Miguel Cotto, Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney Elected To Int’l Boxing Hall Of Fame

[Ruthless-RKO]

Miguel Cotto, Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney Elected To Int’l Boxing Hall Of Fame

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the members of the Class of 2022. Living inductees include champions Miguel Cotto, Roy Jones Jr. and James Toney in the men’s Modern category; champions Regina Halmich and Holly Holm in the women’s Modern category; publicist Bill Caplan in the Non-Participant category; and journalist Ron Borges and historian / producer Bob Yalen in the Observer category.

Posthumous inductees are junior lightweight champion “The Seattle Flash” Tod Morgan in the Old Timer category and ring announcer Chuck Hull in the Non-Participant category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians. Biographies on the Class of 2022 can be found on www.ibhof.com

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2022 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

Due to the cancellation of the two previous Induction Weekends, the Classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be honored at a “Once In a Lifetime” Hall of Fame Weekend Induction Trilogy scheduled for June 9-12th in “Boxing’s Hometown.”

“With today’s announcement, we are thrilled to have the final piece of the Induction Trilogy in place,” said Brophy.

The Class of 2020 includes Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, Barbara Buttrick, Frank Erne, Paddy Ryan, Lou DiBella, Kathy Duva, Dan Goossen, Bernard Fernandez and Thomas Hauser.

The Class of 2021 includes Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward, Laila Ali, Ann Wolfe, Marian Trimiar, Jackie Tonawanda, Davey Moore, Freddie Brown, Dr. Margaret Goodman, Jackie McCoy, George Kimball and Jay Larkin.

The 2022 Hall of Fame Weekend Induction Trilogy will feature many events in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota throughout the four-day celebration, including a 5K Race / Fun Run, boxing autograph card show, Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds. The Hall of Fame Weekend evening events include Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions. Both events will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, NY.

COMMENTS UPON RECEIVING INDUCTION NEWS

“After many years in boxing, I’m so proud of what we have done in the sport. Above all I was the head of my family and what made me proud as a father was to provide for my family and thanks to boxing I did it in the best way possible. It is amazing, but you have to be humble and carry yourself in the best way possible and work hard every day to reach your goals in life. I look forward to being in Canastota next June.”

– Miguel Cotto

“This is an absolutely marvelous feeling. I’m so honored that I get this opportunity and I can’t wait to go to Canastota to see it come to fruition.”

– Roy Jones Jr.

“Yeah baby! I made it. This is so great. I’ve been waiting for this call and I’m so happy. I can’t believe it. I’m almost tearing up. It’s a blessing and I’m looking forward to coming to Canastota as an inductee!

– James Toney

“Wow! What an honor. I’m very, very happy. My biggest wish was to one day be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and this is really the biggest honor for me.”

– Regina Halmich

“Thank you. I’m overwhelmed. I’m absolutely overwhelmed with emotion. I’m truly honored”

– Bill Caplan

“Wow. This is really exciting. I can’t believe it. Usually I’m not at a loss for words but I am now. It really means everything to me. Boxing has been my favorite sport since I was six watching the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports and I was honored to have spent nearly 50 years writing about the great fighters, trainers and promoters of the sport and to now be on the Hall of Fame Wall is such a great honor that I can’t even tell you how much it means to me.”

– Ron Borges

“I was extremely honored just to be on the ballot, but to receive this news is unbelievable; it is joyful, humbling, and exciting all at once. I am so honored and thrilled to be able to take my place among those whom I have admired and looked up to for so long…it might be a cliché, but dreams really do come true.”

– Bob Yalen

[Enlightened-One]

Have they changed the rules, because Cotto, Toney & Jones Jr. all retired less than five years ago?

[H8Usernames]

Here is my negative version:

Miguel Cotto

Perhaps this somehow does add to his legacy.

– Roy Jones Jr.

Much bigger than any HOF organization, meaningless nomination.

– James Toney

To achieve fame and respect but lose your ability to talk.

– Regina Halmich

Lol. Some shitty german female fighter. They can place her in some hof group but that doesn't change the fact that she is a very fringe boxer.

– Bill Caplan

Never heard about him.

– Ron Borges

Used to read his stuff. Dunno if entry into some HOF is justified.

– Bob Yalen

A WBC bagman. Fellow being put into some hof for accepting loads of money under the table. Perhaps he also handed out some cash to get put into this hof.

[goose 5]

It's three years now.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Miguel Cotto on Hall of Fame Nod: I Didn't Expect It, Took Me By Surprise

A few days ago, four division world champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico received boxing's biggest honor - when it was announced that he would be part of the 2022 class to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame located in Canastota, New York.

As part of the 2022 class, Cotto will join the likes of Roy Jones, James Toney, Regina Halmich and Holly Holm.

"It's something I didn't expect, it took me by surprise," Cotto told Carlos Gonzalez.

“This type of distinction has never been in my sights. I took boxing as my job to keep my family afloat."

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Hall of Fame classes for 2020 and 2021 are also going to be honored at the same ceremony - which means Cotto will share the stage with the 2020 class composed of Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Márquez, Bernard Hopkins, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker - and the 2021 class that has Floyd Mayweather, Wladimir Klitschko, Andre Ward, Ann Wolfe and Laila Ali.

"It will be a great day for world boxing," Cotto said.

Cotto turned pro in 2001 and retired from the sport in 2017 after suffering an upset decision loss to Sadam Ali. He walked away from the ring with a record of 41-6 with 33 knockouts.

During his pro run, Cotto faced numerous high-caliber opponents such as Floyd Mayweather, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Manny Pacquiao, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Sergio Martinez, and several others.

Along the way, he captured world titles at140, 147, 154 and 160.

Cotto assured that the spirit of his late father, Miguel Cotto Sr, will be present during the ceremony.

“My old man left on January 3, 2010 and he has never left my side. He will always be with me. What I am and what I will be for the rest of my life I owe to education, discipline and work. My old man made a commitment to my mother to raise and educate three good human beings. He did his job and I have no doubt that he will be smiling that day," Cotto concluded.