Canastota, N.Y. ? George Foreman leads the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s 2003 induction class.

Foreman capped a remarkable comeback to become boxing’s oldest heavyweight champion. Joining Foreman for enshrinement June 8 were 15 other boxers, officials and ring personalities, including Mike McCallum, a champion in three divisions; Oscar-winning writer Budd Schulberg; and the late promoter Dan Duva, who joins his father, Lou, a 1998 inductee.

“What a happy moment for me,” said Foreman, who, along with McCallum, was elected Thursday in his first year of eligibility following five years away from the ring.

“It was on my first visit a few years back that I saw the hand wraps of the great Joe Louis. That’s when my hopes first started to arise about someday being along the past great boxers.”

“To have my name with the likes of Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali, I have made it.”

After a 10-year absence, Foreman made an unlikely comeback, eventually earning a title match against Evander Holyfield, which he lost in 12 rounds.

Then, on Nov. 5, 1994, at age 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, becoming boxing’s oldest champion. He retired for good in 1997 with a record of 76-5 with 68 KOs.