Tickets to White Plains, NY ceremony on sale now

The AAIB (American Association for the Improvement of Boxing) will be holding Boxerama XXVI this Sunday in White Plains, New York. Boxerama luncheons of the past have honored all-time great fighters, exciting stars, up-and-comers, as well as respected trainers, doctors, judges, broadcasters, managers and journalists. Last year's version, held in December 2006, honored Ireland's John Duddy, who at the time was only a few months removed from a win at Madison Square Garden over Yory Boy Campas.
The non-profit AAIB- which serves as one of the leading voices in America for safety standards, matchmaking and ranking credibility, as well as administrative competency and accountability in boxing regulation - was co-founded by former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano and Stephen B. Acunto, a James J. Walker award winner who is often referred to as the “Dean of American boxing coaches.”

This year's Boxerama fighter honorees include cruiserweight Jonathan Banks, middleweight Andy Lee and junior middleweight James Moore, all of whom are trained by Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward. Steward will be attending the Boxerama luncheon one day after working Wladimir Klitschko's corner at Madison Square Garden in a heavyweight unification bout against Sultan Ibragimov. In addition, IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron will be honored with the “Distinguished Champion Award” for representing the sport and his title with honor; flashy IBF junior welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi will be given the “Will o' the Wisp” award, which was created after defensive wizard and former featherweight champion Willie Pep, who was also a huge supporter of the AAIB and was the first fighter honored by the organization, at Boxerama I on May 31,1981. Ralph Petrillo will receive the “Officials Award” and

Sean Sullivan, editor-in-chief of Boxing Digest, will be presented with the “Media Award.” Sullivan took over the reigns of Boxing Digest in November 2005 at the young age of 24. Acunto pushed to honor Sullivan because “he's done a credible job in assuming editor duties at Boxing Digest and Steve feels strongly that the quality and content of the magazine has stayed intact,” according to Vegliante. Sullivan said it is truly an honor to receive the “Media Award” from the AAIB “when there are so many qualified reporters out there.” He added, “I'm thankful that all the hard work and long hours I've put in are being recognized.” Sullivan, who served as master of ceremonies at the previous Boxerama luncheon, said he wears “a lot of hats” and has a lot of different responsibilities at Boxing Digest.

“As difficult as it is,” he said, “I enjoy it immensely, as I know it is gearing me for the future.” Asked to name the highlight of his time as editor-in-chief, Sullivan responded, “The highlight of my job is my job; that I get to work in boxing full-time and write about it.”

In addition to those named above, promoter Joe DeGuardia and trainer Tommy Gallagher are expected to show up at this Sunday's Boxerama with a number of their fighters. Former middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo, former welterweight and middleweight champion Emile Griffith and former three division champion Iran Barkley have been regular guests of past luncheons and could possibly be in attendance this time around. Boxerama XXVI is being held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in White Plains and will begin at 1 p.m.

For more information on how to purchase tickets ($80 per seat or $750 per table), log onto www.aaib.org or call 1-914-664-4571.