https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/p526x296/10339563_10101746664167958_1512234729495265474_n.jpg https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/p180x540/10366090_10101746643434508_1949251200999523638_n.jpg https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/p180x540/10250059_10101746586623358_3028251672167090951_n.jpg First off, let me say that it was an amazing time, I have a bunch more photos of other guys who were there. Everyone was gracious, humble and completely happy to take photos and chat. Oscar and his family were literally right behind me the entire lunch. A little background on the Lunch-in, for some time now, part of the weekend long events is a Lunch with residents in the Extended Care wing of the Oneida Hospital (very close to Canastota). Patient needs are wide, my uncle had a stroke a little over a year ago and is living there. Although stricken with mobility issues he is still cognitively high functioning, least to say there are many others who are not so lucky. Some fighters, like Gerry Cooney, who comes to the HOF events often makes it point to go to this event because the people in the wing are often "on the ropes" to use a boxing cliche. Each person housed in the Extended Care wing is allowed a(1) guest, it just happened to be my windfall that my uncle is a resident there. I'm a HUGE boxing fan! I'm American. I grew up about an hour away from the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Its the only sport I follow. Being around this many fighters was really cool. I thought these guys would be getting mobbed but for the most part a lot of people didn't know who many of them were... Honestly, I was more psyched for Calzaghe than anyone else. I can tell you for a fact, only a few (if that) people went up to Calzaghe, I was the first. He asked if I was from the UK first thing. He was sitting with Enzo, his son, and another guy. I explained that I started following his career after the Lacy fight, like most Americans, and that I had actually been at MSG for when he beat Roy. Shook hands with Enzo, told him it was a pleasure to watch him train. They were completely cool, all smiles, Joe's kid offered to take the pictures. Out of the fighters present there was a large number of Hispanic fighters, all of whom had brought their families. In all I would say there was just as many non-American guests as American. It was somewhat embarrassing to see the Lunch start off with the Pledge of Allegiance... Here you have a DISTINCT non-American presence, people whom were INVITED to this event AND its the INTERNATIONAL Boxing Hall of Fame which does happen to be in America, yet I just felt is was kind of tacky on the organizers part, maybe something to rethink in later years. That was then followed by a speech from one of the organizers, which had more to do with D-Day, than about the fighters. I understand it was the anniversary of D-Day, but it was just not the event to draw upon that for inspiration. Those were the only minor blemishes on the event. Any questions, or if you want me to post the other pictures (Zab, Glen Johnson, Mick Ward, Ivan Calderon, John Ruiz, Iran Barkley, Wilfredo Gomez), let me know.
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Thanks for posting WP. Enjoyed the pics. I plan to head up there one day soon. Why the serious face in all the pics?
I had to bartend the night before until 3am and didn't get much sleep. Honestly I was a little shot by then. I waited until after lunch for everyone but Calzaghe. And with him I was just a little shocked to be near one of my favorite fighters.
Thanks for posting, cool pics. This just goes to show how far boxing has fallen out of the mainstream. Yeah, most boxers today, even elite fighters, could walk down the street and 95% of the people wouldn't recognize them. That would not be the situation with famous basketball or football players.
