Catching Up With the NVBHOF’s CEO & COO

The 3rd Annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) Induction Ceremony and Dinner will take place on Saturday, August 8, at the famed Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

I have attended this prestigious summer bash since its inception and it continues to grow and impress the crowd in attendance. This year’s induction gala should be just as epic when 21 inductees will be ushered in the Class of 2015. There will also be several special honoree awards, champ appearances, and a museum exhibit. Superstars like Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Lennox Lewis and more have RSVP’ed their attendance. Don’t miss out on this exciting event–be sure to get your tickets now before they sell out!

I caught up with the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) Michelle Corrales-Lewis, who has been working with Founder/President/CEO and radio and TV personality Rich Marotta in ensuring this year’s event will be another memorable awards dinner for all. Corrales-Lewis is the widow of former champ, the late Diego “Chico” Corrales, and knows the boxing community very well. I asked Marotta about Michelle’s current position with the NVBHOF and how invaluable she’s been to the team.

“Michelle’s ascension up the ranks of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has been swift,” the award-winning Marotta told me. “I knew her during the years of Diego’s championship reign because she would often accompany him to his frequent appearances on my radio show, Neutral Corner.”

Diego Corrales was a beloved warrior who passed away in 2007. Michelle was pregnant with their child when he passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. Marotta speaks on how the champ’s family received an award at his very first NVBHOF awards.

“Following his tragic death, Michelle accepted his Induction Trophy at our Inaugural Dinner in a most poignant appearance with her family,” Rich recalls. “My son Joey had been in close touch with Michelle, and kept telling me, ‘Dad, call Michelle. She can really help the organization.’ We visited her and she indicated strongly of her desire to be part of the NVBHOF. We put her on the Board of Directors and she immediately took over the “Event Planning” position.”

And it’s been a great pairing between her and the nonprofit NVBHOF organization ever since.

“Michelle had so much energy, so many contacts and so much love from people, that she had a quick, stunning impact,” President Marotta comments. “In order to put her in the “point” position, she was made Vice-President of the NVBHOF. Then since she lived in Las Vegas and was constantly in touch with the boxing community, and getting the NVBHOF more in touch with the community at-large, it made sense to name her Chief Operating Officer (COO) so she could actually run the day-to-day-business of the NVBHOF.”

And Corrales-Lewis has devoted her time and energy in preparing for another successful NVBHOF banquet, silent auction, gifting suite for the VIPs and more.

The 2015 Inductees include Nevada boxers: Roger Mayweather, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Johnny Tapia, Non-Nevada resident boxers: Muhammad Ali, Marco Antonio Barrera, Gene Fullmer, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Lennox Lewis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Felix Trinidad, Pioneer category: James J. Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Joe Gans, Jack Johnson and Tex Rickard, Non-boxer participants: Pat & Dawn Barry, Chuck Hull, Lee Samuels, Dr. Donald Romeo, Steve Sneddon and Dr. Robert Voy. Special awards will also be presented to Jarred Santos, Layla McCarter, Yank Barry, Mike Martino and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Fighter of the Year). The show’s emcees will be actress Rosie Perez, Al Bernstein and Crystina Poncher.

Besides the inductees many other current and former fighters have been invited including Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas, Ana Julaton, Mike McCallum, Leon Spinks, along with
singers, football players, comedians/actors and more.

I recently chatted with the petite brunette to hear all the new details about the August 8 weekend. Michelle has balanced family and work seamlessly as she and her husband Ryan Lewis raise five children as they continue to work in both the music and boxing world. And she has tirelessly put her efforts into planning this upcoming awards dinner at Caesars located right in the heart of the Vegas strip. This is the first time the induction event will be held at the “Home of the Champions”–the legendary Caesars Palace.

“The new addition of Caesars as a real partner and the first hotel to really embrace our event is great,” Corrales-Lewis tells during our phone interview. “We are really blessed to partner with them. Caesars is excited about the champions being there for their players and customers too; they are a first-class hotel!”

During my conversation with the Vegas resident, Corrales-Lewis’ enthusiasm for this year’s installment was clearly evident.

“There will be many surprises and sights for the fans as we want to make a statement honoring these champs,” she says. “I’m very passionate about the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and building community support. Vegas is the boxing capital of the world and we also want to build a museum for the fans. I really like to honor these fighters–boxing is a lifestyle you give your life for.”

And the lucky fans attending the awards show are also in for a treat. This year will see a brand new museum exhibit, in-ring demos, autograph sessions (on both Friday and Saturday) at Caesars. On Saturday night there will be red carpet arrivals and special guests making their grand entrances before the ceremony and speeches get underway.

Both Rich Marotta (who was inducted into the Southern California Sportscasters Hall of Fame and California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011) and and Michelle Corrales-Lewis have expressed their anticipation in presenting a knockout night for the fight fans and boxing community. I’ve witnessed the NVBHOF nonprofit expand quickly since its inaugural 2013 dinner and awards ceremony. And the quantity of tables have almost doubled in size as the organization continues to gain steam and meet the demand of the fans who want to be part of history!

The humble and classy Rich Marotta (based in Reno) continues to give a lot of credit to his team, including Michelle Corrales-Lewis (who was honored at the Raging Babe Soirée earlier this year).

“The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has mushroomed in its size, prestige and impact, far beyond what we expected in these first three years,” President Marotta confirms. “Michelle has been instrumental in several ways. First, by utilizing her contacts among fighters to get more involvement with the boxing community and our organization. Second by bringing in successful businessmen like Keith Veltre and Michael Politz, or celebrities like rock icon Vince Neil to the NVBHOF. Third by being bold enough and savvy enough to deal with major entities like Caesars Palace and our sponsors. Finally she has been a constant source of optimism for the organization. Basically she has spread our wings.”

Fight fans, mark your calendars for August 7 (Museum Exhibit) and August 8 (Museum Exhibit, Induction Awards and Dinner).

It will be a KO weekend with back-to-back events you will want to be a part of.

Don’t miss out on the 2015 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame!

FOR MORE INFO/TICKETS: www.nvbhof.com

Photos by Michele Chong