Services to be held this Monday and Tuesday
Boxing lost another comrade of the sport when ring announcer Danny Valdivia passed away last Wednesday. Shock and sadness continue to roll through boxing circles as the news of his death first broke in this column.
His wife and children have expressed their appreciation in the many heartfelt condolences they have received. They have also asked me to honor Danny in a tribute that his family and I have 
written together about his long life and successful career. For those of you who would like to attend his Rosary and memorial service on Monday and Tuesday, you will find the details below.
His daughter, Leslie, has also shared with me two great pics of Danny. One photo is of the boxing veteran with “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali, with his fist playfully aimed up at the champ. The other photo is of Danny at work in the ring at Thompson Boxing Promotions’ outdoor show at Omega Products International. There’s Danny in his tuxedo, microphone in hand. Always ready, always prepared. For many of us, this is how we will always remember him.
But to his family and friends, there was so much more to him besides his love and passion of boxing.
Born in Santa Monica, California on August 6, 1934, he was a resident of Mar Vista for 45 years.
He was a beloved Husband, Father, Proud Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and loyal compadre of many when he passed away peacefully on December 9 at the age of 75.
Danny and his wife Helen were married in 1956. The couple were high school sweethearts, first meeting at Venice High. In later years, he served on the Board of Directors for the Venice High School Alumni Association and “Alumnus of the Year” in 1982.
Honoring his country, he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1957 and served his time in Fort Lewis, Washington.
A man of strong faith, he was an active parishioner at St. Mark’s Catholic Church for over 40 years. He was a Eucharistic Minister, in the Knights of Columbus, and a past recipient of “Knight of the Year.”
A staunch family man, he was extremely involved in all of his children’s sports and school activities. He was an active member of the St. Mark’s Elementary School PTA and was the PTA President at St. Monica High School. He was also the voice of the Mariners for their basketball team and also announced all the boys sports activities in the ’70s and ’80s. Later he was just as involved in his grandchildren’s sports and school activities.
Before his tenure in the sweet science, Danny worked at Sears department store for 37 years. He worked his way up from a “shoe dog” salesman to management of several stores. He was also Area Personnel Manager serving the Cerritos, Torrance, Culver City and the Santa Monica locations.
Danny retired from Sears to pursue his passion: to become a boxing announcer.
For over three decades, sports fans were treated to the professionalism of Danny’s expert announcing on the mike, as an emcee, announcer, and Master of Ceremonies for live boxing events, awards ceremonies, youth boxing matches and so much more.
Valdivia spent over 30 years in the center of the ring, working in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Mexico, just to name a few of the locations where his vocal talents were showcased on the canvas. Danny also worked with Spanish stations Univision, Telemundo and Galavision. Danny also portrayed a ring announcer in TV and film and was the main host of the World Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet of Champions.
His experience through the years is immense: Valdivia was a participant in fight cards at some of Vegas’ landmark hotels like the Sands, the Hacienda, Aladdin, Ballys, Caesars and the MGM Grand. Local Angelenos may also remember Danny’s rich baritone during the 1984 Olympics as the boxing announcer at the L.A. Sports Arena.
And he was always appreciated by his peers. He was honored by his esteemed associates many times throughout the years for his contributions to the sport. He was a California Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and a “Battle of the Ballroom” Hall of Famer (he was their very first announcer 25 years ago), received a Los Angeles City Commendation for working with youth, and also was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum in 2008.
“Mr. V” is what he was known by to many of his friends and associates. And “Mr. V” was also very well-known for his generosity that knew no bounds. He was always giving to others, thinking of others. He’s make photo collages for young boxers, hand out special little boxing gloves and so much more. Danny was thoughtful, kind and giving.
And his kindness shined right up until the very end of his untimely passing. His family told me that he was visiting a friend and was taking them a gift when he suddenly collapsed and could not be resuscitated. They said he was doing what he loved–giving back to others.
Danny is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 53 years Helen, his son Daniel (Louise) Valdivia II, his daughters Valerie (Johnny) Saunders, Stephanie (Mark) Grand, Leslie Valdivia, Stacy (Eric) Rude, Kristie (Chris) Bowers; 10 grandchildren: Dani Marie Valdivia, Samantha Grand, Maxwell Grand, Jessica Rude, Matthew Rude, Joseph Peter Rude, Lauren Valdivia, Courtney Valdivia, Christian Bowers II, Alexis Bowers; 2 great grandchildren: Mariah Bracamontes, and Cadan Valdivia; his brother Tony (Virginia) Valdivia and his sister Lu (Al) Luera and his faithful dog, Boswell.
From those of us in the boxing community, Danny Valdivia will be remembered as a perfect example of a true professional inside and outside of the ring. As a boxing announcer, he stood out in the top echelon of his field. As a man, he will be remembered as a true champion to his family and friends.
Rest in peace, Danny.
August 6, 1934-December 9, 2009
“Keep Punching!” –Danny Valdivia
Monday 4 p.m. Chapel opens
(Approximately 6:30-7:00 p.m. Rosary begins)
Gates Kingsley & Gates Smith
4220 South Sepulveda Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90230-478
Services on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church in Venice:
St. Mark’s Catholic Church
940 Coeur D Alene Avenue
Venice, CA 90291-4929
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to: The Venice High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 13000 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90066 or the American Heart Assocation, 1710 Gilbreth Rd. Burlingame, CA 94010-1795.
Photos courtesy of the Danny Valdivia Family