New Hall of Famers shine in the spotlight!
Red carpet entrances, international media attention and standing ovations from the crowd greeted the 2009 class of new inductees at the World Boxing Hall of Fame’s 30th Annual Banquet of Champions.
Held recently at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, four boxers, one analyst, one trainer, and one ring official were all ushered into the hall for their dedication, accomplishments and achievements in their field. The event was a star-studded affair that brought out 
some of L.A.’s finest from the boxing circles.
“I overheard this several times: “Boy! This is like the Oscars for boxing!” noted Cynthia Prieto, WBHF Secretary, whose husband Eugene Prieto is the interim Vice President of the nonprofit organization.
Lucia Rijker, Orlando Canizales, Brian Mitchell, Rafael Herrera, Al Bernstein, Amilcar Brusa and Dr. James Jen-Kin were this year’s prestigious crop of deserved individuals that were voted into induction by WBHF President Mando Muñiz, the Executive Board and the Board of Directors.
Rijker made history as the first female fighter to ever be inducted into the hall and certainly commanded her share of well-earned attention in the limelight.
Some of the guests in attendance included: Israel Vazquez, Gabe Ruelas, Paul Banke, George Chuvalo, Jim Gray, Ben Tackie, Lamon Brewster, Michael Carbajal, Emile Griffith, Gaspar Ortega, Greg Haugen, Mauricio Herrera, Alberto Herrera, Terry Norris, James “Bone Crusher” Smith, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Carlos Ortiz, Paul Gonzales, Ruben Castillo, Alex Ramos, Manuel “Mantecas” Medina, Shawn Estrada,Tony Lopez, Bobby Chacon, Loreto Garza, Walter Sarnoi, William Guthrie, Jesus Pimentel, Jack Mosley, Robert Byrd, Joe Cortez, Yaqui Lopez, “Irish” Gil King, “Irish” Pat Lawlor, Jennifer Barber, Oscar Muñiz, and Katarina De La Cruz.
With a jam-packed audience including over 50 boxers, celebrities and famous fight personalities looking on, the inductees were rewarded by their peers with a beautiful bronze trophy and a very special State of California award signed by Councilmember Bernard C. Parks. The bronzes were sculpted by WBHF Board Member Steve Harpst and the gorgeous parchment awards were procured by Executive Vice President and Sergeant-at-Arms Gwen Adair.
Another WBHF member, Treasurer Josie Arrey-Mejia, was invited up on stage by Masters of Ceremonies Danny Valdivia and Jim FitGerald to receive the Everett L. Sanders Awards. Sanders is the founding father of the group, originating in 1979. Mejia is currently director of the Bell Gardens Police Department’s Youth Boxing Club and is also a licensed boxing coach.
Another dedicated person involved in amateur boxing is Frank Baltazar, whose sons Tony, Frankie were both decorated amateurs and pro contenders/champions. Involved in the early inception of the 
Junior Golden Gloves, Baltazar Sr. received the WBHF’s inaugural Johnny Flores Award.
And since it is called the “World” Boxing Hall of Fame, there was a big corp of international press covering the event as guests from all over the world were in attendance. I met attendees who flew in from England, Argentina, Australia, Canada, all parts of Mexico, New York, Washington, Florida, Nevada, and more, who didn’t want to miss out on this year’s exciting festivities.
“It’s really lively here,” Daniel Soriano, Front Desk Supervisor, told me as we watched all the guests reconnect with each other. “There’s a lot of energy in the lobby. Everyone is so excited.”
The banquet was filled with an air of anticipation as the patrons greeted old friends and made new acquaintances. Former foes in the ring gave each other hugs as they reminisced about their wars from decades past. Young prospects got to meet veterans of the ring, eager for any boxing advice they could gain from these amazing warriors from another era. And everyone marveled at how fast a year goes by as they joined this yearly reunion once again.
T
here was a buzz permeating the ballroom as the patrons enjoyed a three-course dinner, watched a film clip of the “Dutch Destroyer” (hitting harder than a man!), and listened to heartfelt speeches from the proud recipients.
Posthumous honors also went to George Dixon and Alphonse Halimi, with Manny Pacquiao chosen as “Fighter of the Year” and the Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz clash voted as “Fight of the Year.” A fundraising raffle held by Board Member Frank Martinez closed out the memorable show.
It was an evening that honored both past and present champions and current working heroes in the sport as well. Here are some fun shots from the night–look at all the beaming faces who deserve their spot in history.
“Where Champions Live Forever” is the WBHF’s mission statement, so congratulations again to all of the new inductees!
See you next year.
Photos by Michele Chong