Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s Museum Exhibit!

0
Player Props Betting.

Photos from the Knockout Weekend

MuseumCase

Las Vegas is known as the “Mecca of Boxing” and this past weekend was THE place to be for fight fans around the world.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVHBOF) celebrated their 3rd Annual Induction Weekend with their first-ever Museum Exhibit housed (fittingly) at Caesars Palace, the “Home of Champions,” located right on the Vegas Strip.

The nonprofit NVBHOF was founded by President/CEO Rich Marotta and has really blossomed in its three years since inception. It has become known as a first-class affair that everyone wants to be part of. The awards dinner was another sell out and their new museum was a big hit with the boxing aficionados too. Marotta and Michelle Corrales-Lewis (COO) kicked off a memorable two days in Vegas with this special display of fight-related items such as championship belts, gloves, robes, vintage magazines, souvenirs, paintings, bronze statues, rare photos and more. The famed Caesars Palace boxing ring was also featured in this specially-designed museum that was adjacent to the awards venue.

Check out my exclusive photos of some of the sights seen during this August 7 and 8 exhibit!

I was able to see a sneak preview on Thursday night and couldn’t wait to return the next morning. The NVBHOF crew (Marotta, Corrales-Lewis, Dee Kelley, Helen Marotta, James Wimberly, Jeff Zimmerman, etc.) and their volunteers really did a great job acquiring all these display items rarely seen by fans. They all worked tirelessly to ensure the perfect set up while coordinating and organizing the many events that took place along the museum perimeter. The museum was a feast for any true boxing fan’s eyes. And besides the array of showcased pieces, there was also a large area with a silent auction with the proceeds going to the nonprofit.

During the event, there were live radio interviews, in-ring demos, autograph sessions with the champs, and a veritable boxing “shopping heaven” with the many vendors that took part in the festivities (which were all free and open to the public).

The World Boxing Council (WBC) also had a free photo opportunity in which the fans could pose with a full-sized green and gold WBC championship belt. The WBC team had President Mauricio Sulaiman, Pepe Sulaiman, Jill Diamond, Ceci Sulaiman, Chuck Williams, Nancy Rodriguez, Victor Silva and more attending their booth and photo area.

HaglerPrizefighters and champs Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Marco Antonio Barrera, Wayne McCullough, Jessie Vargas, Layla McCarter, Joey Gilbert, Laura Serrano, Ana Julaton, boxing’s Al Bernstein, Kenny Bayless, Richard Steele and several others all stopped by to check out the museum cases offering a treasure trove of boxing history.

I got a chance to reconnect with many boxing pals I’ve met along the way while also making some new acquaintances as well. One talented teen also visited the museum to meet the fans. Jaime Estrada introduced me to Bridget Gonzalez, 16, who had the distinction of being chosen for this year’s anthem singer at the NVBHOF Induction Ceremony and Awards Dinner. She said she was very honored to be part of the event and was looking forward to the star-studded night.

I witnessed many “goosebump” moments during the exhibit hours. It was amazing to see many of the fighters peering through the glass as they checked out their own “champ” section in the museum. Wayne McCullough had one of his “Pocket Rocket” satin robes prominently displayed; Marvelous Marvin Hagler was delighted to see a whole case dedicated to his career in the ring; and female fighters Laura Serrano, Layla McCarter and Ana Julaton also had their mementos proudly displayed. All of the athletes said they were truly honored to be part of this top-notch tribute.

Eva Futch was at the entrance greeting many of the patrons. Eva is the wife of the late great boxing trainer Eddie Futch, a mentor to many. Futch was a beloved coach and mentor to countless champs and it was a nice, albeit bittersweet, time for Eva to see her husband’s contributions in boxing displayed in his honor.

I also spoke with many out-of-town visitors who were impressed with all the happenings. I watched as their expressions were wide-eyed with delight and awe in seeing so many boxing artifacts displayed in one room at the same time. The NVBHOF hopes to make their museum a permanent one in the future.

This year’s NVBHOF was their third installment and each year gets bigger, brighter and better. I’ve been attending since its inaugural year and this is quickly becoming the “must see” event of the year. Everyone says they’re already looking forward to the 2016 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

This new Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Museum was history come to life. And Caesars Palace is where many champions and legends were made.

It was a truly memorable weekend fit for a king.

Photos by Michele Chong

Player Props Betting.
Previous articleWBC Sponsors First-Ever Amateur Show!
Next articleOne for the Ages: Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame!
Michele Chong has been involved in the sport of boxing for over a decade. Her “Chatter Box” column covers a variety of subjects in both professional and amateur boxing, and features exclusive one-on-one interviews, recaps of fight events, shows and tournaments, book/film reviews and much more. Inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008, she is also a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Golden State Boxer’s Association and the Burbank Boxing Club. Michele is also involved in many non-profit and charitable organizations.