California’s Newest Inductees!

By Michele Chong

Hall of Fame luncheon honors local legends

Saturday was a busy day for members of the SoCal boxing community. While the long-hyped matchup between Riverside’s Chris Arreola and Vitali Klitschko was scheduled to take place at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles later in the evening, over 30 local legends were inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame earlier in the day.

Hosted by Don Fraser, President and founder of the West Coast organization, the Class of 2009 received their honors in front of a packed Crystal Ballroom in Steven’s Steak & Seafood House in the City of Commerce.

Southern California is known for Tinsel Town, Disneyland, and our perpetual sunshine, but we also have a strong and thriving group of individuals who support and work in boxing. Fraser says this is a chance to honor those who have given back and still contribute to the sport we all love.

“These people are the grassroots of boxing,” explains the living legend, who was a fixture at the Olympic and Forum. “There’s been so much support for all of the inductees. This really just took off on its own; we’ve had calls come in from all over the country!”

Fraser worked with his staff to choose the deserving individuals for this year’s function and also gave praise to his Vice President, Frank Baltazar Sr. “Frank is head of the Selection Committee. He was a big help and did a great job.”

The afternoon was a family affair for Fraser and the inductees with most of the tables filled with proud parents and children applauding their own personal heroes. Don’s daughter, Denise, provided the weekend’s entertainment as her trio, The Denise Fraser Band (featuring Denise on drums, Karen Hernandez on keyboards and Nate Light on bass) played the theme song from “Rocky” as each honoree made their way up to the podium.

As the guests dined on a steak lunch, the inductees were announced by emcee Jim Fitzgerald as the new members of Fraser’s Hall of Fame. Included in this year’s group were Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach, Timothy Bradley, Gary Shaw, John Bray, Roy Englebrecht, Alex Ramos, Jesus Pimentel, Charlie Powell, Paul Vaden, Kid Rayo, Davey Gallardo, Van Barbieri, Jack O’Halloran, P.J. Goossen, Robert Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Ken Green, Howard Smith, Jesse Reid, Paul Andrews, Michael Buffer, John Jackson Sr., Gary Ballin, Jacquie Richardson, Tony Cerda, Tony Fuentes, Bob Fuentes, Alexis Arguello, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jim Jeffries.

Since he’s in camp with Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach’s mother was there to collect his newest award for “Man of the Year.” The spunky Barbara Roach (who is a former boxing judge) can also be given the title “Mom of the Year.” She sat at a head table with Freddie’s brothers Pepper and Paul and her pretty granddaughter, Esa. Sadly, another son, Joey, recently passed away in Las Vegas.

Promoter Gary Shaw was also given the prestigious honor and was introduced by co-promoter Ken Thompson, who said of his friend and associate, “The legacy began from New Jersey all the way to the Hall of Fame.” And if Shaw were to start a second career, he could be a comedian. The veteran promoter cracked jokes while accepting his award with his usual brand of humor and humbleness combined.

“I told my wife that this was gonna be a big day for me, with fans mobbing me at the awards,” began Shaw. “And they did mob me–when they all asked if “Perro” Angulo was coming!”

With his star fighter-on-the-rise Alfredo Angulo laughing from the audience, the promoter kidded, “You know one of my other fighters, Yonnhy Perez, bought a house for his trainer. So I think it’s time for “Perro” to buy me a house…a watch…maybe a meal at least?”

Angulo, who wears a sparkling wrist watch of his own, joked with me later on, “Yes, when I get a title–I will buy him a watch!” The popular middleweight also said that Gary Shaw is like a father to him; the duo is frequently seen together at various L.A. events. Angulo will be on the undercard of the Chad Dawson-Glen Johnson battle on November 7.

Shaw, who promotes Angulo, Dawson, Timothy Bradley, Vic Darchinyan, Rafael Marquez among many others, thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart including his wife, Judy and son, Jared who were there in attendance. He also gave acknowledgment to Ken Thompson (who he called “first class”) and Jersey Joe Walcott, who gave him his start in the boxing business through the New Jersey State Athletic Control Commission. Shaw has promoted thousands of fights including the Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis bout and was the promoter of fallen fighters Diego Corrales and Vern Forrest.

A prostate cancer survivor, Shaw also took time to bring awareness to the illness. The founder of Gary Shaw Productions was seated with Angulo, Thompson and his wife, Vera, matchmaker Alex Camponovo and his wife, Bea, and Thompson Boxing Promotions’ Art Olson. At an adjacent table were boxer Daniel “El Travieso” Hernandez (fighting on Thompson’s October 9 card) the WBC’s Dr. Joe Noriega, and Shaw and Thompson champion Yonnhy Perez with his trainer Danny Zamora. Colombian bantamweight Perez will be facing Joseph Agbeko on October 31 at the Treasure Island Casino in Vegas.

Another promoter who was honored, and is also very active and well-known in the fight game, was Orange County’s Roy Englebrecht, who attributed “faith, family and fighting” as his secrets to success. The “Battle in the Ballroom” businessman quipped, “You have to be sustained by prayer while promoting a show–the fighters have to show up, you hope it doesn’t rain, you hope the ambulances get there…so you better believe in prayer!” He also gave credit to his mentor Don Fraser.

For older veterans like Charlie Powell and Kid Rayo, the Hall of Fame honors gave them a well-earned day in the sun as their families were able to pay tribute to all the sacrifices they made.

And family was at the forefront of the day, with heartfelt and emotional speeches from many of the inductees.

World titlist and San Diego native Paul Vaden gave a very moving and inspiring speech while he was on stage, “I was able to fulfill my dreams and answer the bell!” He also dedicated his award to his mother, his late father and to his son, Dane.

Alex Ramos, the “Bronx Bomber,” who now runs his Retired Boxers Foundation from Southern California, often states, “I’m going to die a fighter!” He takes pride in being part of the boxing world and said while at the mike, “I’ve been around boxing a long time–and I love it. I love what I do today in trying to help boxers. I’m going to die trying to help boxers!”

Also appearing at the luncheon were former fighters Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Bobby Chacon, Randy Shields, Mando Muñiz, Frankie Baltazar, Allen Syers, politicians Steve Cooley and Carmen Trutanich, and the Golden State Boxer’s Association Larry and Elsa Montalvo and Bill and Linda Dempsey Young.

As dessert was served, several of us at the luncheon had to leave the festivities to head to the Staples Center fight. New inductee P.J. Goossen’s family Goossen Tutor Promotions was a promoter of Saturday night’s marquee matchup. P.J. and his dad, Pat, were both professional boxers and the whole family is well-known throughout the San Fernando Valley and beyond. Another SFV resident, former fighter and current trainer John Bray also left a bit early, as he was doing corner work in one of the undercards of the night.

And at the awards show, the buzz was all about Arreola’s chances of making history as the first Mexican-American heavyweight champ.

While Chris was stopped short in attaining his goal, the Class of 2009 Inductees did succced in making history–their names will be forever listed as members of the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

Congratulations again to all the newest honorees!