By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com
In the past sixty-three years, starting in January 1961 when my taste and passion for boxing was ignited, I have met many boxers and other interesting people .
There were three that intrigued me with their amazing knowledge of the history of the sport, and we became great friends whom I will never forget . They were (R.I.P.) Al Nelson, Don Fraser and Harold Lederman.
AL NELSON
Al was curator of the Jeffries Museum Barn located at Knott’s Berry Farm . I came to know him through my friend, Gary Ballin, in the late 1960’s. Nelson was a living icon and boxing historian from the turn of the 20th Century in the Jim Jeffries, Jack Johnson, and Bob Fitzsimmons era . I would take it upon myself to make many visits, driving the 200 plus round-trip miles from my Santa Barbara home to visit him in Buena Park, California . He was certainly a wealth of boxing history, and I treasured the times with him and the education he gave me from his life experiences.
I remember a few highlights from our talks. He stated that Bob Fitzsimmons was the hardest puncher of his time, that Jim Corbett was a complete master in the ring and, although Jim Jeffries was his favorite, Jack Johnson at his prime was the best of the heavyweights.
Just before he passed away, Al gave me photos and booklets; but the greatest gift, besides his friendship, was an original cigar box cover circa 1900 with the image of undefeated heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries on it.
DON FRASER
I first came in contact with Don back in the 1970’s when I was covering fights as a boxing beat writer for my local newspaper, and when he was promoting and match making fights at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California.
About a decade later, when I was appointed to the Board of Directors and Boxing Historian for the World Boxing Hall of Fame, I would make many trips to the L.A. area for the Golden State Boxers Association luncheons. Personally meeting Fraser was a match made in heaven – such a kind, giving, and wonderful man.
From that point on, we exchanged mail and phone calls on a regular basis. He once told me with true respect that if he had known me at an earlier stage in life, I would have been his main “PR” guy while working at the Forum, a quote that humbled me and one which I will never forget.
As founder and president of the California Boxing Hall of Fame, he inducted me in October 2007. Thank you, Mr. Fraser.
HAROLD LEDERMAN
I met Harold during my tenure with the World Boxing Hall of Fame. We instantly became friends and corresponded by phone and mail. He eventually came on board dmboxing.com in 2014, truly enhancing my website with his mini pod-cast from HBO World Championship Boxing, “Hey Harold!”
He was solely instrumental for introducing me to one of my best friends of today, Steve Corbo from Chicago. Steve offers his expertise with articles, features, and overall input to my website.
In my ten years, 1997 to 2007, with the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Harold never missed attending our banquets. We would always connect for breakfast or lunch at the hotel during his visits from New York.
When Harold was selected to be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on October 19, 2013, he unfortunately could not attend the ceremony due to his work commitment for HBO on the Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Provodnikov fight in Denver. So, to my surprise, he called and asked me to represent him and receive his award. I was so honored to be there for him; and what was extra special was that I took my-soon-to-be wife, Cely, as my date. This was her first ever boxing event.
These three boxing friends sincerely and respectfully made an impact on me. For those of you who may have also known them, consider yourself blessed.
Thank you Al, Don, and Harold for the friendship and memories that will live with me always and forever!
