The news is out and thanks to WBHOF President Dr. Joseph Noriega, allow me to be one of the first to announce the 2004 inductees into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. You should have figured that the 25th Anniversary celebration would feature some outstanding fighters and fight people of the past, but this group is beyond my expectation.

Six former outstanding boxers will be inducted at the Crown Commerce Casino in Commerce California on Oct. 16, and those as well as the rest of the list reads like a boxing who’s who.

In the boxer category we have Jeff Fenech former IBF bantamweight champion from Australia, who retired with a record of 28-3-1, with 21 knockouts.

Joining Fenech will be Jimmy Ellis, former WBA heavyweight champ who fought in an era when fighters fought. Ellis’ career mark was 53-12-1 with 40 Kayos.

Kenny Lane, outstanding Michigan fighter who won the lightweight title in 1963 and fought the best of the best in his 111 fight career. His record reads 94-15-2 with 77 coming via the knockout route.

One of the nicest and guttiest guys around joins the Hall as well, in the person of Genaro “Chicanito” Hernadez. A fighter who always gave 100%, Hernandez held the WBC super featherweight title and WBA jr. lightweight title. A little guy with a lot of heart, “Chicanito” boasts a lifetime record of 38-2-2 with 17 knockouts.

Big Ernie Terrell gets the call to the Hall, and justifiably so. A quiet guy in and out of the ring, Terrell also fought the best of the best heavyweights around, winning the WBA title in 1965 and holding in till 1967. He lost his title to Muhammad Ali via a 15 round decision. Ernie logs in with a ring mark of 46-9 with 21 knockouts.

Last but certainly not least, in the boxer category, is Daniel Zaragoza, Mexican WBC super bantamweight champ, and fought the likes of Carlos Zarate, Jeff Fenech, Wayne McCullough and Erik Morales. The tough Zaragoza deservedly gets this award having a ring record of 55-8-3, 28 via the knockout.

In the expanded category: Being honored is sports journalist Tom Kelly, trainer Jessie Reid and fight broadcaster Col. Bob Sheridan.

Those confirming to be on hand reads like a boxing Who’s who, and includes Oscar de la Hoya, Fernando Vargas, Erik Morales, the Klitschko brothers, Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ken Norton, and to many more you’d get tired reading this piece.

Hopefully I’ll be seeing you there as well, although not as an inductee. The event again will be held at the Crowne Commerce Casino in Commerce, California on October 16.

Take in from me my friends, this is always a great event.

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