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IBHOF Induction Weekend Canastota, NY 2009

Former Heavyweight King Lennox Lewis led the class of 2009 Boxing Hall of Fame inductees in Canastota, NY.

Lewis, flanked by Orlando Canizales and Brian Mitchell enter the ring in Canastota and pose for ESPN's cameras.

Paul The Punisher Williams (in red & white) and Andre Berto (in black) in Canastota for the annual fist-casting ceremony

Andre Berto, above in black, and beside him, in gold, Kermit Cintron, dip their fists into the dental plaster for enshrinement at the IBHOF

Berto shows the crowd the mold of his fist while 2009 inductee, South Africa's Brian Mitchell gets the plaster treatment

Orlando Canizales' fist is immortalized in plaster in Canastota and judging from the smile on his face seems like that plaster is a little chilly

Straight from the airport in Syracuse, Boxing's Baddest Big Man in recent memory, readies his fist for casting

Lewis waits for the plaster to harden as Orlando Canizales looks on

Lennox Lewis jokes with representatives from nearby Lenox, NY, and then sits down in ring center to talk live with ESPN

Boxing Collector Guru Don Scott speaks to the crowd in Canastota and former Lightweight/Jr Lightweight Champ Carlos Ortiz recounts highlights from his career for the assembled.

Welterweight greats Billy Backus (left) and John H. Stracey (right) speak to fans during a ringside lecture IBHOF

Backus smiles while recounting tales of the ring and Golden Gloves Legend, `84 Gold Medalist & former Welterweight Champ Mark Breland talks of his career in the squared circle.

South Africa's Brian Mitchell talks about his career and South African boxing with Ref. Stanley Christaduolo

Canastota has added the famous ring from Madison Square Garden to their hallowed grounds. Countless greats like Ike Williams, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, Roberto Duran, and so many more shed their blood sweat and tears to the thrills and chills of NYC crowds for decades on the 20-odd foot square of stretched canvas.

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