Champ Attends Hall of Fame Events
Former boxing champion Angel Manfredy returned to Las Vegas as a special guest at the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s (NVBHOF) 6th Annual Induction Awards weekend at Caesars Palace. It was the very first time the Crown Point, Indiana puncher attended the NVBHOF event and the August trip to the Vegas Strip proved to be a memorable one for the fighter once known as “El Diablo.”
Manfredy had a great time conquering the town and also was inspired to make his own difference in the future.
Angel and his wife Yvette spent several days in Nevada taking in the sights in mid-August, meeting tons of boxing fans and reconnecting with their fellow fight families. It had been many years since the couple had visited the State of Nevada. The retired fighter also had a chance to secure an appointment at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health that helps monitor athlete’s current and future health and well being.
The prizefighter (43-8-1, 32 KOs) was known to the boxing world as a devilish, menacing presence in the ring. In the ’90s era of boxing, Team Manfredy was an exciting corner to watch. Angel fought everyone from Arturo Gatti to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Diego Corrales, Jorge Paez, Paul Spadafora, Julio Diaz and more before hanging up his gloves in 2004.
Life wasn’t easy for Manfredy. He used to fight as a kid to survive in the streets before becoming a pro fighter. The Puerto Rican warrior competed and succeeded in three weight classes and was also seen in the movie “Play it to the Bone.” During his career, he battled back from many demons including substance abuse, a car accident, suicide attempts and many highs and lows in between. Chaos was common. When I asked him who his toughest opponent was, he doesn’t really have a clear cut answer. I think the “Man in the Mirror,” Angel Manfredy himself, was his own worst enemy–his toughest opponent just might have been himself. His life was so turbulent, his career so combustible that there is a book and documentary about Manfredy’s life in the works. A film about “El Diablo” would definitely be a dramatic–and inspirational–one.
And the chaos and self-destructive behavior is all behind him. The 43-year-old is currently working with boxers in a trainer/manager role. A family man, a church-goer, Angel been married to lovely Yvette for over 27 years now and the pair have three children and four grandchildren. They are a fun couple; while spending time with them in Vegas I can see their easy rapport between them. They also joke around a lot and project a positive vibe.
And the duo has been certainly staying busy since their trip to Vegas. I had a chance to chat with them before the NVBHOF events and also met up with them during the star-studded awards weekend in which the Class of 2018 was inducted. The August 18 gala was preceded by a private birthday party for Leon Spinks, a VIP Cocktail Party with special awards, a Meet & Greet Fan Experience and the World Boxing Council (WBC) Green Belt Amateur Challenge before the awards banquet. I contacted them today to relive the historic NVBHOF bash.
Angel said he had a blast at the amateur boxing show, cheering on the future young champs who have Olympic and pro dreams.
“It was a fun day at the amateur show,” the pugilist states. “I got to hand out medals to the winners; it was a cool moment.”
He also enjoyed meeting all the fans who came from all over to see their boxing heroes. Many of the fans were excited to see Manfredy, in his first Vegas appearance in years. They gave him gifts and mementos from his fighting days and the slugger signed tons of autographs while posing for plenty of selfies.
Since their trip to the desert, the Manfredys have been busy on the boxing scene back home and around the U.S. I caught up with them this week to hear what’s new with the team.
“Since we’ve been home we’ve traveled to Milwaukee,” Yvette tells me. “Angel worked the corner of a very promising up and coming fighter Jose Ocasio.”
And the September calendar continues to be packed with exciting events for the pair.
“This weekend Angel will be standing up in a wedding at the Hines VA hospital in Illinois where a fan asked him to be best man!” she shares. “Then on the 22nd Angel will be attending the 2nd Annual Willie Pep Fundraiser and 23rd is the Ring 10 fundraiser in New York; Ring 10 has helped us in the past so much along with the WBC!”
I asked them their thoughts, memories and highlights from their first-ever visit to the NVBHOF with CEO/President Michelle Corrales-Lewis and Founder, former President and award-winning broadcaster Rich Marotta. The NVBHOF is a nonprofit organization that assists those in the boxing community and beyond. Michelle’s former husband, Diego Corrales, and Manfredy fought each other in the ring and Corrales-Lewis was instrumental in inviting the Manfredys to the big awards show. They are very grateful to the NVBHOF for the experience.
“Michelle Corrales is a real nice lady,” Angel says of the former wife “Chico” Corrales, his ex-nemesis in the ring. “We enjoyed seeing her in Vegas; it was a great time.”
What were their other standout moments during their Vegas holiday?
“The atmosphere of being around the greatest fans and seeing old friends and making new friends and family was great,” Yvette relayed. “As a wife, I feel at home you don’t get as much respect for being with a great athlete and champion but when you go to a boxing event or show you’re treated with so much respect and the fans treat you like you’re the champion. It’s hard work being on the outside of the ring when so many people try to divide the home but without your family there wouldn’t be many champions.”
And making instant connections with others while also having overdue reunions with fellow champions was also a highlight for them. I enjoyed finally meeting Angel and Yvette in person and it was a personal highlight for me too.
“Meeting you was amazing–your energy can make a room shine,” Yvette says. “And I also loved seeing Shane (Mosley) get inducted. Angel and Shane had the same promoter Cedric Kushner (R.I.P) and it’s like we watched them grow and kids grow up it was so awesome!”
The famed Caesars Palace was where the epic awards dinner went down. The Augustus Ballroom was packed with the superstars in the sport. Angel counts the induction ceremony as a true highlight.
“The awards dinner was really special,” he tells me. “Seeing Shane get inducted and also seeing Kevin Kelley on stage and Laila Ali getting her award too. I loved it!”
It is the camaraderie between the boxing fam that they cherish most. In fact, Team Manfredy went with several other retired boxers to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s no secret that the brutal sport of boxing has long been associated with dementia, long term effects of concussions, brain issues and diseases, cognitive disorders, mental health problems and more. Angel and Yvette flew into Vegas a couple of days early so Angel could participate in this acclaimed medical study.
“I cannot go without saying that the Cleveland Clinic opened my eyes a lot,” comments Yvette. “It’s difficult to not only be married to a champion but one that has gone through some mental health issues, to have hope and be a part of something so great makes me speechless to know that someone else is going through it and they could help the future.”
Her husband agrees. “I’m glad I went to the clinic,” Angel says during our talk today. “My wife and I got the results back and all the tests are good.”
“And in the future I really would love to see Angel be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Yvette adds. “We are also hoping to get our own gym together and give back to the youth and give them hope. Suicide, gun violence, drugs are taking are youth too early. Hopefully, we can get some good sponsors to help us out so we can make it happen before the new year!
“Thank you to all,” says Team Manfredy. “I’m just so grateful and I think our story can help so many!”
Angel Manfredy courageously fought back against his demons. He lived to fight another day. And he conquered his battles along the way.
Special Guest Angel Manfredy:
2018 NVBHOF Gala:
Photos by Michele Chong