California Boxing Hall Of Fame

Induction Ceremonies 2007

By Ray Cerda

Photos By George Garcia

On Saturday, September 22nd, with a standing room only crowd, over 500 people crowded into the Sportsman Lodge in Studio City, California to pay tribute to the 2007 class of inductees into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. The class was packed with a very impressive list of inductees that included Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Fernando Vargas, Albert Davila, Art Frias, Jimmy Harryman, Genaro Hernandez, Armando Muniz, and Cali Martinez.

The non-boxer category read the same with Richard Schaefer, Don and Lorraine Chargin, Dr. Michael De Luca, Frank Espinoza, Josie Arrey-Mejia, Carlos Avilas, Hank Nagamine, David Martinez, and Frank Baltazar, Sr.

Sugar Shane Mosley and David Martinez

In the posthumous category were Henry Armstrong, Diego Corrales, Larry Soto, Howie Steindler, and Dynamite Jackson.

I was fortunate enough to be in attendance to watch my good friend Mr. David Martinez receive his induction along with a personal acknowledgement from the City of Los Angeles. On this very special day, David was surrounded by 50 close friends and family members to support and celebrate with him.

Forty-seven years have gone into this achievement and the love for boxing that David started with is still going strong. He took the advice that the late great Boxing Historian Al Nelson gave him, which was to learn his trade in boxing and the gifts will come later.

This day marks one which will go down in the history books. Anybody who’s had the chance to talk to David about boxing has been blessed in some way shape or form. Just ask the many people that leave messages on his answering machine on a daily basis or the guy who has no one else to turn to and emails David to find out about his Grandfather who used to fight in the 1920’s in Ohio and is looking for whatever information he can find on him. Everyday David Martinez is there doing the research and answering those questions.

Thank you for your love and passion that you have given to this wonderful sport.

May you enjoy this gift. Congratulations!

Albert Davila and Marty Denkin

Frankie Jr., Frankie., and Tony Baltazar

Carlos Avilas and Ken Thompson

Dr. Joe Noriega and Armando Muniz

Jim Lampley and Richard Schaefer

Josie Arrey-Mejia and Gwen Adair

Hank Nagamine and Lee Baca

Lorraine and Don Chargin

Hedgemon Lewis and Don Fraser