Preview of the 2023 Awards Ceremony
By Michele Chong
The National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) will host “A Salute to the World of Boxing” this Sunday, April 23 at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif.
Tickets for the gala are SOLD OUT and an estimated crowd of 650 guests will all gather to witness the Class of 2023 take their place in the induction ceremony.
I’ve had the opportunity to attend this awards show created by Bill and Linda Young since its inception in 2015. President Bill Young and Vice President Linda Young really put their heart and soul into their organization stating, “Our mission is to honor this nation’s wonderful athletic community of boxers and the boxing world that surrounds them.”
The Class of 2023 includes Jackie Atkins, Iran Barkley, Kenny Bayless, Kermit Bayless, Jeff Bumpus, Hector “Macho” Camacho Sr. (posthumous), Yori Boy Campas, Graciela Casillas, Roberto Duran, Art Frias, Jimmy Lennon Sr. (posthumous) and Jimmy Lennon Jr., Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ray Mercer, Jimmy Montoya, Michael Nunn, Vinny Pazienza, Bridgett “Baby Doll” Riley, Nancy Rodriguez, Gabriel Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Antonio Tarver, David Tua and Larry Young.
During the program, special awards will also be presented to Carlos Avilas, Steve DeBro, Andy Dominguez, Eric Eckenberger, Jimmy Lennon Sr., Pepe Sulaiman and Rex Walker.
The Youngs and their Board of Directors Jack Reiss, Benjamin Rendon, Nancy Rodriguez, Alan Santana, Shelley Williams and Drew Young have worked nonstop to make April 23 a knockout day!
And what can the lucky fans expect to experience at the fiesta?
It’s a full lineup with boxing champs, associates and luminaries in the sweet science. It will be a chance for fight fans to meet their heroes, an opportunity for retired fighters to reconnect with buddies from their amateur days, and a bittersweet time in which former enemies may even embrace as they have flashbacks of their vicious wars from decades ago. And everyone will applaud the awardees’ contributions to the sport we all love.
Visitors from all over the globe will be traveling to Southern California for this highly-anticipated celebration. There will be attendees from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Panama, Canada, Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, Nevada, etc.
And it is a day that honors and pays tribute to the gladiators of past and present.
I caught up with Linda Young to hear her thoughts and behind-the-scene details about this weekend’s festivities. Sunday’s affair will be a star-studded luncheon with film clips, career highlights, boxing memorabilia and souvenirs, live and silent auctions, live music, autograph sessions and more.
Linda is one half of a dedicated couple whose lives have long been intertwined with boxing. Hear her replies about her husband Bill’s generations in the sport, what prized items will be up for bid in the live auction, and which familiar faces will be spotted in the crowd?
Michele Chong: Hi Linda! Your sold-out event is just around the corner. Last year’s awards were a “Trilogy” ceremony (combining three years) due to the pandemic. How is this year’s awards different from last year’s “Trilogy”? And how are the final details going?
Linda Young: Trilogy vs. this year–The trilogy was a challenge (inductees in the separate classes) and overwhelming. This year there’s less confusion in our layout and organizing table arrangements and stage setting for inductees. I was pleasantly surprised that we didn’t have any complaints which made us very happy as that is our priority and main concern to accommodate our boxing family and help getting in the door to the main event is a challenge.
But we have reworked our strategy with tickets mailed out with tables assigned and if they forget then there is a master seating chart in alphabetical order.
MC: And an original 2022 inductee David Tua was not able to attend in person last year but he and his family will be here for the April 23 ceremony?
LY: YES on David Tua! So exciting to have David and his lovely wife Helen attend this year. They have reserved two tables and I think we have a grand group of New Zelanders! David asked if we could order his ring and necklace for Helen (being out of the country). The jewelry has arrived and they’re stunning! Diamonds too on top of the ring selection. Oh and may I say David’s ring size is 15 1/2! A powerful hand at that!
MC: Will all of the 2023 inductees be there in person?
LY: ALL INDUCTEES CONFIRMED and will be present. This year is challenging too with so many calls, tickets, and flying. We sold out in March with a few seats open at various tables. But I must say we are wall to wall with boxing family! We do pray constantly in asking for help and guidance.
Jimmy Lennon Jr. landing at LAX the day of event (coming in from the big fight) and hoping to be with us as he indicated that he is really trying!
MC: Can you mention any other special guests that will be in attendance on Sunday?
LY: We’re waiting for confirmation on a great champion who might be able to attend, not sure yet. We have Carlos Palomino, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Paul Banke, Dick Tiger Young, Terry Norris, Michael Spinks, Yaqui Lopez, the Weaver Brothers, Albert Davila, Dee Collier, Frankie Duarte, Henry Tillman, Victor Ortiz, Alex Garcia, Alex Ramos, Israel Vasquez, Frank Stallone, Doug Krikorian, John Reese/New Jersey trainer/manager here for Iran Barkley, and more!
MC: For those that have never been to your awards luncheon, what can they expect on April 23?
LY: At our event, we will have a jazz band (only while Inductees go up to the stage), entertainment on the patio from 11:00–11:45, doors open at 12 noon. We’ll have
banners on patio and inside for photos/red carpet, a lot of coverage with video/photography. Beautiful banners will be around the room of the inductees from Cleto Reyes! I love the banners so much! We will also have a display of Duran’s robe and other items.
MC: Tell me about the special auction with items including an autographed WBC belt and leather jackets?
LY: For the auction, we have a WBC belt donated by the WBC with two great champion signatures that will be announced at event. The live auction from the podium is only for the belt. We have a silent auction table with NBHOF and Cleto Reyes. We also have beautiful leather Ringside jackets donated by Eva Young that are very rare and simply gorgeous.
MC: And what are you, personally, looking forward to the most on April 23?
LY: We are looking forward to the wonderful boxing family and can’t wait to see everyone. Just beyond words to see the love and embracing of these champions–fist bumps and more.
MC: Speaking of boxing families…Bill has a long family history in boxing. Can you talk a little about the generations in the sport?
LY: His great grandfather was Robert Anton Young, a Missouri State Champion. And Bill’s father Dick Young started in St. Louis refereeing. Also, Dick boxed in the Navy during WWII where his interest came about in becoming a referee and while he was in the service he was anxious to get back to referring. When Bill was
born, Dick was assigned his first official assignment. Boxing was the conversation in the Young family which is very large in St. Louis; the cousins boxed too.
He took Bill to the gym as a youngster and Bill loved the sound of the gloves while hitting each other and the sound of the gloves hitting the heavy bag and the rhythm sound of the speed bag, the sound of the jumping of the rope, shadow boxing, timing with the bell and the smell of the gym. Bill just said just thinking about it as we speak makes him feel warm inside.
Dick also refereed Archie Moore and Sonny Liston when they were amateurs in St. Louis also Willie Pep. He became enthralled with the importance and responsibility of the referee. He worked out as a kid in the boxing gym and would referee the other boxers working out if they would let him.
Dick wrote the rules of boxing during his career as Bill discovered (hand written meticulously) at his home and it was his gift to Don Jose Sulaiman. The rules of boxing hadn’t been rewritten since the Marquess of Queensberry Rules and Dad was very precise and thorough in everything he did including refereeing–the best I have ever seen was Dick in the ring. Very intense, thorough and never interfered with the boxer unless he had to break it up or stop it, a rare and sought after referee.
The Young family started the original GUNS N HOSES Charity Amateur Boxing, a huge event with1,000+ in attendance. It has now expanded in other states
Bill’s cousin is one of the four founders and still in existence today.
MC: You’ve also just introduced your brand new website along with some new merchandise too?
LY: Yes, our new website launched (www.nationalboxinghalloffame.com) by our son Drew! He is very talented. And we have new merchandise with NBHOF hats and T-shirts and coffee/soup mugs! Mugs are only available at our event.
MC: Thanks again, Linda, and see you all on the 23rd!
LY: See you there!!!
The event is sold out so stay tuned for my follow-up article in my “Chatter Box” column.
On April 23, the boxing greats will all come together in Southern California for what should be a very entertaining event for all. Congratulations to all of the 2023 inductees and special honorees at the National Boxing Hall of Fame!
2022 Awards Recap:
www.myboxingfans.com/2022/05/trilogy-national-boxing-hall-of-fame-awards
2022 Inductee Spotlight:
4/20/22 Banke and Davila:
www.myboxingfans.com/2022/04/nbhof-inductees-davila-banke
2022 Trilogy Preview:
www.myboxingfans.com/2022/04/preview-national-boxing-hall-of-fame-awards