Camacho, Pintor, Zapata, Lederman, Ratner, Sheridan & Izenberg Head Hall Of Fame Class

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday its newest class, headlined by Puerto Rico’s multi-division champion Hector “Macho” Camacho (posthumous), Mexico’s two-division champion Lupe Pintor and Panama’s two-division champion Hilario Zapata in the Modern category.

In the observation category, judge Harold Lederman, commissioner Marc Ratner, journalist Jerry Izenberg and broadcaster Col. Bob Sheridan will also be inducted.

“We’re extremely excited about the Class of 2016 and are very much looking forward to paying tribute to the new inductees in Canastota next June,” said Executive Director Edward Brophy.

The 2016 Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 9-12 in Canastota, NY. Over 10 events, including a golf tournament, banquet, parade and autograph card show, are planned.

An impressive celebrity lineup of boxing greats are scheduled to attend 2016’s Induction Weekend.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Official Enshrinement Ceremony on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 12th to welcome the newest members.

The Hall of Fame also released names of posthumous honorees: Petey Sarron in the Old-Timer Category; and trainer Whitey Esneault in the Non Participant Category. Inductees were voted in by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.

Biographies on the Class of 2016 can be found on www.ibhof.com

Izenberg, 85, is now in 12 halls of fame. He was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, and was inducted National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 2000, which was the same year Izenberg won the Red Smith Award.

“First of all, anytime you put 64 years trying to do something, and do it as well as you can, and your peer group says that you did, that means more than prize,” said Izenberg, who’s still writing. “Being chosen by your peers is the highest you can go. It means something because you’re chosen by the people that you most care about.

“I can’t believe it. I really appreciate it and I’m just so moved by this honor. I’m absolutely flabbergasted because I really feel so many of the inductees I personally knew. Some of them were my heroes and some of them my compatriots. The fact is I’m just so grateful.”

Lupe Pintor: “Thank you very much. This is great news for me. I have been waiting for this news and I am very happy it happened while I am alive. I am very emotional and very thankful for this distinction.”

Hilario Zapata: “Thank you. I want to scream I’m so happy about being elected. I look forward to getting the Hall of Fame ring and seeing the fans and sharing this honor with them in Canastota. I’m especially honored to be in the Hall of Fame with Roberto Duran. I have a close relationship with him. He was an inspiration to my career.”

Harold Lederman: “I’m so excited. It’s one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. I’m so proud. It’s mind boggling. It’s so important to be elected into the Hall of Fame. I think this is wonderful. I’m so happy. It’s amazing.”

Marc Ratner: “I’m not only humbled, I’m stunned. I’m thrilled and couldn’t be more excited and happy. With all these famous boxers in the Hall, it’s very exciting for me.”

Col. Bob Sheridan: “It’s the culmination of a career that’s almost 50 years long. This is the most prestigious award that I could possibly ever receive and to be elected by my peers and be with such an unbelievable group of guys, all of whom are my friends that are in the Hall of Fame, it’s just a thrill beyond thrills.”

Joseph Santoliquito is the president of the Boxing Writer's Association of America and a frequent contributor to Sherdog.com's mixed martial arts and boxing coverage. His archive can be found here.