CANASTOTA, United States – Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Riddick Bowe and ex-lightweight champ Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini were among eight men elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Also among the 2015 class of inductees are British standout “Prince” Naseem Hamed, and Japan's Yoko Gushiken, who held the World Boxing Association light-flyweight world title from 1976-81
who was voted in via the Old-Timer category.
Longtime US broadcaster Jim Lampley, manager Rafael Mendoza, referee Steve Smoger and journalist Nigel Collins were elected in the non-participant category.
Three others were named as inductees posthumously: former flyweight champ Masao Ohba of Japan and ex-middleweight champion Ken Overlin and publicist John F.X. Condon.
Bowe, who compiled a 43-1 record with 33 knockouts, is best remembered for his three battles with Evander Holyfield in the mid-1990s.
Bowe took the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts from Holyfield in the first meeting, then scored a technical knockout of his rival in the third bout after Holyfield won the rematch.
Mancini (29-5) captured the WBA lightweight title with a first-round technical knockout of Arturo Frias in 1982 to fulfill the dream of his father Lenny, a former championship contender who had his career cut short after being wounded in World War II.
The younger Mancini was also involved in one of boxing's most tragic moments, when he knocked out Korean challenger Kim Deuk-Koo in a title defense. Kim died four days after the fight from a brain hemorrhage.
Hamed won the World Boxing Organization, WBC and IBF featherweights belts during a 10-year career from 1992-2002 and was regarded as one of the premier fighters of his era.
One of the flashiest performers of the time as well, he amassed a 36-1 record with 31 knockouts.
The 2015 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place June 14 in Canastota, New York. – Sapa-AFP