29th Annual Banquet of Champions just two weeks away
Adolfo Perez has been a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame (WBHF) for almost 30 years and has been involved in boxing for over 40 years. You may have seen him at various fight events, proudly wearing his WBHF logo badge with the gold crested embroidery. Although currently serving as the WBHF President, he has worn many hats through the years: Fight broadcaster, manager, promoter, editor, publisher, TV station owner, and construction company CEO.
This Saturday, you will see Perez at the Cristian Mijares-Vic Darchinyan bout at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. He’ll be cheering for Mijares; he’s helped out with fight publicity for the young champ and is a friend of Cristian’s uncle, Vicente Mijares Saldivar, a lightweight who fought in the ’80s.
Born in Mexico City, Perez moved to Nuevo Laredo, New Mexico in 1954, relocated to California in 1957, and at age 18 volunteered for the Army in 1958, moving up to the rank of Staff Sergeant through 1961. The following year, he attended Columbia Broadcasting College and was one of the first Mexican graduates there. Working as a broadcaster for Channel 34, he eventually bought his own TV station, Channel 21 in Fresno, CA.
The jovial veteran says he’s always loved boxing and fought in amateur bouts while in the service. His passion for the sport led him to become a writer at Ring Mundial in 1959–and in 1984 he bought the company, becoming editor and owner of the publication. An astute businessman, he is involved with the World Wrestling Association (WWA) for popular Mexican wrestling and also owns Action Construction Company, where he still works. In June of this year, Perez received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the WBC Legends of Boxing.
Perez and the WBHF Board of Directors are busy putting the finishing touches on their 29th Annual Banquet of Champions, slated for November 15th at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott.
Founded in 1979 by Everett L. Sanders, the WBHF’s motto is “Where champions live forever.” They are a non-profit organization; one of their goals is to establish a WBHF museum on the West Coast. The annual banquet is a fundraiser that honors past and current fighters, as well as other noteworthy individuals working in the fight game. Perez is looking forward to the Hall of Fame weekend, “We’re expecting a lot of people this year. It’s always a lot of fun to see the champs.”
Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez is one of the champs who will be at the banquet, and he’s especially happy to see Akihiko Honda being inducted this year in the Expanded Category, “He’s a great promoter and his fighters are always well taken care of.” Honda and his Japan-based Teiken Promotions were instrumental in Hernandez’ career as a two-time Jr. Lightweight World Champion. Hernandez fought in Japan a few times and has been involved with Teiken since 1989, “I’m glad to be part of their team.” The former HBO commentator continues, in regards to Honda’s induction, “He’s such a nice guy–a little shy and never really around cameras–so this is exciting that he’s being honored.”
The upcoming Banquet of Champions is the main focus of the WBHF’s agenda, but Perez–along 
with the dedicated Board of Directors and hardworking Executive Committee–has also been active with several other events: President’s Induction Dinner, Women in Boxing Awards, Celebrity Golf Tournament, Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, Highland Park Christmas Parade, Mexican Independence Day Parade, East L.A. Christmas Parade, and a Holiday Toy Drive.
Elected as president in 2007, Perez is most proud of the inaugural Thanksgiving dinner held last year that fed over 150 families and homeless people, and of the Toy Drive where he and the Executive Committee handed out toys to children in L.A. area hospitals. He explains his motivation, “I like to help people. That’s my main concern.” The holidays are just around the corner and, in his free time and also through his organization, he’s hoping to continue assisting those in need. In January, Perez is planning on running for a second term as President.
The successful Perez enjoys being in a position to help others and in turn, the loyalty he’s received from boxing associates, friends, and family is clearly evident. He has a large family, so at WBHF gatherings, the room is automatically filled with plenty of friendly Perez relatives and extended family members. If you attend an WBHF event, it feels like a party; a fun fiesta. Married to Dennise for 45 years, they have five children: Dennise, Deanna, Dorian, Davnet, and Adolfo Jr. and seven grandchildren. The close-knit family is extremely supportive of Adolfo’s affiliation with the WBHF. And it is a family affair of sorts; son Adolfo Jr. serves on the Board of Directors and Adolfo’s daughter, Deanna Perez-Marinez is Executive Secretary for the organization. Support and loyalty to Perez also reaches out to many of the fighters he’s befriended through his decades in boxing.
One of Perez’ first events was a President’s Induction Dinner to announce his new term, back in March of 2007. His close friend, Israel Vazquez, was invited to be a guest of honor at Perez’ dinner. The dinner happened to be exactly one week after Vazquez’ loss to Rafael Marquez (the first fight of their three wars) and the crowd’s consensus was that “El Magnifico” would be in no shape to come out for the occasion, with his broken nose and swollen eyes. A bit of disappointment floated through the room, as many guests had wanted to meet the super bantamweight in person. As a testament to his loyalty (and perhaps a great doctor), a surprisingly nicely healed Vazquez did attend the event–in support of Perez–and the boxing superstar was a big crowd pleaser.
Deanna Perez-Marinez, speaking of her father’s enthusiasm and loyalty to boxers, “He has a way with these young fighters; he makes it fun for them to come out to an event.” She laughs as she continues, “Although it might be the Latin culture–we’re very close. And we’re true fans; it’s either boxing or soccer for us.”
Fighters expected to attend this year’s banquet are: George Chuvalo (from Canada), Emile Griffith (flying in from New York), local favorites Daniel Ponce de Leon, Genaro Hernandez, Randy Shields, Bobby Chacon, Ruben Castillo, Paul Gonzales, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Alex Ramos, Oscar Muniz, Tony “The Tiger” Lopez, the WBHF’s own Armando Muniz, and also Erik Morales, Carlos Ortiz, Yaqui Lopez, Loreto Garza, Gil King, Lee Roy Murphy, and 2008 inductees: Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, Marvin Johnson and Greg Haugen are all among a long list of boxing luminaries that are planning on attending the festivities.
WBHF Secretary Perez-Marinez says she’s looking forward to meeting the champs and is excited about the International flair this year’s banquet offers, “Through our Expanded Category of inductions, we’re able to touch the world more; Gilberto Mendoza (WBA), Eduardo Alberto Reyes (Cleto Reyes gloves), and Akihiko Honda (promoter) will be traveling from Venezuela, Mexico City, and Japan to attend the banquet.”
Rounding out the list of the new 2008 inductees are: Lennox Lewis in the Boxer Category and Miguel Diaz in the Expanded Category. There will also be special recognition for “Fighter of the Year” Antonio Margarito and “Fight of the Year” for the third installment of theVazquez-Marquez trilogy. Bob Arum, Richard Schaefer, Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca and Councilmember Bernard Parks will also receive honors. The night will have a lot of surprise guest appearances and scheduled entertainment for the banquet attendees. There is also a boxing collectible and autograph show that will be held the morning of the banquet.
If you’d like to attend the Memorabilia and Autograph Show and the Banquet of Champions, you can reserve your tickets now for your chance to meet champion fighters and take part in the 2008 induction ceremony.
WORLD BOXING HALL OF FAME
29TH ANNUAL BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS
Date: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
Address: LOS ANGELES AIRPORT MARRIOTT
5855 W. CENTURY BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90045
WBHF MEMORABILIA AND AUTOGRAPH SHOW
(Held at the same location as the banquet: The L.A. Airport Marriott)
Autograph Show Tickets 10.00
10 a.m.-3:00 p.m. AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS
DINNER BANQUET AND AWARDS BANQUET
6:00 p.m. SOCIAL HOUR AND DINNER
8:00 p.m. AWARDS CEREMONY
Tickets start at 100.00
Call to reserve your tickets now: 626-964-2414
Photos by Michele Chong
Perez with: Chris Arreola; Vern Forrest; Tommy Hearns and Ray Leonard
WBHF logo courtesy of the World Boxing Hall of Fame