Revered and highly regarded play-by-play announcer Steve Albert is being inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 13 in Ontario, Calif., one of the sports highest and most respected honors.
"It is an honor to be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and to be a member of the class of 2007 among so many ring greats," Albert said. "I am so humbled by all of this and it makes my 20th anniversary year at SHOWTIME that much sweeter."
Fellow 2007 inductees include; Larry Holmes, Ricardo Lopez, Efren Torres, Alvaro Lopez, Gerald McClellan, Joe Cortez, George Benton, Jose Vazquez Dela Torre, Lily Rodriquez and Dick Sadler.
Albert will join a dignified Hall that includes the legendary Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Michael Spinks, Charles "Sonny" Liston, Jake La Motta, Carlos Monzon, Rocky Marciano and Sugar Ray Robinson, among others.
During Albert's 20 years as host of the acclaimed SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING series, the well-respected broadcast veteran has called some of the biggest and most memorable world championship fights in boxing history.
"When I began announcing fights on SHOWTIME in 1987, I could not imagine that I would still be doing boxing today," Albert said. "But it has been a great ride."
In 1993, Albert was ringside when Julio Cesar Chavez defeated Greg Haugen in front of the biggest crowd in boxing history, over 132,000 in Mexico City.
Albert called the 1996 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield I -- and the rematch, the bite fight which was seen, at the time, by the largest audience in pay-per-view history.
"It was surreal to have called a sporting event that generated such widespread awareness and touched everybody from die-hard boxing fans to casual observers," Albert said. "It is something that reverberated throughout the world."
In May 2005, Albert put words to perhaps the greatest fight of all time, Diego Corrales' improbable 10th round come-from-behind victory over Jose Luis Castillo.
"Castillo versus Corrales (I) brought heart, determination and sheer guts to new and unimaginable heights," Albert said. "It was unquestionably the best and most compelling fight I have ever had the privilege to announce."
Albert's resume includes nearly 250 telecasts; more than 450 fights; and more than 300 world title fights.
