De La Hoya, JCC, Duran among fighters attending show in L.A.
The “Tecate Premios Deportes” (Tecate Sports Awards) had a knockout lineup of legendary champions in the ring. The awards show, which aired Sunday night on the Univision Network, featured several boxing icons who were in attendance at the gala event held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
The sweet science was proudly represented at the star-studded program by the newly-retired Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs), former champs Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86 KOs), Roberto 
Duran (103-16, 70 KOs), and current fighters Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) and Victor Ortiz 24-2-1, 19 KOs). This group of boxers and champions brought a lot of firepower to the festivities making their presence known with their megawatt smiles and charismatic personalities. Combining the records of retired boxers Duran, Chavez and De La Hoya, you have an astounding 249 victories and 186 knockouts just between these three men alone!
The second annual “Tecate Premios Deportes” featured 60 athletes nominated in six sports categories of boxing, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and auto racing. Sports fans were even able to vote for their own favorites with an online voting opportunity in four of the categories: Baseball Player of the Year, Soccer Team of the Year, Athlete of the Year, and Rising Star Award. The remaining awards, Boxer of the Year, Soccer Player of the Year, Auto Racer of the Year, Basketball Player of the Year, Football Player of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award were chosen from a distinguished panel of athletes.
De La Hoya was an executive committee member on this Tecate awards’ panel of current and former professional athletes who selected the nominees. The honorees were chosen by a criteria based in part by their character in overall excellence, cumulative impact on their team, and reputation as a role model for the Hispanic community.
As the boxers arrived one by one, the Tecate Girls greeted them at the Tecate speed bag station that was set up at the festivities. The company is also known for their traveling Tecate mobile boxing ring where they offer fans meet-and-greets with fighters.
While cameras rolled, the boxers took some quick swipes at the speed bag, greeted fans, posed for photos and gave autographs before entering the marble lobby of the elegant Orpheum Theatre.
Upon De La Hoya’s arrival, the “Golden Boy” received a warm welcome from the Orpheum Theatre owner himself, Steve Needleman. Then the former Olympic boxer from East L.A. met another L.A. sports hero from the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol. De La Hoya chatted with the seven-foot tall Spaniard for a few minutes before both athletes met their throngs of fans waiting patiently behind the railings. Gasol, will be heading to Poland in September to play in the EuroBasket tournament. The power forward will be part of the Spanish National Team.
On the red carpet (which was was actually a sporty green carpet), a constant stream of arrivals kept the fans at a frenzied pitch, cheering as their favorite TV and film actors, athletes and singers made their way toward the entrance of the landmark theatre. Since the ’20s, the regal Orpheum Theatre has been the location of hundreds of legendary entertainers of world-wide scope. From Vaudeville performers, to a young Judy Garland, jazz great Duke Ellington, icon Stevie Wonder and recent “American Idol” competitors and more have all performed in the plush theatre setting.
The festive parade of world-famous sports stars, glamorous singers, and sultry actors–all decked out in their finest fashions–provided the onlookers lining the walkway an exciting evening presented by Cerveza Tecate and Univision. A young team of “freestyle” soccer players kept the attendees entertained as they showcased their soccer ball moves outside of the theater.
During the evening, several awardees and presenters added to the lively affair with various boxers and singers including Roberto Duran, Pee Wee, Banda el Limón grabbing the loose soccer balls to show off their own skills. Duran, of Panamanian and Mexican-American descent, always a crowd pleaser took in the applause from admirers.
Lining the entrance outside the theatre, fans anticipated getting a glimpse of their celebrity idols. The squealed when car doors opened to reveal Latin beauties like actress and model Daisy Fuentes, singer Gloria Trevi, soap opera star Adriana Fonseca, Cuban entertainer Odalys García, 
and singer Vicky Terrazas of Horoscopos de Durango among the many other female presenters and guests donning glamorous satin gowns and sparkling jewelry.
Arriving at the venue, many popular recording acts brought energy and verve to the event, with high-pitched screams greeting the likable Pee Wee (20-year-old kumbia singer), Beto Cuevas (former lead singer of La Ley), tejano crooner Michael Salgado, top-selling group La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de Rene Camacho, and rapper Kilo (“Lean Like a Cholo”).
Pro wrestler Rey Mysterio, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal wrestler Henry Cejudo, retired Super Bowl quarterback Jim Plunkett, legendary World Cup Soccer player Manuel Negrete (who scored on of the most famous goals in history), soccer player Paco Palencia, and race car driver Steven Goldstein (from Bogota, Colombia) delighted the rows of sports fans.
From the world of entertainment, Billboard Latin artists Patrulla 81, well-known TV Host Raúl De Molina and singer Lupillo Rivera (whose uncle was a boxer known as “El Toro Rivera”) received a big reaction from hundreds of onlookers lining the surrounding streets.
At this year’s awards show, the packed auditorium was treated to a night paying tribute to a prestigious group of the finest Hispanic athletes in sports including Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s Jeff Garcia who won “Football Player of the Year” and L.A. Laker Pau Gasol, who was awarded “Basketball Player of the Year.”
The show began with a bang: Sumo wrestlers, festive dancers and live mini concerts. Hosted by “Dancing with the Stars” fave, Cristian De La Fuente, Angélica Vale, and Fernando Fiore, the night boasted non-stop action of live musical entertainment and special appearances by polished veteran performers of stage and screen, as well as some bright, young stars of tomorrow. De La Fuente and Vale kept the audience entertained with their humorous banter between awards.
On stage the first winner of the evening was Juan Manuel Marquez, who was named “Boxer of the Year,” beating out fellow nominees Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Juan Manuel Lopez, Cristobal Arreola, and Victor Ortiz for the award. The lightweight fighter scored twice during the night. He also won the “Athlete of the Year” award, this time besting Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (soccer), Tony Gonzalez (football), Rafael Nadal (tennis), Guillermo Ochoa (soccer) and Lorena Ochoa (golf) who shared the category. The humble boxer thanked his family and fans for their support and jubilantly exclaimed, “¡Viva la Mexico!”
Look for Mexico City’s Marquez to return to the ring soon; “Dinamita” will be facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Boxers Juan Manuel Lopez and Victor Ortiz were up for “Rising Star of the Year,” along with Omar Arellano (soccer), Evan Longoria (baseball), Alexei Ramirez (baseball), and Camilo Villegas (golf). When the winner was announced, twenty-two-year old Ortiz made his way to the stage to accept his award.
Boxing’s Julio Cesar Chavez and baseball’s Luis Tiant were both recipients of 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awards. Tiant, the “Sports Idol” awardee, was unable to attend the ceremony, but to the crowd’s delight Mexican warrior Chavez was there in person to accept his “Sports Legend” honor. When former MTV star Daisy Fuentes introduced the six-time world champion, attendees in the theatre chanted Chavez’ name as he smiled broadly and thanked the fans for supporting his career. The beloved legend’s sons, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Omar Chavez are both currently making a name for themselves in the ring. Chavez Jr. will be fighting July 25 in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.
Fan favorite De La Hoya presented a special “Aguila de Oro” Award to “Hands of Stone” Duran who thanked everyone and said he is very happy to accept his “Golden Eagle” trophy.
Rewarded for their dedication, sportsmanship, talent and character in their respective sports, the yearly award show paid tribute to the some of the very best athletes in the world. These heroes of the ring, basketball court, baseball, football and soccer fields, and race track where all happy to share the spotlight during the telecast and earn their place in history.
Congratulations to all of the Tecate Premios Deportes winners–Los Ganadores–you are all winners in any language!
Thank you to Paola and Alejandra–I look forward to your 3rd Annual “Tecate Premios Deportes” Show!
Full List of Winners from the “Tecate Premios Deportes”:
Tecate Athlete of the Year (Tecate Atleta del Ano)
Juan Manuel Marquez, boxing
Boxer of the Year (Boxeador del Ano)
Juan Manuel Marquez
Baseball Player of the Year (Jugador de Beisbol del Ano)
Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Soccer Player of the Year (Jugador de Futbol del Ano)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire
American Football Player of the Year (Jugador de Futbol Americano del Ano)
Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Basketball Player of the Year (Jugador de Baloncesto del Ano)
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Auto Racer of the Year (Piloto de Automovilismo del Ano)
Helio Castroneves, IndyCar
Rising Star of the Year (La Nueva Promesa del Ano)
Victor Ortiz, boxing
All-Star Soccer Team of the Year (Equipo Estelar de Futbol del Ano)
Goal Keeper (Mejor Portero)
Guillermo Ochoa, Club America
Fullback (Mejor Defensa Lateral)
Amaury Ponce, C.D. Guadalajara
Center Defense (Mejor Defensa Central)
Rafael Marquez, FC Barcelona de Espana
Defensive Midfielder (Mejor Medio Defensivo)
Gerardo Torrado, Cruz Azul
Offensive Midfielder (Mejor Medio Ofensivo)
Andres Guardado, Deportivo La Coruna
First Forward (Delantero 1)
Salvador Cabanas, Club America
Second Forward (Delantero 2)
Hector Mancilla, Deportivo Toluca F.C.
Rookie of the Year (Novato del Ano)
Nestor Calderon, Club Toluca
Best Coach (Mejor Entrenador)
Jose Manuel de la Torre, Deportivo Toluca F.C.
Golden Eagle Award Tribute (Aguila de Oro)
Roberto Duran, boxing
Sports Idol Tribute Award (Idolo del Deporte)
Luis Tiant, baseball
Sports Legend Tribute Award (Leyenda del Deporte)
Julio Cesar Chavez, boxing
Triumphant Spirit Tribute Award (Espiritu Triunfador)
Henry Cejudo
Photos by Raymond Rodriguez
Click Image to enlarge
Lighten up Let’s drink Tecate throw sucker punches YEAH PARTY!!!!!
Lol I’m a girl btw I’m not hating on athletes are you kidding me just them hoe with bright neon prostitute dress with Peggy Bundy hair look like 80’s mexican porno with some skanky hoe throwing gang signs well I don’t care for these musicians that loud annoying loud music those Narcos like listening to when they killed my brother but I don’t hate everyone I like the guy with luchador mask in a suit that always cracks me up =P cheers
the previous poster is a moron and a bigot. how do the rest not have class? all but a couple of them are musicians, the rest are respectable athletes who have accomplished more than you would in 100 liftetimes. btw, what are you gay? since when is a hot chick in a tight outfit a bad thing?
pau he’s the only one that has class & modesty maybe cause he’s a spaniard but jeez a lot of the guest look like freak shows pompous carnival-esque, skankie hoes, rapper Kilo (”Lean Like a Cholo”) God I hate all that shit the reason my dad moved out of mexico & then again why we moved out of S. Cali xD though still being true to the Lakers. Go Lakers!
Comments are closed.