Exclusive: Poolside with the Champs!
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
The 2016 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) Induction Ceremonies are now in the history books but the memories will remain for the prizefighters and attendees at this year’s awards show. Since its inception in 2013, the NVBHOF has quickly become a “must-attend” event. And this past weekend’s gala was one epic affair.
Helmed by President/Founder Rich Marotta and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Michelle Corrales-Lewis, the nonprofit NVBHOF has expanded into a weekend full of festivities. The guests that arrived in town were awestruck seeing all the exciting activities unfold. And the local fighters told me this was a great time having the boxing family join together in the Mecca of Boxing.
On Friday, there was a Meet & Greet with the boxers that was open to the public; later that night there was a private VIP Cocktail Party hosted by Caesars Entertainment. Caesars is currently celebrating their 50th Anniversary and the plush setting at the storied Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis was breathtaking. It was a hot summer night featuring a gourmet buffet, specialty cocktails and a delicious dessert bar.
This invite-only bash was a chance for the sluggers to reconnect, unwind and relax in a classy outdoor setting with chaise lounges set up on the sprawling desert oasis.
The guests mentioned what a nice gathering it was on the eve of the NVBHOF Induction Gala where 11 inductees were ushered into the hall. It was great seeing everyone; the boxing fraternity–and sorority–is a special one.
And the highlight for this intimate audience was seeing a select group of individuals receive 2016 recognition awards from the NVBHOF.
President Marotta spoke highly of each recipient as they were called into the spotlight to accept their well-deserved honors. These special recognition awards were presented to: “The Voice of Boxing” Colonel Bob Sheridan, “Nevada Fighter of the Year” Badou Jack, “Nevada Female Fighter of the Year” Ava Knight, “Nevada Amateur Fighter of the Year” JJ Mariano, “Nevada Prospect of the Year” Devin Haney, Muhammad Ali “Humanitarian Award” to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, and the NVBHOF “President’s Award” to Herb Santos Jr.
Memories were made at this cocktail reception. Two personal highlights for me were meeting the parents of 2016 Inductee Christy 
Martin. The West Virginia family has been through so much and it was an honor to meet the “Coal Miner’s Father” and his wife. I also enjoyed hearing NVBHOF Secretary Pat Lamparelli’s memories about Ray Mancini being Pat’s sparring partner back in the day. It was fun seeing this brotherhood close up. The decades may have flown by, but the boxing bond remains. Ray was there with his family including his two sons I met, Ray Mancini Jr. and Leo Mancini.
Listening to the veterans reminisce about past fights and recollections from their career is an experience that will be forever etched in my mind. And the fact that the NVBHOF honors, respects and pays tribute to these past and present heroes is one of the best things about this nonprofit group.
Friday night’s fiesta was a blast! There were so many familiar faces there that it would take forever to list each and every luminary there but stand-out guests included the Friday awardees, the 2016 inductees, fighters and boxing luminaries including Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Christy Martin, Mia St. John, Kenny Adams, actor Ryan O’Neal, Jessie Vargas, Joey Gilbert, Paulie Ayala, Thell Torrence, Montell Griffin, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bones Adams, Laura Serrano, Elena Reid, Dee Kelley, Crystina Poncher, Bernardo Osuna, Kenny Bayless, J’Leon Love, William Jenkins, Rafael Garcia, WBC’s Jill Diamond and Nancy Rodriguez, the Cleto Reyes team and many more.
It was truly a night to remember.
More on the Meet & Greet:
More on the Women in Boxing:
Photos by Michele Chong
