Category Archives: R.I.P.

Ernie Terrell R.I.P.

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

Ernie 5 250x300 Ernie Terrell R.I.P.

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

On December 16, 2014 my friend, former WBA heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell, passed away at the age of seventy-five.

Ernie 1 245x300 Ernie Terrell R.I.P.

I met Ernie while serving my tenure (1997-2007) with the World Boxing Hall of Fame. I was honored in October 2003, when Ernie was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, to be his presenter and to speak on his behalf on his outstanding ring career.

Ernie 3 236x300 Ernie Terrell R.I.P.

Ernie was a gentleman of the highest level and he will be missed by his loved ones and the boxing family. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with God.

Ernie 2 300x271 Ernie Terrell R.I.P.

One of my first articles during the beginning stages of this website was on Ernie. I am delighted to bring back this article that was published on dmboxing.com August 2, 2007 for viewing now.

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Rusty Rubin R.I.P.

David Martinez, R.I.P., Rusty Rubin

RR 1 crop Rusty Rubin R.I.P.

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

When I think about the many friends I have met in over fifty years of being involved in boxing – one name surfaces to the top – Rusty Rubin.

This week, on Tuesday November 11, 2014, Rusty, age 72, passed away peacefully at his home in Reno, Nevada.

Rusty DM crop1 Rusty Rubin R.I.P.

I met Rusty back in the late nineties upon my entry into the World Boxing Hall of Fame as a Director of the Board.  He would always come to our annual banquet and we “instantly” became friends from that point forward in life.  I wrote articles for his RingSports Magazine and when I founded my website dmboxing.com in July 2007; he offered and was my first feature writer with his award winning column “In Rusty’s Corner”.

I respected this man so much for the beautiful human being that he was.  He was the only boxing publisher / writer / author that offered prayers to the sick and deceased with his offering “Glove 2 Glove” on a regular basis.

Rubin 0001 crop Rusty Rubin R.I.P.

Upon hearing about his death, I was stunned and numbed, with tears in my eyes.  He will be missed by many, but he is now resting peacefully in Heaven with God.

Rusty’s legacy will ALWAYS be remembered and never forgotten on my website, as I will keep his name embedded in the menu section under Categories for forever viewing.

Eddie Futch (revisited)

David Martinez, Eddie Futch, R.I.P.
By David Martinez
Boxing Historian

 

NOTE:  This article feature was originally posted two years ago … re-posting in honor and remembrance of the legendary boxing trainer Eddie Futch on the anniversary month of his passing … may his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

 

Eddie Futch1 Eddie Futch (revisited)      
        October 10, 2012 will be the anniversary date of the passing of Eddie Futch. Eddie was born on August 9, 1911, in Hillsboro, Mississippi, and passed away on October 10, 2001. He was a man that I consider to be the best trainer in boxing in my era of the sport.

 

         He trained or managed twenty two world champions, which included Don Jordan, Hedgemon Lewis, Bob Foster, Joe Frazier, Virgil Hill, Ken Norton, Alexis Arguello, Michael Spinks, Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Wayne McCullough, Montell Griffin, Marlon Starling, and Mike McCallum, to name a few.

Johnny Oritz … my friend … my best (boxing) friend

David Martinez, Johnny Ortiz, Obituary, R.I.P.
JO 1 173x300 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friend
By David Martinez / dmboxing.com
JO 2 300x225 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friend
On September 3, 2014, we laid to rest my best (boxing) friend – Johnny Ortiz, at All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach, California.
 
 
I was so respectfully honored to have been able to be a speaker and to be chosen as a pallbearer at the funeral JO 4 300x168 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friendservices for my friend.
 
I will miss Johnny beyond belief and please join me, and family, and friends in prayer for his soul “forever” and “forever” in heaven with God.
 
JO 6 300x168 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friend
 
The Johnny Ortiz legacy will ALWAYS be connected and never forgotten on this website, by going to menu under Categories and click onto his name for viewing many features and also articles he contributed to www.dmboxing.com  JO 7 168x300 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friendJO 8 300x185 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friend

JO 9 300x168 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friendJO 10 206x300 Johnny Oritz ... my friend ... my best (boxing) friend

Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

David Martinez, George Garcia, Johnny Ortiz, R.I.P.

Johnny B 200x300 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

Where do I start to talk and grieve about my friend – my good friend – Johnny Ortiz, who passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2014.

Johnny A 300x300 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

I met Johnny back in 1997 upon my arrival into the World Boxing Hall of Fame as a Director of the Board. I knew about Johnny prior to that because I would catch him at times when I was in the Los Angeles area and listened to his boxing radio talk show “Ringside with Johnny Ortiz”.

Ortiz C 300x217 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

Upon meeting Johnny, we immediately bonded as loyal friends mainly due to our great love for boxing. I always considered Johnny a mentor and our bond took us to connecting by phone at least twice a week over the years just to check up on each other and say hello.

Ortiz D 240x300 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

Johnny has been featured on my website, we have done radio broadcasts together, taken trips to boxing matches, done things socially, and always sat together while never missing a monthly board meeting with the World Boxing Hall of Fame during our tenures with the organization.

Ortiz B 211x300 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

To try to explain Johnny’s life and what I know, would be like trying to explain how a nuclear powered submarine is built, and that would take me literally days and weeks and months to do.

Ortiz AAA 300x219 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

Just know that Johnny was a God fearing man, and what came first in his everyday life was serving the Lord. He was respected by his boxing peers, family, and friends.  He will be missed as he now takes his step into heaven.  Johnny Ortiz, my friend – my good friend – rest in peace!

Johnny C 300x255 Johnny Ortiz R.I.P.

*** NOTE:  for many features regarding Johnny that are displayed on this website, go to menu under Categories and click onto Johnny Ortiz for viewing … funeral arrangements are pending with details available soon … any donations are great fully being accepted  by going onto website  http://www.gofundme.com/ctlkz4

(Photos Courtesy: George Garcia and David Martinez)

 

Matthew Saad Muhammad R.I.P.

R.I.P.

 Matthew Saad 300x289 Matthew Saad Muhammad R.I.P.

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

Earlier this week, on May 25, 2014, former WBC light heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad passed away. He was 59 years old.

Matthew was born on August 5, 1954 in Philadelphia, PA, with the name of Maxwell Antonio Loach. His mother died when he was an infant and he and his older brother were sent to live with their aunt. At the age of five, his aunt could not afford to look after both of them. Matthew was taken to Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway Center from which he ran away. He was then taken in by Catholic Social Services. The nuns gave him the name Matthew Franklin, naming him after a saint and the location where he was found. Matthew lived in foster care until a loving couple adopted him, raised him, and took care of him like he was their own.

Matthew was a very action style boxer. He was known for his ability to take punishment and mount comebacks. He won the WBC light heavyweight title from Marvin Johnson on April 22, 1979. After eight successful title defenses he lost the title to Dwight Muahmmad Qawi in December 1981.  In a rematch in an attempt to win back the title in August 1982, he lost again to Qawi.

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Jimmy Ellis R.I.P.

David Martinez, R.I.P.

Jimmy crop Jimmy Ellis R.I.P.

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

Earlier this week, on May 6, 2014, former WBA heavyweight champion Jimmy Ellis passed away. He was 74 years old.

Ellis beat Jerry Quarry in 1968 for the vacant WBA title. He only made one defense of the title against Floyd Patterson in Stockholm, Sweden that many, including me, thought he lost. In 1970, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, he lost to Joe Frazier in a heavyweight unification championship bout .

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Ellis was a former sparring partner to Muhammad Ali and both were trained by Angelo Dundee.

I  was truly blessed to have met Jimmy Ellis in my tenure as a Board of Director with the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He was such a kind and gentle man and always appreciated the fans that loved him.

His professional career began in 1961 and he retired in 1975. He had ring record of 40 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw with 24 knockouts. Jimmy Ellis will be missed, as he touched many of us, and may his soul be rested peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Rubin “Hurricane” Carter R.I.P.

David Martinez, Harold Lederman, R.I.P.

Rubin Carter Rubin Hurricane Carter R.I.P. By David Martinez / dmboxing.com 

I remember watching the “Friday Night Fights” on TV with my father and friends back in the early sixties, seeing Rubin “Hurricane” Carter as a top middleweight contender.

On April 20, 2014, Easter Sunday, Rubin passed away at the age of 76 after suffering from prostate cancer.

Rubin was nicknamed “Hurricane” because of his ferocity and punching power. He never achieved the title of world champion, but is always remembered for stopping two-division champion Emile Griffith in the first round in 1963. He fought for the middleweight title in 1964, losing a unanimous 15 round decision to Joey Giardello. Rubin had a professional ring record of 27 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw with 19 knockouts.

My good friend, Harold Lederman (HBO World Championship Boxing), stated:  “So sorry to hear of the death of Rubin Hurricane Carter. The Patterson New Jersey middleweight was one of the hardest punchers I ever saw.”

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Mickey Duff – R.I.P.

David Martinez, Obituary, R.I.P.
Mickey Duff Mickey Duff R.I.P.

 

By David Martinez

 

On March 22, 2014 boxing lost a true icon in the sport – Mickey Duff.  Although I did not know Mickey personally, he was highly respected for all of his dedication and accomplishments in boxing.  He was a matchmaker, manager, corner man, and promoter.
 
Born on June 7, 1929 in Krakow, Poland, he moved to England in the late 1930’s and focused on boxing.  He boxed as an amateur before turning professional at the young age of 15, posting a professional record of 33 wins, 8 losses, and 3 draws.
 
His involvement with boxers included 19 world champions including Jim Watt, Alan Minter, Barry McGuigan, John Coteh, Terry Downes, Howard Winstone, Maurice Hope, John Mugabi, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Lloyd Honeyghan, Frank Bruno and Joe Calzaghe.
 
May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with God.

Ken Norton R.I.P.

David Martinez, Obituary, R.I.P.

Ken Norton 0001 crop Ken Norton R.I.P. By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

I consider my first meeting with Ken Norton to be the night of July 2, 1970.  My late wife (girlfriend at the time) Constance and I went to the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles to see Ken Norton fight an unknown fighter from Caracas, Venezuela by the name of Jose Luis Garcia. In what I call (to this day) one of the biggest upsets I have seen in any arena, Garcia knocked out the previously unbeaten Norton (16-0 / 15 by KO) in eight rounds.Ken Norton crop Ken Norton R.I.P.

Ken Norton passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at the age of 70.  He is always remembered by boxing fans for his three fights with Muhammad Ali.

In that trilogy, he beat Ali in 1973 (breaking Ali’s jaw as well) in their San Diego bout by a split 12 round-decison. Later that same year, he lost to Ali in Los Angeles by a split 12 round-decision.  In their final bout at Yankee Stadium in 1976, many, including myself, thought he beat Ali.  He lost the bout and his bid to gain the heavyweight championship by a close, but unanimous 15 round-decision.

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