National Boxing Hall of Fame THIS Sunday!

It is time for the annual National Boxing Hall of Fame’s (NBHOF) awards ceremony which will take place this Sunday, April 28 at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. The gathering will be a star-studded one with a knockout show planned inside the Crystal Ballroom.

The Class of 2024 includes Sumya Anani, Marco Antonio Barrera, Barbara Buttrick, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Arturo Gatti, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., Reggie Johnson, Manuel Medina, Shane Mosley, Micky Ward, Winky Wright, Hilario Zapata, Stephen Blea, Joe Botti, Bill Clancy, Jacob “Stitch” Duran, Roy Englebrecht, Diane Fischer, Jimmy Finn, Don McGuire, Bernardo Osuna, along with special awardees Rocky Herron, Eddie Futch, Eiji Yoshikawa, Mark Wahlberg, Dr. Jim Nave and Diego Aviles.

The NBHOF President Bill Young, Vice President Linda Young and Executive Vice President and Producer Drew Young are ready to present an exciting day celebrating the champs and honoring those who have made their mark in the sweet science.

I had a chance to hear from Linda Young as the NBHOF team gets ready for the weekend festivities. In this exclusive chat, hear what she has to say about who will be there in person, what the guests can expect and how this awards show will truly be an international event!

Linda Young: It is going well and always a challenge preparing especially the last minute “unexpected details.” We are ready for our wonderful boxing family and Inductees. They are coming in from afar including guests from Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Philippines and across the US!

MC: What were your biggest challenges in planning such a massive event?

LY: Preparing the program is probably the biggest challenge as it involves research and acquiring as much accuracy as we can about our inductees. The layout is always challenging…Sometimes I panic and wonder if I forgot someone? Everyone is special and it’s an honor to bring these great boxing icons to the stage but in reality, they brought themselves to the stage.

MC: What can the guests and inductee expect at this year’s awards show?

LY: Great icons in boxing and a stunning lineup! We have a very special announcement and excited to share with the boxing family. With our banners and red carpet in place, we are very honored to have you–Michele with microphone in hand to be our host as our inductees walk the red carpet. Cameras will be rolling! The NBHOF is growing and has expanded to Nashville/Mt.Juliet, Tennessee. We have two homes now–Los Angeles and Nashville/Mt. Juliet. Our son, Drew, has been a vital part of our NBHOF. He prepares the videos, editing, including creating and maintains our NBHOF website keeping it updated. Drew knows the mechanics of the state-of-the-art equipment and his contribution is vital to our event production.

MC: Your events always sell out so can fans still buy tickets before Sunday’s ceremony?

LY: As of Wednesday, our final tabulated meals have been ordered. Yes, we are sold out but the Quiet Cannon will roll in another table when the unexpected show up at the gate! But we do not encourage it as It’s overwhelming for our hosts and security.

MC: You will certainly have a star-studded audience with lots of out-of-town guests traveling to LA. Can you share any of the names that will be there in person?

LY: We have guests from Ireland, Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Jersey, Florida, New York, England, Japan, North Dakota, Indiana…It is just amazing the traveling boxing family. Evander Holyfield is coming and it’s rare for our boxing community to see the boxing icons. We have a wonderful group from Panama, Mayor Hector Carrasquilla (former pro boxer) with Hilario Zapata and family including Esteban Bliss, combat veteran, President of “You Served, We Care” Foundation. The Mayor of Montebello with some of her staff will also be attending. Amongst our guest champions we have Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Michael Spinks, Eva D. Jones-Young, Michael Nunn and our California Golden Era champion boxers including Carlos Palomino, Art Frias, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Paul Banke, Albert Davila, Frankie Duarte, Terry Norris, Virgil Hill and more! We were informed yesterday of two surprise champions to be attending–waiting for the 100% confirmation so we can announce before Sunday!

LY: Our boxing community coming together! Observing the joy and smiles of so many people fills our hearts! It truly is a great honor to bring the boxing community together. We are very excited for Stitch Duran and his camera crew for his movie, “From the Fields to The Garden.” This apparently is the last of their filming of his induction into the National Boxing Hall of Fame! Wow! NBHOF to be included in his film is humbling and exciting. Oh and Stitch only has 50+ coming to witness his Induction! His brother is calling it the “family reunion”!

MC: This will be a memorable day for all. Will you continue to host events both in October and April?

LY: The “15 Rounds Down Memory Lane” (in October) was so much fun! In the future we hope to do it again. April is the Induction Ceremony and perhaps we will continue October for the “15 Rounds Down Memory Lane” too.

MC: Thanks again, Linda and here’s to a great event!

LY: We love you Michele and we have said it before, YOU ARE THE SWEETHEART OF BOXING!

Boxing fans are in for a treat on April 28 as some of the best in the fight fame will be honored at the 2024 National Boxing Hall of Fame awards.

Tickets: https://nationalboxinghalloffame.com

October event:

NBHOF 2023 awards:

Photo by Michele Chong/Poster courtesy of NBHOF