Bernstein nominated for higher honor – International Boxing Hall of Fame

Even though Al Bernstein knows what it feels like to be a Hall of Famer, the Las Vegas-based boxing announcer might be on his way to the "big" Hall.

Bernstein, a 2009 inductee into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, has been nominated for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y. The IBHOF is the most prestigious.

Also named are trainer Freddie Roach, five-division world champion Thomas Hearns, and two-division champs Mark Johnson and Dariusz Michalczewski. The announcement of the Class of 2012 is expected in December.

"The World Boxing Hall of Fame people are great; they've been wonderful to me," Bernstein said. "But the International Boxing Hall of Fame resonates more with me. It's humbling just to be nominated, and if I was fortunate enough to be inducted, it would be the greatest honor I could imagine."

Bernstein, 61, a Chicago native who has broadcast boxing for more than 30 years, has worked for Showtime since 2003.

"There are only a few broadcasters in the Hall," Bernstein said. "Don Dunphy was my idol growing up, and he later was my mentor, and to be in the same place as him would mean so much."

Bernstein's preparation and knowledge have allowed him to maintain a high standard throughout the decades.

"I've always tried to approach all fights the same, whether it was a world title fight or a fight in a small club or ballroom," Bernstein said. "I've tried to stay relevant to new audiences and give them my best effort."

■ DIEGO'S NEXT FIGHT -- NABF super featherweight champion Diego Magdaleno of Las Vegas makes his next title defense Nov. 11 at the South Pacific Ballroom at Mandalay Bay. Magdaleno (20-0, seven knockouts) will face Emmanuel Lucero (26-7-1, 15 KOs) in the main event.

Also on the card will be Magdaleno's younger brother Jesse, who looked impressive last week in stopping Isaac Hidalgo in the first round at the MGM Grand to improve to 6-0. Jesse Magdaleno is scheduled to face Gil Garcia in a six-round junior featherweight bout.

Filipino lightweight Mercito Gesta (23-0-1, 12 KOs) will be the co-feature with an opponent to be named.

■ PACQUIAO ARRIVES -- Manny Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday as he switches his training camp for his Nov. 12 welterweight title fight against Juan Manuel Marquez from the Philippines to Freddie Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

Pacquiao can expect a request from the Nevada Athletic Commission for a urine sample as part of its prefight random drug-testing program before the bout at MGM Grand Garden.

■ BACK TO WORK -- Timothy Bradley, the reigning WBO junior welterweight champion who signed with Top Rank last week, will get right to work, as the former WBC junior welterweight champion will fight on the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez. Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) is scheduled to face former WBC lightweight champion Joel Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KOs) in a 12-round bout. The fight will be Bradley's first since he beat Devon Alexander in January.

"It's a wonderful feeling to be fighting in Vegas," Bradley said. "All the greats have fought there, and I'll be another one to add to the list."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.