Story Created:
Jun 13, 2010 at 6:00 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jun 13, 2010 at 6:00 PM EST
CANASTOTA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The 2010 Boxing Hall of Fame Induction class may not have had a huge name, like Lennox Lewis in 2009, but they did have a broadcasting legend. Howard Cosell was inducted Sunday posthumously, and was remembered fondly by all, including his grandson Colin, who accepted the honor on behalf of his family.
"His passion for amateur and professional pugilism was exemplified in every fight he called. One of my personal favorite clips is of Howard broadcasting at the top of his lungs, his hands shaking wildly from pure adrenaline, all of which leads up to the infamous call, 'DOWN GOES FRAZIER, DOWN GOES FRAZIER, DOWN GOES FRAZIER," the younger Cosell exclaimed.
Another inductee was Shelly Finkel, who managed champions, such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor and Pernell Whitaker. Finkel talked candidly about how much his induction means to him. "Yesterday it became clear to me what being inducted into the hall of fame means. My son in law and daughter came and they said, one day we'll bring our future children here and they will be able to see what their grandfather did. That's immortality."
Other members of the 2010 class were Jung Koo Chang, Young Corbett II, Larry Hazzard, "Paddington" Tom Jones, Rocky Kansas, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Lloyd Marshall, Billy Miske, Wilfried Sauerland, Ed Schuyler and Bruce Trampler.
Prior to the induction ceremony, Canastota natives Carmen Basillio and Billy Backus were the honorary Grand Marshalls at the Parade of Champions.
Other honored guests at the induction were Ken Norton, Lou Duva, Gerry Cooney, Al Bernstein, Leon Spinks and James "Buster" Douglas.
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