Tyson, Stallone and Chavez Inducted to Int"l Boxing Hall of Fame

Actor Sylvester Stallone, left, and boxer Mike Tyson clasp hands after Stallone's induction speech at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Tyson and Stallone were inducted into the hall.
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CANASTOTA, NY - On December 7, 2010, the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced the newest class of inductees to enter the Hall. Living inductees include three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico), junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (Russia / Australia), heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (USA), trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain (Mexico), referee Joe Cortez (USA) and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone (USA).

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2011 and very much looking forward to honoring the 22nd class of inductees,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

The 22nd Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 9-12th in Canastota, NY. Over 20 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned. An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats of yesterday and today will attend this year’s Induction Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 12th to welcome the newest members.

The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: bantamweight Memphis Pal Moore, light heavyweight champion Jack Root and welterweight and middleweight Dave Shade in the Old-Timer Category; promoter A.F. Bettinson in the Non Participant Category; broadcaster Harry Carpenter in the Observer Category; and John Gully in the Pioneer Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of international boxing historians.

After his induction, Mike Tyson broke down in tears and cut short his speech while Sylvester Stallone proclaimed "Yo, Adrian, I did it!" as the two stars from different fields were inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Tyson tried to honor the late trainer Cus D'Amato, who became his legal guardian after Tyson's mother died and taught him the sweet science. But his eyes welled with tears and he apologized and walked away from the dais after only a moment or two.

The "Rocky" movie series, which began in 1976, made Stallone what he is today and also captured boxing's heart for decades. The actor wrote the script about an underdog boxer from Philadelphia named Rocky Balboa and then played the part in the movies.