Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame hosts joint Class of 2025 and 2026 ceremony

Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame immortalises 13 deserving legends

The iconic Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, served as the epicentre for an unforgettable night in world boxing, hosting the joint induction ceremony for the 2025 and 2026 classes of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF), immortalising 13 historic figures of the sport.

Hosted by NVBHOF President Michelle Corrales-Lewis and co-founder Rich Marotta, the evening brought together hundreds of fans, champions, and industry personalities for an event filled with camaraderie, nostalgia, and profound emotion.

Class of 2025

The Class of 2025 immortalised the following outstanding figures who left an indelible mark on the sport:

Laura Serrano: Indisputable pioneer of women’s boxing in Mexico and former WIBF lightweight champion. Remembered for her historic professional debut against the legendary Christy Martin and for paving the way for women inside the squared circle.

Jorge “El Maromero” Páez: The charismatic former world featherweight champion was the star of the night with his moving speech. Páez, who had remained distant from boxing since his retirement, confessed to giving away all his belts and burning his ring robes in his backyard. Currently devoted to his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, he declared: “In the ring I had 99 fights, and this is number 100—the hardest one because it’s against the Devil. My trainer is Jesus and my manager is Jehovah; I know I’m going to win this fight.”

Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver: The former light heavyweight champion recalled his iconic knockout over Roy Jones Jr. right in Las Vegas, noting that the night brought his career full circle.

Mikey García: Former four-division world champion and one of the most prominent fighters of the 2010s.

Paulie Ayala: Former WBA bantamweight champion and Ring Magazine’s 1999 “Fighter of the Year,” best remembered for his memorable battles against Johnny Tapia.

Brad Goodman: The legendary matchmaker who was unable to attend in person but was honored for his massive contributions to the sport.

The Class of 2026

Marcos “El Chino” Maidana: The heavy handed, hard-hitting Argentine brawler, remembered for his thrilling 2013 victory over Adrien Broner and his two memorable, grueling battles against Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand.

Gerry Cooney: Former heavyweight contender who delivered an inspiring speech about his personal victory over alcoholism since 1988, closing with playful jabs at his close friend and former rival, Larry Holmes.

Raúl Márquez: Former IBF super welterweight champion, 1992 U.S. Olympian, and renowned television commentator.

Jessie Vargas: Former WBO welterweight champion, who celebrated his recognition accompanied by his family.

Ricky Hatton: The beloved and forever British idol, honored for the impact and passion with which he brought thousands of English fans to Las Vegas.

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin: The legendary former middleweight champion, who formed part of this generation of inductees.

Richard Slone: The celebrated official boxing artist and former fighter, who opened the ceremony with a powerful speech about his art and his ongoing personal battle with stage IV cancer.

Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Special Recognitions and the Boxing Community

Special honours were also presented during the gala to MVP Promotions (Trailblazer Award), Bill Caplin (Uncle Bill Award), Dave Moretti (Marc of Distinction Award), Martha Vargas (Yo Adrian Award), and Larry Wade (President’s Excellence Award).

Among the dozens of legends present in the venue were figures such as Marco Antonio Barrera, James Toney, Fernando Vargas, Hasim Rahman, Shawn Porter, Regis Prograis, and Floyd Mayweather Sr., consolidating the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame as one of the most vital cultural bastions of the sport.