(Summer 2025 Edition)
The Summer season is officially upon us and as I respectfully do on a quarterly basis, I continue to say thank you to a small team of people that truly help make dmboxing.com the success that it has been since the first publication on July 15, 2007. I would like to acknowledge these people, who are: Bob Quackenbush (Proof Reader / Photo Editing); Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association of America / BWAA); Kathy Kraft / Proof Reader – retired); and Steve Corbo (Boxing Writer / Proof Reader).
There are three other people who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that were so instrumental in their contributing input to this website that I must mention and never forget them. They are: Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove); Harold Lederman (HBO World Championship Boxing / Hey Harold!); and Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian).
As seen in this edition, my official website hat is displayed. It is blue in color with embroidered logo on front and website address on back. It has an adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes. To purchase this attractive product, kindly send $23.00 to: David Martinez Boxing, 810 Coronel Street, Santa Barbara, California 93109 – AND – the price includes FREE shipping to all USA mailing zones.
Boxing has been a way of life for me, to know it is to live it, since 1961, and it is truly an honor to bring everyone my boxing world with respect and credibility being my priority. I welcome all input and opinions; your support fuels me to be the best that I can be. As a collector of boxing memorabilia for many years, it’s always nice to receive items from people that kindly add to my collection; it is such a wonderful gift. One in particular recently was the original fight program from Tokyo, Japan, that my friend and fellow coach at our local Duke’s Boxing Gym, Robby Ruef, gave me. During his recent vacation trip there, he attended the May 11th Fernando Daniel Martinez vs. Kazuto Ioka WBA junior bantamweight championship fight card and, as an extra bonus, brought back a box of cookies for my wife, Cely. A huge thank you to Robby for surprising us; his thoughtfulness truly defines kindness.
There are additional gifts in boxing that I have received, and there are many, but three which certainly stand out: an original cigar box cover dated (circa) 1900 with the image of undefeated heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries; an original ticket stub and the fight program from the Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali bout, March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden, New York; and original hand wraps worn by WBC Featherweight Champion Danny “Little Red” Lopez from his title defense against José Caba on September 25, 1979, which in later years he personally autographed for me.
A friendly reminder to everybody that coming up next month on Saturday, July 19th is the Paul Banke 7th Annual BOXFAM / BBQ that will be held at Azusa Memorial Park, 320 N. Orange Avenue, Azusa, California 91702, with activities starting at 10am. It’s an enjoyable gathering of boxers, vendors, and friends, plus live music and plenty of delicious food in a “pot-luck” sharing style setting.
There are many who have texted or contacted me with certain questions and offered their personal opinions. I kindly respect everybody, and here I would like to share three (3) questions which have recently come to my attention, with my answers in response:
1) Many times you have attended boxing matches at the historic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Did you also attend wrestling matches there, and who might be your favorite wrestler?
ANSWER – Yes, I actually attended several wrestling matches first, before the boxing, and that came about in 1960 when my uncle took me as a young boy. My favorite wrestler was The Destroyer. He was quite the showman and very entertaining. His match in the “Hair vs. Mask” with Gorgeous George, November 11, 1962, was truly a classic. On March 19, 1994, I had the absolute pleasure to meet The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) at the Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet where he signed my Wrestling Revue / April 1963 / magazine cover and we took pictures together.
2) In ranking the greatest Mexican-born boxers, who do you say is the most underrated?
ANSWER – Without question it’s Vicente Saldivar. I was fortunate to see him fight live on three occasions which were bouts with Raul Rojas (May 7, 1965), Jose Legra (July 18,1969), and Frankie Crawford (July 15,1971).
3) In serving as boxing historian with the World Boxing Hall of Fame (1997-2007) was there anything that stood out to you regarding any boxers being inducted?
ANSWER – Yes. I regret not doing my homework in catching the fact that Tommy Ryan, great welterweight and middleweight champion, was never inducted into their Hall of Fame.
In closing, I want to add a special tribute to my long time friend, Larry Montalvo, and note that the young girl posing with hats in this edition is his granddaughter, Jennifer. Separate photos of her were actually posted twice for viewing on my website (July 24, 2010 and July 21, 2012) courtesy of Larry and his late wife Elsa (R.I.P.), who are simply the most wonderful, giving, and loving people – ever. Larry is a United States Army Korean War veteran and he served honorably as president of the Golden State Boxer’s Association, after founder and president Don Fraser retired, with Elsa by his side serving as secretary, both doing an outstanding job.
I know there are many choices in boxing … I thank you dearly for making dmboxing one of them. Your continued support is so very much appreciated!