Ringside Photographer & Author Receives Special Award
Ringside photographer and author Mary Ann Lurie Owen is accustomed to being behind the lens at world championship fights and boxing events worldwide.
But on Saturday night, the tables were turned on the longtime lensman who shoots for Boxing in Las Vegas, Top Rank, wire services and more as the hardworking veteran was honored by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) for her commitment and dedication in boxing. President Rich Marotta and Vice President Michelle Corrales-Lewis presented a 2014 Special Achievement Award to honorees Mary Ann Owen, heavyweight champ Bermane Stiverne, boxer and MMA fighter Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, and college champs Vinh Thai and Garrett Felling, who all took their places in the spotlight.
This pound for pound group took center stage during the NVBHOF Induction Ceremony and Dinner held at the New Tropicana Casino in Las Vegas.
The star-studded event was attended by superstars Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Leon Spinks and many, many more. The bash was emceed by actress Rosie Perez and famed sportscaster Barry Tompkins.
Mary Ann (author of “Extraordinary Women of the Ring”) and her husband Butch Gottlieb (Editor/Founder of Boxing in Las Vegas) are well-known in Vegas boxing circles and beyond. She took photos of all the NVBHOF events during the epic weekend as well as taking her spot on stage for this prestigious award. Check out my exclusive pics from the gala as Mary Ann set down her camera for a few minutes to accept her award!
And after receiving her honors, New Jersey’s Owen was greeted by several fighters (Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, Badou Jack, J’Leon Love, Shane Mosley, etc.) who all told her this award was much deserved. Mary Ann not only puts in long hours at the big PPV fights but she also works the local club fights, gym workouts, charity events and pressers. She loves the sweet science and I have to say her true passion for boxing is clearly evident.
Her championship photography has been published internationally and on Saturday evening, Mary Ann even donated one of her large glossy prints to the silent auction to help raise funds for the NVBHOF nonprofit. Her photo of Canelo Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather received an opening bid of $300 by none other than World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman himself. The photographer continues to give back to the community while maintaining her endless passion for prizefighting.
Owen received her first camera at just 10 years old. She has never looked back embarking on a love of photography that has brought forth her evocative and action-packed images. She moved to Las Vegas with her family in 1963 and began shooting professionally in 1998. She has filmed boxing, MMA, wrestling, golf and red carpet functions.
But boxing is her favorite and it is her loyalty through the decades that brought her this honor from the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
“I am honored to be part of all this boxing history,” Mary Ann told me during the awards ceremony. “Thank you to Rich and Michelle Corrales for his award among the champs in boxing. What a GREAT night!”
Both Owen and Gottlieb (who worked with the Nevada State Athletic Commission) were very close to Michelle Corrales’ husband, the late great champ Diego Corrales. And during the Hall of Fame dinner, a steady stream of well-wishers continued to give Mary Ann hearty congratulations for her special achievement.
Congrats to Mary Ann and all of the awardees!
Photos by Michele Chong
