Three of the most popular fighters of the past decade, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Joe Calzaghe will highlight the 2014 Hall of Fame class that will be enshrined in Canastota, New York on June 8th.
“I am honored and appreciative to be chosen for the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014 and I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey with me,” said De La Hoya, who has struggled with substance abuse issues during retirement but also founded Golden Boy Promotions, one of the leading promotional companies in the world.
“This is the dream of everyone who puts on a pair of gloves and steps between the ropes, and through the good and the bad, you always hope that when all is said and done, you put on good fights, entertained the fans and will be remembered for what you did in the ring. To know that I will be in the Hall of Fame with the greats of this sport is humbling, but it’s also put a smile on my face that isn’t coming off anytime soon.”
“This is tremendous news. I’ve spent many years in boxing, and I am very happy,” Trinidad said. “This is a great honor for me, my father [and trainer, Felix Trinidad Sr.], my family and my whole team. I’m extremely happy to be inducted with all the Puerto Rican boxers already in the Hall of Fame. This is the biggest triumph in my career.”
“I’m so excited. I’m very proud and humbled,” Calzaghe said. “I think it’s amazing to be inducted. This is a massive, massive honor, just fantastic. To receive this honor and be up there with all the legends is the ultimate honor for me. I’m so happy right now, and I can’t wait to come to Canastota.”
They will be enshrined June 8 during the 25th annual inductions ceremony at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y. Also elected were British promoter Barry Hearn and referee Richard Steele in the nonparticipant category, journalist Graham Houston and photographer Neil Leifer in the observer category, George Chaney, Charles Ledoux and Mike O’Dowd in the old-timers category and Tom Allen in the pioneer category.
