WBC Legends of Boxing Museum’s 2013 Inductions

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.

And with the World Boxing Council’s Legends of Boxing Museum (WBC LBM) going strong, fans turned out en masse at the 2013 Induction and Recognition Ceremony held Sunday, September 22 at the Oceana Mariscos Restaurant in downtown Pomona’s Antique Row. Here is the “Chatter Box’s” exclusive report and photos from the action-packed day!

From current fighters to past champs, from former ring rivals to sons of beloved warriors, this event was a pound-for-pound fiesta. Arriving a few minutes early of the designated Meet & Greet time, I noticed there was already an impressive turnout for this awards luncheon with fans lining up in the SoCal sun. With a red carpet backdrop, I could already tell this would be a special day for the inductees and their families. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, the WBC’s Jose Sulaiman, Mauricio Sulaiman and their famed green and gold belts recognized around the universe, have seen the elite champions of the world wear the WBC strap around their waist.

Now the organization has taken time to acknowledge individuals in the sport who have proved their passion and excellence in the fight game. The Guest of Honor for the stage presentations was Miguel “Mikey” Garcia, the emcee was KTLA’s Mark Kriski (news anchor and ring announcer), with the WBC LBM’s Rudy Tellez, Jaime Ochoa and Angel Ochoa proudly greeting each recipient. Posthumous Awards went to Howard “Howie” Steindler, Dick Young, Emanuel Steward, Hector Camacho, Alexis Arguello, Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez, Eddie Futch, Hector Lopez, Cleto Reyes and Julio Gonzalez.

The 2013 Legends of Boxing Inductions included Don Eduardo Garcia Sr., Jill Diamond, Carol Steindler, Rudy Tellez, Dan Goossen, Tom Brown, Bill Young, Linda Young, Frank Espinoza, Ruben Castillo, Dr. Joe Vivo, Roberto Garcia, Joey Olivo and Miguel Cotto. Dr. Harry Hwang and Hassan Chitsaz were also brought up for special honors.

And who was in attendance? Everywhere I looked there was a former fighter, trainer or boxing veteran in my sights. From boxing superstar Miguel Cotto to rising star Mikey Garcia to up-and-coming amateur champs, there was something for everyone.

The weekend bash was the “Golden Ticket” to have as the event sold out with standing room only for the die-hard fans who got to meet their favorite fighters up close and personal. There were posters designed by Abraham Lopez, oversized boxing gloves and a mini-ring set up by Team Cleto Reyes, and film clips of each honoree. Guests were given a choice of steak, shrimp, chicken or fish to dine on while the awards ceremony got underway.

The room was so packed, the crowd so large, that the WBC LBM crew decided to open up the second-story balcony for additional seating due to the huge crowd hoping to join the party. Due to the demand, over 100 fans, unfortunately, had to be turned away once the balcony filled to capacity.

For those inside the restaurant, they heard emotional words of gratitude from the awardees, bittersweet acceptance speeches from the families of champs we’ve lost, and some comedic moments from Channel 5’s Mark Kriski, Ruben Castillo, and more. HBO’s Jim Lampley gave a moving testament in accepting for Emanuel Steward while promoter Dan Goossen brought up the “Candy Kids” champs Gabriel Ruelas and Rafael Ruelas, to the cheers of the crowd.

I enjoyed seeing the children look on proudly as their fathers (and heroes) accepted their awards. Two of the most poignant moments for me was watching the family of the late Julio Gonzalez present a pair of his black boxing trunks to be enshrined in the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum. Gonzalez passed away in March 2012. The second highlight was seeing Hector Lopez’s two young sons Hector Jr. and Adam (both amateur fighters) accept the award for their father who passed away in 2011.

After the speeches, the Lopez boys and their mother, Norma, were greeted by many in boxing circles who had known their father. The awards gave these hardcore boxing aficionados a chance to reconnect, reminisce about the past and look forward to the future as both Mikey Garcia and Miguel Cotto have fights coming up.

And WBC Supervisor Rudy Tellez has a link to almost everyone in the room. A veteran for decades, he’s also made the mouthpieces for past and current champs including the popular Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. Rudy’s grandson Anthony was in charge of getting the champs to sign memorabilia and Cleto Reyes gloves for the museum. Tellez was also a mainstay at the Main Street Gym with Howie Steindler and his daughter Carol Steindler. The storied gym was paid tribute to, and I had a chance to meet producer Don Franken who was there filming a documentary on Carol Steindler and the Main Street Gym. So be sure to look for this project in the future!

“I can’t wait for the Carol Steindler movie to be finished,” Jaime Ochoa told me. “Its one heck of a story that needs to be passed on to today’s youth. It’s a piece of Los Angeles history.”

During the program, emcee Mark Kriski also introduced Hector “Teco” Serrano, along with female fighters Sindy Amador and Amaris Quintana, fighting at Pechanga on October 25. The women (decked out in their short skirt and heels) had a fierce face off for the audience. They may look petite and glamorous, but trust me, these two pretty warriors can pack a punch with the best of them! Be sure to catch their rematch in October.

The venue was overflowing with some of the best in the boxing biz. Literally, every time I turned around there was a familiar face.

I’m sure there were many other names and faces in the crowd at Sunday’s gala as the list goes on and on, but besides all the prizefighters already mentioned, among those I personally saw in the crowd were boxers were Gabe Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Paul Banke, Steve Banke, Zack Padilla, John Montes, Herman Montes, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon, Armando Muniz, Oscar Muniz, and Krysti Rosario.

Promoter Ken Thompson (Thompson Boxing Promotions) was also seated near the stage. Thompson will be hosting his latest live fight night this Friday, September 27 at the Doubletree in Ontario. Ken co-promotes (with Goossen Tutor Promotions) Josesito Lopez and also promotes Mauricio Herrera, who will be the main event on Friday.

I also saw boxing officials Jack Reiss, Max De Luca, Zac Young, Tom Taylor, Benjamin Rendon, Monique Rendon, WBC Supervisors Bonnie Richardson, Dr. Joe Noriega, and a slew of support from the Cleto Reyes group including Alberto Reyes, Elizabeth Reyes, Guillermo Moreno, Mike Serrano, Lorenia Gaxiola and more.

Trainers Joe Goossen and Roberto Garcia also met with the crowd, along with veteran coach Dub Huntley and boxing trainer/artist Steve Harpst.

It was a field day for the fans in attendance as they got to bump fists with their boxing heroes. I chatted with one 14-year-old, Manny “Bam Bam” Rodriguez Jr., who brought along along his leather gloves to have autographed. His father, Manuel Rodriguez, tells me his son is a Junior Olympic Gold Medalist and is very dedicated to the sport. The two had a great time meeting all the champs.

And it was a banner day for all the Class of 2013 and their families. The WBC LBM team is also pleased with the gathering–and already looking forward to expanding next year’s outing.

“My brother Angel, Rudy and I are very happy with how the night turned out,” Jaime Ochoa tells me a couple of days after their bash. “The only downfall was that we underestimated the fans that came out in large numbers to support their favorite fighters. Unfortunately,we had close to a 100 people that were turned away due to the lack of available seats. We are definitely expanding to a larger venue next year!”

In a male-dominated sport, it was nice to see women also honored. Jill Diamond (WBC/NABF and WBC Cares) came from New York to accept her well-deserved award. Eva Futch traveled from Las Vegas to speak for her late husband, legendary trainer Eddie Futch and Linda Young accepted her honor as well. Linda’s father-in-law was famed referee Dick Young. And Carol Steindler received honors for both herself and her father, Howie.

The ticket holders got make new memories as well.

“Some of the event highlights that stand out for me was Jim Lampley’s speech about Emanuel Sreward,” Ochoa comments. “It was very touching. Also, Ruben Castillo missed his calling–he should be a comedian! And Miguel Cotto was swarmed with fans since he got there.”

Both Miguel Cotto and Mikey Garcia took time away from their training camps to attend this star-studded awards show.

Cotto, who will be fighting Delvin Rodriguez on October 5, thanked the WBC organization and sat center stage with his beautiful wife Melissa Cotto and their daughter, Alondra, who had a big smile watching her father on stage. The awardees received WBC medals, proclamations and plaques. “Thank you everyone,” Miguel said at the mic. “I’m happy to be hear with the WBC family!”

Mikey Garcia and his brother Roberto Garcia accepted the honor for their father, Eduardo Garcia. Mikey was also the special “Guest of Honor” for the event and he spent the duration of the ceremony on stage in presenting the awards. Garcia will be fighting Roman Martinez on November 9.

The WBC Legends of Boxing Museum will continue to honor the sport’s brightest and best.

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME. And indeed, the enormous turnout for Sunday’s event speaks in volumes.

Check out my snapshots from the 2013 WBC LBM Awards Ceremony and congratulations to all!

PHOTOS BY MICHELE CHONG