Turning Stone Announces a Major Five Year Regional Partnership with the International Boxing Hall of Fame
This new partnership is an exciting five year, multifaceted program that spotlights Madison and Oneida Counties and will boost tourism in Central New York. The robust program includes a series of nationally-televised boxing events at Turning Stone, culminating annually in June with an elaborate International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend celebration with several events, promotions, restaurant specials and more.
At a press conference today with many local elected officials and community leaders in attendance, Turning Stone announced a major new regional partnership with the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The five-year multifaceted program will spotlight the entire region, garnering national attention and will boost Central New York tourism. The program includes a series of exhilarating nationally-televised boxing events at Turning Stone and will culminate every year in June with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend celebration.
The partnership between the two Upstate New York tourist destinations, kicks-off with a thrilling showdown this Saturday night between Jezreel Corrales and Alberto Machado, a 12-round WBA Super World Super Featherweight title fight in the Turning Stone Event Center. Additional fights will be announced shortly. The boxing matches are the exciting undercard prequels to Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend June 7 – 10, 2018. Building on the success of this iconic weekend in Central New York, International Boxing Hall of Fame weekend will be even bigger and more robust, featuring several exciting events in Madison County and Oneida County throughout the four-day celebration. Turning Stone will offer guests Boxing Hall of Fame hotel packages, themed gaming and resort promotions, restaurant specials, shuttle service between Turning Stone and the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, and more.
“Today is about more than just a boxing partnership. It is yet another example of what happens when we join together for a common goal to Central New York, a great place to live, raise a family, own a business and visit,” said Ray Halbritter Oneida Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO. “It’s no accident that boxing has played such an important role in our success. With the commitment from the International Boxing Hall of Fame to this region, boxing fans and to the legacy of the sport, a passion for boxing was ignited here in Central New York. Our partnership is a natural progression and one that will benefit the entire region, boxing fans around the country and the men and women who call Central New York home.”
“The International Boxing Hall of Fame is thrilled to be entering into a partnership with our neighbor Turning Stone Resort Casino, who has long been a supporter of our mission to honor and preserve the history of the sport. We are excited that the partnership will provide boxing fans with a truly unique ‘knockout’ experience during the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend and throughout the year,” said Edward Brophy, Boxing Hall of Fame Executive Director.
“The Nation’s partnership with the International Boxing Hall of Fame and our partnership with the Nation for the AHL All-Star Classic, among other initiatives, are now the examples being used throughout the state of how our different communities need to be working together,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. “We’ve proven time and time again that when we work together, the opportunities are endless and everyone in the region benefits.”
Senator Joseph Griffo said, “Today’s announcement of a regional partnership between Oneida Nation and the International Boxing Hall of Fame will help us to further showcase the region and everything it has to offer. I am hopeful that this partnership will attract more visitors to the area, boost the local economy and help us to grow."
At today’s press conference, Senator David J. Valesky said, "Congratulations to the Oneida Nation and the International Boxing Hall of Fame on this partnership that will bring exciting new opportunities to expand tourism and economic development in Madison and Oneida counties."
Madison County Town Supervisor John Becker said, “Congratulations to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the Oneida Nation on a collaborative partnership that will last well into the future; one that will see all of Central New York prosper.”
Turning Stone has become internationally-known for legendary fight-of-the-year level boxing matches, rivaling arenas in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami. In fact, one of the very first fights held at the resort was boxing legend Hector “Macho” Camacho defeating Tommy Small in a sixth round knockout. Also, Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila Ali made her boxing debut at Turning Stone in 1999 and then returned in 2001 to defeat Jacqui Fraizer, daughter of boxing great Joe Frazier, making history as the first-ever pay-per-view card headlined by female fighters. Over the years, several Boxing Hall-of-Famers have fought at Turning Stone, or promoted fights at the resort, including boxing legend Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Miquel Cotto and Oscar del la Hoya, now the owner and President of Golden Boy Promotions, promoter of Saturday night’s title fight at Turning Stone.
Saturday, October 21, Turning Stone and Golden Boy Promotions will host Corrales vs. Machado, a WBA Super World Super Featherweight title fight, in the Turning Stone Event Center and broadcasting live on HBO. Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets are still available.
