The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today heavyweight champion and Hall of Famer Ken Norton will attend festivities planned for the 17th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 8-11th. “The Hall of Fame is looking forward to welcoming Ken Norton back to Canastota,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. "Ken is one of the most popular fighters in history and it will be great to see him in ‘Boxing’s Hometown’ again."

 

A key player in the heavyweight division during the 1970s, Norton was the WBC heavyweight champion in 1978. He engaged in a classic three-fight series with Muhammad Ali. Also during his career Norton scored wins over Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Young among others. In 1992 Norton was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

            The June 8-11th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including the official induction ceremony honoring the Class of 2006. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 11th are junior flyweight champions Michael Carbajal and Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez, historian / publisher Hank Kaplan and manager / promoter Jarvis Astaire. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

 

Over 50 boxing stars, including Wilfredo Gomez, John Conteh, Bob Foster, Erik Morales, Emile Griffith, Angelo Dundee, Aaron Pryor, Leon Spinks, Alexis Arguello, and Canastota's Carmen Basilio are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.

 

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 17th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.