WBC Awards THIS Sunday!

Induction Ceremony & Holiday Toy Drive

Happy Holidays from the “Chatter Box”!

And to help spread Christmas and Hanukkah cheer, here is a special announcement about a fun boxing event taking place THIS Sunday at the World Boxing Council’s Legends of Boxing Museum (WBC LBM) in San Bernardino, California.

What better way to kick off the month of December than meeting ring heroes from the past and present? You’ll have the chance at the WBC LBM 2010 Awards Luncheon, Induction Ceremony and Charity Toy Drive!

For new fans of the WBC LBM, this venue showcasing Dr. Jose and Mauricio Sulaiman’s famed boxing organization has held various star-studded and memorable events since 2008. I was at their inaugural Grand Opening Gala attended by ring rivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. The two warriors were brought together at this function and even shook hands as WBC President Dr. Jose Sulaiman witnessed their friendly meeting. At their second awards ceremony, veteran cutman Chuck Bodak was honored–and this was the very last public appearance by the former trainer/cornerman who passed away just four months later. And last year, everyone’s favorite champ, Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez, was honored at a poignant dinner as he continues to battle cancer.

Now it’s time for their second annual WBC Awards and Toy Drive. There will be ten inductees, live entertainment, prize raffles, and surprise celebrity guests during the luncheon.

The WBC’s Dr. Rudy Tellez is really looking forward to this winter gala. “Sergio Martinez and Timmy Bradley are coming,” Tellez, also known as “The Mouthpiece Doctor” shared with me. “We’ve had an incredible amount of support. Adolfo Perez will be bringing some fighters and I just spoke to manager Cameron Dunkin, and he said he’ll have some boxers there too.”

Rudy, one of the founding members of the group, added, “It’s gonna be great–we’ve had a lot of interest from the fans too.” Yes, fans can meet and mingle with some of their favorite fighters.

While on his way to the weigh-in for the Soto-Antillon bout, Tellez confirmed that Martinez, Bradley, Israel Vazquez, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Chango Carmona and many others have been invited to join the festivities, so look for lots of familiar faces mingling in the crowd at the awards show.

And who are the prestigious honors going to this year?

Here is a sneak preview–the official list of the 2010 awardees:

Wayne McCullough WBC Boxing Champion Legend 2010 Inductee
Sergio Martinez WBC LBM 2010 Fighter of the Year
Luisito Espinosa WBC Boxing Champion Legend 2010 Inductee
Carina Moreno WBC LBM 2010 Special Honoree
Fernando “Bobby Boy” Velardez WBC LBM Youth Champion
Kenny Thompson WBC LBM Promoter
Dr. Joe Noriega WBC LBM Boxing Supervisor
David Avila WBC Journalist
Big Joe Miranda WBC LBM Photographer
Bert Colima WBC LBM Boxing Historian

All of these “Top 10” list of boxing’s best are dedicated individuals making a difference in the sport. And they are not resting on their laurels. At this week’s final press conference for the Top Rank PPV card this Saturday, I saw two of the new inductees working hard as usual. Well-known photographer Big Joe Miranda was capturing all the action on the dais as Nonito Donaire, Humberto Soto, Urbano Antillon, Bob Arum and others took to the podium. I had just enough time to personally congratulate him before he went to grab the next shot. I also saw loyal boxing enthusiast, Dr. Joe Noriega showing his support to the sweet science. A youthful octogenarian, Dr. Joe can be seen ringside at every local fight. The WBC Supervisor and former World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF) President told me he was very honored to be receiving this award from his peers.

And a third inductee is the WBC LBM Promoter of the Year, Kenny Thompson. The Thompson Boxing Promotions President has a championship stable of fighters and has kept an extraordinary schedule lately while earning plenty of “frequent flier” miles along the way! The former WBHF President just returned from Japan, where his champ Juan Carlos Burgos went toe-to-toe with Hozumi Hasegawa in a very close war that people are still talking about. His promoter said that 2011 will be the year Burgos, who turned pro at just 16, becomes champion. “He’ll be fighting again soon,” Thompson tells me. “By next year, he will be a champion. He comes from a fighting family with champion blood; his uncle is Victor Burgos and they both have the heart of a lion.”

I can barely keep up with his jam-packed fight roster as the well-regarded and energetic promoter gives me an exclusive scoop on all their exciting plans for his boxers. “On December 11, Yonnhy Perez will be fighting in Washington in the SHOWTIME tournament, on January 7 we have Mauricio Herrera in the main event in Vegas against Ruslan Provodnikov, on January 28 Jose Lopez will be on the Pechanga card and then on January 29 Timmy Bradley will be fighting Devon Alexander in Michigan. And Burgos will be fighting on ESPN in March.” That’s quite a schedule–it’s no wonder why he’s the WBC Promoter of the Year! He and general manager Alex Camponovo also just signed seven young contenders to his prizefighting stable. “Oh and we’ll be back in February for our Thompson Boxing shows,” Kenny adds, in regards to his own popular shows in the Southland.

But with all the championship belts and exotic travels he’s experienced, this Sunday’s award means so much to the West Coast promoter. “I consider this one of the highest honors I’ve ever had,” Thompson relays. “It’s the ultimate honor. I’ve had the pleasure of representing the WBC with my fighters–and we plan to continue with our champions.”

Thompson, Noriega and Miranda are just an example of three of this year’s WBC heroes. All ten from the Class of 2010 are committed to the pugilism–and they are ALL worthy of their newest honor. These are the faces that are active in boxing, those you often see in the fight game but many whom stay out of the limelight. Sunday is their chance to shine and to receive recognition from the WBC and the boxing community.

But narrowing it down to just ten well-deserving inductees wasn’t easy. Speaking with Jaime Ochoa this morning, the Co-Founder/Co-Chairman of WBC LBM said the event has snowballed as the date neared. “When we first began planning this event we had four inductees,” the busy Ochoa said. “Now we have ten special inductees! This is a great way to go out of 2010 with a bang!” Jaime and his brother Angel have been involved in boxing for several years and are always the first to lend their support to a great cause, especially at “fan friendly” events like these.

“We’ll have some fun entertainment planned too,” promises Ochoa. Their will also be some cool raffle prizes, a book signing and opportunities for photo ops and autographs.

Ochoa said attendees can purchase their tickets at the door. And if you bring a new unwrapped toy to donate, you will save $10 off the already reasonable price of the admission ticket.

There you have it. FOOD, FUN AND FIGHTERS. What more could you ask for?

Join me at this special boxing party where lending your support can also bring a smile to a needy child! And you get to be the first to witness history as the 2010 inductees take their place among the legends.

Congratulations to all the new honorees!

WBC LBM Awards & Toy Drive
Sunday, December 5, 2010
12:45-3:30 p.m.

American Sports University
399 North D Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401

For more info: (951) 378-9634
Tickets 35.00 or 25.00 (with toy donation)/ Ticket includes lunch and entertainment

Photo of Antillon/Noriega by Michele Chong; Photo courtesy of Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing Promotions