TURNING STONE TO HOST BOXING LEGEND CHRISTY MARTIN’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” WITH TITLE BOUTS, SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE 1976 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM
Boxing greats and today’s top fighters to descend on Turning Stone Resort Casino for International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend featuring an action-packed fight card with two title fights and recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team – Sugar Ray Leonard and other boxing legends to be ringside
Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (April 29, 2026) — Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin, who is cemented in boxing history and whose trailblazing boxing story made it to Hollywood, will make her main promoter debut with an action-packed night of fights on Friday, June 12 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY as part of International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. Christy Martin Promotions will bring the legendary boxer’s expertise and matchmaking reputation to “Hall of Fame Fight Night.” In an event that honors the sports history and showcases today’s top contenders, the card features North American Boxing Association (NABA)/United States World Boxing Council (USWBC) Featherweight Title and World Boxing Commission International Cruiserweight Title matches as well as a special recognition and appearances of the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 U.S. Boxing Team including Sugar Ray Leonard.
Headlining the event will be Victor “Jalapeno” Hernandez (15-0, 13 KOs) vs. Victor “Vicious Vic” Pasillas (18-1, 11 KOs) fighting ten rounds for the NABA/USWBC Featherweight Title. Currently undefeated, the 32-year-old Hernandez (the NABF Featherweight champion and the current NABA Featherweight belt holder) has more to prove to be a legit top-15 rated featherweight immediately eligible for a world title shot. At 34, Pasillas’ biological boxing clock is ticking audibly as he is still seeking his first world title shot, and he was eager to secure the opportunity to fight in front of the boxing greats in attendance and meet Hernandez. Hernandez, like Pasillas, is all action.
The second title fight of the night will be Kenmon “King Kenmon” Evans (14-4-1, 7 KOs) vs. Zach Randolph (13-1, 4 KOs) in a ten-round NABA Gold Cruiserweight Title fight. Evans is no stranger to Turning Stone Resort Casino and Hall of Fame Fight Night having fought in 2023 with a severe cold and succumbing to another undefeated prospect, Clay Waterman of Australia. In his first professional championship, he will face Randolph, who has a near-identical record and won four of his last five fights.
A heated rematch is also on the card with local Utica, NY native Katrina “Hurricane” Scalzo (0-0-1) getting back in the same ring at Turning Store Resort Casino where she took on Michelle Cook (3-6-3) in the Manny Pacquiao Promotions fight back in February, which ended in a fight-to-the-end, all-in draw. Nothing is expected to be held back.
“The International Boxing Hall of Fame is where legends are celebrated, and making my debut as a main event promoter during Hall of Fame Fight Night is an amazing, full-circle moment in a life and career I’ve dedicated to boxing,” said Christy Martin, CEO of Christy Martin Promotions. “This is an incredible card packed with fighters who have earned their place in this ring and are ready to deliver unforgettable performances in front of boxing’s all-time greats. To bring this event to Turning Stone Resort Casino brings me a lot of pride.”
The impressive card from Christy Martin Promotions is fitting for her first main promoter fight. Martin herself is widely credited with helping women’s boxing break through on a global stage. In 1996, she became a sensation following her unforgettable, nose-breaking battle against Deirdre Gogarty – the first women’s professional bout televised to a mass audience, which captivated millions watching on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs. Frank Bruno pay-per-view event. After winning, she became a sensation, making the late-night television rounds and becoming the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020, and her story was recently portrayed in the 2025 movie “CHRISTY” staring Sydney Sweeney.
Presale tickets for Turning Stone Rewards Card members are available starting tomorrow, Thursday April 30 at 10 ET at Turningstone.com. Guests will have the option to upgrade their ticket for access to the Boxing Hall of Fame Lounge. This add-on will provide guests with exclusive access to the Boxing Hall of Fame Lounge that includes the opportunity to meet Boxing Hall of Fame inductees during the event. There are limited tickets available for the Boxing Hall of Fame Lounge Access upgrade. Doors open at 5:00 PM EST, with the first bout beginning at 6:00 PM EST.
Induction Weekend takes place Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14, when the International Boxing Hall of Fame will enshrine several greats including Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Antonio Tarver, Nigel Benn, Naoko Fujioka, and Jackie Nava. Along with this incredible night of boxing, International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend’s four days of non-stop boxing action and events will feature several events at Turning Stone Resort Casino, including:
- The Banquet of Champions: Held on Saturday, June 13 at 6:30 pm in the Turning Stone Event Center, the annual Banquet of Champions will celebrate some of boxing’s greatest legends and most memorable moments.
- Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: On Sunday, June 14 at 2:30 pm, the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at The Showroom at Turning Stone will recognize this year’s outstanding class of honorees and officially welcome them to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Boxing fans can also look forward to events throughout the weekend at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, including ringside talks, a celebrity fist casting, a boxing autograph card show and more. On Sunday, June 13 the Parade of Champions will also kick off in downtown Canastota at 12:00 pm led by the 1976 U.S. Boxing Team.
To request media credentials for the June 12 fight at Turning Stone, please fill out the Turning Stone credential form here.
Media credential requests for all other events throughout Induction Weekend can be requested through the Boxing Hall of Fame by calling 315.697.7095.
Graphics for Hall of Fame Fight Night can be found here.
About Christy Martin Promotions
Christy Martin, a highly accomplished and influential figure in the boxing world, is currently the CEO of Christy Martin Promotions. Since 2016, her promotion company has proven to be a driving force behind a multitude of captivating boxing events held in prominent locations such as North Carolina, Florida, and various cities across the Southern United States. These events have consistently captivated audiences with their thrilling matches, delivering an unparalleled level of excitement and intensity. Leveraging her extensive expertise, unwavering passion, and personal success within the ring, Christy Martin continues to make significant contributions to the growth and vibrancy of professional boxing not only within the region, but also across the entire United States.
About Turning Stone Resort Casino
A renowned, award-winning destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino features world-class amenities including five hotels, two luxurious spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas-style gaming floor, TS Sports, a state-of-the-art sports betting lounge, The Showroom, an intimate concert venue, a 5,000 seat arena, and several nightlife venues. Conveniently located 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33, Turning Stone was named the #1 Best Gaming Resort in New York by Casino Player Magazine and the #1 Best Overall Dining in 2023. Turning Stone has also earned the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award for The Lodge, Wildflowers restaurant, TS Steakhouse, and Skʌ:nʌ́: Spa, and, for more than a decade, the AAA Four Diamond Award for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant.
For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711.
Media Contacts:
Kathleen Shaffer, Head of Public Relations
315.569.8193
kathleen.shaffer@turningstone.com
