Awards Ceremony & Toy Drive with the Champs
A knockout group of prizefighters and boxing notables were inducted at the 2019 World Boxing Council (WBC) Legends of Boxing Museum’s 2019 awards ceremony held at Rudy’s LA restaurant in East Los Angeles.
This SoCal bash also featured a toy drive and holiday mixer for the guests in attendance. Here is my special report and photos from the KO day!
And it certainly was a stellar day as the WBC LBM welcomed several champs and fighters to partake in the festivities held on Sunday, December 15 to witness the Class of 2019 enshrined in their Hall of Fame.
The 2019 Honorees included Yaqui Lopez, Adrian Arreola, Albert Davila, Frankie Duarte, Herman Montes, Pedro Rodriguez, Hector Rivera, Ruben Navarro, and Monique Rendon. Cheering them on were former champs and ex-boxers like Carlos Palomino, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, John Montes, Oscar Muniz, Willie Lucero, Gregory Puente, official Benjamin Rendon, author/boxing historian Gene Aguilera, trainers Sal Casillas, Paul Hernandez, Anthony Huizar, promoter Steve Rodarte, filmmaker/boxing historian Steve DeBro, Podium Sports’ Nate Wren, photographer Christopher Garcia (who’s iconic shot from of Herman Montes graces the cover of Aguilera’s book) and more.
The WBC LBM’s Pepe Sulaiman, Jaime Ochoa, Angel Ochoa, Rudy Tellez greeted the large crowd as the day got underway. There was a Mexican buffet, live DJ, a book signing, and a chance for everyone to reconnect and catch up with one another.
The mood was festive and fun and the boxing talk was riveting as the veterans told me about their days at the legendary Olympic Auditorium, vintage gyms and being ringside at historic bouts.
The WBC LBM awards show was a great day with a pound-for-pound group of people. These blood-and-guts warriors were from a different era in boxing; they fought in previous decades long before PPV and streaming, inflated purses, and paper champs. I love hearing about this golden age in pugilism–chapters in the sport that can never be duplicated. The men that laced up during these years should be honored for their sacrifice and for always leaving it all in the ring just for the applause of the fans.
Now, thanks to the WBC’s Legends of Boxing Museum, a few good men and one amazing female got their respect for their contributions in boxing.
The WBC LBM’s Board of Directors (including WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, Pepe Sulaiman, Rudy Tellez, Jaime Ochoa, An
gel Ochoa, Vinnie Johnson and more) continue to honor Don Jose Sulaiman and the legacy he brought forth in the boxing community and beyond.
The organization (known for their green and gold championship belts) have their WBC Cares programs and, locally, had a museum in the Inland Empire as well. The Ochoa brothers mentioned plans are underway to reopen their museum in the future. Jaime and Angel spoke of their P-Town Boxing Academy in Perris, and being able to help and encourage underserved children and teens who have had scrapes with the law.
On Friday, the toys will be handed out to needy families as the Ochoas play Santa for the day.
And on Sunday, they thanked the audience for joining them in honoring this year’s inductees. The official emcee for the ceremony was historian/author Gene Aguilera (Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles and Latino Boxing in Southern California) and he introduced the boxing heroes who were there in person as their friends, families and fans gave them the accolades they deserve. Giving back to the community (especially during the holidays) was front and center in the speeches.
On stage, East LA Boxing’s Paul Hernandez spoke of the need to keep the kids off the streets and away from gangs by teaching them the sweet science. And new inductee Monique Rendon (boxing judge and WBC Cares member) mentioned how she, her mentor (and father) Benjamin Rendon and their family continue to assist orphanages (over 50 kids) in Tijuana through the years. As the lone female member of the Class of 2019, Monique thanked the WBC LBM for honoring her and making her part of their storied history.
There were many emotional thoughts, lots of funny anecdotes and several sincere pure thoughts of gratitude as each awardee took their moment in the spotlight. The inductees received beautiful award certificates and special medallions with Don Jose Sulaiman engraved in the silver medals.
Congrats to all the inductees and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas too!
Photos by Michele Chong
