A Look Back at Annual Ceremony
“What did you do on your summer vacation?”
That was always the question when we were kids going back to school after a great summer break.
Since June, I’ve been on the road almost every weekend (for work, boxing and fun)…and suddenly it’s September already with the big Mayweather-Maidana rematch this weekend. Where did the summer go?
In boxing, it’s been another exciting and crazy year filled with “Fight of the Year” contenders, controversies and incredible performances by the warriors that keep us captivated with their blood-and-guts punch outs. While critics continue to condemn the sport, its loyal followers keep coming back for more. And whether it’s the PPV marquee matchups, club fights or amateur bouts I will keep on watching too.
Outside the ropes, I’ve also attended many charity events, meet-and-greets and awards shows throughout this year. And one of my top favorites was last month’s Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) Induction Ceremony and Dinner. Here is my special look back at the annual awards event held in Las Vegas, the Mecca of Boxing!
It was a KO celebration for the crowd of 720 attendees. This was the NVBHOF’s second year and the crowd blossomed from their first year’s showing of 450 spectators. This new nonprofit continues to give back to the youth and the community both in and outside of boxing. Founder and President Rich Marotta and Vice President Michelle Corrales-Lewis ushered in 18 inductees and 9 Special Achievement Honorees at this August 9 bash held at the New Tropicana Las Vegas. The 2014 inductees included Evander Holyfield, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Archie Moore, Kenny Bayless, Richard Steele, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Col. Bob Sheridan, Kevin Iole, Bruce Trampler, Chuck Minker, Luther Mack, Clifford Perlman, Steve Wynn and Miguel Diaz. The Special Achievement awards went to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Bermane Stiverne, Shawn Porter, Ana Julaton, Mary Ann Owen, Dr. Charles Bernick, Garrett Felling, Joe Bliss and Vinh Thai.
During the gala there was a room full of pound-for-pound group of champs coming out to support their fellow fighters on stage. Fighters Leon Spinks, Shawn Porter, Bermane Stiverne, Nonito Donaire, Jessie Vargas, Christy Martin, Mike McCallum, Ana Julaton, Shane Mosley, Shane Mosley Jr., Ava Knight, J’Leon Love, Badou Jack, Ishe Smith, Gabe Rosado, Michael Hunter, Ashley Theophane, Joey Gilbert, DeMarcus Corley, Richie 
Sandoval, Walter Sarnoi, and many more greeting the fans. There were also many trainers, cornerman and boxing officials (Russell Mora, Jay Nady, Big John McCarthy, etc.) lending their support. The WBC was represented with President Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC/NABF’s Jill Diamond and Chuck Williams, who all provided a solid presence. And the music world collided with the boxing universe with Joe Jackson (patriarch of The Jackson 5) mingling with the fight crowd.
Some former rivals in boxing stole the show as the audience witnessed Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield joking around and Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran also together on stage. And superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. had the camera flashes popping when he presented the NVBHOF bronze trophy (designed by sculptor/boxing trainer Steve Harpst) to Cornelius Boza Edwards.
On the microphones were actress Rosie Perez and and announcer Barry Tompkins who served as the night’s emcees. There were highlight reels, moving speeches, silent and live auctions, and surprise presentations like Reno’s Mike Martino giving letterman’s jackets to Evander Holyfield, Ray Leonard and George Foreman (whose two sons accepted in his honor).
I enjoyed seeing the camaraderie and chatting with many in the boxing crowd, several who traveled from out of state or out of the country to be there in person. It was a reunion for veterans of the game who reconnected after first meeting years ago.
And just last week I caught up with the NVBHOF President Rich Marotta as we reminisced about last month’s awards. Marotta mentioned the 2015 Induction Ceremony will take place next August so stay tuned for more details in the coming months. He and his Board of Directors, sponsors and volunteers all invest a lot of time, money and effort to make this charity event a smash hit. This is a gathering you don’t want to miss out on and last month’s event was definitely one of my summer highlights.
See you all next year!
For more on Special Awardee Mary Ann Owen:
For more on Roberto Duran’s Induction:
Photos by Michele Chong
