Exclusive Report from WBHF President’s Dinner
Here’s an exclusive report from me, Miss “Chatter Box,” as the nonprofit World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF) recently wrapped up their 30th Annual Banquet of Champions this past weekend as they toasted the 2009 Inductees who successfully secured their place in history!
The night before the big banquet–or the calm before the “storm” of media, fight fans and hundreds of well wishers who gather at the Saturday awards show–is steeped in tradition for the group. The current president always hosts a private and intimate dinner for his Executive Board, Board of Directors, and special out of town guests. It is a nice gathering that gives us all a chance to visit with the new honorees in a relaxed setting. Here’s a peek into the night as it enfolded.
Awards were presented to some distinguished individuals; this year’s recipients included past WBHF Presidents, college students and those who have dedicated themselves to the boxing community. Applauded for their efforts, each proud awardee spoke in appreciation of being recognized by their peers.The honorees included promoter Ken Thompson and Dr. Joe Noriega, both former head honchos of the WBHF, amateur boxing’s John Aguilar, scholars Deana Vazquez (Cal St. Fullerton), Seth Porrazzo (Santa Monica College) and student/fighter Walter Sarnoi (Azusa Pacific University).
Lucia Rijker, Orlando Canizales, Brian Mitchell, Rafael Herrera, Amilcar Brusa and Dr. James Jen-Kin were also present to start their weekend celebrations early with host and current President Mando Muñiz.
New Inductee Al Bernstein was in L.A. for the press conference but had to return to Las Vegas to cover the Oliver McCall-Lance Whitaker bout. Adie Zuckerman, manager for Al Bernstein Live, was the perfect “stand-in” for the popular boxing analyst and we were happy to have the bubbly Adie meet everyone. She fit right in with the elite gathering of esteemed guests.
Held in the Meridian Ballroom at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, the evening was a classy affair with live entertainment from Sinatra-esque crooner Chewy. Yep, he’s so good the singer only needs one name! His performance really set the mood for the evening. Chewy sings classic tunes first made famous by Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Paul Anka and more. As the invited guests dined on their fresh fish and chicken dinners, Chewy mesmerized the audience with his elegant vocals. Many were drawn to the dance floor including “First Lady” Yolanda Muñiz, wife of President Mando, Vera Thompson (Thompson Boxing Promotions), Richard Perry and Paul and Debbie Ritchie.
On the eve of the big day were many luminaries from the sports world including Los Angeles Dodger Al Ferrara. The outfielder told me that the Dodgers (who just got knocked out of the competition by returning champs, the Phillies) just need one more talented pitcher, and next year they’ll have another great shot at the World Series. The baseball player was a teammate of Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Tommy Davis and continues to make celebrity appearances at Dodger Stadium.
After enjoying a chocolate soufflé dessert, the attendees had some time to socialize before getting a full night’s rest. For the guests who flew in from all over (South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, New York, Florida, Chicago, Washington and more), several had spent the day sightseeing around town. A few told me about their field trips to Hollywood and Disneyland. For the wives, many showed off new purchases from their shopping expeditions around the city.
I also had a chance to reconnect with Gaspar “Indio” Ortega and his wife, Ida. They are two of my favorite visitors and are very involved in the sport. Their son, Michael Ortega, is a working official in the ring and a familiar presence in many East Coast fights. Gaspar is very close to referee Joe Cortez and the Ortegas tell me that the veteran ref will be coming to Saturday’s banquet.
Another dynamic duo I get to see each year is Carlos Ortiz, three-time Puerto Rican World Champion. He and his wife, Maria, are longtime supporters of the WBHF and Carlos is always a top draw for the fans and fellow boxers at the events. This time I noticed a pattern with the couple; every time I see them they are completely color coordinated in their wardrobe, shoes, jewelry and accessories! Maria confirmed to me that the two like to dress accordingly. It made extra nice photo ops during the weekend too as I saw them in their twin denim attire, yellow outfits, matching white pants and banquet finery. The Ortiz’s have a lot of energy and I can’t wait to see what they wear in tandem next year.
Also at the Friday night dinner were legends in the fight game like George Chuvalo, Emile Griffith, Alvaro “Yaqui” Lopez, and “Irish” Gil King. Emile and his son Luis Griffith brought some terrific DVDs with them, “Ring of Fire.” If you haven’t seen this compelling documentary yet, I do recommend it as it tells Emile’s poignant story. The crowd-pleasing Griffith signed the boxed set version of the film for several guests.
As singer Chewy serenaded the crowd with a perfect rendition of “Moon River,” the dinner patrons continued to visit with each other. I went to congratulate two past Presidents of the WBHF, Ken Thompson with wife, Vera, and Dr. Joe Noriega, with wife, Nelly. The busy foursome has a huge weekend ahead of them. This coming Saturday is Yonnhy Perez’s fight against Joseph Agbeko. Thompson, along with Gary Shaw, is co-promoter of the Colombian boxer, who will be competing for an IBF Bantamweight title on Halloween night at Treasure Island in Las Vegas.
Perez’s sparring partner and stablemate Walter Sarnoi accepted his scholarship award at the beginning of the event and also got to meet Brian Mitchell, a 2009 Inductee and a hard-hitting South African champ. Sarnoi recently spent a whole month in Mitchell’s home country as part of Yonnhy’s training camp for his victory over Silence Mabuza. The Thai-American super bantamweight has also fought on Thompson cards before.
And the active Dr. Joe was traveling to Mexico the morning after the President’s Dinner for female fighter Carino Moreno’s bid for the WBC and WIBA strap on October 31. Noriega is the pugilist’s manager and said he’s really looking forward to both the trip and her fight.
Since this was a boxing crowd, there had to be some lacing up of the gloves! Hanging out for a few minutes with WBHF Sergeant-at-Arms Gwen Adair and Treasurer Josie Arrey-Mejia, I noticed the two ladies displaying their boxing gloves. Gwen showed off her unique WBHF logo gloves and Josie displayed her huge Cleto-Reyes glove with prized signatures she’s collected through the year. And representing the actual boxing glove business was the Cleto-Reyes family. Alberto Reyes, a 2008 Inductee, made the trek out to L.A. with his 
family, including daughter Elizabeth.
After the dinner wound down, half of the people kept the party going at the appropriately named Champions Sports Bar and Grill located on the hotel premises. This was another opportunity to welcome the out-of-towners and newest inductees in a very relaxed and casual setting. With President Muñiz and his family, Board Members Gwen Adair, Josie Arrey-Mejia, Richard Perry, Steve Harpst, fighter Gil King and the Brian Mitchell family, I spent a couple of hours talking, laughing and reminiscing about past banquets.
I had a great time visiting with Brian Mitchell and his son, Brian Jr., 22. The Johannesburg slugger is one of his country’s most beloved fighters who won fans over with his relentless come-forward style. Outside the ropes, the self-effacing Mitchell has stayed active in the fight game as a trainer and manager. I met his pretty wife, Junita, and another of their sons, Damon, age 8. The tyke is a little charmer and was very excited about his trip to California. Damon said he’s been here before and loves visiting the U.S. The family is familiar with the San Diego area and lived in Florida for a time too.
Brian Sr. and Brian Jr., who’s an aspiring actor who resided in L.A. for a while, took delight in teaching me some South African phrases. They mentioned that everyone talks faster in their hometown than in L.A. Brian Sr. said that when Angelenos speak, they stretch out syllables and pronounce things more slowly and differently than his Johannesburg mates. For example, if you want a glass of milk to go with your cookies, in S.A. they pronounce it “mulk.” They also remind me that we drive on the “wrong” side of the street! They, like their British counterparts, drive on the other side of the road.
And in their native country where Afrikaans is spoken, words we use here in the States have no meaning in their South African culture. So we all had a blast playing the “What do you call this?” parlor game as I held up various items. You may wear tennis shoes, sneakers or kicks here but in 
Jo’burg they’re called “takkies.” If you’re dining in South Africa and you ask the waiter for a napkin to wipe your mouth, you may get a very strange reaction. In their land, a napkin or “nappy” is a baby’s diaper! The Mitchells said their countrymen use the word “serviette” instead of napkin. Also, there are no long lines in South Africa, over there people line up in “queues.” And during cold weather here while you put on a sweater, the Mitchells will put on a “jersey” to stay warm.
But I think I found a way to stump them.
What do you call a boxing champion in South Africa?
Answer: A boxing champion, of course! No argument there.
Once a champ, always a champ–in any language. After all, the WBHF’s motto is “Where Champions live forever.”
As everyone began to turn in for the night, we all looked forward to the weekend’s festivities and the induction of the 2009 Class.
Stay tuned to this column for further reports about all the championship events that took place!
Photos by Michele Chong/Steve Harpst: Scholarship winner Walter Sarnoi with Ken and Vera Thompson; Yolanda Muñiz and Richard Perry; Gwen, Vera and Josie; Gaspar Ortega; Singer Chewy; Emile Griffith, With the Cleto-Reyes family; Brian Mitchell during Friday’s festivities