Saturday, August 21, will be this year’s annual Induction into the Hall of Fame.  There will be 11 original fighters and promoters inducted from the era, and an honorary inductee too; 1970 World Welterweight Champion Billy Backus.  “Billy is very excited about coming to Allegany County, and we are excited about having him,” Burt gleamed.  “To be an honorary inductee, a person must have brought positive light to upstate New York through use of his fists or promoting skills.  Billy fought out of Syracuse back in the 70s, and more recently was instrumental with his uncle Carmen Basilio in bringing the International Boxing Hall of Fame to Canastota.  Life-size statues of both are proudly displayed there.  Billy is our 2010 Honorary Inductee and will join 2009 Honorary Inductees Baby Joe Mesi, Sabres tough-guy Rob Ray, Basilio, and local promoter Bill Heaney.

Burt also announced that thanks to his Hall of Fame sponsors, there will be free tours for all interested at 12noon Saturday, August 21.  “Billy will of course be there, and he is bringing his Championship belts for all to see.  The sponsors making the free tours possible are Enchanted Mountain Martial Arts Academy of Olean, Community Bank, Otis, L.C. Whitford, AmericanGrapplerAuthentic, Worth W. Smith, Rock City Park, Attorney James Leone of Auburn, The Frame-Up of Belfast , and Crandall’s Memorials.”  For more information about the August 21 event, including signing up your team for the golf tournament, go to  www.bareknuckleboxinghalloffame.com or call 585-610-3326.