Palomino inducted into boxing’s Hall

CANASTOTA, N.Y. – Former welterweight champion Carlos Palomino couldn’t hide his emotions Sunday as he was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Palomino was overcome several times, his voice often cut off as he gave thanks to his parents and family for helping him become a boxing champion as more than 2,000 boxing fans looked on.

The former welterweight champion – who became equally famous in a Miller Lite beer commercial – was among seven living boxers and ring personalities inducted Sunday. Another eight were enshrined posthumously.

The 2004 induction class included featherweight Azumah Nelson of Ghana, light heavyweight Dwight Muhammad Qawi of the United States, and bantamweight Daniel Zaragoza of Mexico.

Also enshrined were promoter J. Russell Peltz and South African referee Stanley Christodoulou.

Palomino described his childhood in a poor, crime-ridden section of San Luis, Mexico, and said his parents saved him and his 10 siblings from drugs and the gangs that controlled his neighborhood.

“My dad was my strength. My mother was my heart,” said Palomino.

Palomino won the WBC welterweight crown in 1976 and successfully defended it seven times before losing the crown in 1979 to Hall of Famer Wilfred Benitez. He had a career record of 31-4-3 with 19 knockouts.