The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
IBHOF names Class of 2019
Curry, Jackson, McGirt, DeMarco headline latest pugilists heading to Canastota
Nine new names will be enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June as part of its 30th annual Induction Weekend.
Two-division champions Donald “Lone Star Cobra” Curry, Julian “The Hawk” Jackson, James “Buddy” McGirt headline the newest class in the Modern category, while Tony DeMarco - Carmen Basilio’s famous counterpart - earned his bid in the Old-Timer category.
Matchmaker and promoter Don Elbaum, judge and referee Guy Jutras, publicist Lee Samuels and broadcaster Teddy Atlas will join Canastota’s legendary ranks as part of the Class of 2019.
The Hall of Fame will also posthumously honorMario Rivera Martino in the Observer Category.
All inductees were voted in by member of the BoxingWriters Association and a panel of international boxing historians.
“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2019 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees,” IBHOF Executive Director Ed Brophy said.
The 2019 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will be held June 6 through June 9 in Canastota. Keeping with custom, there will be a number of events in “Boxing’s Hometown” throughout the fourday celebration, including a 5K race, golf tournament, boxing autograph card show, VIP cocktail reception, Parade of Champions, and Induction Ceremeny on the Hall of Fame grounds.
The Hall of Fame Weekend also includes a Friday night “Fight Night” at Turning Stone and a Saturday “Banquet of Champions,” also scheduled to be held at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino.
Modern
Donald Curry — Two-division
world champion Donald “Lone Star Cobra” Curry is the ninth boxer in Texas to gain entry into the Hall. A decorated amateur, Curry posted a 400- 4 record. Dubbed the “Lone Star Cobra” for his lightning quick reflexes and hand speed, he captured the WBA welterweight belt from JunSuk Hwang in 1983. Curry was named the inaugural IBF champion in 1984 and unified the 147-pound titles with a second round knockout over WBC champ Milton McCrory. After being dethroned byt Lloyd Honeyghan in 1986, Curry came back to win the WBC belt with a ninth round TKO over Gianfranco Rosi in 1988. The Texan, who shared “The Ring’s” Fighter of the Year honors with Marvelous Marvin Hagler, retired with a pro ledger of 34-6, with 25 knockouts.
Julian Jackson — Former light middleweight and and midleweight world champion Julian “The Hawk” Jackson joins Emile Griffith in Canastota as the only two boxers from the Virgin Islands honored in the Hall of Fame. Jackson began boxing at the age of 11 and compiled a 15-2 amateur record. After turning professional in 1981, Kaclon racked up 29 straight wins, 27 by knockout, before falling to Mile McCallum in a WBA super welterweight bout in 1986. A year later, Jackson captured the vacant WBA 154-pound title, reigning until 1990. “The Hawk” became a two- division champion in 1990 when he secured the vacant WBC middleweight title, registering four title defenses before losing to Gerald mcClellan in 1993. The Saint Thomas native regained the WBC title in 1995 with a a second round TKO over Agostino Cardamone. Boasting an 80 percent knockout percentage and a 55- 6 career record, Jackson is regarded asone of the hardest punchers of all time.
James “Buddy” McGirt — A Long Island native, James “Buddy” McGert turned pro as an 18-year old high school senior. “Buddy” captured the WBC Continentals Americas light welterweight title from Sugar Boy Nando in 1985, three years after turning pro. McGirt won the vacant IBF light welterweight title in 1988 courtesy a twelfth-round TKO over Frankie Warren. McGirt lost the strap two bouts later but went on to capture the WBC welterweight belt in 1991. The Class of 2019 inductee retired with a 736-1 record, but his passion for the sport led to further accolades as a coach. McGirt took home the BWAA Trainer of the Year honor
in 2002.
Old-Timer
Tony DeMarco Born Leonardo Liotta, DeMarco began boxing at the age of 12 and turned pro at the age of 16, “borrowing” the Demarco name from a friend to circumvent the legal fighting age of 18. DeMarco upset Johnny Saxton in 1955 to become the welterweight king at Boston Garden.
DeMarco’s ties to Canastota go beyond his induction. The Boston native defended his belt in a 12-round pitched fight with Carmen Basilio, but the Canastota legend walked away the victor. DeMarco had another crack at Basilio in Boston.
Fans were treated to another 12-round epic, but once again, Basilio emerged the victor. Still, the rematch garnered “Fight of the Year” honors and cemented both in boxing lore. DeMarco retired in 1962 with a career record of 58-12-1.