Champs join the celebration in L.A.
Fight veteran Johnny Ortiz was honored this past weekend at a “Ringside with Johnny O” luncheon and awards show held at Steven’s Steak House in Commerce, Calif.
The fiesta was well-attended by many boxing champs and fight luminaries including Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Raul Rojas, Bobby Chacon, Paul Gonzales, Rene Arredondo, Joey Orbillo, and Rodolfo Gonzalez. 
Promoter and former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Ken Thompson, radio host Joe McDonnell, former WBHF Presidents Dr. Joe Noriega and Adolfo Perez, comedian Momo Rodriguez and many others also came out in support of Johnny’s big day. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the Johnny by past WBHF Presidents Thompson, Noriega and Perez.
For those of us in L.A., it was the 
bookend to a great weekend of boxing. The previous night, many of us witnessed the fourth fight between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez with the co-main betweem Yonnhy Perez and Abner Mares. So before the tribute got underway, there was a lot of the buzz continuing about the previous evening’s fight card with guests congratulating Perez’s co-promoter Ken Thompson on his fighter retaining his championship belt.
Then the dapper Ortiz took to the dais and the program began. Celebrating over 60 years in the boxing biz, Johnny has worked in almost every aspect there is in the fight game. And Sunday was a double celebration since his new biography “My Life Among the Icons” was recently published.
Johnny told the audience that his friend Julian Eget originally planned the event–until his untimely death two months ago. He further explained that Raul Esquivel, Adolfo Perez and Lou Herrera took over in holding the luncheon. Several of Julian’s family members were there in person and stood nearby as Jackie Hayden (with the original bell from the Hollywood Legion Stadium) led the crowd in a Ten Count for Eget.
Kept in constant motion signing books, posing for photos and greeting guests, this was a day the Cuban-born Ortiz said he will always remember–and not just because of all the special awards and accolades honoring the longtime member of the boxing community.
“Michele, the highlight of the day was when my daughter Jonna spoke loving words about me; I felt extremely proud that she was my daughter,” he commented. “She, her husband Tim, and my two beautiful granddaughters, Trinity and Felicity, are my pride and joy. I thank the Good Lord every day that they are all in my life.”
There were many heartfelt speeches from several attendees and many an anecdote told by Johnny Ortiz as well. Since he hobnobbed with everyone from Elvis to Sinatra to Sugar Ray Robinson it came as no surprise his speech was laced with hilarious and spicy stories from the past. Just ask him about partying with Jim Morrison from the Doors! He also teased the attendees saying that if we wanted to hear more then “you’ll have to buy the book!” He then motioned to a table set up with his thick new book brimming with true tales from the golden age of boxing in the Southland.
Touching base with the man of the hour a couple of days after his tribute, the former fighter, trainer, manager and so much more was still overcome with emotion at the huge turnout. Currently battling liver cancer, the deeply religious Ortiz (wearing a Lady of Guadalupe pin) was honored and grateful for the good fortune he has experienced in his six decades involved in the sweet science.
Said Ortiz: “I was deeply humbled that so many people turned out to celebrate my day; it was a bit overwhelming. The awards were nice, and I am very grateful for them. All in all, I was extremely happy to see many of my friends that I had not seen in quite a while. God blessed the day, giving me a day I shall never forget.”
Photos by Michele Chong
