Before the largest Induction Day crowd in its 22-year history, the International Boxing Hall of Fame welcomed one of its most publicized and star-studded classes on June 12, 2011.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, legendary Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chavez and former undisputed junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu joined 112 predecessors in the Modern Class. Trainers Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain and Joe Cortez were honored as Non-Participants while actor/director/screenwriter Sylvester Stallone entered as an Observer.
Tyson, whose menacing in-ring persona obscured a deep respect for boxing history, seemed overwhelmed by his moment of immortality.
In his emotional speech, he honored the two men who helped begin his road toward history. They were trainer/manager/legal guardian Cus D’Amato and social worker Bobby Stewart, who introduced him to D’Amato during Tyson’s time at the Tryon School for Boys, located just 87 miles east of Canastota.
Stallone, whose “Rocky” films inspired an entire generation of youngsters to try boxing, acknowledged the real-life toughness of the men seated behind him while also understanding the pain they endured beyond the squared circle.
He said,
“I’ve never pretended to be a boxer. I don’t possess those skills. What I do think I have is an understanding of what goes on outside the ring. Outside the ring is sometimes maybe an even bigger struggle than what goes on inside the ring, and I was able to capture that. Then I believe that you can identify more with the fighter. More than that, you also realize that our life is a constant battle. Sometimes I write things that may seem a little sentimental, but I truly believe it’s not how hard you can hit, it’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward because that’s really what makes the difference in your life.
“There is special reverence for me. They are the greatest athletes in the world. They are our connection to the past and our way to the future. They are the guys that go in there and take the blows and show that if you really put it out there on the line, you are a champion. You may not be the champion of the world, but you’ll be the champion of your life.”
He closed his speech with one of the most recognizable lines of the “Rocky” series:
“Yo, Adrian…I did it!”
Chavez, who was always mindful of his Mexican fans during a phenomenal 25-year career, said they should also share in this honor.
“All of the sacrifices was really worth it because it wasn’t five years but a lot more. My induction into the Hall of Fame is not for me, it’s for all of you and all of Mexico.”
Tszyu, whose 31-2 (25 KO) record included 15 title fight victories, was justifiably proud of his achievements but mindful of the lessons his opponents taught him.
“My first few fights I felt I could reach the top very, very quickly. Then one day I fought against a very, very tough fighter, Hector Lopez (who lost a highly competitive decision to Tszyu in January 1994). He gave me a very, very big lesson about professional boxing. I realized to be the best you have to train… three times harder than I did before. It changed my life”
Cortez used his speech to pay tribute to his fellow inductees as well as the people who guided him toward the sport.
“Boxing for me was a blessing in disguise. In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d be talking to you as an inductee. I first met Mike Tyson when he was an aspiring boxer at age 13 and I refereed many of his fights. Mike is well deserving of this award.”
Despite training so many world champions, Beristain was unsure whether he deserved Hall of Fame status at the time he was notified of his induction last December. After two more charges won belts — which raised his total to 22 — he received the desired self-validation.
The following were inducted posthumously: Memphis Pal Moore, Jack Root and Dave Shade (Old-Timer), bare-knuckler John Gully (Pioneer), National Sporting Club creator A.F. “Peggy” Bettinson (Non-Participant) and BBC commentator Harry Carpenter (Observer).
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