CANASTOTA — Hip-hop legend Flavor Flav has been named grand marshal of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s 2023 Parade of Champions scheduled for noon on Sunday, June 11.

“The Hall of Fame is so thrilled that Flavor Flav will be in Canastota in June to be the 2023 parade grand marshal,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “It’s so fitting to welcome one of hip-hop’s pioneers to the Hall of Fame as the genre celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Boxing and hip-hop have a rich history and for decades champions have used hip-hop songs as their ring walk music to motivate themselves and energize fans. It will be a fantastic day when the legendary hype man leads the Parade of Champions through the streets of ‘Boxing’s Hometown.’”

Flavor Flav burst onto the music scene in the late 1980s, where he emerged as a rapper, hype man and co-founder of the group Public Enemy. One of the most sampled voices in hip-hop, Flavor Flav was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 as part of the group. Beyond the music industry, he is a reality television star, having appeared in several highly rated series including The Surreal Life, Strange Love and Flavor of Love.

“I’ve been a boxing fan my whole life, and it’s an honor that they would want me to come to the Boxing Hall of Fame and represent them as the Grand Marshal,” said Flavor Flav.

The parade will pass through the streets of Canastota. In addition to the grand marshal and boxing stars, the parade will also feature pageant caliber bands, drum and bugle corps, pipe bands, floats and community organizations.

The Class of 2023 includes boxers Timothy Bradley Jr., Carl Froch, Rafael Marquez, Tiger Jack Fox, Pone Kingpetch, Alicia Ashley, Laura Serrano and JoAnn Hagen; matchmaker Brad Goodman, trainer Joe Goossen, promotional executive Brad Jacobs, television executive Seth Abraham and broadcaster Tim Ryan.

Also participating in the festivities is an array of boxing stars from around the world including Roberto Duran, Riddick Bowe, Michael Carbajal, Chiquita Gonzalez, Buddy McGirt, Lucia Rijker, Michael Spinks, Jimmy Lennon Jr., Ann Wolfe, Winky Wright, Mikey Garcia, Robert Garcia, Andrew Golota, Angel Manfredy, Ray Mercer, Michael Nunn, Vinny Paz, Antonio Tarver and Micky Ward.

Hall of Fame Weekend on June 8-11 also features Hall of Fame Museum tours, ringside talks, fist casting, 5K Race/Fun Run and a boxing autograph card show. Also, Friday Night Fights, the Banquet of Champions and the official induction ceremony will take place at Turning Stone Resort Casino in nearby Verona.