Donald "Cobra" Curry To Visit Canastota For The First Time

Hall of Fame Weekend June 5-8th

CANASTOTA, NY - MAY 23, 2003 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today former world welterweight champion Donald "Cobra" Curry has been added to the list of celebrity guests for the Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 5-8th.

Known as the "Cobra" for his fast reflexes and rapid hand speed, Curry won the WBA welterweight title in 1983 and in 1985 he kayoed Milton McCrory for the undisputed title. In 1987 he moved to the junior middleweight division where he lost a title bid to Mike McCallum before defeating Gianfranco Rosi for the WBC junior middleweight belt. Curry amassed a 34-6 (25KOs) professional record, including a pair of wins over Marlon Starling.

"Donald Curry was a standout welterweight champion in the 1980s," said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. "It'll be a thrill for us to welcome him to 'Boxing's Hometown.'"

The Hall of Fame Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events. Living inductees to be honored include welterweight king Curtis Cokes, 2-time heavyweight champion George Foreman, junior welterweight champion Nicolino Locche, 3-division champion Mike McCallum, journalist Jack Fiske and author/screenwriter Budd Schulberg. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.

Over 50 boxing stars, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Ken Norton, Emile Griffith, Ken Buchanan, Earnie Shavers, George Chuvalo, Angelo Dundee, Aaron Pryor, Alexis Arguello, Carmen Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Tony DeMarco, Marlon Starling, James "Buster" Douglas, Frank Bruno, and Christy Martin are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.

For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 14th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095.