Meet-and-greet at Maywood Dinner with Champs
Former WBC Lightweight Champ Chango Carmona (52-13-2, 42 KOs) will be honored by his peers THIS Wednesday evening at the Mariscos Tampico restaurant in Maywood, California.
I got the details about the awards dinner while visiting with the ex-champion at Sunday’s Mexican Independence Day gala in East Los Angeles. On September 15, 1972, he was victorious over Mando Ramos by scoring a TKO in the eighth round of their scheduled 
15-round battle. Earning a belt is something he never ever forgot, as evident at the weekend’s festivities. Chango, along with his grandson, proudly wore the bright green and gold strap as he gave fans and celebrities their own chance to wear the championship belt. Even popular “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan tried the champ’s belt on for size as he met the slugger.
Chango’s historic bout 38 years ago is believed to have been one of the very first marquee matchups to take place on the Mexican Independence Day holidays of “El Grito” and the September 16 day of independence. Since then, these holiday bouts have become a highly-anticipated tradition. The fierce puncher, who fought before the digital age of YouTube, was involved in wars that many boxing veterans still rave about to this day. But after his initial joy of becoming the new WBC Lightweight Champion, he would, however, lose the title to Rodolfo “Gato” Gonzalez just two months later.
Carmona fought several times in L.A. at the Memorial Coliseum, Sports Arena and the famed Olympic Auditorium. He is honored to receive all the support and recognition from the Los Angeles fight community, something through the years he felt he could’ve had more of from his homeland.
“I’m from the State of Guerrero, Acapulco and I am proud of that,” he told me, as we took a break in the shade before Chango took his place in the parade. He candidly admits of hoping for better recognition from his native fans of his historic bout almost four decades ago. “I’m upset sometimes with the Mexican fans,” he said, as I got an assist from Raul Esquivel helping out with the translating. But he is not bitter; he still loves the sport and after hanging up his gloves in 1979 (after his last victory in his own Acapulco) he went on to become a boxing trainer.
“So I’m happy for the support here,” Chango praised.
And the City of Los Angeles has embraced the pug. The Universal Boxing Hall of Fame (UBHOF), a brand new nonprofit organization, is looking forward to hosting this special Chango Carmona Awards Dinner in honor of the 38th Anniversary of the prizefighter’s bout that made him a world titlist. UBHOF Founder Adolfo Perez, President Raul Esquivel and Vice President Adolfo Perez Jr. all expressed their excitement and enthusiasm in regards to their Wednesday event.
“We’re really happy to be putting on this event,” Adolfo Jr. told me this past weekend. “It’s gonna be a sell out, it will be a great turnout!”
Their inaugural awards dinner celebrating the Bobby Chacon vs. Danny “Little Red” Lopez was held earlier this year with boxers Alfonso Gomez, Zack Padilla, Paul Gonzales and more all coming out to show their support for their fellow warriors and also to the new nonprofit organization. Look for many champs and boxing luminaries to also be attending Chango Carmona’s dinner at restauranteur Cesar Flores’ Mexican Seafood 
eatery.
“Librado Andrade, Joey Olivo, Alfonso, Paul Banke, Rodolfo “Gato” Gonzalez, and Sylvia Ramos (Mandos’ widow) have all been invited,” Adolfo Sr. confirmed with me this afternoon.
If you’d like to join these special guests and meet Chango, see information below.
Chango Carmona 38th Anniversary Dinner
Mariscos Tampico Restaurant & Bar
5624 Atlantic Blvd.
Maywood 90270
For tickets: (323) 697-2786
Photos by Michele Chong