Lennox Lewis Heads List of 2009 Hall Of Fame Inductees

[JakeNDaBox]

CANASTOTA, NY - DECEMBER 9, 2008 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales (USA), heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (UK), junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell (South Africa), matchmaker / publicist / promoter Bob Goodman (USA), promoter Akihiko Honda (Japan), journalist Hugh McIlvaney (UK) and broadcaster Larry Merchant (USA).

"We're extremely excited about the Class of 2009 and very much looking forward to honoring the 20th class of inductees," said Executive Director Edward Brophy. "All living inductees are anticipated to attend and participate in 2009 Hall of Fame Weekend festivities."

The 20th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year's Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 14th to welcome the newest members.

The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees:
middleweight champion William "Gorilla" Jones, welterweight champion "Mysterious" Billy Smith and middleweight champion Billy Soose in the Old-Timer Category; manager Billy Gibson and commissioner Abe J. Greene in the Non-Participant Category; journalist Paul Gallico in the Observer Category; and Tom Hyer in the Pioneer Category. [details]

[ßringer]

They better not vote in that overrated Euro bum..........

Kidding of course, Lennox is the man, and a top 10 Heavyweight ATG, I hope he makes the cut this year.

[NAPO]

They better not vote in that overrated Euro bum..........

Kidding of course, Lennox is the man, and a top 10 Heavyweight ATG, I hope he makes the cut this year.

he will.

lennox lewis has to be the only heavy weight that has face and beat many great names.

[ßringer]

he will.

lennox lewis has to be the only heavy weight that has face and beat many great names.

Beat every man he ever faced off against in the ring, that's something only Marciano has ever done.

Forget those 2 fluke losses to Rahman and McCall, he avenged those fights in epic fashion.

[JakeNDaBox]

I guess the title gave the wrong impression - though also lends proof that nobody reads beyond it. The announcement is that he IS VOTED IN!

[The_Bull]

So I guess Naseem Hamed is going to have to wait until further notice.

[MANGLER]

Lennox deserves it. Props to him. If only he could commentate.

[Great Afrikan]

im glad my country man Brian Mitchell finally made it. If Joe C is considered great for fighting all but 2 fights in his homecountry, then Brian deserves this recognition.

This man fought for world titles 14times(undefeated for 12 years as WBA champion), all in foreign countries.

[Squabbles94806]

Its about time. It took me a while to actually appreciate Lennox Lewis in the ring...and maybe outside the ring as well.

I like his style. It may seem basic, to the untrained eye. But he had a little flair. Especially for a Heavyweight.

[deanrw]

im glad my country man Brian Mitchell finally made it. If Joe C is considered great for fighting all but 2 fights in his homecountry, then Brian deserves this recognition.

This man fought for world titles 14times(undefeated for 12 years as WBA champion), all in foreign countries.

Michell is a lock to get in. He was a great little fighter.