(Summer 2024 Edition)

The Summer season is officially upon us and as I respectfully do on a quarterly basis, I want to say a big thank you to a small team of people that help enhance dmboxing.com and make it the success that it has become since the first publication on July 15, 2007.

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

I must mention, and will never forget, three other people that are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that were very instrumental in contributing to this website who were Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove), Harold Lederman (Hey Harold! / HBO world Championship Boxing), and Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian).  Each brought their wealth of knowledge in boxing and they were my dearest of friends, never to be forgotten, as they rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Also, thank you to all the friends that have displayed my array of website products. Pictured in this edition is my official website hat. It is blue in color and embroidered with logo on front and website address on back. This item has an adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase, please send $21.50 to David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109 … plus the price includes FREE shipping to any USA mailing zones.

It’s simply my pleasure and a terrific opportunity to serve everyone with my sixty-three years of involvement in boxing. I am happy to receive all comments and input, as my priority has always been to be honest and credible in respect to all.

A kind reminder to everybody that coming up on August 3, 2024 is the Paul Banke 6^th annual BOXFAM “everyone is welcome” BBQ with a new location this year. It will be at Azusa Memorial Park, 320 N. Orange Avenue, Azusa, California 91702, with activities starting at 11 am until 6 pm. It’s an enjoyable gathering of boxers, vendors, friends, plus entertainment, in a plenty of food “pot-luck” sharing style sprit.

Special Bonus Trivia Question for all you Southern California fight fans – Submitted by Writer and Ring Announcer Steve Corbo.

Los Angeles’ own Rudy Hernandez is known around the world as a top boxing trainer and cut man. He has worked in the corners of World Champions, in World Title Fights, all over the world, from Japan to Las Vegas to Russia and all points in between. He is known to a generation of UFC fans as one of their game’s top cut men! And, he is the older brother, who guided the career, of Two Time World Champion and L.A. legend, Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez.

But Rudy was quite a fighter in his own right; with 17 outings as a professional, he had only two losses and was rated #11 in the world by the WBC. His biggest win came on March 21, 1983 when he won the Schlitz Championship Boxing Tournament, in the Welterweight Division, at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California.

Who was the Los Angeles based boxer who scored a KO over Andy “Hawk” Price in the semifinals of the tournament to earn the right to face Hernandez in that championship bout?

A – Lupe Aquino

B – Hedgemon Robertson

C – Eddie Alexander

D – Roberto Bonilla

There are many who have texted or personally contacted me with questions of concern and have offered their opinions. I truly respect these inquires, and here I share three (3) recent questions of interest with my answers to follow:

#1) When you think of fighters that are a underrated, which ones come first to mind?

*** ANSWER: Bob Fitzsimmons, Tommy Ryan, Gene Tunney, Charley Burley, Harold Johnson, Vicente Saldivar, and Tyrone Everett.

#2) How long was your membership and involvement with the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and how many years was that organization in existence?

*** ANSWER: My service tenure was for ten years (1997 – 2007) as Board of Director and Boxing Historian. I respectfully served under six President’s: Dub Harris, Ken Thompson, Norm Cote, Dr. Joe Noriega, Armando Muniz, and Adolfo Perez. The World Boxing Hall of Fame existed for 30 years, 1980 to 2010.

#3) In attending many fights at the historic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, were there fights that you witnessed at ringside that you will always remember?

*** ANSWER: Here’s a capsule look at a few categories.

Upset Fights – Jose Luis Garcia 8th round “KO” over unbeaten Ken Norton (July 2, 1970), and Eddie Garcia “KO” over unbeaten prospect Larry Harding (December 18, 1969).

Best Fights – Mando Ramos vs. Sugar Ramos (August 6, 1970), Carlos Palomino 15th round “KO” over Armando Muniz (January 21, 1977), Bruce Curry “KO” over Monroe Brooks (April 7, 1978).

Surprised Fight Results: Salvador Sanchez getting a 10 round gift draw against southpaw Juan Escobar (March 15, 1978), Hiroyuki Ebihara’s 12 round gift split-decision over Efren “El Alacrán” Torres (April 30, 1964).

First “live” Fight: Danny Valdez “KO” over unbeaten Tony Herrera (June 15, 1961), and it was also my pleasure seeing the legendary Joey Olmos as referee for first the time. Joey was well known referee, judge, and Chief Inspector for the California State Athletic Commission. I was honored and blessed that later in life we became the best of friends.

Fights I Regret Missing: Alfonso Zamora vs. Alberto Sandoval (October 26, 1978), Jerry Quarry vs. Floyd Patterson II (October 28, 1967).

Next month (July) is the anniversary that this website officially began seventeen years ago, on July 15, 2007. It has been my absolute pleasure to bring you the best in boxing as I know it. Much appreciation to you all for making www.dmboxing.com one of your choices – THANK YOU!