition.
BoxingScene Radio co-host Ernie Gabion told Marotta that he was very surprised that Nevada didn't already have a Hall of Fame. Marotta echoed his sentiments and said that he hears that all of the time.
"I am just not really sure why it hasn't happened but everyone seems to have that same reaction of being shocked or astounded that there hasn't been one," Marotta stated.
"It really is very surprising and it was surprising to me (as well). The only reason I even got the idea is because I was doing some research trying to find out where the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame was and what dinners or events it had so I could support it but much to my shock and amazement there wasn't one. That is why I decided I should give it a go."
This year's induction and dinner is officially sold out but plans are already in the works for next year's event. Marotta said that he liked the idea of holding the event in August as it is traditionally a slow month in boxing.
"We decided on August because it usually is a slow month in boxing. It is a time where we could have the focus on our event," Marotta told BoxingScene Radio.
The NVBHOF inaugural ceremony will have 19 inductees. The inductees in the Nevada Resident Boxer category are Mike Tyson, Mike McCallum, and Diego Corralles.
In the Non-Resident category Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Larry Holmes, Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Ray Leonard are being inducted.
Rounding out the inductees are trainers Eddie Futch and Freddie Roach, officials Mills Lane and Joe Cortez, Al Bernstein and Royce Feour in the Media category and Bob Arum and Don King in the Promoter category. Sig Rogich and Kirk Kerkorian will be indicted as special contributors.
Those who are interested in buying tickets to future events or making a donation are encouraged to visit the official website nvbhof.com.
You can listen to Rich Marotta's interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/5098989
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to BoxingScene Radio, BoxingScene's official audio show on Tuesdays from 6-8PM PST. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.
