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CANASTOTA, N.Y. -- A brief look at those scheduled for
induction June 9 into the International Boxing Hall of Fame:
BENNY BASS -- Born Dec. 4, 1904, in Kiev, Russia. Turned pro in
1921, fighting out of Philadelphia. Won the vacant NBA
featherweight championship in 1927, which he later lost to Tony
Canzoneri. Defeated Tod Morgan for the junior lightweight
championship in 1929. Registered over 200 fights in 19-year career.
Died June 25, 1975.
AARON BROWN -- Born Dec. 23, 1883, in Fulton, Mo. Fighting as The
Dixie Kid, he was regarded as a clever boxer deft at
counter-punching. Capture world welterweight title in 1929 with a
20-round victory over Barbados Joe Walcott. A veteran of over 150
bouts. Died April 6, 1934.
JIMMY CANNON -- Born 1910. Began his journalism career at age 17
as a copy boy for the New York Daily News. Earned distinction as
sportswriter for the New York Post, New York Journal-American and
King Features Syndicate. Died Dec. 5, 1973.
IRVING COHEN -- Born Jan. 2, 1904, in Vilna, Russia. One of top
manager's of boxing's golden age. Began managing in 1935 and
eventually guided nearly 500 pro fighters in a 35-year career,
including Rocky Graziano. Died June 25, 1991.
PIPINO CUEVAS -- Born Dec. 27, 1957, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Cuevas turned professional in 1971 after modest amateur career.
Known for an explosive left hook. Won Mexican welterweight title in
1975. At age 18, defeated Angel Espada for WBA title in July 1976
with second round TKO. Successfully defended title 11 times before
losing to Thomas Hearns in 1980. Retired in 1989 with a 35-15
record with 31 KOs.
AILEEN EATON -- Born Feb. 5, 1909, Vancouver, B.C. Was promoter
at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles from 1942 to 1980. Promoted
more than 2,500 fight cards, 100 title bouts and 10,000 matches.
Among the fighters she promoted were Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd
Patterson, Carmen Basilio, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Carlos
Palomino. Died Nov. 7, 1987.
SIXTO ESCOBAR -- Born March 23, 1913, in Puerto Rico. Was the
first Puerto Rican boxer to win a world title when he KO'd Baby
Casanova in 1934 to win the NBA bantamweight championship. Lost and
regained the championship twice. Retired with a 45-22-3 record (22
KOs). Died Nov. 17, 1979.
JEFF FENECH -- Born May 28, 1964, Sydney, Australia. Regarded as
an intelligent, aggressive boxer, Fenech was captain of the 1984
Australian Olympic boxing squad. Won the IBF bantamweight title in
1985, followed by WBC junior featherweight crown in 1987 and WBC
featherweight title in 1988. Retired in 1996 with a 28-3-1 record
with 21 KOs.
VICTOR GALINDEZ -- Born Nov. 2, 1948, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Won vacant WBA light heavyweight championship in 1974 with a 13th
round TKO of Len Hutchins. Successfully defended his title 10 times
before losing to Mike Rossman in 1978. Regained it in 1979 rematch
before losing it again to Marvin Johnson. Retired with a record of
55-9-4, with 34 KOs. Died Oct. 26, 1980, in auto racing accident.
REG GUTTERIDGE -- Born March 29, 1924 in Islington, England.
Grandfather was a renowned boxer and father and uncle were
trainers. Became one of England's most popular boxing scribes and
radio-television broadcasters.
HARRY HARRIS -- Born Nov. 18, 1880, in Chicago. Exceptionally
tall for a bantamweight (5-foot, 8-inches), he was nicknamed The
Human Hairpin. Won the world bantamweight championship in 1901.
Retired with a record of 41-2-7. Died June 5, 1959.
JOHN HEENAN -- Born May 2, 1835, in Troy, N.Y. Boxed from 1858
until 1863 and claimed the American heavyweight title following
retirement of John Morrisey. In 1860, he fought Tom Sayers of
England to a 42-round draw in what is considered the first
significant international heavyweight championship contest. Died
Oct. 28, 1873.
INGEMAR JOHANSSON -- Born Oct. 16, 1932, Gothenburg, Sweden. Was
1952 Olympic heavyweight silver medalist. Carried a tremendous
right hand knockout punch dubbed "Hammer of Thor" and "Ingo's
Bingo." Captured European heavyweight title in 1956. Johansson
astounded the boxing world on June 26, 1959, by knocking champion
Floyd Patterson to the mat seven times in a three-round victory.
Lost to Patterson in two subsequent rematches. Retired in 1963 with
a record of 26-2, 17 KOs.
CHARLEY MITCHELL -- Born Nov. 24, 1861 in Birmingham, England.
Although he never weighed more than 160 pounds, Mitchell routinely
fought bigger opponents. In 1883, dropped John L. Sullivan in the
first round of a fight halted by police in the third round. Drew
with Sullivan in a 39-round fight in 1883. Died April 3, 1918.
OWEN MORAN --Born Oct. 4, 1881, in Birmingham, England. Was a
world bantamweight champion, who caused a stir when he knocked out
former lightweight champion Battling Nelson in 11 rounds in 1910.
Died March 17, 1949.
DAMON RUNYON -- Born Oct. 4, 1884, in Manhattan, Kan. Began
sportswriting career with Denver Post and later worked for New York
American, covering most of the major fights during his career.
Responsible for giving many boxers their nicknames, including Jack
Dempsey (The Manassa Mauler). Died Dec. 10, 1946.
YOUNG DUTCH SAM -- Born Jan. 30, 1808, in London. Father was
famous Dutch Sam, another Hall of Famer. Fought as a welterweight
and retired from the ring having never lost a fight. Died Nov. 4,
1843.
SAM SILVERMAN -- Born Dec. 25, 1912. A promoter from New England
who staged more than 10,000 fights during a 40-plus-year career,
including 32 of former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano's 49 pro
bouts. Promoted 25 world championship fights. Died July 9, 1977, in
an automobile accident.
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