Boxing Hall Enshrines Azumah

The International Boxing Hall of Fame, on Thursday, enshrined Azumah "The Professor" Nelson, the former world featherweight champion, along with 14 other former champions, boxing officials and ring personalities.

Azumah Nelson, the first ever inductee from Ghana, enter the hall in their first year of eligibility. Inductees are selected by the Boxing Writers Association and a panel of boxing historians

Nelson won the World Boxing Council feathwerweight title in December 1984, stopping Wilfredo Gomez in the 11th round in his native Puerto Rico. A native of Ghana, Nelson moved up to super featherweight and captured the WBC strap with a close decision over Mario Martinez in February 1988.

In May 1990, Nelson tried to win a lightweight title but lost a unanimous decision to Pernell Whitaker. He regained the super featherweight title later that year and did not lose again until dropping a unanimous decision to Jesse James Leija in May 1994.

Nelson avenged that defeat with a technical knockout in June 1996 but lost a fourth fight to Leija in July 1998.

Nelson retired shortly before his 40th birthday and was 39-5-2 with 28 KOs.

"This is wonderful," he said. "I thank everybody for recognizing that an African boxer like me, by God's grace, has been put into the Hall of Fame."

He retired shortly before his 40th birthday and was 39-5-2 with 28 KOs.

Azumah is one of the four living fighters set to enter the Hall. Mexican-born welterweight Carlos Palomino, light heavyweight Dwight Qwa-ee, and super bantamweight champion Daniel Zaragoza will also be inducted.

Living non-participant inductees include South African referee Stanley Christodoulou, who called the Hagler-Duran bout, promoter J. Russel Peltz, and writer WC Heinz.