CANASTOTA, N.Y. – Crowds began gathering after lunch on the grounds in Canastota on Thursday, the opening day of the 2024 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend.
Hall of Fame founder Ed Brophy had earlier attended a press conference to discuss the weekend's planned events at Turning Stone Casino near Verona, N.Y. The conference was held in tandem with Golden Boy's Friday night fight card at the casino.
Returning to the venue, Jackie Cullen was the first guest to take the stage with host James “Smitty” Smith, answering questions from the audience, followed by 2024 Hall of Fame member Ivan Calderon.
Despite a pouring rain, later in the day, 2024 Hall of Fame inductees Ricky Hatton, Michael Moore, Calderon, Jane Couch, Fred Sternberg and Ana Maria Torres took to the stage to officially open the event. They were joined by Julian Jackson, Jesse James Leija, Erik Morales, Butterbean and Jim Lampley, who each spoke briefly.
“This is one of the best moments of my career. I get to show my husband and kids what I've accomplished,” Torres said.
“It's a dream come true to be here with the champions,” Calderon added, while Mexican boxing great Morales said he was happy to be with his boxing family and surrounded by his fellow Hall of Famers.
Butterbean said he was very happy to be in Canastota, and his publicist Sternberg said, “It's amazing. I never imagined I'd be on this stage. I'm so happy to be here with you and all of you here.”
He was accompanied by his longtime friend Lampley, who visited the grounds for the first time since being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
A truly touching Leija said, “When I watch the fighters here, I feel what they've been through in life. We've struggled so much for so long just to feed our families and pay the rent, and now you see the best fighters in the world who have overcome all that hardship and are world champions not only inside the ring but outside of it as well.”
Julian Jackson added: “Life in general is about taking risks and I truly believe that everyone here has taken chances in life and that's why they're in the position they are in.”
“Boxing is something special. It got me off the streets and allowed me to be someone who could help others, not who I thought I should be. I have a lot of respect for what boxing has achieved and the impact it has on athletes all over the world.”
Moorer, a former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, said he was honored to be in attendance.
“A lot of people say this has been needed for a long time. But it's not needed, it's appreciated,” he said.
“I never thought I'd end up in the situation I'm in now. I'm so grateful I was able to take this class.”
“It's an honor to be here with all these legends. I can't believe I'm even here, just to be inducted,” said Couch, who has made a formidable journey, fighting and winning to get women into boxing. “Sorry about bringing the weather into the mix,” joked her compatriot Hatton as she rang the bell to officially open the ceremony.
“It feels really special to be here. The fans have meant everything to me, they've led me to victory so many times, so I'm really happy to be here to spend the week with them.”
“I can't believe I'm sitting here and my plaque is hanging on the wall.”
