Frank Warren elected into the Boxing hall of fame.
Wonder never cease, eh?
Ripped from ESB
CANASTOTA, NY - DECEMBER 11, 2007 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce England's legendary boxing promoter Frank Warren has been elected into the Hall of Fame." We're very excited for Frank Warren and the Hall of Fame is very much looking forward to honoring his many achievements with induction into the Hall of Fame," said Executive Director Edward Brophy. His accomplishments will be recognized during the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 5-8th.."
Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show are planned.
A celebrity lineup of over 50 boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year's Induction Weekend.
Warren will receive a gold Hall of Fame ring and a plaque with his biography and photo will be on permanent display on the Hall of Fame Wall.
The Official Enshrinement Ceremony will be held on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 8th.
Born February 28, 1952 in Islington, London. In 1981 he promoted his first boxing show and, over the next 26 years, would go on to promote the brightest stars in British boxing.
Among the boxers he promoted include Joe Calzaghe, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton, Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, "Prince" Naseem Hamed, Steve Collins, Robin Reid, Danny Williams, Johnny Nelson, Richie Woodhall, Scott Harrison, Enzo Maccarinelli and Amir Khan.
He also promoted Mike Tyson for two bouts in the U.K in 2000 (TKO 2 Julius Francis and TKO 1 Lou Savarese).
Renowned for his promotional creativity, in 1996 he established one of boxing's premier promotional companies, Sports Network.
Among the many major bouts Warren has promoted include Hatton's light-welterweight title win over Kostya Tszyu and Calzaghe's super middleweight win over Mikkel Kessler.
Other living honorees include heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins, promoter Mogens Palle and journalists Dave Anderson and Joe Koizumi
The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: middleweight Holman Williams in the Modern Category; light heavyweight LenHarvey, middleweight Frank Klaus and welterweight Harry Lewis in the Old-Timer Category; trainer Bill Gore in the Non-Participant Category; and Dan Donnelly in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians
For more information on the events planned for the 2008 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
QUOTES
" What a real shock. I am very humbled and at the same time honored. In any sport or industry that you're involved in, it's always nice to get some recognition. To be up with all the great promoters in the Hall is a very humbling experience. I'm absolutely thrilled."- Frank Warren upon receiving induction news
" For over 25 years Warren has promoted some of the brightest stars and biggest events in British boxing history. One of the premier promoters in boxing today, Warren continues to bring excitement to boxing fans around the world." - Edward Brophy, Executive Director, International Boxing Hall of Fame
" Frank Warren has become an extremely powerful force in boxing. In Europe, which is a major boxing market, he is probably the most powerful promoter. I would say without a doubt he is one of the most powerful promoters in the world. I would rate him up there with Bob Arum and Don King. He's on that level." - Emanuel Steward, 1996 Hall of Fame Inductee
" Frank Warren is a class guy. He deserves this accolade because he's been so active for such a long time." - Arthur Mercante, 1995 Hall of Fame Inductee.
" Frank Warren is a very talented guy. A great person, a great promoter and it is no surprise to me that he's in the Hall because he's one of the top guns. Great asset to boxing because he knows how to promote." - Angelo Dundee, 1992 Hall of Fame Inductee
Warren will be confirmed as an inductee later today, ahead of the ceremony in June 2008.
No details are yet available of his fellow inductees.
" This is a tremendous honour," said Warren, who has promoted almost 250 world title fights, as well as hundreds of British, Commonwealth and European contests over the course of more than 25 years in the sport.
" Some of the greatest fighters and promoters of all time are in the Hall of Fame, and to think that I will be joining them is incredible.
" Only one thing worries me - most of the other promoters inducted are either old enough to draw their pensions or dead...so I must be looking a bit worse for wear!"
The news caps an outstanding year for British boxing, and follows Joe Calzaghe's victory in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday and Amir Khan's stunning 72 second win over Graham Earl.
CANASTOTA, NY - DECEMBER 11, 2007 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce England's legendary boxing promoter Frank Warren has been elected into the Hall of Fame." We're very excited for Frank Warren and the Hall of Fame is very much looking forward to honoring his many achievements with induction into the Hall of Fame," said Executive Director Edward Brophy. His accomplishments will be recognized during the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 5-8th.."
Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show are planned.
A celebrity lineup of over 50 boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year's Induction Weekend.
Warren will receive a gold Hall of Fame ring and a plaque with his biography and photo will be on permanent display on the Hall of Fame Wall.
The Official Enshrinement Ceremony will be held on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 8th.
Born February 28, 1952 in Islington, London. In 1981 he promoted his first boxing show and, over the next 26 years, would go on to promote the brightest stars in British boxing.
Among the boxers he promoted include Joe Calzaghe, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton, Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, "Prince" Naseem Hamed, Steve Collins, Robin Reid, Danny Williams, Johnny Nelson, Richie Woodhall, Scott Harrison, Enzo Maccarinelli and Amir Khan.
He also promoted Mike Tyson for two bouts in the U.K in 2000 (TKO 2 Julius Francis and TKO 1 Lou Savarese).
Renowned for his promotional creativity, in 1996 he established one of boxing's premier promotional companies, Sports Network.
Among the many major bouts Warren has promoted include Hatton's light-welterweight title win over Kostya Tszyu and Calzaghe's super middleweight win over Mikkel Kessler.
Other living honorees include heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins, promoter Mogens Palle and journalists Dave Anderson and Joe Koizumi
The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: middleweight Holman Williams in the Modern Category; light heavyweight LenHarvey, middleweight Frank Klaus and welterweight Harry Lewis in the Old-Timer Category; trainer Bill Gore in the Non-Participant Category; and Dan Donnelly in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians
For more information on the events planned for the 2008 International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.
QUOTES
" What a real shock. I am very humbled and at the same time honored. In any sport or industry that you're involved in, it's always nice to get some recognition. To be up with all the great promoters in the Hall is a very humbling experience. I'm absolutely thrilled."- Frank Warren upon receiving induction news
" For over 25 years Warren has promoted some of the brightest stars and biggest events in British boxing history. One of the premier promoters in boxing today, Warren continues to bring excitement to boxing fans around the world." - Edward Brophy, Executive Director, International Boxing Hall of Fame
" Frank Warren has become an extremely powerful force in boxing. In Europe, which is a major boxing market, he is probably the most powerful promoter. I would say without a doubt he is one of the most powerful promoters in the world. I would rate him up there with Bob Arum and Don King. He's on that level." - Emanuel Steward, 1996 Hall of Fame Inductee
" Frank Warren is a class guy. He deserves this accolade because he's been so active for such a long time." - Arthur Mercante, 1995 Hall of Fame Inductee.
" Frank Warren is a very talented guy. A great person, a great promoter and it is no surprise to me that he's in the Hall because he's one of the top guns. Great asset to boxing because he knows how to promote." - Angelo Dundee, 1992 Hall of Fame Inductee
Warren will be confirmed as an inductee later today, ahead of the ceremony in June 2008.
No details are yet available of his fellow inductees.
" This is a tremendous honour," said Warren, who has promoted almost 250 world title fights, as well as hundreds of British, Commonwealth and European contests over the course of more than 25 years in the sport.
" Some of the greatest fighters and promoters of all time are in the Hall of Fame, and to think that I will be joining them is incredible.
" Only one thing worries me - most of the other promoters inducted are either old enough to draw their pensions or dead...so I must be looking a bit worse for wear!"
The news caps an outstanding year for British boxing, and follows Joe Calzaghe's victory in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday and Amir Khan's stunning 72 second win over Graham Earl.
Wonder never cease, eh?
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