Florida Boxing Hall of Fame announces new class

Posted Feb 12, 2010 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Feb 12, 2010 at 02:41 PM

The second class of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame will be inducted the weekend of June 25-27.

Headlining the new inductees is boxing great Muhammad Ali. He’ll be joined by former contenders Gomeo Brennan, and Frankie Otero, women’s pioneer Barbara Buttrick, trainer/managers Dan Birmingham and Al Bonanni, promoters Phil Alessi and Don King, historian Enrique Encinosa, commissioner Don Hazelton, and in the non-participant category, Bob Alexander, and James “Smitty” Smith.

The FBHOF will also posthumously induct world champion Willie Pep, contenders Yama Bahama, Bobby Dykes, Tommy Gomez, and Elmer Ray, and 1932 Olympic gold medalist Eddie Flynn, as well as non-participants Jay Edson and Lou Viscusi.

Receiving special awards will be Ramiro Ortiz, Steve Yerrid, as well as the late Mike Birmingham.

Members of the inaugural class of 2009 are expected to be in attendance.

Induction weekend events will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5303 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609. Call (813) 289-1950 to make reservations.

Also, those interested in volunteering – particularly those with computer and secretarial skills - can call Walter “Butch” Flansburg at (813) 884-7711 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).