The International Boxing Hall of Fame is gearing up for a celebration like no other, marking its 35th anniversary with a bang, or should we say, a knockout. Former middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik is on the guest list, ready to mingle and relive the glory days with fans and fellow boxers.
Edward Brophy, the big boss at the Hall of Fame, couldn’t hide his excitement about having Pavlik over. He reminisced about the electrifying fights Pavlik put up, leaving fans on the edge of their seats more times than we can count. Pavlik’s journey from a scrappy kid in Youngstown with an impressive 89-9 amateur record to dominating the middleweight division is the stuff of legends. His notable wins include the likes of Jermain Taylor, Edison Miranda, and Marco Antonio Rubio, boasting a professional record that’s hard to ignore: 40-2 with 34 KOs.
But Pavlik isn’t the only star shining at this event. Over 35 boxing legends are joining the party, including Christy Martin and Micky Ward, but let’s not get carried away with nicknames here. The class of 2024 inductees is a lineup that reads like a who’s who of the boxing world, featuring Ricky Hatton, Ivan Calderon, and the late Diego Corrales, among others.
The festivities aren’t just about handshakes and nostalgia. The schedule is packed with events that’ll make any boxing fan’s heart race: ringside talks, fist castings, and a fight night that promises to bring back the thrill of the sport. Not to mention a 5K race for those who like to break a sweat, an autograph show for the collectors, and a grand parade and banquet to wrap things up in style.