New Interview with author Gene Aguilera!
“This is my tribute to seven influential Mexican Americans from the Golden State. They earned it. They deserve it.” – Award-winning author Gene Aguilera
Noted author and boxing historian Gene Aguilera’s fourth book was released earlier this year. ”
Mexican American Boxing from the Golden State” is the title of his newest homage to the sweet science. His other three titles are
Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles, Latino Boxing in Southern California, and Lost Stories of West Coast Latino Boxing.
Each pictorial features vintage photos with entertaining and poignant details about the warriors of the past. These paperbacks are
beautiful time capsules that offers the reader a ringside seat of what it was really like during these golden eras in the sport. There are amusing anecdotes, heartbreaking remembrances and honest tributes to these courageous gladiators who really sacrificed everything for the glory of winning and the entertainment of fans across the world.
And his newest book, Mexican American Boxing from the Golden State (Arcadia Publishing), is a great addition to the Images of America series by the publisher. This anthology is a true labor of love for East Los Angeles’ Aguilera. The busy SoCal writer is known for his knowledge about both boxing and music, his many contributions to boxing organizations and his stage presence as a popular emcee at various functions in boxing circles.
Gene is also a devoted family man with wife Maria
wife Maria and their two daughters Emily and Melanie.
I caught up with him to hear all about his latest publication. He is always upbeat, cares about sharing his knowledge with others and is a class act. Through the years, it is a treat to talk boxing with Gene. I was looking forward to checking out his new
Mexican American Boxing from the Golden State and hearing his thoughts about it. In this interview, find out why he chose the prizefighters featured in the chapters, which bittersweet stories affected the readers the most and could there be a fifth book on the horizon?
Michele Chong: Hi Gene! Congrats on your newest book. I really enjoyed reading the stories and looking at all the great photos. How did you decide on using the photo of Art Aragon for the cover?
Gene Aguilera: First of all, thank you for this interview, Michele! You are such a big part of our Southern California boxing scene. Your many pictures and postings keep our boxing community involved and connected. I’m always happy and excited to talk boxing with you.
For my new book “Mexican American Boxing from the Golden State” (released February 12, 2024 on Arcadia Publishing) I decided to use a photo of the great Art Aragon on the cover because he was such an important boxing figure here on the West Coast and should never be forgotten. Aragon was the original “Golden Boy” of the 1950s until he passed the name to Oscar De La Hoya in 1992. Art was a character, a beloved figure, and king of the turnstiles at the Olympic Auditorium. Remember he was the top sports figure of L.A. in the 1950s, and Art was “King of L.A.” before the arrival of the Dodgers, Angels, and Lakers. So, the choice to put Art on the cover was in fact a tribute to a great boxer and the Lightweight Champion of California. There he is on the cover of my boxing book in 2024, knocking out his rival, El Conscripto, at the Olympic in 1951, some 73 years ago!
Although Art fell short on his one attempt to become a world champion, today he could have been a multi-millionaire with at least 10 world titles to his name. Remember in those days, there were only eight weight classes with only one belt each! Not easy to become a world champion in the Fifties!
MC: This is your fourth book about boxing in California and the West Coast. This time you focus on seven fighters. How did you choose each subject?
GA: In my previous three boxing books, each chapter included various boxers. In this, my fourth boxing book, I decided to feature one distinct Mexican American warrior for each chapter and stretch out their unique and captivating stories a little bit. Each boxer’s experience in this book captivated me to write about them.
We began this new book with the notorious Aurelio Herrera who began his career in the Bakersfield area in 1893. Next was “The Golden Boy” Art Aragon of the 1950s—the Olympic Auditorium box office champion. Chapter 3 was Mando Ramos who became the youngest boxer in history to win the lightweight championship and who carried L.A. on his shoulders during the 1960s. Chapter 4 was two-time world champion Bobby Chacon–one of L.A.’s most exciting boxers ever. Chapter 5 was Yaqui Lopez of Stockton, California–considered the greatest light heavyweight boxer in history to never win a world title. Chapter 6 was Arturo Frias–known as the first world champion from East L.A. proper. Art was such an underdog in his title fight, that many called his victory “Christmas Came Early.” Chapter 7 was Oscar “The Boxer” Muniz, nephew to Armando “The Man” Muniz. Oscar delivered the first defeat to bantamweight world champion and hall of Famer “Joltin’” Jeff Chandler in 1983. Each of these seven boxers had colorful and successful careers that took them to either world championships (Ramos, Chacon, and Frias) or local belts.
MC: The behind-the-scenes details that you provide in this book are so riveting! You really capture each era and convey to the reader both the triumphs and tragedies in boxing. What was your biggest challenge in completing this book?
GA: Each of these seven fighters had their own intricate story to tell. In each chapter the truth is always painfully told. Sometimes that may hurt, but their realism and testimony comes shining through. It’s powerful enough to show the reader that hard work can pay off. I feel we captured the good, the bad, and the ugly in each chapter.
My biggest challenge in completing this new book was to capture the essence of each fighter I did my homework to get it right. This is my tribute to seven influential Mexican Americans from the Golden State. They earned it. They deserve it.
We aimed to expose new generations to their action-packed stories and breathe new life into these talented and gifted boxers in their own right. It was our goal to ensure their fighting spirit and heartfelt memories will never die. These Mexican American warriors opened the doors for today’s boxers to walk in through.
MC: Your descriptions and anecdotes that accompany the photos are so poignant and (in the case of Mando Ramos and Bobby Chacon) very heartbreaking too. But you write with the utmost respect for the fallen fighters. In regards to the boxers featured, what was their families’ reaction to your new book?
GA: Many people have told me that after reading the Mando Ramos and Bobby Chacon chapters, it brought tears to their eyes.
I told Audie Aragon (son of Art Aragon) that his father’s story was a huge part of West Coast boxing history and that he should never be forgotten. Audie wrote back to me, “The book is incredible!! What is the world going to do when great boxing historians like you are gone! My father would be very proud and honored that you have included him among the great Latino fighters and Olympic Auditorium greats. Your knowledge of statistics is amazing. You walk with a handful of the great boxing historians.”
Roberta “Birdie” Banegas (Bobby Chacon’s sister) reflected on her brother’s chapter in the new book, “Love it! Heart wrenching. Sad but true story. You did a great job and captured the significant details.”
MC: You’ve been extremely busy with your book tour and also the epic boxing exhibit “18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium” in downtown Los Angeles. Tell us about the special exhibit that and events you had at La Plaza de Culturas y Artes?
GA: Filmmaker Steve DeBro and I were proud to team up with LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum in downtown L.A. for a nine-month exhibit on the Olympic Auditorium. It just closed May 19, 2024 and I don’t think Los Angeles will ever see another exhibit again on the Olympic with the detail, artifacts, and ephemera that were on display. For example, we had the original Enrique Bolanos poster hanging high on the wall, the same original poster that hung at the Olympic all those years ago (thanks to trainer David Martinez). We also had the California Lightweight title belt won by Art Aragon (thanks to his son Audie Aragon). Behind glass were the robes of Alberto Davila, Frankie Duarte, Bobby Chacon, and Danny “Little Red” Lopez. The examples go on and on. You had to be there!
My satisfaction is knowing that many of the boxers included in the “18th & Grand” exhibit were smiling down at us for remembering and recognizing their memories and careers.
MC: What’s next for you as an author? Will there be a fifth boxing book in the future? I’m already looking forward to reading it!
GA: Michele, I think maybe I have one more book left in me, and that’s it. But then again, maybe not. I know this sounds confusing and contradictory, but I’m leaning towards retirement. Time to hang up the gloves. It takes a lot of time and research to complete these books. But I look at these books as a labor of love. When I’m writing them, it is not work. It is my enjoyment to relate these great stories to the public.
Truthfully, I’m not sure I will do another book. If I don’t, then I feel that I gave four quality entertaining books to the boxing community to enjoy for generations to come. During the book tours, I have always donated books to each Public Library that we did book signings at. That gave me much satisfaction and pleasure to know that hopefully someone out there will check out my books for research for a school project OR motivate them to become a world champion someday.
MC: You’re known for giving back to the community. And on June 30, you will be the official emcee at the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum fundraiser for Edy Valencia. What can fans expect at this upcoming event?
GA: This is a heartwarming fundraiser for a boxer who was recently injured in a fight in the Southern California area. Edy is from Mexico but needs the medical attention that is offered here for him to get well and return home. Thank you to Rudy Tellez and the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum for putting this event together. We will be honoring and inducting many world champions, local boxers, and boxing people! Come on out and support this wonderful event where all proceeds will benefit Edy Valencia.
MC: Thanks again, Gene and congrats on an excellent book!
And the back cover of
Mexican American Boxing from the Golden State describes it all so well:
The Mexican American boxer is one who leaves it all in the ring. They have been described as devastating punchers, fearless fighters, and tough competitors by boxing fans, sportswriters, and commentators alike. Mexican American boxers have long carried a reputation in boxing circles as being the ultimate crowd-pleasers. In continuing that tradition, the dramatic testimonies of seven distinct, valiant, and dashing warriors from the Golden State of California are presented here in intricate detail: Aurelio Herrera, Art Aragon, Mando Ramos, Bobby Chacon, “Yaqui” Lopez, Arturo Frias, and Oscar Muniz. By exposing new generations to their action-packed stories, new life is breathed into these talented and gifted boxers, ensuring their fighting spirit and heartfelt memories will never die. This volume salutes these pioneers of Mexican American boxing for opening the doors for today’s boxers.
The authenticity of Aguilera’s books leave the reader entranced; through the photographs and words, you are transported back in time. If you love boxing and its amazing history, you NEED this book in your collection
Mexican American Boxing from the Golden State” is a winner–another knockout in Gene Aguilera’s career!
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Gene’s book, please contact him at: [email protected] or you can order at https://www.amazon.com/Mexican-American-Boxing-Golden-America/dp/1467160911
Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles:
Latino Boxing in Southern California:
Lost Stories of West Coast Latino Boxing:
Photos courtesy of Gene Aguilera and Michele Chong