Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2014 A SURPRISE TRIBUTE TO WOMEN IN BOXING BELFAST, NEW YORK - The Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in Belfast has something special planned for its Induction Ceremony on Saturday, July 12: A Celebration of Women in Boxing. “When you think of bare knuckle boxers, you don’t usually think of women,” said Scott Burt, Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame coordinator. “But women have a history in boxing that goes back to the first recorded female bout in 1722. This year, we are honoring women who have had an impact on boxing.” The list of inductees this year includes original bare knuckle boxers Elizabeth Wilkinson (Stokes), Hattie Stewart, Anna Lewis, Hattie Leslie and Alice Leary. From the modern era, the honorary inductees will be “The First Lady of Boxing” Christy Salters Martin, Champion boxer Downtown Leona Brown, Olympic coach Gloria Peek, and NYS Athletic Commissioner Melvina Lathan. In addition, reporter Nellie Bly will be an honorary inductee because of her 1889 interview of the Great John L. Sullivan while he was training here in Belfast. “We are also recognizing Hessie Donahue, who traveled the entertainment circle with Sullivan and actually knocked him out,” said Mr. Burt. He also stated the BKBHOF’s Woman of the Year will be Promoter Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:39:10 +0000
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