Fighters’ Flashbacks of ’08?

As 2008 comes to a close, I think back to the many ways this year was memorable: The courageous comebacks and shocking upsets, the explosive rematches and trilogies, watching new exciting prospects face off against proud but fading champions, and sad passings of legends we’ve lost, gone too soon.

It was a year filled with plenty of pivotal moments, both in and out of the ring, and I was curious to find out what some of the fighters, champions and boxing personalities would name as their favorite highlights of 2008? Some of their responses may surprise you!

What surprised me the most were these unexpected answers I got from those involved in the fight game. For some, top memories chosen were not always the happiest highlights of their year. A handful of replies not as lighthearted as you’d think; many told me about sad and poignant moments of 2008, instead of lighter, jovial times they may have had. A reminder that it’s not always the joyful memories that make the strongest mark on us, it is also the bittersweet times that remain in our hearts and minds the most. Often it is the adversity in our lives that causes the biggest impact.

As this year comes to an end, we must remember that in boxing you never really know what to expect. That’s why we love it.

What was your own highlight of 2008?

From a few of the best in the sweet science, here are this year’s unforgettable moments they picked as their most memorable.

Cristobal “Chris” Arreola (Best American heavyweight prospect):
My main highlight, of course, is my fight with Trevor Walker. But my most memorable moment was was being dropped on my knee–and coming back and winning! It was a tough fight, he’s a strong guy and I had to dust myself off. I felt like sh** and thought, “I gotta get back up and get the point back.” All kinds of things go on in your head when that happens and I can’t really distinguish voices. But in the back of my head, I could hear my wife and daughter and Henry (trainer Henry Ramirez) yelling, “Get back up and get them hands up”!

Israel Vazquez (Current WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Emeritus):
My highlight of the year was the third fight against (Rafael) Marquez and hearing the decision announced, “And still champion…” and then hearing my name. That was my one favorite moment of the year!

Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez (WBC Super Featherweight Champion):
Obviously it wasn’t a bright year for me with my illness…and I also had two friends that committed suicide this month. One was a deep Christian, the other was a humble young guy that just got married. I wouldn’t judge them, I don’t know what happened. But my highlight is that I smile anytime I see my kids and my wife. When I wake up every day and I see them all healthy–THAT’S my highlight!

Harold Lederman (HBO’s “unofficial” ringside scorer):
Outside the ring, something interesting that happened in 2008 was when Riddick Bowe made a comeback during the Klitschko-Rahman fight. I went over to say hello; I hadn’t seen him in over 10 years since the Golota fight. He gave me a big hug and so did his wife. I had met his first wife, but not his second wife. I got a big hug from Riddick and his new wife and they told me how much they loved me and that I was popular in their household–it made my year! You don’t get too many heavyweight champions telling me that. He only lost one fight, this is a heavyweight champion. I got a kick out of it and really enjoyed it.
And in the ring, my highlight was the magnificent performance of Margarito. I was so surprised by Antonio Margarito when he destroyed (Miguel) Cotto. A star was born that night! Not that he wasn’t thought of as tough…everyone knew he was tough, but not that tough! Now Oscar and Floyd are afraid to fight him; the only one to step in the ring with him was Paul Williams. Everyone thought he was just another tough kid, a workman-like fighter, a tough guy–not a ham ‘n egger. But that night he beat up Cotto, he became a superstar!

“Terrible” Terry Norris (Three-time Junior Middleweight World Champion):
My highlights of the year were teaching and helping kids (through his Terrible T’s Youth Foundation). I get to give back to the community with skills I have learned in boxing. And of course, my overall career highlight was fighting Ray Leonard and beating him!

Nonito Donaire (Popular Filipino Flyweight):
Mine was on August 8th when I got married to my wife Rachel. It was on 8/8/08 in Carmel, up in Monterey.

Paul Banke (WBC Super Bantamweight Champ):
I appreciate everything this year. Sometimes I think I got it bad, I got problems and issues just like everyone else. But to see my daughter, Paula, graduate from high school is a blessing. She was four when I was diagnosed. I’ve had this virus (HIV) for 15 years. I never thought I’d be around to see my kids grow up. I have one girl and two boys and my older son’s wife is having a baby in February. It’s a blessing to live this long!

Kevin Kelley (WBC Featherweight Champ):
Inside the ring, my highlight was on July 8th when I fought my 70th pro fight and won. It was a big event for me. Outside the ring, it’s my wife and girls, my two daughters. They’re my highlights!

Armando “Mando” Muniz (Uncrowned Welterweight Champ):
For me, being in Alaska for my 40th anniversary with my wife was a highlight. But that trip was saddened. It was bittersweet because on the second day of the trip, I got a call from Carlos Palomino telling me Mando Ramos had died. I thought about Mando the whole trip. I was going to have some world champions over for a gathering–all of us at the same time in the same place at my home. Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Carlos Palomino, Mando Ramos, Albert Davila, Rodolfo Gonzalez were all coming over. We talked to Mando Ramos about this gathering but he died before this happened!
Another moment this year was the 40th reunion of the 1968 Olympic Team. It was on October 11 in St. Louis, the site of the 1904 Olympics. We had about 60 team members there. Only four were from the boxing team; I was sad to learn that three fighters had passed away. But it was very exciting to be there.
And more than anything I’m grateful for Yolanda and our three kids. My wife, she stuck with me for 40 years!

Rashad Holloway (Top welterweight prospect):
I was one of the main sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao (for the Oscar De La Hoya bout) and I knew Oscar didn’t have it from the beginning. Manny did everything I thought he’d do. It was an unbelievable win!

Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez (WBC Lightweight Champ):
Years ago, I had cancer; it was a tumor in my liver. But now I’m alive and healthy! So every day is a highlight for me.

Jack Mosley (Trainer and father of “Sugar” Shane Mosley):
I have a couple of highlights–I was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in June. Also Shane’s knockout with one second left (against Ricardo Mayorga)–that’s part of boxing history. And on January 24, It’s gonna be a really good fight–Shane’s gonna have a lot of energy!

Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon (Two-time Featherweight World Champion):
My highlight of the year is the lady in my life “Roses” (Rosie) and friends that have stuck by me all this time helping me bounce back up in my life, reminding me to keep my chin up and stay on my feet. And for close friends Louie Rosales for helping me with the wonderful dentist. I have new teeth–a great new smile! And to Mike Donahue–thank you for everything. Most importantly, I especially thank God. And for all the friends and fans that are still there for me, I appreciate them–I love the you all!

And a big “Thank You” to this “baker’s dozen” of fighters, champs, and boxing pals–not only for their time, but for their honesty and thoughtfulness in reminiscing about the year they had. In this diverse group with varied responses, one common bond is shared. Through the highs and the lows of 2008, all are extremely grateful for everything they have in their lives right now.

I, too, am grateful (I think this word should really be spelled “great full”) for all the wonderful moments I had this year.

I hope the New Year brings everyone good health and an abundance of happiness. Happy 2009 to you all!

Photos by Michele Chong: Lederman, Norris, Donaire, Kelley, Muniz, Holloway, Gonzalez, Mosley and Chacon. Additional fight photos courtesy of myboxingfans.com