By David Martinez / dmboxing.com
On December 3, 2016 my friend Gene Aguilera was inducted into the WBC World Boxing Council Legends Hall of Fame. It was an extreme honor for me to be his presenter, and it was such a deserving honor for Gene. In prior years, with the World Boxing Hall of Fame and California Boxing Hall of Fame, I have been a presenter for Rodolfo Gonzalez (WBC lightweight champion); Ernie Terrell (WBA heavyweight champion); Eddie Perkins (WBA junior welterweight champion); Eddie Futch (arguably the greatest trainer of the 20th century); and Harold Lederman (HBO World Championship Boxing). But, it is Gene that is so very special in my heart because our roles were reversed – he was my presenter upon my induction on May 17, 2015.
Gene is the author of one of the best publications in boxing today, Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles. His book is simply a must for all boxing fans and especially for those that grew up in the rich era of boxing in Southern California. Gene offers this book at a ridiculously low price of just $20.00, which is a steal and makes a great gift. For further information and purchasing, contact Gene at (323) 697-7197.
I want to wish Gene a safe trip this week to the International Boxing Hall of Fame festivities in Canastota, New York, June 8-9-10-11, 2017. The past few years Gene has traveled to the East Coast to attend this gala event. This year he is traveling with his wife Maria and also with a group of great Mexican legendary boxing champions that he provides a kind host friendship relationship: Ruben Olivares (WBA bantamweight champion, WBC bantamweight champion, WBA featherweight champion, WBC featherweight champion); Jose Pipino Cuevas (WBA welterweight champion); Marco Antonio Barrera (WBO junior featherweight champion, WBC featherweight champion, WBC super featherweight champion, IBF super featherweight champion); and Humberto Chiquita Gonzalez (WBC junior flyweight champion, IBF junior flyweight champion).
Gene is truly an ambassador to the sport of boxing and his book publication is a collector’s item. Iconic boxing writer Bert Sugar called Aguilera “an historian and trusted adviser to many Latino fighters” in his book, The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists. And keep an eye out for Gene’s second book publication coming in 2018!
A sincere thank you for choosing me on the book cover Mr. Gene Aguilera & Arcadia Book Publishing . The book is every boxing lovers book …….