Live at the Lodge: Goossen Legacy Continues!

Fight Night at the Sportsmen’s Lodge

The latest edition of “Live at the Lodge” took place last night at the storied Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, Calif. Everyone from Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to singer Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) to Gabe Ruelas (one of the famed Goossen champs) were ringside to take in all the action.

Check out my special report with exclusive photos from the fight night.

With a whopping 14 bouts on the card, the large crowd in attendance certainly got their money’s worth at this Goossen Promotions boxing show. But this was no ordinary fight night. While there were plenty of fisticuffs taking place in the ring, the night was also a living tribute to promoter Dan Goossen, who passed away in September at age 64 from liver cancer. His family, friends, fighters and boxing acquaintances are all still reeling from the sudden loss of this beloved boss, patriarch and mentor to so many.

But through his son, Craig Goossen, matchmaker (and brother-in-law) Tom Brown and the whole Goossen crew, Dan’s legacy will live on. Anyone who was ever lucky enough to meet the colorful boxing promoter has fond memories of the businessman and boxing impresario. And during the event it was surreal to not have his presence there. Known for his bright colored suit jackets, booming voice, sly sense of humor and bigger-than-life persona, Dan Goossen definitely stood out. While that voice has been forever silenced, his fight promotions will continue in his memory. With the ringing of the bells, the echoes of the body shots and the raised hands in glory, live boxing is back in the San Fernando Valley.

And on Thursday night, guest emcee and actor Dennis Dugan introduced Dan’s wife Debbie and their young sons Max and Rex to the audience. A special award was presented to the family in honor of Dan. The Goossen tribe is well known in boxing and beyond and their Valley legacy remains strong. Dan’s brother Joe Goossen is a noted trainer and the Ten Goose Boxing Gym continues to thrive (also with coach Ricky Funez).

“Live at the Lodge” was a spirited night that everyone said Dan would’ve loved. And to further cement his legacy, a new line of old-school Ten Goose Boxing shirts, hats and hoodies were unveiled last night in the foyer of the venue. Trainer Funez is proud to sport the logo in and out of the gym. The sales were brisk as everyone wanted a tangible reminder of the boxing promoter gone too soon.

And in the squared circle, 28 warriors laced up at this latest “Live at the Lodge” promotion–the first live card after Goossen’s passing. Oklahoma’s Haskell Rhodes remains unbeaten with a unanimous decision versus Miguel Angel Huerta in the main event. Olympian Shawn Estrada returned to the ring as the co-main attraction and got a KO victory over Alfredo Contreras. Argentinean Fabian Maidana also scored with a memorable knockout win versus Wallwalla’s Charon Spain; and Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotoso also wowed the crowd with his KO over Abraham Alvarez.

The spectators cheered loudly for the favorite gladiators. The seats were packed with familiar faces; it was a reunion for many. Every time I turned I ran into someone from the local boxing circle. Everyone I spoke to told me they wouldn’t have missed this for the world. “Dan would’ve loved this” and “this feels like old times” were the two most common thoughts I heard rippling through the crowd.

There were prizefighters bumping fists with actors; there were singers chatting with veteran champs. It was a pound-for-pound mix from the world of boxing and show biz. It was a friendly atmosphere featuring an assortment of fights including undefeated prospects, wily veterans, rising stars, Olympians and even a pro debut. Dan would’ve been proud.

Some of the notables in attendance were sluggers Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Gabe Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, J’Leon Love, Alex Ramos, John Molina Jr., Andre Berto, Josesito Lopez, Lateef Kayode, Breidis Prescott, Javier Molina, Deon Elam, Vic Martirosyan, Rick Farris, Frankie Santillan, Eddie De La Huerta, Joey Olivera, trainer Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, commentator and Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame President Rich Marotta, comedian Larry Miller, MMA referee Big John McCarthy, members of The Money Team from Vegas and so many more that ring announcer Barrie Eget kept the steady stream of names flowing throughout the evening. Everywhere you looked there were boxers, actors, baseball players, comedians, and Hall of Fame cornermen all coming out to support this event.

Bill and Linda Young’s Golden State Boxers Association were there representing their organization with a posse of champs and fighters including Terry Norris, Bobby Chacon, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Alberto Sandoval, Alex Ramos, Jose Pimentel, Tony Baltazar and more. President Bill Dempsey Young brought a poster to honor Dan and he and his wife Linda had it autographed to present to the family in Dan Goossen’s honor.

And Goossen Promotions will live on and the promoters plan many more future shows in California (December 11), Washington (December 20) and around the U.S. Their next show will be December 11th’s “Night of Champions” at Pechanga and it will continue to be full-steam ahead for Team Goossen in 2015.

Those who worked with Dan told me how the successful promoter always encouraged and challenged everyone to achieve and strive for more; pushing those to reach for goals they never would’ve imagined. He gave people a chance and in return, they stepped up to the challenge in leaps and bounds. Feeling the loss after his passing, his team is proving they are up to the task of carrying on as their “Live at the Lodge” bash was a triumph in Dan Goossen’s honor.

A look back at Goossen’s Memorial Service:

Photos by Michele Chong