By Damon Gonzalez/LatinBox Communications
The Class of 2024 for Florida Boxing Hall of Fame was announced this weekend during a gala event at the SJC Boxing Gym in Fort Myers, Florida. Induction Weekend will again be at the St. Petersburg Hilton Lake Carillon. Dates are June 21, 22 and 23.
Fighters: John John Molina, Raul Frank, Edner Cherry, Jose Alonzo, David Diaz, Stacy Prestage, Saoul Mamby*, Arthur Williams*
Trainer/Managers: Willie Vargas, Sherman Henson
Promoters: Khalilah Escalera
Media: Jorge Ebro
Participants: John Beninati, Carl King, Raul Alvarez, Marc Hager
Officials/Commission: Chris Young, Dr. Mark Gordon, Tim Shipman, Kathy Gentile
Special Achievement Award: Ivan Echevarria, Carlos Albuerne
Walter A Flansburg Lifetime Award: Geri Atkinson-Hazelton
Used to LOVE Edner Cherry. Congrats to everyone.
I used to watch Edner “CHERRY BOMB” quite a bit on Friday Night Fights. Congrats champ. A few names brings back memories such as Arthur Williams and Molina.
Of all of the sports the hall of fame of boxing is the worst
The best is the MLB
So true! But you MUST not know about the REAL Boxing Hall of Fame. April 2001 I was in the gym with Bernard Hopkins, down at Champs Gym (pre-Trinidad fight). Had known B for yrs then. B knew my love for the sport etc and told me Id enjoy The Boxing Hall of Fame 1st week of June that Summer. I was 23 then, young, fresh home as well and B knew Trinidad would be there also and that, having known Me, he knew Id give Tito days worth of pestering. Long story short, course I have Tito and his pops hell for a few days up there, met many of the greats, saw their small time Hall of Fame (met my now, long time friend Paul S (if you know, you know) and tried to appreciate what little they had there. Just a tent set up, very light for a Hall of Fame for the sport of boxing. That yr I came home and thought, why doesn’t boxing really have a place for the fighters. By start of 2004, having been inspired originally via Bernard to attend the hall of fame, I decided that I was going to start collecting fight worn outfits from fighters and that maybe 1 day it would be large enough to really be a Museum for fighters. I worked on it here and there for yrs. 2014 I took the yr off to really collect. Today ‘The Champions Museum’, which is the ONLY REAL ‘Boxing Hall of Fame’ has fight worn outfits from 89 former World Champions and about a half dozen from fighters that were great contenders but never won world titles. Took yrs to build contacts, travel, have funds for the traveling, tons of networking, tons of research on each of the pieces, hours taking pics of the items, packaging them for storage and countless hours to create an Instagram page to post what I gathered over a decade and a half. Had Bernard never mentioned the Boxing Hall of Fame that April day in 2001, this project would have never happened. So if You think the IBHOF is beat and all the state HoF’s for boxing are beat, go on Instagram and look for The Champions Museum. Not looking for any credit. Didn’t do this to make any money, never showed my face on the IG page. Its a place for the sport of Boxing. A real home for many greats. The fighters are from different weight classes, nationalities and eras. To the many fighters I met and spent time with over the years and developed friendships, I thank you and to the many that have since passed over the years that are a part of the project.. RIP
@thechampionsmuseum on IG
John Molina was an Arturro Gatti-type of fighter….
Dear Members of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Committee,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the recent omission of Mr. Freddie “The Rock” Delgado from the list of inductees into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. As an ardent supporter of the sport of boxing and a keen follower of the Hall of Fame’s activities, I find it perplexing that a fighter of Mr. Delgado’s caliber has been consistently overlooked for recognition despite his remarkable career and contributions to the world of boxing.
Freddie Delgado’s career in the ring spans over two decades and is marked by impressive accomplishments and memorable fights. He faced and competed against legendary figures in the sport, including International Boxing Hall of Famers such as Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns, James “Lights Out” Toney, former Heavyweight Champion Michael Moorer, and Light Heavyweight Champion Prince Charles Williams. His battles with these esteemed opponents not only showcased his exceptional skills but also added to the rich tapestry of boxing history.
Mr. Delgado’s affiliation with the state of Florida, particularly Miami, further underscores his significance to the local boxing scene. He was not only a source of pride for the community but also an inspiration to aspiring boxers in the region. His dedication to the sport and his impact on the development of boxing in Florida are undeniable and should be acknowledged and celebrated.
It is essential for the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame to maintain its integrity and uphold its mission of recognizing and honoring individuals who have left an indelible mark on the sport of boxing. The omission of Freddie Delgado from your prestigious list raises questions about the selection process and the criteria used for induction. I kindly request that the committee reevaluates its decision and considers Mr. Delgado’s accomplishments and contributions to the sport more thoroughly.
Recognizing Freddie Delgado’s achievements in the ring and his role in promoting the sport of boxing in Florida would not only be a just and fitting tribute but also a way to preserve the Hall of Fame’s reputation for fairness and inclusivity. I implore the committee to revisit his candidacy and grant him the recognition he so rightfully deserves.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing a positive resolution and the inclusion of Freddie “The Rock” Delgado in the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.