By Reynaldo Sanchez
Florida has one of the deepest and richest histories in the sport of boxing. According to boxing promoter and former Florida State Boxing Commissioner Ramiro Ortiz, the first recognized heavyweight champion, James Corbett, held his first title defense in Jacksonville FL in 1884, versus Charlie Mitchel. In 1952 - Kid Gavilan, a black fighter from Cuba, defended his title in Florida at the Orange Bowl, against Bobby Dykes. This was the first inter-racial championship bout to take place in the South since 1892.
Last Saturday in Fort Myers, Florida, the directive body of the (FBHF) Florida Boxing Hall Of Fame announced the boxing personalities that will be inducted in the class of 2012.
FIGHTER
Chino Alvarez - Steve Carr - Scott Clark - Roberto Duran - Jimmy Leto - Danny Nardico - Aaron Prior - Chico Vejar
TRAINER
Jim McLoughlin - John Russell
MEDIA
Bob Halloran - Gerard Rinaldi - Ron Ross
PROMOTER
David White
OFFICIAL/COMMISSION
Mark Conn - Bill Connors - Stu Winston
PARTICIPANT
Dana Jamison - Jack Leonard - Dr. Stanley Simpson - Jim Waldrop
BOXING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Randy Feldman - Fred Levin - Mickey Rourke
If you are a fan of Boxing and would like to help in the efforts and objectives of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, or to become a corporate or individual sponsor, please call Butch or Kathy Flansburg at 812-884-7711 or email FLABHOF@AOL.COM the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame is a 501 (C) (3) Organization and donations are tax deductible.