Photos From The First-Ever NBHF Awards!
It was a grand celebration and a reunion for those in Southern California boxing circles as the inaugural National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHF) presented their first-ever awards luncheon March 7 at Steven’s Steak House in Commerce.
Here is a look back at the day with exclusive photos from the gala attended by over 300 guests.
The NBHF is a brand new organization helmed by Bill Dempsey Young, Linda Young, Carol Steindler-Ferris and Marv Engquist. Their 2015 theme was honoring the Main Street Gym and at the banquet, Main Street gym T-shirts, replica membership cards and souvenirs were doing brisk sales at the entrance.
This year’s award recipients and inductees included Mauricio Sulaiman, Jose Sulaiman (posthumous), Ken Thompson, Jack Reiss, Benjamin Rendon, Eduardo Garcia, Terry Norris, Don Fraser, Dick Young, Leo Santa Cruz, Miguel Cotto, Dan Goossen (posthumous), Joe Goossen, Howie Steindler (posthumous), John Montes Sr. (posthumous), Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Lilly Urquidez Rodriguez (posthumous), Jaime Ochoa, Angel Ochoa and Rudy Tellez.
Besides this year’s inductees there were many champions and prizefighters in attendance including Wayne McCullough, Mauricio Herrera, Gio Segura, Gabe Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Kenia Enriquez, Edwin Sandoval, Daniel Valdivia, Chango Carmona, Ruben Castillo, Andy Price, Art Frias, Frankie Duarte, Carlos Palomino, Bobby Chacon, Paul Banke, Albert Sandoval, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Paul Gonzales, John Montes, Herman Montes, Mando Muniz, Oscar Muniz, Joey Olivo, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, plus actor/singer Frank Stallone, promoter Roy Englebrecht, boxing officials Pat Russell, Mike Bell, Mike North, Monique Rendon, Blinky Rodriguez, author/historian Gene Aguilera, singer Wy Mac, singer Drew Young, Grant Gloves’ Grant Elvis Phillips, news anchor Teresa Quevedo, artist/trainer Steve Harpst, trainers Dub Huntley, Louie Valenzuela and Gloria Mosquera, amateur star Roxy “The Roxster” Verduzco, WBC Secretary General Robert Lenhardt, WBC Chief Legal Counsel Alberto Leon, WBC Supervisor Joe Noriega, Golden State Boxers Association’s Larry Montalvo, Alan Santana, Supreme Boxing’s Nancy Rodriguez and Jennifer Arredondo and so many more.
Emcee Bill Dempsey Young introduced the guests and honorees with film clips shown on the screen. Champion Wayne “Pocket Rocket” McCullough’s 16-year-old daughter Wynona Leigh (known as “Wy Mac”) sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. And on stage, the acceptance speeches were moving and memorable with the crowd touched by the words of the awardees.
“It was a wonderful gathering of love for the boxing community, for the talent and for the sport of boxing itself,” NBHF’s Linda Young tells me. “The talent ran the gamut from the fans to the trainers to the fighters to the officials and to the promoters!”
She says their are already plans in the works for future events so stay tuned for more info.
Congratulations to all the 2015 National Boxing Hall of Fame awardees!
Profile on Mauricio Sulaiman’s award:
Photos by Michele Chong
