World Boxing Hall of Fame
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF) is located in Riverside, California, United States, in Southern California. The WBHF is one of two recognized international boxing hall of fames, with the other being the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF), with the IBHOF being the more widely recognized institution.
The WBHF was founded by Everett L. Sanders in 1980. Since its inception the WBHOF has never had a permanent location or museum, which has allowed the more recent IBHOF to garner more publicity and prestige. Recently (2005) however, the WBHOF partnered with the 121-year-old Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles, where it will establish its permanent home. It plans to open a "Walk of Fame" museum in early 2006.
Its annual ceremony is usually held every October. Inductees traditionally received a plaque and a medallion, as well as miscellaneous mementoes. Starting in 2004, a 12-inch tall bronze sculpture, entitled "The Prizefighter", designed by artist and boxing trainer Steven Harpst, is given to each inductee, along with the medallion. A souvenir program is given to all attendees.
Professional boxers have to wait five years after retirement to be eligible for election into the Hall of Fame.
