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Boxing: SJC Gym in Fort Myers announces Florida Hall of Fame inductees

By DAVE MONTROSE, Naples Daily News, Saturday, January 19, 2013

FORT MYERS — In an unassuming storefront in an unassuming neighborhood sits SJC Boxing Gym. But don't make any assumptions based on the appearance. The place stands out as a landmark in Florida boxing.

The Winkler Avenue gym held its third annual open house Saturday. The event included an announcement of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame's 2013 inductees.

The image of the gym is perfect for trainer, manager and matchmaker Steve Canton, who runs the place. A member of the Hall of Fame himself, Canton has emphasized the old school through his gym, which he started in 1992. There's an old ring, an old punching bag, even an old feel of the place.

"What's important is that the young, the old, the experienced, the inexperienced, the overweight, the serious boxer, they all train here in the old-school, old-fashioned method the right way," Canton said.

Peel off a few layers, and old turns into classic. The ring is the oldest ring still used in the United States, Canton said. The punching bag is the biggest ever made (250 lbs), and still bears the logo of the 1980 Olympic Team when Everlast was a sponsor, Canton said of the discontinued model. Photos of fighters past and present, and 65 flags representing their home countries adorn the walls.

"When you walk in the door, it's like you went back in a time machine to the 1950s," Canton said.

One of those flags is that of the Bahamas, native country of Naples resident Freeman Barr, a three-time world champion. Barr has trained with Canton since he moved to Florida in 1994.

"When I look at Steve, I look at him as family, as my mentor, my father," said Barr, 39, who is 29-4 but hasn't fought since 2010. "We have great respect for each other."

Part of the old school appreciation is the announcement of the new class that will join the likes of Muhammad Ali and Angelo Dundee in the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame announcer Bob Alexander was even on hand to make the announcement, and world heavyweight champion Pinklon Thomas visited later in the afternoon.

"There's nothing as important as keeping the legacy alive," Canton said.

The formal induction will take place in Tampa in June.

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame's Class of 2013 includes fighters Howard Davis Jr., Vince Phillips Sr., "Diamond" David Santos, Petey Sarron, Ezra Sellers and James Warring; trainers Dave Clark, Lou Duva, Roberto Quesada and Luis Saria; promoter Henry Rivalta; journalists Sharon Robb and Mort Sharnik; officials Cy Gottfied, Michael Pernick and Frank Skilbread; and participants Benjamin "Evil Eye" Finkle, Brad Jacobs, Bernie LaFratta and Bruce Trampler.

There are also two individuals receiving the FBHOF's Boxing Achievement Award: promoter Aaron Jacobs and International Boxing Organization president Ed Levine.