Knockout Weekend Celebrating Honorees
The sport of boxing will be celebrated this weekend at the 2026 National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) Awards Ceremony taking place Sunday, April 26 at the
Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif. This popular show is completely SOLD OUT with some of boxing’s best (in and out of the ring) being honored at this yearly event.
The Class of 2026 includes fighter inductees Timothy Bradley, Chris Byrd, Tracy Byrd, Seniesa Estrada, Wilfredo Gomez, Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Rafael “Bazooka” Limon, Rafael Marquez, Erik Morales, Canto Robledo, Sugar Ray Robinson, Victor Terrazas, Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Paul Vaden. Special category inductees are Max DeLuca, Dougie Fischer, Lita B. Kaufman, Larry Merchant, Mark Relyea, Marvin Somodio, Farzad Tabatabai, Thomas Taylor, Claudia Trejos and Felix Trinidad Sr.
There will also be additional awardees such as Enza Jacoponi (Don Jose Sulaiman Lifetime Achievement Award), Sugar Ray Robinson (Howie Steindler Main Street Gym Award), Yaqui and Beno Lopez (Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon Gift of Love Award), Steven Navarro (Rising Star Award-Male), Naomy Valle (Rising Star Award-Female), and Louis Rodriguez (Gold Sponsor Award).
Over 700 guests will enjoy an afternoon lunch, boxing memorabilia displays, meet and greets with their boxing heroes and so much more. The NBHOF President Bill Young, Senior Vice President Linda Young, Executive Vice President and Producer Drew Young, the Advisory Board Members and the City of Azusa have all been working hard to ensure a memorable day come Sunday.
The audience will be coming from all over the world to attend the ceremonies. Felix Trinidad Sr. and Felix “Tito” Trinidad will be there with boxing historian/author Chris Smith, along with a large group of supporters cheering on these Puerto Rican legends. Several of the inductees and attendees will be traveling from various countries and U.S. states to join the SoCal festivities.
This annual event brings together some of the best in the biz and it’s a day to honor those who have given so much to the sweet science. It is also a chance to acknowledge many unsung heroes working behind-the-scenes in the sport. And the Class of 2026 features these standouts in the game who will get their moment to shine on stage as their families, friends, peers and fans applaud them.
One of the new 2026 inductees is California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) boxing referee Thomas Taylor. The “Third Man in the Ring” began his career working in Southern California amateur boxing bouts and has become one of the most sought-after referees in the sweet science. The busy official can also be seen in the brand new “American Gladiators” series (a huge hit on Prime Video). I asked Tom what he is looking forward to most this weekend.
“Sharing the experience with my friends and family in attendance,” he quickly replied.
For many of the inductees, it is with great pride and joy that they get to share this prestigious honor with their families and friends that have witnessed their dedication in boxing. If you work in boxing, that can mean long hours, grueling road trips, fights canceled with short notice and a career that can, at times, be very unpredictable. But for those of us working in boxing, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
And oftentimes, boxing is a second generation career for many. Another CSAC member accepting his 2026 induction award is well-respected judge Max DeLuca. He has worked countless fights all over the U.S. and internationally too. Max’s father is the legendary ringside physician Dr. Michael DeLuca and I have no doubt that he will honor his late father in his acceptance speech.
“I am looking forward to seeing all my friends in the boxing community and my family,” Max tells me. He comes from a very large family and he also mentioned that a lot of his family members will be there in person this weekend.
The CSAC team will be well represented this weekend with Tom Taylor, Max DeLuca and CSAC Chief Inspector Mark Relyea all receiving induction awards on April 26. Expect a huge turnout from the CSAC group as they cheer on three of their own.
One common thread amongst this year’s inductees is that their family and friends are at the forefront of their special day. The inductees really aim to share the honor with their loved ones and loyal friends who have been there since the beginning.
Another 2026 inductee is attorney Farzad Tabatabai who has worked with promoters, boxers, managers, athletic inspectors, and more within the sport of boxing for over 20 years.
“Much of a lawyer’s work takes place behind the scenes, and public acknowledgment of our role is rare,” he expresses. “This recognition is deeply meaningful to me, not just personally, but for the legal profession.”
Farzad has been a lawyer for over 30 years and has worked in boxing for over 20 years now.
“I am thankful to the many clients, colleagues, and friends who have been part of this journey—especially my first boxing client, Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions,” he states. Dan’s early trust gave me the opportunity to begin what became a decades-long career in boxing.”
Farzad will be joined by over 60 members of his family, friends, and colleagues as he accepts this honor.
“Most of my friends and family don’t know the extent of my work in boxing,” he adds, “This will be a wonderful moment to share my journey in boxing, and the contributions I have made to the sport over the years.”
I have been fortunate to attend every NBHOF awards since its inception and each year brings out so many memorable moments. Sunday’s show (which sold out quickly) looks to be their best ever. This annual fiesta is always a KO day for boxing fans. Ticketed guests can get a selfie with their favorite champs, have their commemorative programs signed and watch history taking place on April 26! The crowd will all convene inside the Crystal Ballroom for an afternoon of action-packed film clips, silent auction prizes, heartfelt speeches, surprise guests and more. Limited edition T-shirts will also be available for purchase along with other NBHOF souvenirs for the fans.
The NBHOF induction ceremony promises to be a great celebration for all. They take time to honor past champions, recognize current fighters and rising stars and acknowledge so many unsung heroes working behind the scenes in boxing. On April 26, all of these outstanding individuals and humble awardees will get their time to shine. And the professional prizefighters and world champions will once again be in the limelight and awarded for all the sacrifices they have made while fighting for glory.
April 26 will be a glorious day.
Senior Vice President Linda Young says, “We look forward every year to the Induction of these great champions. The room is filled with so much energy!”
Boxing runs deep in the Young family with several generations involved in pugilism. Bill and his wife Linda have helmed their NBHOF nonprofit organization since 2015. They have created a legacy in which the men and women in boxing are truly honored, respected and shown love for their contributions in the fight game.
“The love for the boxing world and seeing the reunion of the champions, contenders and boxing family is an emotional feeling for Bill and me,” Linda shares. “The surprise guests and young boxers is another joy. Yes, it will be a joyous day!”
Congrats to the 2026 National Boxing Hall of Fame inductees and awardees!