Fort Myers resident goes into Florida Boxing Hall Of Fame
By Craig Handel, Fort Myers News Press, November 17, 2009
Fort Myers resident Steven Canton displays the plaque and certificate he received after his induction into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Sunday in Tampa. (special to news-press.com)
Friends and family wanted to see Steve Canton's Boxing Hall of Fame ring, but he had a hard time getting it off. "It fit so snug," he said.
The ring, his fists cast, a plaque and a certificate were among the ways the Fort Myers resident was honored for being inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame Sunday in Tampa.
Canton, 63, was one of 22 inductees and one of 13 present. Two others were ailing and unable to attend while seven have died.
"This was like a family reunion," Canton said. "I was happy for all of them and they were happy for me. That's why we had such a wonderful time together.
"The seven people who were inducted with us and are gone, we talked about those guys and how we missed them."
The three-day weekend was full of events, including sparring sessions, autograph signings, book signings, interviews, dinners and reminiscing.
Like his ring, Canton fit in well with the other inductees, who included champions Pinklon Thomas and Wilfredo Vazquez Sr., trainer Angelo Dundee and television analyst Dr. Ferdie Pacheco.
"It meant everything to him," said Butch Flansburg, who put together the Hall of Fame. "It's his life's work coming together. He was filled with emotion and gratitude. He was happy like I've never seen him. He hasn't been feeling well for a while, and this picked him right up. You could see it in his face."
Canton, who nearly died in 2007 because of pneumonia and a collapsed lung, was exhausted after the weekend, "but I've got all week to rest up," he said.
He was inducted as a trainer, but could just as easily have been nominated as a manager, historian, promoter, contributor, corner man. He has run his boxing club - SJC Boxing - for 17 years. It's been located on Fowler Street for the last 14.
"There were fabulous speeches, emotions and tremendous crowds," Canton said. "It was a great weekend."
