International Boxing Hall of Fame

Announces Class of 2026 Inductees!

(December 5th) Yesrerday, the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is thrilled to announce the newest class of inductees to be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, June 11-14, 2026, in “Boxing’s Hometown” Canastota, NY.

This distinguished group, selected by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a panel of international boxing historians, represents the pinnacle of achievement in the Sweet Science. From devastating punchers and trailblazing champions to dedicated ringside stewards and pioneering journalists, the Class of 2026 embodies the heart, grit, and innovation that define boxing's enduring legacy.

“We’re thrilled about the Class of 2026 and are very much looking forward to honoring the newest class of inductees to earn boxing’s highest honor,” said IBHOF Executive Director Edward Brophy. “This group showcases the global reach and timeless excellence of our sport, and we can't wait to celebrate them in Canastota with fans from around the world.”

The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend promises an unforgettable four-day celebration of boxing royalty. Events will span Canastota and the nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino, featuring ringside talks with legends, ceremonial fist casting, a high-energy fight night, the annual 5K race/fun run, an expansive boxing autograph card show, gala banquet, the iconic Parade of Champions, and the grand induction ceremony on Saturday, June 14. For the latest details and tickets, visit www.ibhof.com or call (315) 697-7095.

Below is the complete Class of 2026, with brief biographies highlighting their indelible contributions to boxing:

Men's Modern Category

Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin (Kazakhstan): A silver medalist at the 2004 Olympics, Golovkin emerged as one of the most fearsome middleweights of his era, amassing a professional record of 42-2-1 with 37 knockouts. He captured his first world title in 2010 and made a division-record 20 consecutive defenses, tying Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins. Known for his devastating power and iron chin, Golovkin headlined epic wars against foes like Daniel Jacobs and Canelo Álvarez, where he drew in their 2017 clash before a narrow loss in the 2018 rematch. He reclaimed the middleweight crown in 2019 and 2022, cementing his status as the decade's dominant force at 160 pounds. Recently elected president of World Boxing, Golovkin continues to champion the sport's Olympic future.

Nigel Benn (United Kingdom): "The Dark Destroyer" was a two-division world champion whose ferocious style and unyielding warrior spirit made him a British boxing icon. With a record of 42-5-1 (35 KOs), Benn claimed the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC Super Middleweight crown in 1993, defending it four times. His legendary rivalry with Chris Eubank produced two brutal, high-stakes battles—a draw in 1993 and a ninth-round knockout loss in their 1993 rematch—that defined 1990s British boxing. Benn's explosive power and comeback resilience, including triumphs over Doug DeWitt and Gerald McClellan, earned him enduring respect worldwide.

Antonio Tarver (USA): The "Magic Man" brought poise, precision, and punishing power to the light heavyweight division, compiling a 41-6-1 record (30 KOs). A 1996 Olympic bronze medalist, Tarver won the WBC light heavyweight title in 2004 with a second-round stoppage of Roy Jones Jr., and later captured the IBF strap in 2006 against Clinton Woods. His trilogy with Jones—capped by a unanimous decision victory in 2006—highlighted his tactical brilliance. Tarver's versatility shone in bouts against Hall of Famers like Roy Jones Jr. and Glen Johnson, and his post-retirement work as an analyst has kept him a respected voice in the sport.

Women's Modern Category

Naoko Fujioka (Japan): Japan's first female five-division world champion, Fujioka blazed a trail with a 19-3-1 record (7 KOs). Debuting in 2007, she claimed titles at atomweight, strawweight, junior flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight across organizations including the WBA, WBC, and IBF. Her technical mastery and determination were evident in defenses against top contenders like Eileen Sobral and Mika Odate, solidifying her as a pioneer who elevated women's boxing in Asia and beyond.

Jackie Nava (Mexico): "La Cobrita" broke barriers as one of Mexico's premier female fighters, boasting a 40-4-4 record (15 KOs). Transitioning from karate and kickboxing, Nava debuted in 2001 and made history in 2005 by winning the inaugural WBA bantamweight title and the first WBC super bantamweight crown in back-to-back fights. Her tenacious defenses, including a 10-round decision over Kelsey Jeffries, and high-profile wins against Mexico's top talents inspired a generation of Latina boxers.

Old-Timer Category

Jimmy Clabby (USA, posthumous): A middleweight maestro from the early 20th century, Clabby posted an 86-21-23 record with 46 KOs before retiring in 1923. Born in 1887, he challenged for the world middleweight title against Hall of Famer Frank Klaus in 1913 and later held the American version. Known for his slick footwork, clever counterpunching, and endurance in marathon fights, Clabby's battles against Mike Gibbons and Les Darcy remain classics of the bare-knuckle era's evolution into modern gloved boxing.

Non-Participant Category

Russ Anber: A legendary cornerman and cutman, Anber has been in the trenches for over 50 years, safeguarding Hall of Famers like Lennox Lewis, Bernard Hopkins, Julio César Chávez, and Héctor Camacho. His innovative techniques and calm expertise during high-pressure moments— from Lewis's heavyweight unification to Chávez's 27-title defenses—have saved countless careers and earned him the moniker "The Professor of Cuts."

Frank Cappuccino: A referee of unparalleled integrity, Cappuccino officiated over 200 world title fights, including classics involving Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield. With a career spanning four decades, he was the third official in iconic bouts like Hagler-Hearns and Lewis-Holyfield, always prioritizing fighter safety while allowing the action to flow.

Jimmy Glenn (USA, posthumous): A trainer whose wisdom shaped champions like Arturo Gatti and Glen Johnson, Glenn's hands-on guidance emphasized fundamentals, heart, and ring IQ. His work in the amateurs and pros, including Gatti's thrilling wars, left an indelible mark before his passing in 2017.

Dr. Edwin "Flip" Homansky: Only the second physician inducted, Homansky revolutionized ringside medicine as the Nevada State Athletic Commission's chief ringside doctor for 25 years. He officiated over 1,000 bouts, including Mayweather-Pacquiao and De La Hoya-Trinidad, implementing protocols that enhanced fighter safety and influenced global standards.

Observer Category

Kevin Iole: A prolific journalist and analyst, Iole has covered boxing for outlets like Yahoo Sports and the Las Vegas Review-Journal for nearly 40 years. His insightful reporting on major events—from Tyson's bite to the rise of women's boxing—has educated and entertained generations of fans.

Alex Wallau (USA, posthumous): As HBO's pioneering executive producer, Wallau transformed boxing on television, producing landmark telecasts featuring Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Mike Tyson. His visionary storytelling elevated the sport's global profile during HBO's golden era in the 1970s and 1980s.

All members of the Class of 2026 will be honored during the four-day Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, June 11–14, 2026, in Canastota, NY, with many events also held at nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino. The weekend will feature ringside talks, fist castings, a fight night card, a 5K race/fun run, an autograph card show, banquet, parade, and the Official Induction Ceremony where living inductees receive their Hall of Fame rings and all honorees take their place on the Hall of Fame Wall.​

Known worldwide as “Boxing’s Hometown,” Canastota has hosted Hall of Fame festivities since the museum opened in 1989, serving as a permanent home for the sport’s history and its greatest practitioners. Turning Stone Resort Casino remains the official resort and event partner for the Induction Weekend, staging nationally televised boxing shows and major ceremonies that spotlight Central New York’s strong ties to the fight game