Deontay Wilder Headlines National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame Class of 2026
- Matthew Brown
- Sep 13
- 2 min read
Former long-reigning WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder can add another honor to his illustrious career. The heavy-hitting pugilist has become the latest member of the National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame, and will be officially inducted into the class of 2026.
The National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame Class of 2026 reflects the past, present, and future of American boxing—honoring champions in the ring and dedicated contributors outside of it.
Wilder’s story is a testament to perseverance and raw talent. Taking up the sport of boxing in 2005, the Alabama native burst onto the amateur scene just two years later. In a breakout performance at the 2007 National Golden Gloves, Wilder shocked the field by upsetting heavily favored opponents Isiah Thomas and David Thompson to win the tournament at 201 lbs. His momentum continued as he captured the U.S. National Championship and went on to claim a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, earning the nickname “The Bronze Bomber.”
From there, Wilder launched a storied professional career. He became the WBC Heavyweight Champion, holding the title from 2015 to 2020 and defending it 10 times, while establishing himself as one of the most feared punchers of his era.
Wilder will be joined in the 2026 Hall of Fame class by three other distinguished figures whose contributions have left an enduring mark on the Golden Gloves legacy:
Christy Martin
Widely celebrated as the “First Lady of Boxing,” Martin has blazed a trail for women in the sport. Beyond her own historic career, she has partnered with the Kansas City Golden Gloves to promote events supporting survivors of domestic violence through her Christy’s Champs non-profit organization. Martin continues to mentor and inspire young fighters in the Golden Gloves program and is the subject of an upcoming biopic starring Sydney Sweeney.
Allan Green
A former world title contender who rose to prominence in the early 2000s, Green made history at the 2002 National Golden Gloves, capturing the 178-lb championship. During that tournament, Green famously broke Mike Tyson’s 8-second knockout record, a feat that became part of Golden Gloves lore.
Charles Hanshaw Sr.
A Golden Gloves lifer, Hanshaw has spent over 30 years working behind the scenes to help guide and grow the program. His commitment to amateur boxing continues through his family: his son Charles Jr. and daughter-in-law Lorena, who are active leaders within USA Boxing and the Hanshaw Boxing Club.
Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.
Brunch Boxing Support Links:
Comments