2018 Awards on October 20th!
Boxing fans will gather this Saturday, October 20 as the National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) presents their “Don Fraser and California Boxing Hall of Fame” (CBHOF) combination awards ceremony to honor Fraser’s longtime contributions to the sweet science.
Here’s my special sneak preview about what the weekend luncheon will entail for the Class of 2018!
This unique event will combine veteran boxing’s Don Fraser’s CBHOF annual event with Bill and Linda Young’s NBHOF event. The fiesta is now sold out; the afternoon will offer many highlights for the guests.
The awardees include Michael Carbajal, Chango Carmona, Jose Celaya, Dee Collier, Frankie Liles, Guty Espadas Sr. and Jr., Gene Aguilera, Kathy Duva, Jim Gray, Eric Gomez, Wayne Hedgepeth, Julie Lederman, Jimmy Montoya, Mike North, Benjamin Rendon, Alejandro Rochin, and Nancy Rodriguez. This gala will take place at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, Calif.
I caught up with show organizer Linda Young to hear the plans for this weekend. She mentions her list of invited VIPs including Israel Vazquez, Paul Banke, Ruben Castillo, Art Frias, Frankie Duarte, Mando Muniz, Oscar Muniz, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Herman Montes, Carlos Palomino, Andy Price, Gabe Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Danny Valdez, Gary Puente, Randy Shields, Mike Weaver, Troy, Floyd and Lloyd Weaver, football star Jim McMahon and more.
Check out what the ceremony will be like!
Michele Chong: Hi Linda! How did you come to combine your event with this Don Fraser tribute?
Linda Young: Hi Michele. Don Fraser had called us and he was struggling with his health and just had to retire but with his commitment to his already announced Inductees he was hoping to make it happen. As you know we have been with him since the very first CBHOF and we were Golden State Boxers Association at the time. A lot of history and knew we had to get on board to embrace this history. Don is such an icon in boxing and so sharp with his boxing.
We had been inundated with our National Boxing Hall of Fame so it took us a while to make the decision but we are really happy we did. It’s been overwhelming. Great response and an outpour of love for Don.
MC: Which boxers/champs can the fans look forward to seeing there?
LY: Lots to say but a room full of champions and non-boxing icons too! The great underrated trainer Jimmy Montoya and great fanfare for him. We hope to tighten-up the speeches so everyone gets their time at the podium. The Espadas all the way from Yucatan are very excited and looking so forward to meeting them. TV from Yucatan and South America. Yaqui Lopez and Jim McMahon will be there too. This will be historical for Don and his legacy. His family and close friends too. Denise Fraser will have her jazz band and we will have video screen and maybe two but hoping everyone will have a great time!
MC: What else is new this year?
LY: There will also be a beautiful Silent Auction in the very back. Not part of the ceremony. Darling gal who does an outstanding job. A lot of great items for bids including concert tickets to Elton John and Aerosmith, collectibles and more. This auction is to help build our Bobby Chacon Gift of Love Award for the upcoming National Boxing Hall of Fame next April.
MC: Sounds good. Congrats again!
LY: Thanks, Michele!
October 20 will be an entertaining affair for all the inductees, their family and friends and fans.
Congratulations to the Class of 2018!