Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley Enter Int’l Boxing Hall of Fame

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced the members of the Class of 2020, and a Hall call came for all-time aces Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and Sugar Shane Mosley.

Also, Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker will be enshrined in the museum.

No surprise that the nearly ageless wonder Hopkins…

..the Mexican sniper Marquez…

and the slick craftsman Mosley…

…got nods.

Voters this year were offered options for some possibles earlier than expected, with word that Ed Brophy and company decided that modern-era boxers now require a three-year retirement period for being eligible. Better luck next years are offered to top tier hitters like Jorge Arce, Timothy Bradley, Vuyani Bungu, Joel Casamayor, Diego Corrales, Carl Froch, Sergio Martinez, Antonio Tarver and Israel Vazquez.

Non-participants and observers to be inducted include promoters Lou DiBella, Kathy Duva and Dan Goossen as well as journalists Bernard Fernandez and Thomas Hauser. “I am stunned and thrilled! Humbled, of course, and delighted to learn that they intend to put my plaque right next to Dan’s,” Duva said.  “I am over the moon.”

Fernandez touched base with NYF, and shared his reaction when he got the word he'd be enshrined. “I have covered somewhere between 15 to 18 IBHOF induction weekends, so I know how much being up on that podium means to those being enshrined,” said the gent who was a newspaper sports writer for 43 years – the last 28 at the Philadelphia Daily News.

I “edited” Fernandez at The Sweet Science for a bunch of years. The man is a pro's pro. No drama, no typos, no mailing it in. He cares, deeply. Congrats, sir, from your old editor, Woodsy.

“As there is such a thing as an Observer category, those of us who cover the sport can't help but wonder what it would be like to be up there as one of the favored few, rather than sitting in the press section I guess I get to experience that feeling myself now, and I can't wait. I have been very fortunate to have been recognized for my work at times, but, hey, I'm 72 years old and I know that I will never have another day that could possibly approach what awaits on June 14 of next year. Getting that ring puts any inductee into another category, and it's a category that will have to be lived up to every day,” Fernandez continued.  “Look, I know that enshrinees in the Observer category are not on the same tier as those in the Modern fighter category, but for someone to lump me with the likes of Jerry Izenberg, Dave Anderson, Hugh McIlvanney and others of their ilk is tremendous humbling. I can only hope the work I have done in the past, am doing now and will continue to do as long as I can keep on doing it merits being in this very exclusive club.”

Lightweight champion Frank Erne in the Old Timer category and Paddy Ryan in the Pioneer category made the cut.

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2020 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees, which includes the first ever female boxers to be enshrined,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

The 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will be held June 11-14 in Canastota, NY. This annual gala is known as a dream come true for fans who want to hobnob with their idols in a low key atmosphere. Events in “Boxing’s Hometown” of Canastota throughout the four-day festivities include a 5K Race / Fun Run, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, VIP Cocktail Reception, Parade of Champions and the Official Induction Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds, are scheduled. The Hall of Fame Weekend evening events include Friday night’s Fight Night at Turning Stone and Saturday’s Banquet of Champions. Both events will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona, NY.

For more information on events planned for the 2020 Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095.