Season’s Greetings from the Boxers

BAH! HUMBUG!

Welcome to the “Final Countdown” till Christmas.

Battling rain and snow, mile-long lines at the stores and the overall craziness right before the holidays is never fun. And today, being the very first day of Winter, we all need a “pick-me-up.” So to combat any Scrooges out there, check out this crop of jolly Old St. Nick’s! Always fierce in the ring, these champions and contenders were all smiles outside the ropes at this recent awards event.

Do YOU still believe in Santa?

Obviously these luminaries from the sweet science still believe.

At this month’s World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Legends of Boxing Museum in San Bernardino, ten new inductees were honored by Dr. Jose and Mauricio Sulaiman’s famed boxing organization. And not a Grinch in the bunch!

Feast your eyes on these smiling faces getting into the holiday spirit. Donning a festive red Santa cap is the reigning WBC Middleweight Champion–and 2010 WBC LBM Fighter of the Year–Sergio Martinez with yours truly. His second-round knockout of Paul Williams is also the undisputed frontrunner for “Knockout of the Year.” The Argentinean slugger laughed when he saw the hat but had fun wearing it for the photo. And here’s former WBC Bantamweight Champion and the 2010 WBC Boxing Champion Legend Awardee Wayne McCullough with his daughter, rising singer/actress/dancer Wynona Leigh McCullough adding to the fun.

Another slugger spreading yuletide cheer is WBO Light Welter Champion Timothy Bradley with his co-promoter Ken Thompson, who was awarded the WBC LBM Promoter of the Year. Before Timmy wore his Santa cap, he watched Dr. Joe Noriega, the 2010 WBC LBM Boxing Supervisor honoree, position his cap proudly on his head while wife Nelly chuckled nearby.

As Dr. Joe gave us his best “Ho! Ho! Ho!,” Bradley cracked up, giving props to Noriega saying, “Oh! Dr. Joe is a baaaad Santa!” Not to be outdone, the champ (who will face WBC Light Welter Champ Devon Alexander in the Pontiac Silverdome on January 29) gave his own cap some serious style. As he posed with Thompson, the boxing superstar took a minute to tilt his furry Santa hat to the side just right, giving it some extra pizazz. Bradley’s kids Robert and Alaysia were also cute little Santa’s helpers at the party.

Joining the punchers at this Southern California fiesta–and also showin’ everyone their very best Santa impressions–were Goossen Tutor’s talented fighter Stan Martyniouk, WBC LBM Special Honoree and former WBC Minimum Weight Titlist Carina Moreno, and WBC Judge of the Year Max De Luca with Hall of Fame boxing photographer Carlos Baeza and boxing trainer/artist Steve Harpst.

Adding to the special day, the WBC LBM also held a toy drive to benefit underprivileged youth. The champs all helped make some kids’ wishes come true as they lent their support–and holiday spirit–just in time for December 25th. Also inducted into the legendary organization’s LBM were Bert Colima, David Avila, Big Joe Miranda, Fernando “Bobby Boy” Velardez, and Luisito Espinosa. The WBC is also known for their charity World Boxing Cares, which benefits children all around the globe.

With no “Season’s Beatings” from this group, only a cheery “Season’s Greetings” resonated from these knockout stars.

For all you fight fans fighting the biggest “Nightmare before Christmas” of the crowded shopping malls, I hope you take some time to enjoy the holidays and to look back at what a great year it has been in boxing–full of come-from-behind knockouts, shocking upsets, underdog victories–and many surprises, twists and turns along the way…everything we love about the sport. Never a dull moment in the world of pugilism.

The upcoming months of January, February and March will offer some hot action on the canvas, just in time to ward off the cold winter chill. So boxing aficionados can certainly look forward to a very Happy 2011–with a promising and packed full calendar of great matchups already looming on the horizon in the coming New Year!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa to all from the “Chatter Box.”

See you at the fights!

Photos by Michele Chong