Annual Luncheon Honors Boxing Stars
Mark the date of April 29 in your calendar for the return of the National Boxing Hall of Fame’s “Salute to the World of Boxing” event taking place at the Steven’s Steakhouse in the City of Commerce.
Here’s my SPECIAL PREVIEW about this Southern California awards show that will honor boxing champs, trainers, matchmakers, and others involved in the sweet science.
Founded by Bill and Linda Young, the NBHOF presents their yearly awards luncheon and celebration with fighters from all over the globe. Bill serves as President of the organization with his wife as the Vice President. The couple has presented this annual awards since 2015. Bill also presides as the official “Master of Ceremonies” as he will emcee on stage, introducing the honorees and special guests in the crowd. On track to be a sell out, be sure to purchase your tickets now as the date is quickly nearing!
This year’s induction ceremony will usher in the Class of 2017: Earnie Shavers, Mia St. John, Israel Vazquez, Michael Spinks, James “Quick” Tillis, Ruben Olivares, Yaqui Lopez, Jorge Paez Sr., Jolene Blackshear, Gaspar Ortega, Alex Camponovo, Nacho Beristain and Carol Steindler with special awards going to Jill Diamond, Joey Olivo, Norm Lockwood, Howard James Triem and Budd Schulberg.
New to this year’s fiesta will be a post-awards party, a VIP private event after the awards ceremony with a raffle and live music by the band Young Dempsey (with Drew Young).
I caught up with Linda Young to hear how this upcoming bash is coming along. She said almost all of the inductees have confirmed their attendance for April 29. In addition to the awardees, Saturday afternoon will also feature many luminaries in the sport. Linda mentions that fighters Leon Spinks, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Gabe Ruelas, Kenny Rainford, Mike Weaver, Paul Banke, Paul Gonzales, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Frankie Duarte, Avery Rawls, Andy Price, Alberto Sandoval, Art Frias, Mando Muniz, Oscar Muniz, promoter Ken Thompson, members from the World Boxing Council (WBC), officials Jack Reiss, Max De Luca and Benjamin Rendon, trainer/artist Steve Harpst, former IFBA boxing commissioner Shelley Williams, historian Tony Triem, Fight Town’s Tony Shultz, author/attorney/boxer Ken Green, producer Eddie Foy III, producer/director Benn Schulberg, and many more are scheduled to attend.
You can expect an afternoon of mingling with the prizefighters, taking selfies with your favorite champ and bearing witness to this 2017 “Salute to the World of Boxing” with the National Boxing Hall of Fame.
Besides the local SoCal boxing community, attendees from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom are also slated to be there in person. The family of the late Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon will also be present.
It’s a golden opportunity for all of us to reconnect.
I was recently in Las Vegas and had some to chat with heavyweight James “Quick” Tillis, who is one of the featured inductees on April 29. James and Vanessa are planning a “righteous” weekend with their boxing fam.”The Fighting Cowboy” from Oklahoma and his wife Vanessa are really looking forward to the big day. “Quick” fought in the pros for over two decades, facing everyone from Mike Tyson to Evander Holyfield to Frank Bruno and plenty more. On April 29, Tillis will get to have a reunion with former foes Earnie Shavers, Avery Rawls, and Mike Weaver. That will be one “KO” group shot we will have to make happen!
Awards shows such as these give the boxing fraternity–and sorority–a day to catch up with old boxing pals, meet new friends and honor those who have contributed to the world of pugilism. Seeing the inductees receive recognition from their peers makes for a knockout day for all. And for boxing fans and first-time guests, it’s an exciting day to see some of your boxing heroes up close and personal.
So be sure to get your tickets today and be part of this historic day with the champs!
Tickets: $60
www.nationalboxinghalloffame.com
