CANASTOTA, NY – APRIL 24, 2007 – The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced today world famous ring announcer and entertainer Michael Buffer has been named Grand Marshal of the 18th Annual Boxing Hall of Fame Parade of Champions scheduled for Sunday, June 10th at 1 p.m. “The Hall of Fame is extremely excited about welcoming Michael Buffer to Canastota,'” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “It is a thrill to have him as the 2007 Parade of Champions Grand Marshal.”
With his tuxedo image and famous trademarked phrase “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! ®”, Michael Buffer is one of the most recognized faces in the world of sports and entertainment due to his 25 years of announcing many of the biggest championship boxing events. He is considered the “Premier Sports and Entertainment Announcer” by millions of fans worldwide. In addition to announcing, Buffer has appeared in countless television programs and movies including The Simpsons, South Park, Entourage, The Late Show with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, Mad TV, Ocean’s Eleven, and Rocky Balboa. Michael Buffer has established himself as an American sports icon and his “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble! ®” trademark phrase has firmly positioned itself as a part of American culture.
The Parade of Champions, set for Sunday, June 10th at 1:00 p.m., will pass through the streets of Canastota and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees.
Over 50 boxing stars, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, James “Buster” Douglas, Ken Norton, Angelo Dundee, Emile Griffith, Alexis Arguello, Gene Fullmer, Jose Torres, Micky Ward, Iran Barkley, and Canastota’s Carmen Basilio will be highlighted in the Parade of Champions.
“With the lineup of marching bands, boxing celebrities and Michael Buffer, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all,” said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.
The 2007 Parade of Champions is sponsored by Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe. The June 7-10th Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will feature over 20 exciting events including a banquet, boxing autograph card show, cocktail party, and the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the Class of 2007. Living inductees to be honored at the Official Induction Ceremony on Sunday, June 10th are four-division world champions Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran and Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, two-division champion Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, trainer Amilcar Brusa, administrator Jose Sulaiman and artist LeRoy Neiman. Posthumous inductees will also be honored.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 18th Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095 or visit www.ibhof.com.