Champs Receive Special Recognition

Several pound-for-pound warriors received “WBC Mexican Legend” Awards of Honor at Wednesday’s Gennady Golovkin vs. Marco Antonio Rubio final press conference before their fight (which took place this past Saturday night in Carson, Calif.). Here’s my special report and photos from the day.

Tying in with the “Mexican Style” theme for the Golovkin-Rubio main event, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman presented WBC medals and plaques to a group of prizefighters invited to attend this presser held at the Marriott in Manhattan Beach.

In a presentation on stage, the champions in attendance were introduced in front of a standing-room only crowd. Standing tall were Gabe Ruelas, Israel Vazquez, Mia St. John, Carlos Palomino, Chango Carmona, Albert Davila, Rene Arredondo, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Mando Muniz and Art Frias as each walked up to the podium to accept their award.

Fighters Gennady Golovkin, Marco Antonio Rubio, Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters, K2 Promotions’ Tom Loeffler and Top Rank’s Bob Arum, the WBC’s Victor Silva and Rudy Tellez, Supreme Boxing’s Nancy Rodriguez and more were there to see each honoree receive their recognition. The plaques featured a Jose Sulaiman RIP mention and a photo of the recipient.

After the stage ceremony, I caught up with the sluggers who said they were all very happy to be part of the day. They told me that fighting for the green-and-gold belts was a highlight of their boxing careers; many continue to lend support to WBC Cares’ events with Jill Diamond.

The men (and the lone female fighter Mia St. John) said they had a great time reconnecting with each other too. I watched them joke around (a few of them had fought each other during their pro careers) and share memories of their time in the ring. During the event, the boxers signed a commemorative Cleto Reyes glove while enjoying a buffet luncheon.

The champions were also looking forward to watching the Carson fights (which resulted in knockout nights with Golovkin and Walters scoring KO victories) while saying they were proud to be part of this WBC boxing fraternity.

Congrats y !Felicidades! to the 2014 WBC Mexican Legends awardees!

Photos by Michele Chong