Three-time champion Alexis Arguello, former heavyweight champions Max Schmeling and Ken Norton and long-time trainer Angelo Dundee Sunday were inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Other boxers among the 29 inductees were Nino Benvenuti, Eder Jofre, Billy Graham, Charley Burley, Lou Ambers, Battling Nelson, Ted "Kid" Lewis, Packy McFarland, Panama Al Brown, Harry Wills, Jack "Nonpariel" Dempsey and Mike Gibbons.Arguello, a native of Nicaragua, held the World Boxing Association featherweight championship from 1974-77. He moved up to win the World Boxing Council junior lightweight crown in 1978 and the WBC lightweight title in 1981. Arguello, 80-6, never lost any of the three belts in the ring. He gave them all up to move up in weight. He failed to win a fourth title when he was twice knocked out by junior welterweight champion Aaron Pryor.
Schmeling and Norton are best known for their bouts against all-time great heavyweights. Schmeling, of Germany, held the heavyweight title from 1930-32 but his most impressive victory came when he handed Joe Louis his first defeat in the 12th round of a 1936 bout.
Schmeling lost the 1938 rematch, however, when Louis defended his title in a brutal one-round knockout in one of the most highly publicized bout in boxing history.
Norton is best known for his stunning 1973 upset over Muhammad Ali, breaking Ali's jaw and handing him only the second defeat of his career. Ali won two rematches over Norton, including a 15-round decision in a 1976 title fight. Both Ali's victories over Norton were close decisions, with many observers believing Norton won the title fight.
Dundee is best known as Ali's trainer but he also trained Sugar Ray Leonard and worked with about a dozen other champions.