My Friends – Ernie Terrell and Frankie Rivas

David Martinez, Ernie Terrell, FLASHBACK, R.I.P.

*** FLASHBACK – this article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on April 5, 2013

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com 

The month of April has a special meaning for me both in a happy and sad way.

 ApTerrell-cropril 4th is my friend Ernie Terrell’s birthday. The former WBA heavyweight champion has to be one of my favorite boxer friends ever. I was honored, on the evening of October 16, 2003 when Ernie was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, to be his presenter.  I remember that night as if it was yesterday and I will always treasure that moment in time.  At the very top left hand side of the banner for this website, you will see the photo taken on his special night.

Frankie-cropApril 7th is the anniversary of the passing of my best friend Frankie Rivas.  In 2009 I tearfully, but honorably, delivered the eulogy at St. Raphael’s church for his funeral service.  As well as boxing as an amateur himself, Frankie was the truest boxing fan I have ever known.  He was always there with me as a referee or judge at many boxing shows in our community, and gave his support to the kids in local boxing gyms.  I have known Frankie since my childhood days and in memory of his death (I say), “May his soul rest in peace with the Lord in heaven”.

Pages From The Scrapbook

David Martinez, Pages From The Scrapbook

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

Recently I brought a new category to my website, which is “Pages From The Scrapbook”.

A lot of my fan base don’t know that back in the seventies, eighties, and nineties that I was a boxing beat writer for my local newspaper the Santa Barbara News Press, doing fight predictions and  also a guest reporter on local radio for all major fights.

I am delighted to bring some of these article features that I wrote for your viewing.

I learned quite a bit in the journalism field back in my younger days that have helped me to be the best I can producing  dmboxing.com  for all.

Featured here is my pre-fight article on the Marvin Hagler  vs. Thomas Hearns WBA/WBC/IBF middleweight championship – dated April 14, 1985 – exactly 33 years ago!

 

Enrique Bolanos – R.I.P.

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, Johnny Ortiz, Obituary, R.I.P.

*** FLASHBACK – this article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on June 27, 2012

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com 

On June 4, 2012, at the age of 87, Enrique Bolanos, top contender, passed away.  I never saw him fight, but had the pleasure to meet him and his lovely wife Ruby at various boxing venues.  According to people I know that saw him fight, he was a magnificent boxer that packed southland arenas and stadiums in the Los Angeles area like no other in the golden era of boxing (the 40’s and 50’s).

Continue reading Enrique Bolanos – R.I.P. →

Hurd Defeats Lara to Unify WBA/IBF Super Welterweight Belts

David Martinez, Recent Fights

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

IBF champion Jarrett Hurd (22-0 / 15 by KO) scored a twelfth round knockdown with less than 40 seconds left in the bout and went on to win a split decision over WBA champion Erislandy Lara (25-3-2 / 14 by KO) on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The younger and bigger Hurd was the aggressor and stalked Lara with punishing punches, although Lara countered well but not nearly enough, in their 154 pound title unification bout. 

Continue reading Hurd Defeats Lara to Unify WBA/IBF Super Welterweight Belts →

Joshua Defeats Parker, Unifies WBA/IBF/WBO Heavyweight Belts

Heavyweights, Recent Fights, Tom Donelson
 
By Tom Donelson (BWAA)
Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America, and has contributed to dmboxing.com since 2008.
 
Anthony Joshua faced Joseph Parker in yet another big heavyweight bout, occurring after three weeks fight when Deontay Wilder stopped Luis Ortiz in a thrilling bout that saw Wilder championship nearly derailed in the seventh round as Ortiz nearly knocked him out.  A tenth round knockout preserve his championship.
 
When I grew up, the heavyweight was the glorious division and from the Ali era through Lennox Lewis we saw two different golden era of the heavyweight division, the first being Ali era from 1964 through 1978 when Ali won his original title before Joe Frazier defeated him in the fight of the century before George Foreman won the title from Frazier.   When Ali defeated Frazier and Holmes began the heavyweight champion after Ali first retirement and defeated Ali in his comeback.  The first golden era ended when Holmes defeated Gerry Cooney and after a short break, the second golden era truly began when Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe fought for the Heavyweight championship with Mike Tyson.
 

Continue reading Joshua Defeats Parker, Unifies WBA/IBF/WBO Heavyweight Belts →

FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, hats, Rankings

(Spring 2018 Edition)

It’s Spring time and let me first say thank you for making this website one of your choices in boxing.  It is my absolute pleasure to bring the best of David Martinez Boxing that I can offer.

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, I am offering my official website hat at a whopping 20 percent off its regular price of $18.00.  That brings the discounted  price to $13.50 and this includes FREE shipping to anywhere in the USA.  This is limited offer will expire  April 30, 2018.  The hat is blue in color, embroidered with website logo on front and website address on back. It has an adjustable Velcro strap, so one size fits all.

To order, send your check or money order, NO cash please, to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.  Upon receipt your order will be promptly processed.

Continue reading FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez →

RING TRIVIA (Answers) for March 2018

David Martinez, Trivia

I have always been intrigued with boxing trivia. This began back when I was a kid in 1961. I would pick the minds of the older generation and ask them questions about their era to educate myself. It’s now my pleasure to bring boxing trivia to my website for everyone. On a quarterly basis I post five (5) multiple choice questions – March, June, September, and December – with the correct answers to follow by the end of each posting month for viewing.

 

 

1 – Jim Jeffries middle name is?

(a)  Joshua

(b)  Jason

(c)  Jonathon

(d)  Jackson — CORRECT ANSWER

 

Continue reading RING TRIVIA (Answers) for March 2018 →

Chuck Davey

David Martinez, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

A fighter than has been lost in the shuffle in boxing has to be top welterweight contender Chuck Davey.

An amazing boxing master who was a four-time NCAA champion at Michigan State, he completed an amateur career of 93 victories in 94 fights.

Born October 1, 1925 in Detroit, he was a southpaw that won 45 of 50 fights in his professional career from 1949 through 1955. He was 16-0 in 1951 with 10 knockouts and was ranked the #1 welterweight contender.

Continue reading Chuck Davey →