SAVE UP TO 20% ON TRAVEL WITH THE STAR ALLIANCE NETWORK
We have obtained an agreement with the Star Alliance Network for air travel discounts on several airlines. Please keep this in mind as you start to make preparations to attend the IBF/USBA 32nd Annual Convention in Montreal, Canada from May 17 – 21, 2015 at Le Centre Sheraton.
The Star Alliance member airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for IBF/USBA Convention 2015. To obtain the Star Alliance Conventions Plus discounts please visit Conventions Plus online booking tool: http://conventionsplusbookings.staralliance.com/trips/StarHome.aspx?meetingcode=AC16S15
Registered Event participants plus one accompanying person travelling to the Event qualify for a discount of up to 20%, depending on fare and class of travel booked.
The participating airlines for this Event are: ANA, Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EVA Airways, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAP Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.
Discounts are offered on most published business and economy class fares, excluding website/internet fares, senior and youth fares, group fares and Star Alliance Round the World fares.
The following Star Alliance airlines are offering special discounts for travel to/from Japan: Special Offers for Japan are available from : Turkish Airlines.
To obtain these discounts for travel to/from Japan please contact the respective Star Alliance member airlines’ booking office. Contact details can be found on www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus/delegates/ under “Conventions Plus Booking Contacts”. Please quote the following Event code AC16S15 for ticket reservation.
A who’s who of New England boxing luminaries gathered for the 10th annual Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony and banquet Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom, in Uncasville, CT. This year’s inductees included boxers John “The Quiet Man” Ruiz, Peter “Pride of Providence” Manfredo, Jr., referee Michael Ortega, IBF president Daryl Peoples, trainer Paul Cichon and the late boxing judge William Hutt.
In addition to the milestone decade of inductions, recognitions and honorees in boxing within the nutmeg state, tonight also marked the end of an era for CBHOF president Glenn Feldman, who has been president since day one. Feldman’s successor will take office after an election next year.
Several former inductees were on hand including inaugural CBHOF class member and former WBC/WBA welterweight champ Marlon Starling, “Irish” Micky Ward, former WBA 154 lb. champ “Tremendous” Travis Simms, promoter Jimmy Burchfield, former European flyweight champ Luigi Camputaro and USBA & NABF lightweight champ Israel “Pito” Cardona among others.
The cocktail hour began at 6 p.m. as video highlights and slide show of the inductees past and present played on a large screen in the ballroom. Dinner commenced at 7 p.m. and featured perfectly prepared filet mignon.
Former NABF (160 & 168) and IBO champ (160) Manfredo, Jr. has been a New England favorite since he turned pro in 2000. Manfredo came into national recognition during the inaugural season of the reality show “The Contender” in 2004. After suffering an upset decision loss to Alfonso Gomez in the opening bout of the series, Manfredo was voted back onto the show when another contestant fell out. He made it to the finals, losing a close decision to future world champ Sergio Mora. After The Contender ended, Manfredo, Jr. would have varied success, picking up those NABF and IBO belts along the way, only losing to world champs Mora in a rematch, hall of famer Joe Calzaghe, Sakio Bika, Jeff Lacey and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. Retiring last year in 2013, Manfredo, Jr’s record stands at 40-7, 21 KOs.
Two-Time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz hailed from Chelsea, MA, but had several bouts in Connecticut, most famously, his third battle with Evander Holyfield in which the “Quiet Man” retained his WBA title with a twelve round draw. Ruiz finished his career a respectable 44-9-1, 30 KOs. Ruiz was extremely grateful to his siblings, his “feisty” mom and his wife for their support during his career.
Referee Michael Ortega has officiated over 45 world title fights and has a boxing pedigree- his father was 50s and 60s welter and middleweight contender Gaspar Ortega and godfather is Hall of fame referee Joe Cortez. Ortega admitted that the job of refereeing often took him away from his family and hoped for their understanding in that he may be able to safely send a fighter, uninjured back home to his or her family after a bout. He quipped that his early start in refereeing came from working the battles between his Puerto Rican mom and Mexican father- in which he maintained his mom is still undefeated!
Late boxing judge William Hutt was known as “Mr. Boxing” in Connecticut, always wanting to help the sport in any way possible, from the amateur level up through the pro ranks. Many members of the international boxing community had stayed at the Hutt home on their travels through Connecticut. Hutt’s widow accepted his induction plaque in his honor.
IBF president Daryl Peoples has been a supporter of the CBHOF, having attended every induction since the hall’s inception in 2005. Working his way up the ranks of the IBF since joining the federation in 2005, Peoples has raised the status of the New Jersey- based sanctioning body since taking over the presidency in 2010.
Trainer and director of the Manchester PAL boxing program, Paul Cichon (pronounced see-shon) has trained sixteen national amateur champions over the years and is currently director of the Manchester Ring of Champions Society. Cichon was also awarded “Best Dressed Inductee” in response to his sleeveless tuxedo, exposing his still muscular and tattooed arms.
Master of ceremonies was ring announcer David Diamante, who along with inductee Peter Manfredo, Jr. and Peter Manfredo, Sr. was honored for having birthdays this month, Diamante’s being today.
Other special awards given on this night were:
Connecticut professional boxer of the year: Luis Rosa, 17-0, amateur record of 95-10
Connecticut amateur boxer of the year: Izaih Melendez, 21 wins and a former golden gloves champ
Amateur official of the year: Samantha Dane, MD ringside physician for USA Boxing
William Hutt official of the year: Danny Schiavone, over 1000 amateur fights reffed, and world title fights with the IBF and WBC since 2002.
A 50/50 raffled earned $700 for the CBHOF and over $1000 more from a silent auction of autographed boxing memorabilia.
On behalf of the IBF/USBA, I am glad to finally inform you that our 32ndAnnual Convention will take place in Montreal, Canada at Le Centre Sheraton from May 17 – 21, 2015. During our past convention in Atlantic City there was a great deal of discussion regarding the convention potentially taking place in Wonju, Korea. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances we could not make this a reality for 2015. However, Asia is a region of great interest to us and we hope to host our convention in 2016 either in Korea or another country in the region.
We are optimistic that our convention in Montreal will be as successful as those that have taken place in the past few years. Montreal is an exciting city with so much to offer. It is a city full of culture and history with something going on at all times. There are continuous festivals, shows and museums to visit. You can stroll the cobblestone streets of old Montreal or shop the latest fashions in new Montreal or the Underground City. If you want to get away from the busy city you can visit Mount Royal and enjoy a beautiful view of the city in a tranquil park setting. The city of Montreal is also a hub for sports in Canada, with boxing being extremely popular there. Lastly, with over 6,000 restaurants serving food from all over the world, you can’t go hungry in Montreal.
The ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions) certification for judges and referees will be offered during this convention. During our convention in Hawaii in 2012 we offered the ABC certification for judges and the opportunity was well received by our members. The seminars will take place on the May 19 and 20. We are looking to have the referees seminar, presented by Mark Nelson, on the 19 and the judges seminar, presented by Duane Ford, on the 20. Please keep in mind that this schedule is still tentative.
Le Centre Sheraton, located just a few blocks from the well-known Bell Centre, is easily accessible from Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport. Depending on the mode of transportation you choose, it is a 30 to 40 minute ride. You can take a taxi from the airport to the hotel for $40 CDN. All taxis leaving from the airport and the hotel accept credit cards. You can also take the 747 bus from the airport, which cost $10 CDN one way, and drops you off right by the Le Centre Sheraton. Additionally, for those living in the northeastern United States, or visiting the area at the time, getting to Montreal by car is easy and not a very long drive depending on your location.
The room rate at Le Centre Sheraton for the convention is $189 CDN (approximately $169 US) per night for single and double occupancy. Club Level rooms, which include breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres, are $239 CDN (approximately $214 US) a night for single and double occupancy. Both room rates include complimentary wifi, 24 hour access to the health club and 2 bottles of water in room daily. These room rates are not inclusive of taxes and fees. If you choose to participate in the hotel’s Make a Green Choice Program by forgoing housekeeping any time during your stay, you will get a $5 CDN rebate per room per night to use on food and beverage at the hotel, or 500 SPG points if you are a member of their loyalty program. The discounted room rate at Le Centre Sheraton will be available from May 14 to May 24, 2015. You can book your hotel reservation online through the following link, https://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/meeting-planning.mi?id=1410037061&key=6230211. Or, call Sheraton Central Reservations at 1-800-325-3535 and mention the International Boxing Federation to receive the discounted group rate.
We are currently working on obtaining airline and car rental discounts, as well as additional travel and transportation information for Montreal. This information will be sent to you in the coming weeks
I thank you again for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at the convention in 2015.
