Boxing stars past and present gathered April 30 for the 2nd Annual National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) Induction Ceremony that took place at Steven’s Steakhouse in the City of Commerce. Here’s my special recap and photos from affair!
President Bill Young and Vice President Linda Young welcomed over 400 guests to this Southern California gathering celebrating luminaries in the sport. This year’s theme was
deemed “A Salute to the World of Boxing.” During the day there was a lunch, an awards show, vintage film clips, a huge prize raffle, and more.
The Class of 2016 inductees included James Toney, Leon Spinks, Carlos Palomino, Chango Carmona, Bobby Chacon, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Joey Orbillo, Freddie Roach, Thell Torrence, Alberto Reyes, Gene Aguilera, Dr. Michael De Luca, Carlos Baeza, Gwen Adair, Shelley Williams, Joe Noriega, Tony Triem; posthumous awards to Henry Armstrong, Eddie Futch and Cleto Reyes; a “Hollywood Inside-Square Circle” award to Sylvester Stallone, a Don Jose Sulaiman Lifetime Achievement award to Dr. Gerald Finerman, a “Fighter of the Year” award to Thompson Boxing’s heavyweight LaRon Mitchell and “Trainer of the Year” honors to Joel Diaz.
Familiar faces kept streaming into the banquet room as the energy continued to build leading up to the presentations and speeches. I saw many former champs, fighters and current boxers along with those working in the fight game. I caught up with many out-of-town visitors from Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Texas, Delaware, Mexico, Edmonton, Canada, etc.
While it’s impossible for me to name every guest in the venue, noted attendees included fighters Israel Vazquez, Michael Spinks, Leon Spinks III, Mike Weaver, Yaqui Lopez, James “Quick” Tillis, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Paul Banke, John Montes, Herman Montes, Paul Gonzales, Alex Ramos, Chris Schaefer, Rocky Pepeli, Art Frias, Mando Muniz, Oscar Muniz, Angel Silva, former fighter/current boxing manager Andy Nance and Fire in the Ring’s Jimmy Ford, Pat McTiernan, Clyde Sison, singer/musician/actor Frank Stallone, actor Ryan O’Neal, boxing officials Max DeLuca and Benjamin Rendon, WBC’s Pepe Sulaiman, Jill Diamond, Nancy Rodriguez, Deborah Hawkins, Cecy Sulaiman, Jose Manzur and more, promoter Ken Thompson, trainer Buddy McGirt, trainer/artist Steve Harpst, actor Karl Glusman, artist Gretchen Ryan, West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame’s Rick Farris, Drew Young from The Walking Phoenixes, renowned painter Jun Aquino, former fighter/current trainer John Bray, Cleto Reyes’ Guillermo and Elizabeth Reyes, Lockwoods Industries’ Mike Serrano, boxer/filmmaker Jill Morley, the Main Street Gym’s Carol Steindler, former Sheriff Lee Baca, Chapman University’s basketball All-American Bob Hamblin, casting director Eddie Foy, boxing’s Alan Santana, Jimmy Gambina, Larry Covin, Louie Valenzuela, Juan “Superman” Jimenez, Krysti Rosario, Retired Boxing Foundation’s Jacquie Richardson, the Henry Armstrong Foundation’s Edward Scott Jr. and Kimberly Scott, reps from artist Cao Yong, and many, many more!
There was a Friday night impromptu gathering with the visiting guests followed up by the big awards luncheon the following morning.
The speeches were emotional and joyous, the banter lively and the camaraderie strong.
The 2016 National Boxing Hall of Fame induction day was a memorable one. Congratulations to all!
Photos by Michele Chong
