International Boxing Hall of Fame
The International Boxing Hall of Fame was established to honor
and preserve boxing's rich heritage, chronicle the achievements
of those who excel in the sport, and provide and educational experience
for its many visitors.
The idea for a Boxing Hall of Fame came out of a town's love for
one, and later two, of its hometown boys who became world champions.
In 1982 residents of Canastota NY decided to honor former welterweight
and middleweight champion of the late 1950s, Carmen Basilio, and
his nephew Billy Backus, who won the world welterweight title
in 1970. The townspeople raised funds for a showcase that would
celebrate the achievements of their two local heroes.
The success and enthusiasm for that project encouraged Canastotians
to explore the possibility of establishing boxing's first hall
of fame and museum. That project was completed in 1989, when two
dozen former boxing champions witnessed the ribbon-cutting ceremony
for the International Boxing Hall of Fame. One year later, the
first class of boxing legends, including Mohammad Ali, were on
hand to receive their long overdue enshrinement. Since then the
IBHOF, under the leadership of Executive Director Ed Brody, has
added one wing and held annual induction ceremonies in early June
as the highlight of a four-day celebration of boxing and its legends.
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