CALIFORNIA BOXING HALL OF FAME | David Martinez Boxing

David Martinez / Boxing Historian

Photos by George Garcia

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, a sizzling day in the Los Angeles area where the temperature exceeded 110 degrees, the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City was the setting for a sizzling event: the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

Don Fraser and Bernard Docusen

A standing room crowd of 635 boxing people gathered to witness the 2008 class of inductees which included Berry Gordy, Mando Ramos, Paul Banke, Joey Olivo, Andy Nance, Jackie Kallen, Johnny Ortiz, Ben Lira, Albert Sandoval, Jack Mosley, Joe Valverde, Allen Syers, Pat Connolly, Steve Belijan, John Hall, Orlando De La Fuente, Steve Harpst, Michele Chong, Bernard Docusen, Maxie Docusen, and, in a special Posthumous Category, Jackie McCoy, Eddie Futch, Keeny Teran, and Joe Louis.

Danny “Little Red” Lopez with wife Bonnie

Also a special introduction was made of newly crowned WBC Super Lightweight Champion Timothy Bradley, who was gracious and humble in receiving that recognition.

David Martinez and Jackie Hayden
“original” ring bell from Hollywood Legion Stadium

I was personally honored to have been chosen to be the presenter of my friend Joe Valverde. Joe is a man with a most successful resume of high standards in the Los Angeles and Southern California areas.

Ruby Bolanos, Gloria Lopez, Josie Monroy

I was also honored to have been chosen to be the presenter and speaker for the legendary Eddie Futch, who, in my view, was the greatest trainer in our era of boxing. He led 22 boxers to world titles, and has this amazing feat to his credit: of the five professional losses that the great Muhammad Ali had in his career, four of the five men to beat Ali were trained or managed by Futch.

Don Fraser and Berry Gordy

A special “thank you” to Don Fraser for putting together this successful event. For your enjoyment, here are some outstanding photos taken by my Web site photographer George Garcia.

Jackie Kallen and Steve Harpst