On Saturday, June 9th, 2012 I made my way down to
Canastota, New York for the 2012 Boxing Hall of Fame Induction weekend. It was
easily one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I believe you will
all enjoy my retelling.
I went with my nephew Stephen for his birthday and the
minute we arrived we saw the hotel that most of the boxers were staying in
during the weekend. We went straight over to the entrance because a few people
had gathered there. We asked what was going on and a woman replied that a 5k
run was ending and the end of the race was right there. So, we talked about
waiting just incase a boxer came by that we could talk to and meet. Well, not
too long after that Sugar Ray Seales just showed up and came out to talk to us.
There were about 5 of us including my nephew and myself. He thanked us for
standing out in the bad weather to meet him and the other boxers. He then went
on to talk about his fight with Hagler and his career. He talked about his “bolo
punch” and how it almost killed two people. “They laid out cold for almost 20
minutes”. What was one of the most interesting topics was when he talked about
his theological discussions with Muhammad Ali. Seales himself was admittedly
Christian but he talked about some things Ali had said to him that helped him
in life and with his faith; even though Ali is Muslim. It was very fascinating
stuff. He autographed some stuff and then had me stand next to him. He then
talked to me about his experience training and then winning his Olympic gold
medal in 1972. It was extremely heartfelt and sincere. Seales then took out his
gold medal from his pocket and placed it around my neck and described his
feelings when that exact medal was placed around his own neck in 1972. It was
tremendously moving and an experience that I will never forget. We talked a
little bit more after that and then we went to the autograph memorabilia show.
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| Michael Moorer |
We did not know what to expect at all with anything this
weekend, including the autograph card show. We didn’t know if that meant
autographed cards, cards being sold or what. It was held at the tiny old high
school down the street from the Hall of Fame. We made our way to the gym and it
was filled with memorabilia vendors; which pretty much equaled the equivalent
of a sports museum. Every boxer that ever existed had signed at least one thing
in that room. It was amazing and I’m just glad they didn’t take credit cards
because I would have gone home a poor man! But seriously it was pretty dang
cool.
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| Ray Mercer |
There was then some bizarre zigzag line made with poles in the middle of
the room. We went in line and asked some older gentlemen what the deal was.
They all answered, in some of the strongest New York City accents I have ever
heard in my life, that this is the line for autographs. So we stayed in line
going through it several times meeting many amazing fighters and received all
of their autographs. We met the following fighters: Marlon Starling, Gasper
Ortega, Ruben Olivares, Carlos Ortiz, John Mugabi, Hilario Zapata, Sugar Ray
Seales, Ray Mercer, Aaron Pryor, Michael Moorer, Terry Norris, Mark Johnson,
Sharmba Mitchell and Kevin Kelly! What an amazing few hours! All of them were
very nice, talked to all the fans and even took pictures. I talked a bit with
Ray Mercer about his MMA fight with Tim Sylvia that lasted 9 seconds. I started
off by saying “loved your fight against Tim Sylvia” he said “So, did I.” we
both laughed. Then I said “Thanks for doing that, he was getting annoying.”
Mercer said “Yea no problem. I usually don’t hate most of the guys I fight but
that guy I could not stand. He ran his mouth a lot.” It was just incredible to
be around so much athletic royalty. These are some of the best athletes who had
ever lived. I remember watching Aaron Pryor replays on ESPN Classic and Mercer
and Moorer pound people half to death as a kid.
But it was a sobering and bittersweet experience as well.
These men are not the best computer tech professionals or the best at the craft
of painting. These guys are not the best athletes in tennis, golf or even baseball.
These guys are boxers, contact sport athletes. With most of them getting older,
the effects of all those tough fights and intense practices are catching up to
them. Some of them shake, stutter or seem to be not completely aware of what is
going on. However, for the most part, most of them were doing fine. But it was
still an intense experience to see some legends so frail.
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| Madison Square Garden Ring |
The next day we arrived early to the induction ceremony. We
sat close to the middle and 7 rows back. It was a great seat. Before the ceremony
started we went into the big building behind the stage and walked around. They
had the ring from Madison Square Garden that hosted some of the best fights
ever; including Frazier vs. Ali. We then sat down and the festivities began.
Many former and current boxing stars took the stage to honor
the 2012 class; which included Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard! They had
Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP winner Desmond Clark there as grand marshal
of the ceremony speak first. It was a good speech about how he was even excited
being around all of these amazing athletes. Then a boxing radio announcer came
up and introduced all of the posthumous inductees. The stories were amazing and
moving. There was one about a guy who had a 104 round bare-knuckle fight that
ended in a draw…..? yea. Then family members of each posthumous inductee came
up and accepted the award and gave great speeches.
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| Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson. (with Leonard and Roach) |
Then the living inductees of the 2012 class were introduced
one by one and gave some of the most emotionally moving speeches I have ever
heard; especially Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson’s speech. Johnson was the first
African American to win titles at flyweight and super flyweight weight classes
and Johnson expressed how difficult it was. He cried, thanked God, his father
and pumped his fist in the air saying “This is a dream come true for me! I made
it!” The rest of the class was writer Michael Kats, ring announcer Michael
Buffer, commentator Al Bernstein, trainer Freddie Roach and Thomas “The Hit Man”
Hearns. What a great group of people and all whom are deserving of this honor.
Hearns spoke last. He received the biggest ovation and he
was quiet but proud. In the end both Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, both
standing next to him, gave Hearns a standing ovation. That had to be the most
amazing feeling for Hearns. His biggest rivals standing and applauding him and recognizing
his greatness.
The induction ceremony ended and we made our way near the
bus which all of the inductees were boarding. I met Bernstein, Kats, Roach,
Buffer and Johnson. However, Hearns was not allowed by his posse to sign or
talk to anyone but I told him congrats and he said “thank you” back.
It was an amazing couple of days. So many different emotions
meeting these guys. When you meet certain people that you have held up on an,
almost inhumanly high, pedestal and then see them in real life next to you, you
can sometimes be disappointed at how human and regular they are but I did not
feel that way at all. I see these men now the same way I did before. Men that
accomplished greatness, men that were the best in the world at what they did,
and men that captivated me. 2012 inductee Michael Kats said “I am glad I am
retired and do not have to write about that disappointing Manny Pacquiao and
Timothy Bradley fight. This is why I am glad I stayed retired”. I agree this
sport has its downsides and can be hard to care about at times but when you
watch a Thomas Hearns, a Sugar Ray or a Marvin Hagler how can you help but fall
in love with it all over again?
See you next year Boxing Hall of Fame!
Other cool pictures from the weekend:
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| Sugar Ray Leonard and Antonio Tarver. |
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| Marvin Hagler (in sunglasses), Mark Johnson (on right in white suit) |
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| Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns |
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