Class of 2018 Honored at Ceremony
There was a special ceremony inducting the Class of 2018 into the California Boxing Hall of Fame with founder Don Fraser in attendance. The boxing veteran was also honored by the inductees and luminaries at this awards show held at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, Calif.
The gala was a collaborative effort with Bill and Linda Young’s National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) presenting this first-ever “Don Fraser and California Boxing Hall of Fame” (CBHOF) event. The October 20 bash was a sold-out affair and featured many guests from all over the world.
Accepting their awards were Michael Carbajal, Chango Carmona, Jose Celaya, Dee Collier, Frankie Liles, Guty Espadas Sr. and Jr., Gene Aguile
ra, Jim Gray, Eric Gomez, Wayne Hedgepeth, Jimmy Montoya, Mike North, Benjamin Rendon, Alejandro Rochin, Nancy Rodriguez and more.
The banquet hall was packed with familiar faces including Paul Banke, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Maricela Cornejo, Ruben Castillo, Yaqui Lopez, Art Frias, Frankie Duarte, Armando Muniz, Herman Montes, Andy Price, Danny Valdez, Gary Puente, Randy Shields, the Weaver triplets, football star Jim McMahon, Sam Watson, promoter Roy Englebrecht, Gene Kilroy, WBC’s Jose Manzur and Monique Rendon, trainer/sculptor Steve Harpst, famed PR man John Beyrooty, Alan Santana, Antonio Ramirez, Riley Perez, Krysti Rosario, Mathew Porcellino, among others.
The acceptance speeches were very moving as the inductees recounted how they began in boxing, their memories of being in the sport and what these awards meant to them.
There was also a silent auction and live music from the daughters of Don Fraser. There was also a revealing of a vintage robe by emcee Bill Young and a group photo with a World Boxing Council (WBC) presentation to Fraser. There were many surprises and accolades for Fraser, who has been in the boxing biz for seven decades. The October 20 affair was a fitting tribute to a man who has worn many hats in the sport.
Congratulations to Don Fraser, the California Boxing Hall of Fame and all of the new honorees!
Photos by Michele Chong
