Commemorating the 37th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Griffo

Commemorates the 37th IBHOF Anniversary and announces the 2026 inductees with events in Canastota and Turning Stone, highlighting tourism and community pride.

ADOPTED

Overview

Bill: Senate Resolution No. 2254 (JR 2254)

Session: 2025-2026

Jurisdiction: New York

Prime sponsor: Senator Griffo (co-sponsor: Joe Griffo)

Type: Non-binding commemorative resolution

Purpose: Commemorate the 37th Anniversary of the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in Canastota, New York, and recognize the 2026 IBHOF inductees and related events.

Purpose and Intent

To honor and celebrate the International Boxing Hall of Fame and its role in preserving boxing history and contributing to community quality of life in Canastota and the broader Central New York region.

To acknowledge the IBHOF’s open-to-public mission since 1989 and its partnership with Turning Stone Resort Casino that promotes regional tourism and economic activity.

Key Provisions

Recognizes and commemorates the 37th Anniversary of IBHOF in Canastota, NY.

Announces and lists the Class of 2026 inductees, categorized as:

Men’s Modern: Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin; Antonio Tarver; Nigel Benn
Women’s Modern: Naoko Fujioka; Jackie Nava
Non-Participants: trainer/cut man Russ Anber; referee Frank Cappuccino (posthumous); trainer/cut man Jimmy Glenn (posthumous); physician Dr. Edwin “Flip” Homansky
Observer: journalist Kevin Iole; broadcaster Alex Wallau (posthumous)
Old Timer: Jimmy Clabby (posthumous)

Describes the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend (June 11–14, 2026) as featuring a four-day slate of events in Canastota and at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Events include ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K run, autograph card show, banquet, parade, and induction ceremony.

Highlights the ongoing multi-year collaboration between Turning Stone Resort Casino and IBHOF, noting its impact on regional tourism and visibility.

Who/What Is Affected

The IBHOF organization and its inductees (as listed for Class of 2026).

Canastota, NY, and the surrounding Central New York region (economic and tourism impacts associated with the Hall of Fame events and related activities).

Turning Stone Resort Casino and partner venues in Madison and Oneida Counties, which host events during the induction weekend.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Status: Passed in committee and adopted in related roll-call steps in June 2026.

Referred to Finance (May 28, 2026)
Reported to Calendar for Consideration and Adopted (June 2, 2026; June 4, 2026)

Effective date: Non-binding resolution; takes effect upon enactment as a ceremonial recognition.

Transmission: Copies to the IBHOF and the honorees.

Impact and Significance

Provides formal legislative recognition and public acknowledgment of the IBHOF’s 37-year milestone and the prestige of its Class of 2026 inductees.

Serves to highlight and promote boxing history, community pride, and regional tourism associated with the Hall of Fame weekend.

Non-binding; primarily symbolic, with potential indirect economic and reputational benefits for Canastota and partner venues through heightened publicity.