BoxingNews by Paul Firth

“It’s good to see all of the great fighters most who go travel with “spending money”. Lonsdale’s Chas and Kimberly Taylor, here,” said Stracey, who performed two songs during Thursday’s opening leading an army of Brits that might have ceremony. “There are no bigger and no made up as much as 15 per cent of the smaller fighters – we’re all the same. It is a crowds, were there for the 20th consecutive year and more than 200 fantastic occasion.” Backus was asked what would have volunteers made sure the weekend went smoothly. There is no question that in happened had he fought Stracey. “I like him too much to think what Canastota, boxing has found an unlikely I would have done to him,” he smiled. “I home. Middleweight great Marvin Hagler, who didn’t know him then but I know him now loves attending to hang out with his fellow and I like him.” “Where we will have a good match,” said fighters rather than speak to fans, said: “I Stracey, “is Graziano’s [bar] where we will feel like I’m home when I’m here with all of these guys. They’re like my brothers.” knock them back later.” The loudest ovation of the weekend As it was, Backus shed the first tears of the weekend during the Q and A. He was came for hometown hero Carmen Basilio. clearly moved when a fan recounted a The more decrepit he becomes, the louder story of Backus saving a sparring partner’s the cheers. Also in poor health but battling life at the old Water Street Gym in on was Emile Griffith. The two parade grand marshals were Syracuse. He nailed Herbie Walker with an uppercut – in front of a crowd of no more Federico Castelluccio, or, if you prefer, than six – and Walker swallowed his hitman Furio from The Sopranos and Burt tongue. With everyone else panicking and Young, better known as Paulie from the Walker turning purple, Rocky movies. Backus – now 66 – ripped “It’s been an incredible,” his gloves off, reached said Castelluccio. “It’s a inside Walker’s mouth and beautiful place and I’ve saved his life. Backus wept met some wonderful as he heard the story while people.” the crowd applauded his In that respect, it is the heroics. same each year. Some regular visitors And once the world MARVIN HAGLER said the number of new climbs out of the economic attendees was poor with the weekend stupor the number of visitors should serving more as a reunion between the increase, particularly when you fighters and fans who have been going for consider the likes of Kostya Tszyu, Julio years rather than one that presented new Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson and Tommy faces. In fact, during the opening Hearns will be due their Hall calls in the next ceremony, Ed Brophy asked for a show of couple of years. hands for visitors who have been more On the first day, Jeff Brophy, nephew of than five times. A blanket of arms was executive director Ed, noted that one raised. He then went year by year to 20 and, familiar and friendly face would be missed while the numbers dropped, there was a high in particular – Jose Torres. number who have been going since day one. Chargin said of Torres, “We all knew he That is, of course, good and bad. was a great fighter, a great husband and a However, Brophy unveiled plans to build great Hall of Famer. He gave us a lot of a larger museum on their ample grounds thrills with great fights. We all miss him and he has also come up with a Night of and send our condolences to his family.” the Rising Stars bash on the Friday night, Torres’ fellow IBHOF staples Basilio and an enjoyable event at the Rusty Rail House Griffith both seemed frighteningly frail. where current and future stars meet the Unless new faces are found from a fighter fans to talk about their introduction to the and fan perspective, these wonderful sport and careers so far. reunions will continue to get smaller. ■ WBC welter champ Andre Berto, lightmiddle stars Paul Williams and Kermit TEARFUL: Cintron, IBF super-middle champ Lucian Canizales Bute, heavyweight contender Kevin savours his Johnson and Beijing bronze medallist defining (Team USA’s only one in 2008) Deontay moment Wilder all spoke well. They were followed by Lennox, who offered them words of wisdom from his own experiences, imploring them to “protect that money”. So it was ironic the next day when former welter contender Fitz Vanderpool, in excellent shape, lost his wallet. Another bone of contention with fans was the $135 banquet on the Saturday night. I did not go but one fan complained the meat was too rare and even one of the fighters joked his food, “Was still mooing.” The memorabilia fare at the High School on Saturday produced some great value bargains and a few hidden gems. It is worth the $10 admission price alone, even if you use it as a museum for the day, though

‘I FEEL LIKE I’M HOME WHEN I’M HERE WITH THESE GUYS’

The Inductees

Lennox Lewis Orlando Canizales Brian Mitchell Hugh McIlavnney Larry Merchant Akihiko Honda Bob Goodman POSTHUMOUS INDUCTEES OLD-TIMERS CATEGORY William Jones Billy Soose “Mysterious” Billy Smith OBSERVER CATEGORY Paul Gallico NON-PARTICIPANT CATEGORY Billy Gibson Abe J. Green PIONEER CATEGORY Tom Hyer THE GUEST LIST Livingstone Bramble, LeRoy Murphy, Marvin Hagler, Andre Berto, Paul Williams, Michael Carbajal, Greg Haugen, Gaby Canizales, Junior Jones, Deontay Wilder, Lucian Bute, Kevin Johnson, Carmen Basilio, Don Fullmer, Billy Backus, John H Stracey, Don Chargin, Marlon Starling, Stan Christodoulou, Emile Griffith, Leon Spinks, Ruben Olivares, Aaron Pryor, Carlos Ortiz, Dickie DeVeronica, Carlos Palomino, Kermit Cintron, Christy Martin, Kenny Bayless, Angelo Dundee, J Russel Peltz, Emanuel Steward