The International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York and Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona recently agreed to a deal that will provide more national exposure for the Hall of Fame. The resort frequently has held boxing events at its 5,000-seat events center; the bouts have been broadcast on ESPN, HBO and Showtime. In return for giving the Hall of Fame national exposure, Turning Stone will host major events during the Hall of Fame induction weekend in June 2018, including a “Fight Night at Turning Stone” and the annual “Banquet of Champions.”
Turning Stone also will offer special hotel packages, themed gaming and resort promotions, restaurant specials and shuttle service between the casino and the Hall of Fame, located 10 minutes away.
The partnership will also extend to other events throughout the year, such as the recent WBA Super World Super Featherweight title fight between Jezreel Corrales and Alberto Machado, part of the HBO Boxing After Dark series and promoted by former boxing star Oscar del la Hoya and his company, Golden Boy Promotions. Other events partnering the casino and the Hall of Fame will be announced in the future.
Hall of Fame Executive Director Ed Brophy said, “This really helps us bring some excitement to the Hall of Fame, with some national TV exposure, and that will help more people know about us. And that means more admissions and could lead, eventually, to expansion.”
Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation representative and chief executive officer at Turning Stone operator Oneida Nation Enterprises, said, “We will be working together to create more excitement around the boxing events we have here, culminating in the boxing Hall of Fame weekend in June. This is the Boxing Hall of Fame, the only one in the world. It’s THE Boxing Hall of Fame. It’s a great relationship.” Halbritter added the partnership is a “win win” for the casino, the Hall of Fame and for tourism in the Central New York area.
