My Trip to the Hall of Fame By Nate Campbell (June 16, 2008) Send this page to friend Give us your feedback Me and Terry [Trekas] got up later than we planned, and then headed to the airport to fly out to the IBHOF in Canastota, New York. Man, I did all I could to keep my composure. See I’ve been to the Hall before, back in 1999. I was at the National Golden Gloves and we all went. Me and Jaime Palma my ace to this day. We had delusions of grandeur about coming back one day as Champions. Now today I embark on my long awaited journey, or dare I say pilgrimage to the Hall. I feel like a little kid going to an amusement park. I am going to see the Marvelous one, Aaron, Larry, and so many more. Ok I know these guys personally, but its still cool. I was invited to the festivities, and to donate one of my uniforms to be displayed, and do an open workout. I must say that when I was a child growing up, I never dreamed I would be going on such a trip. I was told by many people that I would never amount to anything more than a criminal like most of my family members. See the Campbells were a rough breed and my dad was the chief. I made my mind up [early on] that I would be different and change my family's name. So I have. Going to the Hall as a guest of honor with some importance is the culmination of a poor boy from the ghetto of Jacksonville, Florida. See I didn't have a easy ride to get here and if you followed my career as a fan, observer, or whatever else - you know that I am not kidding. I had to work and struggle for everything that I have and for that reason I am most grateful to be attending this trip. See there is so much more I want to do before my career is over - so I press on. Though I am not as young as my counterparts, I am game for the task at hand. After I went to the Hall in 1999, I made up my mind that I would do everything in my power to make myself worthy of entry into this place of honor. So I refuse to allow money, politics, poverty, fear, pain, or anything else to keep me from that. So for those of you that wondered what drove me on through the tough times, well this is one of the driving forces along with the love for my family. Now with all that is happening in boxing - I am even more determined. The Hall; what a place. Now the Village of Canastota is not much to the untrained eye, but it is revered by true boxing fans. Each day I was treated to the company of Carlos Ortiz, Harry Arroyo, Gene Fulmer, Carmen Basilio (who's beautiful wife made me blush constantly), Eddie Perkins, Jose Torres, Emile Griffith, Manny Steward, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Leon Spinks, Michael Carbajal, Marlon Starling, Livingstone Bramble, Gerry Cooney, Ron Lyle, Ernie Terrell, and so many more. Each day was filled with events and fighters mingling with the fans. I was in heaven and if being there wasn't enough, Steven Cunningham, Chazz Witherspoon, Paulie Malignaggi, Shaun George, Peter Manfredo Jr., Chad Dawson, and myself were honored as "Rising Stars". Oh my God we even had our hands casted and they took the uniforms that we donated to be hung in the HALL OF FAME. I made myself a promise to fight as hard as I could to be worthy of the honor of that hallowed place. Now I am Champion, but by no means am I yet worthy, at least I don't feel so; but this is just a testament that all things are possible through faith, dedication, hard work, and a stubborn will. Chad and I sat next to each other and I told him that this was in reach for all of us and he agreed. We were treated like royalty by inductees like Larry Holmes. Fans made me know that there are still die hards out there. Sunday, the day of the parade, it rained and Christy Martin and I were one car apart and we had to retreat into our convertibles from the rain. The funny thing is, the people didn't retreat. I had to applaud them and I felt such an honor that I can't even begin to explain. At the end of the day ,after the inductions we concluded, I rushed to the airport fulfilled. There is a part of me there right now and so my desire is to return again next year, and again some day as an inductee. The next time I want to take my beautiful wife Rosa and have her share in the love I experienced. I am blessed beyond measure and I wish that everyone could feel what I have been allowed to partake. It was spiritual. I want to thank the Brophy and Basilio families and all the people that gave of themselves to make this such a wonderful experience. The Hall. What a place. The opinions expressed in this blog are Mr. Campbell’s and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of MaxBoxing.com management or its writers. E-Mail Nate at : nate3772dog@aol.com Discuss this Topic - Go to the forums Boxing News Wire: News Links