Atlantic City, N.J. September 26, 2023 – The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) proudly announces the roster of special guests attending the 7th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend, held from Friday, September 29th to Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The guest list features notable boxing figures such as: Roberto Duran, Michael Spinks, James Toney, Vinny Paz, Gerry Cooney, Ray Mercer, Tim Witherspoon, Kelly Pavlik, Lamon Brewster, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, Junior Jones, Reggie Johnson, Mark Breland, Sharmba Mitchell, Eva Jones-Young, John Scully, Michael Olajide, Iran Barkley, Michael Nunn, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Jeff Chandler, Montell Griffin, Yaqui Lopez, Al Cole, Kali Reis, Hector Camacho Jr., Rodney Moore, Kendall Holt, Dave Tiberi, Nate Miller and William Joppy, to name a few.

The weekend kicks off on Friday, September 29th, with the “Opening Bell” VIP Cocktail Reception from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, followed by the Friday Night Fight Presented by Hard Hitting Promotions at Bally’s Casino Atlantic City. On Saturday, September 30th, the Fight Fan Experience & Boxing Exhibits at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be open from 11:00am – 1:00pm

The highlight of the weekend is the Red-Carpet Formal Awards & Induction Ceremony, taking place on Saturday night inside the Sound Waves Theater. Attendees will enjoy a unique opportunity to mix and mingle with other boxing luminaries and special VIP guests, as well as honor all who helped put Atlantic City on the boxing map. The Pre-VIP Cocktail Reception will begin at 5:00pm, and it leads into the Official Awards & Induction Program from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. After the Awards Ceremony, guests with VIP tickets will have the chance to experience the Post-VIP Reception, which includes a bonus fight watch party for Canelo Alverez vs. Jermell Charlo

The 2023 class members of the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame include:

George Foreman, Shannon Briggs, David Tua, Pinklon Thomas, Tracy Harris Patterson, Doug Dewitt, Darroll Wilson, Shamone Alvarez, Jamillia Lawrence, Joe Hand Sr., Matt Howard, Rudy Battle, Benjy Esteves Jr., Arnold Robbins, Joseph Santoliquito, Lee Samuels They will be inducted alongside Posthumously & Pioneers such as Buster Drayton, Marty Feldman, Rocky Castellani, Frankie Polo, Joe Miller, Horace M. Leeds, “KO” Becky O’Neill and Willie O’Neill

For more information on event tickets, room reservations, and weekend schedules, visit the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame website at: www.acbhof.com

The ACBHOF gives a special thanks to their partners and sponsors: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Boardwalk Resorts – Flagship Hotel, Mayor Marty Small Sr., City of Atlantic City, Bare Knuckle Fighting Champions, Hard Hitting Promotions, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, The Irish Pub-Atlantic City, Moustakas & Nelson Law, Quail Hill Realty, Gionta Management LLC, T&K Boxing Promotions, Sparbar Boxing LTD, Patrick Killian Arts, Guzman Gloves, Adams Boxing, WBC, IBF, Icons of Boxing Memorabilia, and Fight Night Apparel

Baltimore, MD (March 18, 2015) – Boxing legend Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, undefeated Dusty Harrison and former welterweight champion Vincent Pettway will attend Baltimore Boxing’s “Snap, Crackle and Pop” Saturday, March 27.

The card takes place at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie with doors opening at 6:30 pm and the first bell scheduled for 8. Tickets are on sale now by calling 410-375-9175 or going to Baltimoreboxing.com. Individual tickets start at $25 and VIP tables of 10 are available for $500. All VIP ticketholders can enjoy free hors d’oeurves from 7-8 pm and the best seats in the house.

One of the greatest little men in boxing history, Johnson captured the IBF flyweight title in 1996 by knocking out Francisco Trejedor in the first round. The Washington, DC native went on to defend his championship seven times before moving up and winning the IBF super flyweight crown. After a pair of setbacks to future hall of famer Rafael Marquez, Johnson became the first man to beat future star Fernando Montiel in 2003 before retiring three years later with an outstanding 44-5 record. With a legendary career in the books, Johnson was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

A well-known rising star, Harrison turned pro at the ripe age of 16. Having been in the limelight from day one, Harrison’s in-ring success has supported the hype and he continues to improve every time he enters the squared circle. In his most recent bout, the DC based Harrison improved to 25-0 and captured the WBC Continental Americas Welterweight crown by besting Tommy Rainone over ten rounds at Madison Square Garden.

Fighting out of the Baltimore, Pettway became a world champion in 1994, stopping underrated Gianfranco Rossi to win the IBF super welterweight belt. In his next match, Pettway scored one of the most memorable knockouts in boxing history, viciously putting away Simon Brown in the sixth round to retain his title. After Brown hit the canvas, he literally threw punches at the air. The replay has been shown countless times and is a favorite of boxing fans.

Pettway retired in 2001 with a record of 43-7-1 with 32 wins by knockout. Last August, he received the Murray Smith “School of Hard Knocks” award for his lifelong commitment to the City of Baltimore.

“Any time you can have two boxing greats and one of the best young fighters in one place at one time is something special,” said Jake Smith of Baltimore Boxing Promotions. “Vincent has been a great friend and supporter of Baltimore Boxing as is Mark. I’ve known Dusty since he’s a kid and I have no doubt that he’ll be a world champion in the near future.”

Johnson, Harrison, and Pettway will be available to chat with VIP ticketholders, sign autographs and take photos. Five time champion Vinny Paz is also attending and will be discussing his upcoming movie, wine company and spending time with VIP ticketholders.

This exciting evening of boxing will have four title fights including junior middleweight Joey “Bazooka Joe” Veazey and heavyweight Sam “Vanilla Gorilla” Crossed in matches for their division’s East Coast crown. The undercard will feature Allen “The Hampton Hammer” Burris, Courtney Hartlove, 2015 Golden Gloves Champion Tommy Coe Jr. and former college basketball star Stefon McCray in separate bouts.

In association with this solid evening of fights, Baltimore Boxing is hosting a special 50/50 raffle for the Brooke and Nathan Fenush Scholarship Fund. The fund was created to assist Baltimore County Fire Department Lieutenant Paul Fenush, whose wife recently passed away.

Several years ago Jhonny Gonzalez 47-7(41) won the WBO Bantamweight title he defeated Marc Johnson & Fernando Montiel and the future appeared rosey. He stepped up to 122 and fought Isreal Vazquez for the WBC crown in the main event on the Mexican Independance in 2006 and was performing incredibly well, ahead on points and having dropped Vazquez. However the fight took a drastic U-turn in the tenth when Vazquez stormed back and pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. That lead to Gonzalez now 29, returning to Bantamweight after one more successful defense he lost to Gerry Penalosa who stopped him in the seventh with a debilitating liver shot. He did what his body had told him for awhile and moved up in weight, after 6 wins he once again fought for the WBC title this time against Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka, despite a good start in which he dropped the champion Gonzalez was stopped in the third. Gonzalez has since moved up to Featherweight and is on a seven fight winning streak with all of them by knock out, proving he maintains his power even at 126. It is widely rumoured that Gonzalez will face Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC Featherweight championship early in 2011. He is currently ranked WBC 1, WBA 2 & IBF 4.

Hello Jhonny, welcome 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Just a few weeks back you beat Jackson Asiku, what can you tell us about that fight?

Jhonny Gonzalez – The fight of Jackson was an important fight for me as for all the Mexicans because it’s a very special date September 15 Is the Independence of Mexico.

Anson Wainwright – Though it’s early do you think you’ll be back in action? If so can you tell us when & against who it maybe?

Jhonny Gonzalez – I just fought against Santos Marimon. I am going to dispute the world championship of the WBC against the champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan there are plans that be in the month of February in Mexico.

Anson Wainwright – Who are members of team Gonzalez, who is your manager, trainer & Promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Jhonny Gonzalez – My managers are Oswaldo and Reginaldo Kulche. My coach is Ignacio beristain, my brother Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Ulysses help too. My promoter is Promociones Del Pueblo & I train in the La Romanza, Mexico City.

Anson Wainwright – Your campaigning in the Featherweight division which has many talented fighters at the moment what are your thoughts on that? Are you targeting anyone in particular?

Jhonny Gonzalez – The division is very tough, there are Juanma Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Chris John, Elio Rojas,etc. I feel capable to face any of them in the 2011

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Hidalgo? Were things tough growing up and how did you first become interested in Boxing?

Jhonny Gonzalez – There is an error, I am from Mexico City. My first fight was there and it appears on my record.

Anson Wainwright – You previously reigned as a Bantamweight World champion from 2005 to 2007. Looking back what are your thoughts on what it was like to be champion and what it meant to you?

Jhonny Gonzalez – My dream was achieved because every boxer dreams of that I was fortunate to achieve it and to be able to face tough fighters.

Anson Wainwright – Having fought down at 118 you quickly moved through 122 and now fight at 126 how do you find making weight now? What weight are you between fights?

Jhonny Gonzalez – Well I believe that my body needed me to rise from division because I struggled with those pounds, now in 126 I feel better I believe that this is my natural weight at this time.

Anson Wainwright – You have fought Israel Vazquez in 2006 on the Mexican Independence card it was a fantastic give and take war, you were ahead at the time of the stoppage. Looking back what do you think of that fight now? How good do you think Vazquez was?

Jhonny Gonzalez – It was a great experience for and in my career as a boxer, I was on the verge of winning a tough fight but he actually went on to win.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing or training what do you like to do with your time to relax? Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Jhonny Gonzalez – I like to be with my family because when I have a fight I feel very tired and it’s very difficult to be able to be a lot of time with them. I have a business in Mexico City a rostiseria. I like the video play

Anson Wainwright – I remember reading that your father spelt your name wrong when he registered your birth can you tell us exactly what happened?

Jhonny Gonzalez – By an er. ror, but he never went to change it.

Anson Wainwright – What do you consider you best performance so far? Who do you think is the best fighter your have shared a ring with & why?

Jhonny Gonzalez – When I won my first world championship in Tucson Az. There have been various one’s Vazquez, Fernando Montiel and the but recent to Jackson Asiku.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for the Featherweight division?

Jhonny Gonzalez – That the champions fight Jhonny Gonzalez to make it a better division over the next year. I want to achieve big things. Many tough Mexican’s they command a greeting to all the people that trust my profession.

Thanks for your time Jhonny.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Midweek Musings – Bernard Hopkins certainly looked to have done enough to beat Jean Pascal on Saturday. Pascal looked devoid of ideas and seemed to have no plan B. He couldn’t figure out the puzzle that is Bernard Hopkins. Hopefully we get the rematch, not sure Pascal is in any rush, seems like he may exercise the rematch clause with Chad Dawson…Canada wasn’t the only place where the home guy was given the benefit of the doubt seems like Luis Lazarte did against Ulises Solis in Argentina…Word out of Britain is Frank Warren has offered Amir Khan an undisclosed amount to face Kell Brook.