2015 Induction Ceremony THIS Saturday

Boxing official Max DeLuca will be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame (CBHOF) at the Induction Ceremony THIS Saturday, October 24 at the famed Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, Calif. The event always sells out and this year’s function looks to be another banner event.

I caught up with the longtime boxing judge to hear his thoughts on being part of the historic Class of 2015 with CBHOF President Don Fraser.

This weekend looks to be a whirlwind for the boxing official–he has a stacked schedule beginning this Friday.

He is assigned to work the Bobby D show in San Diego on Friday night, then will come back up for the Hall of Fame luncheon Saturday afternoon and then suit up again to work the live “Battle in Burbank” card (PR Promotions and the new James Toney Promotions) Saturday evening. Yep, his prestigious award will be sandwiched in between DeLuca judging bouts both Friday and Saturday night. He certainly has a busy few days ahead of him. And if that’s not enough, he is also the “Best Man” in his friend’s wedding on Sunday!

It will be a memorable weekend for DeLuca. And Saturday will be a knockout day.

The Orange County official began his pro career in 1998 under the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). He counts Pat Russell, Marty Denkin, the late Lou Filippo and the late Larry Rozadilla as his early mentors. His chosen profession was in his DNA; Max’s father is veteran ringside physician Dr. Michael DeLuca, a 2007 California Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and a 2009 World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. Dr. DeLuca worked in boxing for over 30 years and was also a fighter in college.

Growing up in Villa Park (with 10 brothers and sisters), a young Max accompanied his father at ringside at many fights and his love for the sweet science continued to grow.

Fast forward to 2015 and the SoCal official has now worked in over 50 world title fights (his first was a Manny Pacquiao fight in 2003) and countless bouts in the U.S. (California, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, etc.) and internationally. As a WBC official, he has also worked in Japan, Thailand, Argentina, Canada, Finland and Mexico and won the WBC “Judge of the Year” award in 2010. He has traveled to Japan five times and has also visited Croatia, China, Korea and the Philippines for conventions.

And his job is not easy. I think working as a boxing judge has to be one of the hardest jobs in the sport. You remain anonymous until fans or critics voice their opinions. You must remain fair and impartial. And during long fight nights, they are the first one in and last one out. It’s not for everyone.

But for Max DeLuca, it’s his passion. DeLuca has now judged a whopping 849 bouts and he is proud to say he has judged more fights in the last four years than anyone in the country. But Max remains the same humble, hardworking guy that those of us in local boxing circles have come to know.

His friend and fellow official Mike Bell says Saturday’s honor is a well deserved one for his amigo. Mike says: “Max is the best boxing judge in California. I’m lucky to work with him and learn from him; he’s a true professional.”

He first met De Luca in 2012 when Bell got his pro license. “Max is a good guy,” Bell elaborates. “he is one of those ‘good guys’ who does the right thing.”

In the boxing world (just like any other sport or business), competition can be tough with the working officials all vying for jobs. But the SoCal crew are a loyal bunch who support each other. The CSAC guys are a close-knit group and many other SoCal officials will be in attendance this Saturday including Mike Bell, Ray Corona (also being inducted on Saturday) Pat Russell, Pat Connolly, Fritz Werner, among others. They will applaud Max and the other inductees (Ruben Olivares, Greg Hauen, Henry Tillman, Richard Steele, Thell Torrence and many more) who will take the stage at the Sportsmen’s Lodge gala.

DeLuca’s brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces will all be there to see Max receive this honor; it will be a bittersweet moment as his mother Dorothy passed away 15 years ago and his father’s health does not permit him to travel at this time. But Team DeLuca will be out in force to cheer on their favorite guy.

“How do you feel about carrying on your dad’s legacy in working in boxing?” I asked the new 2015 inductee.

“I’m very honored to carry on my dad’s legacy–and the legacy of all the officials who mentored me,” Max replied.

And what was his first reaction when you were notified about your induction?

“I was surprised!” he answers. “Even though I have been judging a long time, I still think of myself as a young official.”

Besides being a big boxing aficionado, Max also enjoys other sports and is a loyal Chicago Cubs and a diehard Bears fan. When he’s not judging fights, he also works as a bookkeeper for Trinity Process Solutions (Mechanical Contractor). DeLuca is well regarded in the fight scene and is known for being humble and professional. In boxing’s inner circles, he’s known as a stand-up guy and a good friend to many. Several of the older judges and referees also knew and/or worked with his father, Dr. Michael DeLuca.

It’s been 17 years since Max first began working in boxing. Along the way, there have been many rounds in the books, pearls of wisdom gleaned from wise veterans, and tons of memories of some of the best fighters and champions he’s seen in the ring. He has seen action from judging in small local club shows to the bright lights and glitz and glamour seen in the largest arenas in the world.

And he’s had the best seat in the house–at the apron as a judge.

And come Saturday, DeLuca will be introduced as a brand new member of the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

“Do you have your speech ready?” I said.

“Not officially…I need to put it down on paper,” he says.

In between judging pro fights and prepping for “Best Man” duties, he will take time to jot down some key names of those he’d like to thank including his dad and California Boxing Hall of Fame President Don Fraser.

Boxing has long been part of the DeLuca family. It is the sport that bonds father and son.

Now the two generations will make history–a one-two punch combo as Hall of Famers.

Congrats to Max and all of the 2015 inductees!

CALIFORNIA BOXING HALL OF FAME
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Lunch/Awards Ceremony 50.00
Tickets: 818-761-4887

Photos by Michele Chong