Jack Johnson Receives a Full Pardon from President Trump

David Martinez, DMBoxing News, Heavyweights

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

On May 24, 2018, in the office of President Donald J. Trump, the late heavyweight champion Jack Johnson received a full posthumous pardon. 

Attending the signing were World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman, former WBC/IBF/WBA heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, current WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, and actor Sylvester Stallone, who was very instrumental in the entire process of the pardon.

Trump’s action forgives Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion, who was charged and convicted in 1913 by an all white jury for violating the Mann Act, which makes it illegal to transport women across state lines for “immoral purposes.”

Trump stated that Johnson’s imprisonment for traveling to another state with a white women “was a racially motivated injustice” and that Johnson’s prosecution and punishment came during a “period of tremendous racial tension in the United States.”

Johnson’s great-great niece, who attended the signing, had pressed for this pardon for many years, along with the support of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reed of Nevada, and former WBA/WBC/IBF heavyweight champion George Foreman.

Four months ago, I wrote an article piece regarding this very subject which was posted on dmboxing.com on February 22, 2018.  I am re-posting it now for viewing:

Continue reading Jack Johnson Receives a Full Pardon from President Trump →

“The Fight”

Book Reviews, FLASHBACK, Steve Corbo

*** FLASHBACK – this article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on June 23, 2014

Chicago based ring announcer Steve Corbo, who has been a hit with audiences in Europe, recently recorded Luke Wordley’s top selling novel, “The Fight”.

At the top of the charts in Great Britain, “The Fight” has recently been released in the United States with the audio version being recorded by Corbo and released by Oasis Audio.

Two-time World Champion boxer, Nigel Benn, has enthusiastically endorsed “The Fight”. Reading the book this summer, he said: “I loved The Fight.  I just couldn’t put it down. It is so realistic and true to life.  I can’t recommend this book enough.”

Publishers Weekly reviewed “The Fight” and said “Wordley has written a champion novel that will stand out in a crowded ring of contenders.”

Available at Amazon.com and book retailers throughout the United States.

(click on related links below)

http://oasisaudio.com/author-reader/steve-corbo/    

http://www.amazon.com/The-Fight-Luke-Wordley/dp/1613756259/ref=reader_auth_dp

George Garcia – R. I. P.

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, George Garcia, R.I.P.

*** FLASHBACK – This article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on August 16, 2015

                                            

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

My dear best of friends George Garcia, age 60,  passed away peacefully at his home in Montebello, California on August 13, 2015 after his battle with cancer.  George was a special friend because he was giving and the kindest of people that I have ever known.

George 2-crop

We met about twenty years ago through the boxing circles.  He attended many World Boxing Hall of Fame banquets during my ten year (1997-2007) tenure on the Board of Directors.

Continue reading George Garcia – R. I. P. →

Why Duran Would Have Got Past Pacman

FLASHBACK, Jim Amato, Manny Pacquiao, Roberto Duran

*** FLASHBACK –  This article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on November 4, 2009 

NOTE:  Jim Amato is a friend and has contributed to dmboxing.com since 2008.  His opinions and input are honest to the highest of quality.  His expertise in boxing is second to none and his work is respected by all.  To view all of Jim’s article’s – go to the Categories menu section and click onto his name. 

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer 

With all due credit, Manny Pacquiao is on top of today’s boxing world. He is the “Man”. His destruction of Oscar De La Hoya drove the “Golden Boy” into retirement and put Manny as the #1 fighter pound for pound in the world today.  His hammer job on the formidable Ricky Hatton put an exclamation point on his current status.

Continue reading Why Duran Would Have Got Past Pacman →

Santa Cruz and Charlo win on Showtime … Crawford wins WBO Welterweight Title on ESPN+

David Martinez, Recent Fights

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com 

On Saturday, June 9, 2018, before a capacity crowd of 12,505 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Leo Santa Cruz (35-1-1 / 19 by KO) retained his WBA featherweight title with a unanimous twelve round decision over Abner Mares (31-3-1 / 15 by KO).

After winning the first two rounds, Mares would give it his best effort but Santa Cruz clearly won nine of the next ten rounds on my scorecard in an action packed bout.  The official judges scoring was: 117-111, 115-113, and 116-112.  My score card was 117-111 for the winner, Santa Cruz.

Continue reading Santa Cruz and Charlo win on Showtime … Crawford wins WBO Welterweight Title on ESPN+ →

Gene Aguilera – BOOK REVIEW

Book Reviews, Boxing Books, David Martinez

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

His first book was – OUTSTANDING. Now, his second book leaves me breathless, and I will say that it is also – OUTSTANDING!

Gene Aguilera’s publication of his newest book “LATINO BOXING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA” is now official, and it has been released to the general public.  This book is a must for all boxing fans and is a great read for all that have grown up in the Southern California area and have visited such legendary boxing venues as the Olympic Auditorium, Hollywood Legion Stadium, the Los Angeles Sports Arena, and the Forum.

Continue reading Gene Aguilera – BOOK REVIEW →

RING TRIVIA for June 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)  On December 14, 1978 Randy Shields fought David Madrid and won their welterweight bout TKO stoppage in round four, was because Madrid suffered a broken?

a) ankle

b) wrist

c) nose

d) shoulder

 

2)  The referee for the first round knockout Mike Tyson win over Michael Spinks was?

a) Mills Lane

b) Larry Hazzard

c) Richard Steele

d) Frank Cappuccino

 

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for June 2018 →

Orange County, California – Upcoming Fight Card

California Boxing, DMBoxing News, Upcoming Fights
It is pretty much known in the fight community nationally that Fight Club OC is the premier club show series in the USA.  On the June 7th Fight Club OC show in The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, the country as well as the world will now understand its unique status when a major social media platform debuts the first show of a new upcoming series!  That is all the information promoter Roy Englebrecht can give now with more coming as the June 7th show gets closer.
 
 
Not only will fans in attendance at The Hangar have a front row seat to the filming but will also be treated to a great seven bout boxing and mixed martial arts card featuring a true Southern California lineup of young prospects.  Headlining will be 4-1 David “Left Hook” Lopez facing tough 1-0 Donte Stubbs out of Santa Ana in a super welterweight boxing match. 
 

Continue reading Orange County, California – Upcoming Fight Card →

Great Boxers Who Never Won a World Title

David Martinez

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

There are many boxers in all eras that never became world champions, and that were most deserving of a title.

Here is my personal list (in order) of the top thirty:

1)  Sam Langford / Heavyweight / 1902 -1926

2)  Charley Burley / Welterweight / 1936 – 1950

3)  Peter Jackson / Heavyweight / 1882 – 1899

4)  Harry Wills / Heavyweight / 1907-1932

5)  Jim Driscoll / Featherweight / 1901 – 1919

6)  Jerry Quarry / Heavyweight / 1965 – 1992

7)  Bennie Briscoe / Middleweight / 1962 – 1982

8)  Les Darcy / Middleweight / 1910 – 1916

9)  Herol Graham / Middleweight / 1978 – 1998

10)  Jimmy Bivins / Heavyweight / 1940 – 1955

11)  Cocoa Kid / Welterweight / 1929 – 1948

12)  Enrique Bolanos / Lightweight / 1941 – 1952

13)  George KO Chaney / Lightweight / 1910 – 1925

14)  Holman Williams / Middleweight / 1932 – 1948

15)  Packey McFarland / Lightweight / 1904 – 1915

Continue reading Great Boxers Who Never Won a World Title →