Recap from the Historic “Trilogy” Weekend
It was a one-two punch as the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) hosted back to back events at the swanky Resorts World Las Vegas.
And it was a knockout weekend with Friday and Saturday (August 26 and 27) two nights with the champs. Friday was a VIP Party with boxing legends and Saturday was the 10th Annual Induction Awards.
Deemed as a “Trilogy” weekend, the Class of 2020, 2021 and 2022 were all inducted before a sold-out crowd. The pandemic had shut down the world so this was the first time everyone was able to get together again (in person) since the NVBHOF’s 2019 ceremonies.
This being their 10th annual event, Founder and former President Rich Marotta, CEO and current President Michelle Corrales Lewis, COO and Vice President Anthony Randolph, their Board of Directors really went all out to make sure the inductees, guests, sponsors and boxing fans all had the best time in the Mecca of Boxing. The new Resorts World added to the glitz and glamour of this yearly gathering. In what was formerly the legendary Stardust Hotel and Casino, Resorts World is a stunning and incredible display of sights; it is massive and definitely worth a visit. It was the perfect place to hold the weekend celebrations.
Friday’s VIP bash was held at the RedTail gaming bar and karaoke lounge. The atmosphere proved lively and fun as inductees and attendees mingled in the nightclub. On stage, Marotta and Corrales-Lewis introduced the Resorts World team, the D.O.P.E. Police Encounter APP and special guests. There was also a live auction with Shawn Parr on the mic and singer and social media sensation WyMac (daughter of Olympian/champion Wayne McCullough) as the official host of the night. There was a presentation in honor of Don Jose Sulaiman and the Sulaiman family and there was a surprise birthday celebration for Michelle Corrales-Lewis, Raul Marquez and James Toney as a cake was brought on stage for the B-day trio!
Friday’s fiesta had appearances by Evander Holyfield, James Toney, Miguel Cotto, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Michael Carbajal, Layla McCarter, Jose Luis Castillo, Mia St. John, Ray Mercer, Vinny Paz, Bones Adams, Jessie Vargas, “Chop Chop” Corley, Nonito Donaire, Andy Nance, Ramblin’ Ralph Velez, Lisa King, the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Mauricio Sulaiman, Jill Diamond, Nancy Rodriguez, Pepe Sulaiman, Elvis Grant, Jimmy Montoya, Eva Futch, Shelley Williams and many more.
The next night it was time for the highly-anticipate NVBHOF Induction Ceremony.
With 27 inductees and over 600 guests, it was a truly memorable occasion. The evening’s emcees were Rich Marotta, Al Bernstein, Raul Marquez and Cynthia Conte. The awards dinner featured red carpet arrivals, both a silent and live auction benefiting the nonprofit NVBHOF, beautiful souvenir programs, photo ops galore, poignant speeches and epic film clips from the fighters’ boxing careers. A touching WBC belt presentation took place with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman surprising Fernando Vargas with a green and gold championship belt years after his 2005 Javier Castillejo victory; it was very emotional moment and really packed a punch. And that was just one of the emotional, heartwarming, bittersweet, joyous, and extraordinary moments that we all got to witness during the awards show.
Those seated in the ballroom had a KO night enjoying all the excitement beginning with the classy walkouts to the inductees shining in the spotlight to a delicious dinner and the grand finale–the spectacular dessert that always steals the show! The centerpieces featured light up NVBHOF logos and “Trilogy” mini bags in a floral display. The NVBHOF group makes a difference with all the little details planned in advance; it really was one for the ages and will not be forgotten.
A new large bronze sculpture was also unveiled at the banquet. Michelle Corrales-Lewis commissioned this special display statue (sculpted by boxing trainer and artist Steve Harpst) that is an oversized piece of the NVBHOF trophies given to all the inductees. The awardees received a cache of treasures from the NVBHOF including a bronze trophy, a gold ring, a collectible WBC belt, a mini heavybag (Nazo Boxing), a boxing ring replica (Rick Nieto) and more.
Joining the inductees present was a sold-out crowd and a sea of familiar faces. There were so many luminaries there it would be impossible to name all of the champions, fighters, cornermen, officials, celebrities seen at the gala. Spotted in the audience were Vinny Paz, Lamon Brewser, “Chop Chop” Corley, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Wayne McCullough, Michael Spinks, Jessie Vargas, Badou Jack, Blair Cobbs, Fernando Vargas Jr., Amado Vargas, Emiliano Vargas, Kevin Newman, Merqui Sosa, Tony Weeks, Russ Mora, Kermit Bayless, Kenny Adams, Egis Klimas, Marselles Brown, Eva Futch, Frankie Duarte, Carl King, Frank Espinoza, Andy Nance, the crew from the eSports Boxing Club video game (Steel City Interactive), among others.
I spoke to so many of the prizefighters and fans from around the globe who are already asking about next year’s festivities! The “Trilogy” weekend was a big hit with everyone and it was a beyond great to be able to gather once again as we celebrated the sweet science.
Congrats again to all of the “Trilogy” inductees!
CLASS OF 2020:
CLARENCE “BONES” ADAMS
FERNANDO “EL FEROZ” VARGAS
ANDRE “SOG” WARD
AZUMAH NELSON
DANNY “LITTLE RED” LOPEZ
JAMES “LIGHTS OUT” TONEY
JOSE LUIS CASTILLO
JULIAN “THE HAWK” JACKSON
MARK “TOO SHARP” JOHNSON
MIGUEL COTTO
CARLOS PADILLA
JOSE SULAIMAN
LORENZO FERTITTA
SAMMY MACIAS
CLASS OF 2021:
FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER
ROY JONES JR.
CLASS OF 2022:
KENNEDY “KING” McKINNEY
“COOL” VINCE PHILLIPS
IRAN ‘THE BLADE” BARKLEY
RAY ‘MERCILESS” MERCER
MICHAEL “SECOND TO” NUNN
ISRAEL “EL MAGNIFICO” VAZQUEZ
MIA ST. JOHN
GARY SHAW
JERRY IZENBERG
HECTOR “MACHO” CAMACHO
BOB FOSTER
2022 Meet & Greet:
NVBHOF’s Marotta:
Trilogy Preview:
Photos by Michele Chong