By David Martinez / Boxing Historian
Photos by George Garcia
Tom Peters, David Martinez and Jack Mosley, photo by George Garcia
The Stevens Steak House Restaurant in Los Angeles (Commerce), California, was the scene on Saturday, April 12, 2008 for a wonderful day of boxing as the Golden State Boxers Association presented a Father’s and Son’s award celebration.
The show kicked off with a short introduction from GSBA president Larry Montalvo, followed by vice president Bill Dempsey Young who took the mike as master of ceremonies and gave a speech on the status of the GSBA; he noted that all of the awards to each participant would be in honor of legendary boxing promoter Don Fraser, as each would be receiving the “Don Fraser Lifetime Achievement” award.
Ray Mancini and Bill Dempsey Young, photo by George Garcia
The show started with the customary “10 count” in memory of the recent passing of fighters and icons in boxing.
The award participants were brought up to the stage alphabetically, and each gave an excellent talk about themselves and their careers. Receiving awards were:
Carol Steindler and Danny Lopez, photo by George Garcia
Frank Baltazar, Sr., with sons Frank, Jr., and Bobby – Tony was not present;
Orlando and Ramon De La Fuente;
Bill Dempsey Young, Ray Mancini, Don Fraser, Stacy White, Larry Montalvo, photo by George Garcia
Eduardo and Robert Garcia;
Pat Goosen with his sons P.J., Todd, and Chuck, with deceased son Eric truly missed;
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, who gave a tribute to his late father, Lenny;
Ruby (Enrique) Bolanos and David Martinez, photo by George Garcia
Jack Mosley, who gave a tribute to his son, Sugar Shane, who was not present because of training preparations for his upcoming fight versus Zab Judah;
Mando Ramos and father Ray;
Bobby Chacon, photo by George Garcia
and Randy Shields, who gave his respects to his father, Sonny, who was not present because of recent hip surgery.
Joey Olmos, who was the presenter for Shields, also presented Miyagi “Mack” Kurihara with the prestigious “Joe Louis Humanitarian” award.
Mack Kurihara, Joey Olmos, Bill Dempsey Young, photo by George Garcia
The daughter of legendary trainer Howie Steindler, Carol, was given a special award, with Danny “Little Red” Lopez her presenter.
The awards presentation closed out with a special presentation to Don Fraser, simply honoring him for his many years in boxing.
Chuck, Todd, Pat, and PJ Goosen, photo by George Garcia
Other standouts from the boxing world that were also on hand were Bobby Chacon, Armando Muniz, Alan Syers, Lou Filippo, Norm Cote,
Dr. Joe Noriega, Vince Delgado, Danny Valdez, and Jesus Pimentel.
Jesus Pimentel, Ray Mancini, and Frankie Baltazar, Jr, photo by George Garcia
The crowd of over 200 people made their exit after a delightful afternoon of friendship, fellowship, and awards. I would personally like to congratulate the Golden State Boxers Association for it’s acknowledgement of such an outstanding array of boxing honorees.
Robert Garcia, Don Fraser and Ray Mancini, photo by George Garcia