December
6, 2017 (Ukrinform) WBC’s Champion Emeritus Vitali Klitschko
has officially become the first Ukrainian elected to International
Boxing Hall of Fame.
Erik
Morales, Vitali Klitschko and Ronald Wright were elected to the
International Boxing Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility,
in balloting results announced on Tuesday. The three will be
enshrined among boxing immortals during the 29th annual induction
ceremonies on June 10 in Canastota, New York, ESPM reports.
As
noted, Vitali Klitschko turned pro in 1996 and went on to win versions of
the heavyweight crown three times even though he was retired from
2005 to 2008 because of injuries. After his comeback, he and younger
brother Wladimir Klitschko held all four of the major heavyweight
belts simultaneously.
"It's
a dream of many boxers to be a member of the Hall of Fame family.
I've thought about the Hall of Fame, but I never expected one day
that I would be among the legends who were always examples for me
such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and so many world-famous boxers.
It's a big honor for me," Klitschko commented on being elected.
To
be eligible in that category, fighters must not have boxed for at
least five years but have had their last fight no earlier than 1989.
Klitschko, Morales and Wright all fought for the final time in 2012.
They were elected by full members of the Boxing Writers Association
of America and a panel of international historians.
0 comments:
Post a Comment