(Fall 2026 Edition)
The Fall 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).
There are three other people who are no longer with us (R.I.P.) that were so instrumental in contributing and giving input to the website that I will 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).
A shout out to family and many wonderful friends, professional boxers, and young women over the years since 2007 that have dispalyed my dmboxing products, the hats, t-shirts, tank tops, coffee cups, pens, mini-flashlights, etc … and in this edition “thank you” Sarah (Cammann) Cozik.
Boxing has been a way of life for me (to know it is to live it) since 1961. Through all these years, it was the rich history that captured my attention, which is why I consider myself first a boxing historian, and secondly a boxing expert. It is truly an honor to bring everyone to my boxing world, with respect and credibility being my intended top priorities. I welcome all input and comments and appreciate the support which simply fuels me for the opportunity to serve you all.
There have been many that have contacted me with certain questions about boxing, and have also offered their personal opinions. I kindly respect everyone, and would like to share five (5) questions which have recently come to my attention, with my answers following.
1 – Was there a particular boxer that you spent time with and you enjoyed his presence?
ANSWER – There were too many to mention, but I will always remember enjoying my time interviewing and discussing the Sweet Science with professional boxers. I will say George Foreman was very kind and extremely pleasant. I was assigned to escort him into the green room, to first be interviewed by ESPN, then to be taken onto the staging area prior to the World Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet for his 2002 induction.
2 – Who would be, in your personal opinion, the people you learned from with their own rich history in boxing?
ANSWER: There have been many, and in no particular order the ones that stand out are Al Nelson (Boxing Historian), Don Fraser (Promoter / President California Boxing Hall of Fame), Millie Robinson (wife of Sugar Ray Robinson), Jay Tunney (son of Gene Tunney), and Bert Sugar (Boxing Historian). Their wealth of boxing knowledge was extremely educational.
3 – Is there a fight that isn’t regularly talked about that you rate as a huge upset?
ANSWER: I was ringside on July 2, 1970, at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, when Jose Luis Garcia knocked out up-and-coming, undefeated Ken Norton who was 16-0 with 15 by knockout going into their heavyweight main event match. That one definitely stands out.
4 – Can you recall fights that you actually attended at ringside and predicted the winner, only to be surprised when the outcome and your prediction failed?I
ANSWER: The ten that I really can’t forget, with my picks listed first, were: Mando Ramos vs. Chango Carmona (September 15, 1972); Curtis Cokes vs. Jose Napoles (April 18, 1969); Carlos Zarate vs. Lupe Pintor (June 3, 1979); Danny Lopez vs. Bobby Chacon (May 24, 1974); Hedgemon Lewis vs. Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez (October 4, 1969); Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad (September 18, 1999); Salvador Sanchez vs. Juan Escobar (April 15, 1978); Armando Muniz vs. Carlos Palomino (January 21, 1977); Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales (February 19, 2000); and Larry Harding vs. Eddie Garcia (December 18, 1969).
5 – You have attended many boxing matches at the historic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. When did that all start for you?
ANSWER – Actually, my first visit to the Olympic Auditorium was in 1960 as a young boy with my uncle for wrestling matches to see the likes of Freddie Blassie, Bobo Brazil, Rikidōzan, Lou Thesz, Count Billy Varga, Mr. Moto, The Destroyer and many others. I was completely hooked on just being there live in that historic venue. The very first boxing match came about just prior to my 13th birthday, in June 1961. It was Danny Valdez vs. Tony Herrera in a scheduled 12 round bout which was billed as the fight for the vacant California State Featherweight Championship.
Upcoming Event News – The WBC Legends of Boxing 2026 Induction Ceremony is set for Sunday, October 18th, at Cancun Ole Restaurant, 5219 E. Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90022, with the start time at 11:00am. As a 2015 inductee myself, it’s truly an honor to respectfully acknowledge this World Boxing Council awards event. For information contact – Rudy Tellez (323) 229-1694.
Knowing you have many choices in boxing, I sincerely and kindly thank you for making www. dmboxing.com one of them – it is much appreciated!