Boxing Promoter Eaton Voted Into Hall of Fame

For four decades beginning in the 1940s, her name was synonymous with boxing in Los Angeles. And finally, 15 years after her death, the name Aileen Eaton has been recognized by the rest of the boxing world.

Eaton, who promoted more than 10,000 fights from 1942 to 1980, was voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame Thursday, the first woman so honored.

Among those joining her in the class of 2002 will be former heavyweight champion Ingemar Johansson of Sweden, former welterweight titleholder Pipino Cuevas of Mexico, former light heavyweight champ Victor Galindez of Argentina, Jeff Fenech of Australia (who held titles in three weight classes), promoter Sam Silverman and boxing manager Irving Cohen.

In all, 18 honorees will inducted into the hall, located in Canastota, N.Y., on June 9.

Eaton, who was 78 when she died, promoted mostly at the Olympic Auditorium. Successful in an era when female participation in boxing was extremely rare, Eaton staged more than 100 title bouts. Among those who fought for her were Sugar Ray Robinson, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Floyd Patterson and Carmen Basilio.