Category Archives: Hall Of Fame

World Boxing Hall of Fame 1996 – REVISITED

David Martinez, Hall Of Fame

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

The World Boxing Hall of Fame began in 1980, and lasted until 2009, with twenty-nine magnificent induction banquet shows.

I am happy to have attended fourteen banquets, from 1992 to 2006. During that time period, I was delighted to have met more world boxing champions than I ever imagined.

On October 19, 1996, a large group of my friends from the Santa Barbara area all came down to the LAX Marriott Hotel for the program. This was the banquet that was just before I officially became a member of the WBHOF as Board of Director / Boxing Historian.

Oscar De La Hoya was named the Fighter of The Year, and the whole event was electric, with many other boxing greats in attendance.

Here’s sharing a few photos from the evening … with myself (in order) they are: Archie Moore, Mike and Jerry Quarry, Eddie Futch, Dick Sadler, Carlos Zarate, Bob Foster, Armando Muniz and Genaro Hernandez – AND – my truly amazing group of friends that attended.

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FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, Hall Of Fame, hats, Upcoming Fights

(Spring 2023 Edition)

Although it might seem like it’s still Winter, the Spring season is officially here and it’s that time once again, as I always do on a quarterly basis, to say thank you to a small team of people that truly help with the success of www.dmboxing.com since the first publication on July 15, 2007.

I would like to acknowledge Bob Quackenbush (Website Assistant / Proof Reader), Tom Donelson (Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America), Steve Corbo (Proof Reader / Boxing Writer), and Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader). There are also three (3) other people who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that added so much of their own expertise and input to this website. They are Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove), Harold Lederman (Hey Harold! / HBO World Championship Boxing), and Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian). I sincerely miss them tremendously as they were such loyal friends whom I will never forget.

I am also very grateful to all of those friends that have kindly contributed by displaying my website products.

As seen in this edition, my official website hat is displayed. It is blue in color, with embroidered logo on front, website address in small print on back side, and has a adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase this attractive product, kindly send $19.95 to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93109-1405 … this price includes absolutely FREE mailing to all USA zip code locations.

I want recognize my fine boxing writer Tom Donelson, who was introduced to me by our mutual friend Rusty Rubin back in 2008. Actually, I had heard about Tom in prior years from the excellent book that he and Rusty co-authored entitled “Billy Soose, The Champion Time Forgot”.

Tom Donelson is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), and has contributed to dmboxing.com for fifteen years with his expertise and up to date fight results. A huge thank you to Tom who is appreciated by all viewers including myself.

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Ken Thompson (R.I.P.)

David Martinez, Hall Of Fame, R.I.P.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

A dear friend and iconic boxing promoter and CEO of Thompson Promotions, Ken Thompson, recently passed away at the age of 85.

Ken was loved by all that knew him, and his greatest gift was his kindness and generosity to those that were connected with him in life.

I was certainly blessed and honored to have served as boxing historian under his presidential leadership during his two terms (1999 – 2000 & 2001 – 2002) tenure at the helm of World Boxing Hall of Fame. His presence certainly bought the utmost honestly and credibility to the organization.

Born in Lubbuck, Texas, his love for boxing began at a young age, and he carried that passion to heights beyond belief for everyone involved in the sport.

He will be remembered always. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

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FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

Boxing Events, David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, Hall Of Fame, hats, Rankings, Ratings

(Spring 2022 Edition)

The Spring season is officially here and it’s that time once again, as I do on a quarterly basis, to say thank you to a small team of people that help make dmboxing.com the success that it has become since the first publication on July 15, 2007.

I would like to acknowledge these people, who are: Bob Quackenbush (Lead Assistant / Proof Reader); Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association of America); Steve Corbo (Boxing Writer / Proof Reader); and Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader).   

There are three other people who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that contributed in a tremendous way to this website, and they are Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove), Harold Lederman (Hey Harold! / HBO World Championship Boxing), and Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian). These men were my dearest of friends, never to be forgotten, and resting peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Rusty Rubin
Harold Lederman
Jim Amato

Also, a special thank you to all my female and male friends that have kindly displayed my website products and attire. Pictured in this edition is my official website hat which is blue in color and embroidered with logo on the front and website address on the back. It includes an adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase this attractive product, kindly send $18.95 to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109… and the price includes FREE shipping to any of the USA mailing zones.

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FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

Boxing Events, David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, Hall Of Fame, hats, Rankings, Ratings

(Winter 2021 / 2022 Edition)

Happy Holidays and may the New Year 2022 bring you good health, prosperity and joy!

It is simply a delight to bring you this website that is now going on its fifteenth year since beginning in July 2007. Since that time, there have been 1,843 published articles and features.

I am so grateful and certainly blessed to have such a special cast of people that have contributed to the success of dmboxing.com through the years.

I would like to acknowledge Bob Quackenbush (Lead Assistant / Proof Reader), Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association of America), Steve Corbo (Proof Reader / Boxing Writer), and Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader).

There are three people who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that added so much of their expertise and input to this website. They are Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove), Harold Lederman (Hey Harold! / HBO World Championship Boxing), and Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian)… I miss them tremendously, as they were special friends whom I will never forget.

I am also grateful to those who have kindly displayed my website products.

As seen on this edition, my official website hat is displayed. It is blue in color with embroidered logo on the front, website address on the back, and an adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase this attractive product, kindly send $18.95 to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109 … and the price includes FREE shipping to all of the USA mailing zones.

Continue reading FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez →

FROM THE DESK OF: David Martinez

David Martinez, FROM THE DESK OF:, Hall Of Fame, hats, Jim Amato, Rankings

(Spring Edition 2021)

I would like to first and foremost offer my sincerest condolences to the family of a true friend, boxing historian and avid sports collector – Jim Amato – who passed away in Ashland, Ohio on February 22, 2021, at the age of 66.

I have met many boxing people and fighters in my over sixty years in boxing and Jim was as wonderful a human being as I have had the pleasure of knowing.  

He came on board with dmboxing.com in 2008 and contributed simply the best of the best in boxing. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

I am grateful and certainly blessed with a special cast of people that have contributed to the success of dmboxing.com through the years, and their input is priceless. This group to be acknowledged is: Bob Quackenbush (Lead Assistant / Proof Reader), Tom Donelson (Author / Member Boxing Writers Association of America), Steve Corbo (Proof Reader / Boxing Writer), and Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader).

Along with Jim Amato, there are two others who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) who added so much of their expertise and input to my website. They are Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove) and Harold Lederman (Hey Harold! / HBO World Championship Boxing). These gentlemen were special friends whom I will never forget.

In this quarterly edition, I want to thank Anna for displaying my official website hat. It is blue in color and embroidered with logo on the front, and dmboxing.com address on the back, with an adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase this attractive product, send $17.95 by check or money order (NO cash please) to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109. The price includes FREE shipping to any of the USA mailing zones. Also included with each order will be an official website ink pen – just my way of saying thank you for making dmboxing.com one of your choices in boxing.

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Dub Harris – World Boxing Hall of Fame

David Martinez, Hall Of Fame, R.I.P.

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com 

I want to tell you about a man for whom I, and many others, have the utmost respect – Maurice “Dub” Harris.

I first met Dub in November 1996, when I was introduced to him by Deborah Sutherland- Hocamp.  At that time, Dub was president of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and Deborah was Vice President and Advisor.  That October, Deborah had heard me doing play-by-play  commentary for a boxing show broadcast on KVEN-AM Ventura radio with Barry Turnbull and, knowing Barry, she later asked him “Who is this guy David Martinez who knows so much about boxing?”

The rest is now history and, as it turned out, meeting Dub began a huge chapter in my life and in my passion for boxing.  Dub interviewed me at his Los Angeles (Commerce), California office.  Although nervous, I was confident during the interview, and he immediately, on that day, on the spot, welcomed me into the organization, asking me to start officially in January 1997 as a member of the Board of Directors.

Dub told me something at that initial interview that I will never forget, and I applied it to the fullest during my ten year (1997-2007) tenure in the World Boxing Hall of Fame.  The quote was “Don’t ever let me down, Martinez.”  I must admit, that single phrase prompted me to become the best I could be while serving in the World Boxing Hall of Fame and that quote still motivates me to this day.

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Don Fraser – Hall of Fame to Salute

California Boxing Hall of Fame, David Martinez, Hall Of Fame

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

Don Fraser, a friend and mentor for many years, will be honored in a special “Salute To Don Fraser” this Saturday, October 20, 2018 by the National Boxing Hall of Fame.  Also honored will be the latest class of 2018 inductees.  The gala event will be held at The Sportsman Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, California.

I consider Don Fraser to be the “Mr. Boxing” of my era.  His involvement in boxing ranges from that of a promoter, to matchmaker, publicist, writer, corner man, and Executive Officer for the California Athletic Commission.  In addition, Don recently retired as President and Founder of the California Boxing Hall of Fame.  He truly is a wealth of boxing information.

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