2013 Awards Event THIS Sunday
The “Chatter Box” is spreading the news about THIS Sunday’s special awards ceremony for several luminaries in the fight game including honorees Miguel “Mikey” Garcia and Miguel Cotto. The World Boxing Council (WBC), along with the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum (WBC LBM), are hosting this awards event being held this Sunday, September 22 at the Oceana Seafood Restaurant in Pomona, Calif.
I caught up with several members of the WBC crew to hear their thoughts on the highly-anticipated day which will feature a Meet & Greet, Lunch and Induction Ceremony. There will also be film clips, photo displays and more. Guests and boxing fans alike can mingle with the champs and VIPs in attendance. WBC President Jose Sulaiman, WBC Executive Secretary Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC/NABF’s Jill Diamond, Co-Founder/Chairman Rudy Tellez, Co-Founder/Co-Chairman Jaime Ochoa, Executive Vice President Angel Ochoa and the entire WBC LBM Board of Directors and Advisory Committee are all in support of this historic awards show.
Jaime Ochoa told me about an added feature during the bash. “Method Films and Entertainment will be filming for upcoming movie on the life of Carol Steindler, daughter of the late Howie Steindler,” he says, “founder of the legendary Main Street Gym that was in Los Angeles.”
People will be traveling near and far to be at the show. One of the awardees is flying out from the East Coast to attend. Jill Diamond has also been instrumental in the nonprofit WBC Cares program and she told me she wouldn’t miss this event for the world, even if it means catching a red eye flight!
“With so much controversy going on in sports,” Diamond comments, “it’s an honor to be included in a group of people who’ve worked hard, not only to excel, but to support their fans and each other.”
The famed organization, out of Mexico, is known for their legendary green and gold championship belts worn by the elite in the sweet science. Through the decades, the best and brightest champs have proudly hoisted WBC belts while celebrating victory.
Two new WBC inductees are very proud to be part of this memorable weekend; Bill and Linda Dempsey Young will both be honored this year. Bill’s father, referee Dick Young, was also receive a posthumous award. Boxing has been in their family through the generations. While catching up with Linda today, she tells me how excited they are for Sunday’s ceremony. “It’s going to be fun! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone,” she says. “Dan Goossen, Miguel Cotto, officials Jack Reiss, Max De Luca, and so many more will all be there.”
Dr. Rudy Tellez (“The Mouthpiece Doctor”) expects a great crowd. A veteran of boxing, Tellez has known many of the awardees since his youth at the Main Street Gym. “On Sunday, there will be a lot of memorable moments,” Rudy told me.
Boxing judge Max De Luca, a 2010 WBC Judge of the Year recipient, is looking forward to the gala too.
Personally, I have to say that, usually, we all see each other at fights, where we all have a professional job to do with live fights going on. The boxing circle is a close one with everyone acknowledging each other, but little time for chit chat. So this Sunday’s get-together will be a bit more social and a chance for everyone to reconnect.
“It is always great to see all my friends in boxing and the WBC in a casual type atmosphere where we can enjoy each other’s company,” Max agrees. “And congratulations to Rudy and Jill on their much-deserved awards. Their contributions to the WBC help make it the greatest boxing organization in the world with the greatest people!”
If you’d like to come out and meet the champs and get to know some of the familiar faces in boxing, join the party at the 2013 WBC Legends of Boxing Museum’s Lunch and Induction Ceremony.
Congratulations to all the new inductees!
Guest of Honor: Miguel “Mikey” Garcia
Posthumous Awards: Howard “Howie” Steindler, Dick Young, Emanuel Steward, Hector Camacho, Alexis Arguello, Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez, Eddie Futch, Hector Lopez, Cleto Reyes and Julio Gonzalez
Legends of Boxing Inductions:
Don Eduardo Garcia Sr., Jill Diamond, Carol Steindler, Rudy Tellez, Dan Goossen, Tom Brown, Bill Young, Linda Young, Frank Espinoza, Dr. Joe Vivo, Roberto Garcia, Joey Olivo and Miguel Cotto
Tickets 45.00 (Lunch/Awards)
Contact: Linda Young 818-621-2249
Photo of Tellez/Youngs by Michele Chong