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| Established | 2009 |
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| Location | Belfast, New York |
| Coordinates | 42°20′36″N78°06′46″W / 42.343392°N 78.112682°W |
| Type | Hall of Fame |
| Founder | Scott Burt |
| Owner | Scott Burt |
| Website | bareknuckleboxinghalloffame |
The Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame is a museum and hall of fame in Belfast, New York, dedicated to the sport of bare-knuckle boxing. It is housed in barns that were once owned by the Greco-Roman wrestling champion and physical culture pioneer William Muldoon. The heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan, who fought in both bare-knuckled and gloved boxing contests, trained in these barns under Muldoon's guidance for his championship bout against Jake Kilrain in 1889. [1] The barns were originally across Main Street from their current location, on the grounds of the Belfast Catholic Church. They were bought, moved, and restored by Scott Burt when the church became no longer interested in maintaining them. Burt opened the Hall of Fame in 2009, when it had its first induction class. [2]
Contents
- Inductees
- Original Inductees
- Honorary Inductees
- Marie Backus Person of the Year
- Marie Backus Team of the Year
- Induction Events
- Current Recognized Champions
- Modern Era Championship History
- National Police Gazette Heavyweight World Championship
- National Police Gazette Heavyweight American Championship
- National Police Gazette Lightweight American Championship
- National Police Gazette Women's Featherweight World Championship
- National Police Gazette Women's Featherweight American Championship
- See also
- References
- External links
The Hall of Fame houses plaques and memorabilia associated with bare-knuckle boxers that have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, as well as exhibits devoted to the general history of bare-knuckle boxing. Each year's induction class includes bare-knuckle boxers from the classic era, modern bare-knuckle boxers, and honorary inductees. Trainers, promoters and other significant figures in the sport are also upon occasion inducted. [3] [4]
The Hall of Fame also serves as a memorial to Sullivan's training camp with Muldoon, a number of relics of which have survived the lengthy period when the barns sat unused. These include his original work-out rings, a ceiling mount for Sullivan's heavy bag, the slatted area of flooring on which Sullivan stood for gravity showers after training, his original swing clubs and weights, and the "room of repose" in which Sullivan and Muldoon relaxed and discussed strategy in the evenings, which includes some of Muldoon's original furniture. [1] Sullivan and Muldoon's use of this training camp was documented by the celebrated reporter Nellie Bly, in an article she wrote for the New York World . [5]
