There was a special gathering for one of boxing’s longtime veteran in the fight game. Don Fraser has spent decades working almost every job in boxing as a promoter, matchmaker, cornerman, publicist, writer, historian, manager, member of the athletic commission and more.
The Golden State Boxers Association (GSBA) held a celebration in Hollywood for Don’s birthday (he turned 87 years young on January 28) organized by GSBA President Bill Dempsey Young and GSBA Vice President/Executive Secretary Linda Young. Here is my exclusive report and photos from the party held in Tinseltown.
This SoCal gala was attended by many former fighters and performers from TV and film including actor/former amateur boxer Holt McCallany (“Lights Out,” “Against the Ropes”), ex-pro boxer/actor Abel Fernandez (“The Untouchables,” “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke”), singer/musician Drewin Young (“Walking Phoenixes” and “Red Muffs”) and musician Denise Fraser. Former champs and boxers in attendance were Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon, Paul Banke, Andy “The Hawk” Price, Oscar “The Boxer” Muniz and more. Former GSBA President Larry Montalvo, WBC Supervisor Joe Noriega, boxer/current trainer Robert Ortiz Sr., boxing trainer/sculptor Steve Harpst and boxing coach Tyrell Jones also joined the gala honoring boxing veteran and Hall of Famer Don Fraser, who is also the President and Founder of the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
It was Holt McCallany’s first time visiting with the group and the actor/athlete had a great time meeting everyone and putting up his dukes with the ex-champions. Holt was accompanied by former amateur fighter Luke Mesi and attorney and boxing aficionado Michael Kahn.
The men were invited to join the fête by Drew Young, son of GSBA officers Bill and Linda Young. The guys instantly bonded with the pugilists and veterans from past eras in boxing like longtime vet Don Fraser.
“It was a wonderful feeling getting to be the spokesperson in charge of honoring the great icon of boxing Don Fraser on his birthday,” Bill says of the get-together. “We had a good time and looking forward to Don’s next birthday!”
The cake presented to Don spelled out “MR. BOXING”–a tribute to the years of being part of the sweet science. His connection to the sport remains strong and Fraser has dedicated years working in the fight community. Many in the group can recall the glory days at the famed Olympic Auditorium and the legendary fight nights at the Forum, where these long-standing bonds were first formed.
“It was a great gathering,” comments Linda, “and happy to be present at another special day with Don and the wonderful guests and members of GSBA.”
During the day, there were also prize raffles for the crew. Former boxing manager/cornerman Eddie Lozano donated several vintage fight posters including a Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson poster coveted by the partygoers. I brought some 2014 calendars featuring the prizefighters from the Heroes Boxing Sponsorship Agency. Robert Ortiz Sr. won one of the wall calendars and he said he’ll put it up at his Kid Gloves Boxing Gym in Simi Valley. And it was fitting he won this calendar as he mentioned his son Robert “Scrappy” Ortiz Jr. fought Sergio Nunez Jr. (who is featured on the poster).
At the luncheon, the guests reminisced about their past adventures in and out of the ring and of the lasting friendships that began out of their passion for boxing. The GSBA organization meets every Tuesday to honor those in the sport as well as continuing to build goodwill in boxing. The birthday party for Fraser was well-attended and many of the attendees traveled far to honor this boxing vet.
And the icing on the cake, of course, was seeing “Mr. Boxing” Don Fraser blow out the (87) candles on his birthday cake!
Photos by Michele Chong
