BADOU JACK NAMED NEVADA BOXING HALL OF FAME “NEVADA FIGHTER OF THE YEAR”
WBC SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP HEADS LIST OF SIX ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS
Since the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame came into existence in 2013, Floyd “Money” Mayweather has had a strangle-hold on the Nevada Fighter of the Year Award. The gifted Mayweather won the Award three straight years. However, that changes in 2016.
BADOU JACK “The Ripper”, who won the WBC Super-Middleweight Title last year as a big underdog to Andre Dirrell, and successfully defended it twice since then has been named
the NVBHOF Nevada Fighter of the Year. After winning the title, Badou found himself an underdog once again to Britain’s popular slugger George Groves at MGM Grand in September.
He dropped Groves in the first round and outclassed him the rest of the way to take the decision. In April, Jack traveled to Washington, D.C. to face lethal slugger Lucien Bute. The bout ended in a highly controversial majority draw, Jack a wide winner on one judges card, but the other two called it even. Media were almost unanimous in saying Badou deserved the verdict. His record now stands at 20-1-2. Badou, born of Swedish and Gambian parents, is a resident of Las Vegas.
Here is the complete list of the NVBHOF Award Winners for 2016:
NEVADA FIGHTER OF THE YEAR : BADOU JACK “THE RIPPER”
NEVADA FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR : AVA KNIGHT, Since the last NVBHOF Induction, she has fought twice, both times in Mexico. Ava fought talented 17-3 Jesseth Noriega to a hotly-contested and disputed draw in Mazatlan and then two months later, recorded an impressive unanimous decision win over Judith Rodriguez in Los Mochis. A winner of the WBC Diamond Belt, Ava has a pro record of 14-2-4.
NEVADA AMATEUR FIGHTER OF THE YEAR : JJ MARIANO, After winning a National Championship belt at 139lbs in 2015, JJ capped off his undefeated senior year at the University of Nevada, with a second consecutive National Title, this time at 147. Mariano decisioned University of Washington’s James Porter in the Final, to run his lifetime record to 23-3. Mariano made the College Boxing Nationals in all four of his years for the Wolfpack. He is a lifelong resident of the Reno-Sparks area.
NEVADA PROSPECT OF THE YEAR : DEVIN HANEY Becoming the youngest pro fighter to ever compete at the famed MGM Grand, the 17 year old Haney decisioned Rafael Vasquez on the undercard of the Pacquaio-Bradley fight in April. The flashy Haney, already a fan favorite, followed that up with a 4-round TKO of Jairo Vargas at the Downtown Events Center in Las Vgas. Trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr, Haney holds a record of 6-0.
MUHAMMAD ALI “HUMANITARIAN AWARD” : MAURICIO SULAIMAN, The WBC President, who has already made his own name in succeeding his late father Jose, is honored for his outside of the ring activities. Sulaiman has been tireless in efforts to support charitable causes, many of them sponsored by professional boxers. His support, both financial and with the weight of WBC extend to causes such as fighting diseases, support for education, mental health causes, help for the hungry and homeless and much more. He has also made support for military causes, such as Nevada Military Alliance Services a prime focus. He also oversees community-oriented WBC Cares program.
NVBHOF “PRESIDENTS AWARD” : HERB SANTOS SR. Involved in Nevada Boxing since 1970’s as a Judge and member of NSAC 1985-88, Chairman 1987-88. Modernized NSAC rulebook published 1989. Santos received Special WBC recognition in 2012 as one of the top judges of the past 50 yrs. Reno resident whose entire family, sons and grandchildren are involved in boxing.
Award winners will be honored during the NVBHOF Induction weekend July 29-30 at Caesars Palace, receiving their plaques at the Inductees Party Friday, July 29, and then introduced at the Induction Ceremony, Saturday, July 30.
Tickets for the NVBHOF induction Gala, priced $300/$175/$75 are on sale now through the organization’s website, www.nvbhof.com In addition, a day-long autograph session with inductees, honorees, champions and other boxing figures will take place Friday, also at Caesars Palace.
The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501-c-3 non-profit, charitable organizations which donates to boxing-related causes. Ticket purchases, auction or raffle purchases, and donations are tax-deductible.
For more information,
Website: www.nvbhof.com twitter: @nvbhof
Michelle Corrales-Lewis, Chief Operating Officer 702-3-NVBHOF (702-368-2463)