(AUG 3) LAS VEGAS – Former
world champions Shawn Porter and Layla McCarter were chosen as
Nevada Men’s and Women’s Pro Boxers of the Year, respectively,
and will be honored by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame at a gala
induction ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 12 at Caesars Palace.
Michelle Corrales-Lewis, the Hall’s CEO, also announced five
other awards, including the male and female Amateur Boxer of the
Year for the state of Nevada.
“With our amazing inductees, these award winners guarantee us a
star-studded roster of deserving recipients,” Corrales-Lewis
said. “We are proud to be able to recognize these athletes for
their exemplary accomplishments.”
Porter rebounded from a loss to Keith Thurman in an amazing
battle with a gritty, hard-fought victory over Andre Berto that
has kept him in the title picture.
Porter wore Berto down with his physicality and constant
pressure and stopped the ex-champion in the ninth round. The win
improved Porter’s record to 27-2-1 with 17 KOs and kept him in
the middle of the title chase.
McCarter scored two victories, winning a decision over Melissa
Hernandez and stopping Szilvia Szabados in the seventh round to
run her current winning streak to 16.
Other fighters to be honored are Yarisel Ramirez, as the Nevada
Female Amateur Fighter of the Year; Emiliano Fernando Vargas as
the Nevada Male Amateur Fighter of the Year, Kevin Newman as the
Nevada Male Prospect of the Year and Latondria Jones, the Nevada
Female Prospect of the Year.
Corrales-Lewis also announced that the Hall of Fame will present
Jill Diamond its Humanitarian Award and Jimmy Montoya with its
Presidents Award.
They will be recognized at the gala induction dinner on Aug. 12.
Inductees are Thomas Hearns; brothers Leon and Michael Spinks;
Michael Carbajal; Erik Morales; Salvador Sanchez; Lucia Rijker;
Ken Norton, Richie Sandoval; Davey Pearl; Debbie Munch; Mel
Greg; Rafael Garcia and Dr. Elias Ghanem.
Remaining tickets for the dinner and the induction ceremony
begin at $225 and can be purchased online at the Hall of Fame’s
website at nvbhof.com.
The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501(c)3 charity and all
donations are tax deductible. The Hall’s charitable
contributions over the five years since its formation have
helped boxers in need and boxing-related charities. Donations
are welcome.
The Hall was founded in 2013 by noted boxing broadcaster Rich
Marotta.