NO PLACE LIKE HOME
BOXING finally came home. They call Canastota ‘Boxing’s Hometown’ in upstate New York but for the last three years, because of coronavirus, the sleepy town has slept. It came back to life last weekend, however, and was at its vibrant best as crowds flocked to see the Trilogy induction weekend as the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 were all inducted. Here’s a whistlestop diary of what transpired.
THURSDAY
The first event started at 1.30pm, a ringside lecture with the former ferocious middleweight Julian Jackson.
“The Hawk” was interviewed by James “Smitty” Smith – an International Boxing Hall of Fame pillar – and at 3pm several of the Trilogy Class of inductees and guests took to the stage where they formally open proceedings. Included were Miguel Cotto, James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Michael Spinks, Lou DiBella and Kathy Duva.
DiBella said something he maintained through the weekend: “Our best night is better than anybody else’s, but we need to do more to protect the sport and look after the fighters.”
Tarver was happy to be on hand and added: “I’m just a big fan this weekend, I’m just looking forward to being around the legends
