http://www.boxingnewsonline.net JUNE 27, 2019 lBOXING NEWSl 37lightweight champion DeMarcus Corley, who I
spotted at McDonald’s across the street from
the museum. The week before at the Boxing
Writers Association of America Awards
Banquet, I had presented the Manager of
the Year Award to Egis Klimas. Corley had
been Klimas’ first fighter. When I asked Corley
whether he was still in contact with Klimas,
he broke into a grin, took out his cell phone
and gave him a call. The two had a brief,
friendly chat.
The HOF alumni were all individually
paraded down the aisle and into the ring
during the show that night at the Turning
Stone. Atlas seemed to particularly enjoy
it, shaking hands, posing for photos and
exchanging pleasantries.
SATURDAY JUNE 8
The day started with the annual 5K race in
Canastota, a scenic course that runs through
the neighbourhoods. We all have favourite
parts of the weekend. Mine is the collectors
convention held in the Canastota High School
gym. If you are interested in purchasing
boxing memorabilia there is no better place
to be. Acting as MC at the convention was
ring announcer and all-round good guy David
Diamante.
After spending time at the convention,
I went with Keith Sullivan to the museum
grounds, intending to watch Atlas’ ringside
lecture that had been scheduled for 12.30pm.
But much to our dismay, Teddy was wrapping
things up when we arrived. Mike Brophy, who
handles PR for the Hall, was baffled about the
time change, as were others who had planned
their schedule around it. Sullivan, a prominent
attorney, is on the Atlas Foundation board
of directors and is starting a management
company, with several promising prospects
expressing interest in signing with him.
We toured the museum and bumped into
David Berlin, the former chairman of the New
York State Athletic Commission who has gone
back to his roots as a boxing attorney. We also
chatted to actor Holt McCallany, who would
serve as the Grand Marshall of the parade the
following day. It was then off to the Casolwood
Golf Course, where former light-heavyweight
champion Marvin Johnson sat near us as we
were eating our lunch.
Largely forgotten is the inspiration for the
HOF having wound up in Canastota. It is the
display case located across the street from the
museum, honouring Canastota’s two world
champions, Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus.SUNDAY JUNE 9
Judah was the primary focus of conversation
in the morning. Reports surfaced that he
was in a coma following his stoppage loss
to Seldin. People were very concerned, but
thankfully it was later confirmed that, despite
suffering a brain bleed, Zab was recovering
well.
Although the parade starts at 1pm, I always
make it a point to arrive close to an hourbefore, so I can get a good location to sit and
watch. Marvin Hagler owns an antique car
which he stores in Canastota that is used to
drive him in the parade.
The induction ceremony is the pinnacle of
the long weekend. Atlas, who is not usually
known for his diplomacy, understood the
setting he was in.
Despite the falling out he had with ESPN,
Teddy thanked them for the opportunity
they had given him. Elbaum and Atlas are
extremely close. Both said it was important
to them to go in together. When Jackson
praised promoter Don King, Elbaum looked
on amused. He and King have had an
adversarial history.
Samuels spoke of his first major assignment
as a Top Rank publicist, covering Hagler’s
training camp for his fight against Sugar Ray
Leonard. He also informed the crowd he
covered Curry’s camps as well, and that he
considered both men lifelong friends because
of the bond they established over that time.
DeMarco, 87, said very little, but the smile
on his face said a lot. Over the years, there
had been debate as to whether DeMarco
deserved enshrinement, with some, like Boxing
News contributor Springs Toledo, advocating
strongly for him. McGirt, meanwhile, gave an
emotional speech focusing on his family.
The weather was superb all weekend.
Everyone headed home with new memories to
add to the old ones they have cherished over
the years.