RINGSIDE LA WITH JOHNNY ORTIZ

OCTOBER 6, 2006

ROBERTO “MANOS DE PIEDRA” DURAN HEADS UP WORLD BOXING HALL OF FAME 27th ANNUAL BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS 2006 INDUCTION CEREMONY

On Saturday, October 14th at the Los Angeles (LAX) Marriott Hotel, Roberto Duran, one of the greatest fighters in modern boxing history, will take his rightful place among the many other boxing immortals who have gone before him when they too, were inducted into the prestigious World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Roberto will be joined by three former champions, Eddie Perkins, Matthew Saad Muhammad and Julian Jackson. All four will be worthy recipients as they individually step up to the podium to receive their induction honor, for those fortunate enough to be present on this night, they will hear each and every inductee voice their gratitude and speak of their long, hard journey that led them to this night.

Among the four inductees, Roberto Duran is the only one I am well acquainted with. It was during my tenure as co-owner of the legendary Main St. Gym that we became friends. He would come to the gym for several weeks whenever he had a fight in Los Angeles or nearby Las Vegas, Roberto liked to call the old shrine his home away from home. I enjoyed getting to know him and always looked forward to our occasional talks after a workout, of all the great champions who trained at Main St. during my time, the two who would always play to a packed, standing room only crowd, were Muhammad Ali and Roberto Duran. Roberto loved to play to the ladies in the audience when he skipped rope, he seemed to come alive in the presence of pretty girls, I can only surmise that it was the Latin in him. He was magical when he took to the floor to begin his rope session, only Sugar Ray Robinson before him was his equal in this department, Roberto was a good-natured, playful guy who would get fiercely serious when the time came to step into the ring for a sparing session. It was during these times that I would see the greatness and dedication of the man they called “Manos de Piedra.” Roberto Duan has never really been given the credit he deserves for his uncanny defensive boxing ability, he had a built-in radar that enabled him to slip punches. More than one sparring partner would later tell me how extremely hard it was to get a bead on him in order to hit him and how he would make you pay whenever he detected any kind of a weakness, be it offensive or defensive. Roberto was the only one that the ever-present old-timers at the gym would all agree to a man, that would have been able to fight in their time, they also thought Roberto possessed the killer instinct that they believed was missing in the fighters of his day. That is the respect the good-looking, mischievous young man from Panama would command from the old fighters of yesteryear. I could go on all day about the friendly Panama Kid, every day he trained was indeed something special. I devote a whole chapter in my book to Roberto Duran, it’s called, “Rocky Meets Manos de Piedra.” A lot of people are unaware that Roberto is the one sparring with Sly Stallone in a Main St. ring in the film, “Rocky ll. He isn’t wearing a head gear so it is easy to recognize him. The other four inductee’s are all truly worth the price of admission, but it is the poor, skinny kid who grew up in the poverty streets of Panama who would one day win world championships in four different weight classes that puts this years list of inductees over the top. Roberto Duran fought from 1968-2001, he left behind a ring record of: 103 wins, 16 losses, w/70KO’s.

Another incentive to attend will be the presence of a one time great middleweight champion, Gerald McClellan. He will be an invited guest of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, he wants to be there on behalf of his friend, Julian Jackson. Believe me, Gerald, in the prime of his boxing career. would have left an even more lasting impression on the boxing world had he not received a career ending injury in his bout with Nigel Benn, a fight that should have been stopped in the first round when Gerald blasted Benn nearly knocking him completely out of the ring. It is only my opinion, but I truly believe that Nigel Benn did not beat the count. Gerald paid the price, he was the recipient of a blow that all fighters fear, it does not necessarily have to be a hard punch, just a punch delivered at the right time in the right place that can eventually cause brain damage, the rest of the McClellan saga is boxing history. I will go on record as saying that Gerald McClellan’s appearance this year will be a preview of his Hall of Fame induction next year…no one is more deserving!

Joining Roberto Duran in the Boxer Category this year is the aforementioned, former WBA Jr. Middleweight Champion, Julian “The Hawk” Jackson. Julian, who first fought out of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, is considered one of the hardest punchers ever in his division. He fought from 1981-1998. His ring record reads: 55 wins, 6 losses, w/49 KO’s. By posting 49 KO’s in his 55 wins, Julian established an 89.1 KO percentage. He is a deserving Hall of Fame inductee.

Third on the list is former WBC Light Heavyweight Champion, Matthew Saad Muhammad. A true “Philly” fighter, Matthew gained a reputation of being able to take punishment while mounting huge winning comebacks, he was an exciting fighter who never knew the word…quit! He too, is a welcome addition to this years Hall of Fame roster. He fought from 1974-1992. His record: 39 wins, 16 losses w/ 29 KO’s.

Rounding out the list in this year’s Boxer Category is a fighter I remember well, former WBA/WBC Welterweight Champion, Eddie Perkins. In his day, Eddie was as good a ring technician as you could hope to find. Known as a slick boxer, Eddie’s ability to counterpunch was astounding. He fought from 1956-1975, after fighting the very best in his division, Eddie wound up with a very respectful ring record of: 75 wins, 20 losses w/21 KO’s. As with the rest of the inductee’s, I know Eddie is thrilled to be entering the Hall of Fame…he earned it. An interesting sidenote is the fact that Eddie twice fought a very young Mando Muniz. Mando is now the President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Among the posthumous inductees that will also be inducted are former greats, Gil Cadilli, Billy Peacock, Ike Chestnut, Jackie Graves and Bert Gilroy. This is truly a very special group, Gil Cadilli was fighting professionally when I was in my early teens. It was a time when my older brother Phil would take me to the original Main St. Gym while he trained. It was here that I would watch Gil and his friend and rival, Keeny Teran train. I watched their every move in the gym, I wanted to be like Gil and Keeny, they were two small fighters who, late in their teens, were the darlings of Los Angeles boxing. Keeny would have his career cut short when be was KO’d by Kid Heroin while Gil went on to achieve greatness in a fighting career that is highlighted by having the distinction of beating arguably the greatest featherweight of all time, “The Will of the Wisp,” Willie Pep. It has been a long time in coming, but Gil Cadilli can look down from above and know that later is better than never.

Billy Peacock and Ike Chestnut were always warmly received by the fight fans of Los Angeles even though they knocked off quite a few Mexican fan favorites. I can remember as though it were yesterday, Billy and Ike fighting their hearts out at the famous Olympic Auditorium. They were so good that it was common for them to sell out the great fight club. Like Gil, it is hard to comprehend what took so long for their induction, but then again…better late than never.

I have to admit that although I know of Jackie Graves and Bert Gilroy who fought so long ago, their imagery is not as vivid as the other three, but I know enough about them to know that they are both very deserving of their upcoming awards…they have been a long, long, long time in coming. Congratulations to the living and the deceased fighters, they picked a hard occupation, but their end reward is forever!

In the Expanded Category, we have four deserving recipients, they are: Joey Olmos, former Chief Inspector Southern Section of California State Athletic Commission, famed Mexican trainer, Ignacio Beristain, outstanding and world-known referee, Robert Byrd and Sports Broadcaster, Barry Tompkins. Of the four, Joey Olmos stands out in my mind, not only as a man who was very instrumental during my tenure at the Main St. Gym, but as a man who’s friendship over the many years means a great deal to me. When I was feeling around, trying to learn how to run a boxing shrine, a shrine I first knew at the age of nine, who else but Joey Olmos would be there to answer all my many questions. Joey not only took the time to occasionally help me, but he was kind enough to throw in a friendship. He gave me my first manager’s license. This is a man who should have been inducted twenty years or so ago. As far as I am concerned, Mr. Joey Olmos is the First Man of Boxing in Los Angeles, he is and always will be. I have him right up there with my other two boyhood idols, Sugar Ray Robinson and Enrique Bolanos.

I am from the “Old School” of Mexican managers and trainers. I had the privilege of watching and learning from the very best while operating the Main St. Gym. The two very best were Lupe Sanchez and Cuyo Hernandez. They were makers of Champions, I first met Lupe Sanchez when he would bring in Pipino Curvas for training and sparring. Cuyo Hernandez had to sit out the big fight at the Forum between undefeated Carlos Zarate and Alfonso Zamora, the reason? He managed them both. If these two boxing icons are not in the Hall of Fame, they should be. I now consider Ignacio Beristain the new Eddie Futch of Mexican trainers, Ignacio has proven himself time and time again that he is worthy of the title, he is without a doubt…a maker and trainer of champions.

Robert Byrd has been around Los Angeles boxing for as long as I can remember. He has been a highly respected referee among his peers and fans alike. He is an extremely nice man who deserves his overdue award.

Those of you who read my boxing articles know how I feel about some boxing commentators, Barry Tomkins is a very well-liked man with those he works with and all who know him. I just cannot understand why Barry and his partner do the commentating when they have the best there is in Sean O’Grady, who’s main job seems to be running around doing legwork with corner and dressing room interviews, depriving us of Sean’s great, vast boxing knowledge by not allowing him do his articulate fighter’s view on what is going on in the ring. Maybe some people think they might be upstaged, when it comes to Sean O’Grady…they definitely would be. I congratulate the four inductee’s in the Expanded Category.

Last, but certainly not least, two outstanding highlights of the evening will be when the “Fighter of the Year” and “Fight of the Year.” are announced. We, the board members, chose Carlos Baldomir as our fighter of the year. We felt that his two very impressive wins over the reigning WBC Welterweight Champion, Zab Judah, along with his 9th round destruction of boxing’s most exciting fighter, Arturo Gatti, were enough to earn boxing’s yearly title. The young man from Sante Fe, Argentina, the home town of great middleweight champion, Carlos Monzon, came out of nowhere to defeat a heavily favored Judah by taking a unanimous decision over the champion famous for the “Funky Judah.” Again the underdog, Carlos proved his win over Judah was no fluke when he methodically took Arturo Gatti apart. We will see what lies ahead in his boxing future when he next takes on “The Little Lip,” Floyd Mayweather Jr. on November 4th in Las Vegas.

Our “Fight of the Year” was a barnburner between WBO Bantamweight Champion Jhonny Gonzalez who moved up four pounds to challenge WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vazquez. Behind on all scorecards, Vazquez rallied to stop a game Gonzalez who appeared to be well on his way to victory. Israel Vazquez showed both tenacity and heart to fight his way back into this great fight. We tip our hats to both brave gladiators for giving us “The Fight of the Year.”

There you have it, all the ingredients that go into making up a super night of boxing acknowledgment. If you have never been to our Banquet of Champions and are a boxing fan, this is a ‘must’ night! When you see one, I guarantee that you will never miss another one. Where else can you meet boxing legends, past, present and future champions? Not only will the inductees be present, but most of all the great champions who fought out of Los Angeles, plus champions such as Carmen Basilio, Gene Fullmer and Bob Foster to name just a few. They all will be happy to accommodate you by posing for photos and signing autographs. It is truly a once in a lifetime celebration.

If all this were not enough, be sure to visit our memorabilia and collectibles show on Saturday morning, October 14, from 10am to 3pm.

Some of the honorees will be available for autographs at this event.

Do not get shut out for this amazing Banquet, there are still some tables and seats available. For reservations, please call (951) 202-7988 or (909) 239-3541. The address of the Marriott is: 5855 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045. The World Boxing Hall of Fame Board of Directors will serve as your hosts for the evening. President Armando “Mando” Muniz, aka the uncrowned welterweight champion of the world, will preside over this gala event. Board member and boxing historian David Martinez will be all over the place.

“PATH TO GLORY” RETURNS TO THE INLAND EMPIRE
BRADLEY VS. SANCHEZ ON MAIN EVENT
After three highly successful ‘under the stars’ outdoor summer fight cards in Corona, in which each one was a complete sellout, Path to Glory will return to its winter home, the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA, with a stellar boxing card. With the warm weather behind us, Thompson Boxing Promotions will go indoors to round out the year with two outstanding shows. On Monday, October 16, 2006, the charismatic president of TBP, Kenneth Thompson, and his young, terrific matchmaker Alex Camponovo, have again put together an outstanding fight card.
Making his comeback to the Inland Empire venue will be highly regarded prospect “Desert Storm” Timothy Ray Bradley Jr. (15-0, 9 KOs) who will face veteran Alfonso Sanchez (20-5, 18 KOs) in an eight round welterweight clash. Bradley’s impressive record includes victories over the always-tough Jorge Padilla, the strong Francisco Rincon, former undefeated boxer Eli Addison, the never kayoed Arturo Urena, whom Bradley dispatched in three rounds with a thunderous right hand, and his latest opponent Martin Ramirez, who was knocked out in five rounds. On his ascension through the ranks, Bradley has conquered the WBC Youth titles in the jr. welter and welterweight divisions.
“I have challenged Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for the past three months and I have not heard a word from him, not a peep,” said Bradley from his training camp in Palm Springs. “I don’t want to sound like a broken recOrange, CA - On Monday, October 16, Thompson Boxing Promotions will make its return to the Doubletree ord but I think Junior is scared of me. So instead of worrying about a guy that will run away, I’ll fight those brave ones who want to mix it up with me in the ring,” concluded Bradley.
Bradley’s next opponent, Alfonso “Poncho” Sanchez, hails from Mexico City, and has an impressive record of 20-5, 18 KOs. He has fought some of the top contenders in three different weight divisions such as Mickey Ward, Vincent Phillips, Eleazar Contreras and Julio Cesar Garcia. The experienced Sanchez plans to dethrone the young Bradley with his powerful hands in the main event of “Path to Glory.”
In addition, Danny “El Oso” Garcia (5-0, 3 KOs) from Pomona will face Derek Andrews (6-3-1, 2 KOs) from Forth Worth, TX, in a six round super middleweight battle. Also from Pomona, Ivan “Sitting Bull” Stovall (5-1, 3 KOs) will face Cromwell Gordon (2-5, 2 KOs) from Los Angeles, in another six round super middleweight scrap.
In the cruiserweight division, Carlos “Chucky” Martin (4-0-1) from Chino Hills, will face Alejandro Virgen (5-5-2, 4 KOs) from Los Angeles, in what could be an all-out-war. Finally, featherweights Osvaldo Medina (1-0) from La Habra, will face Freudis Rojas (0-2) from Guantanamo, Cuba, in a four round fight.
Tickets for the next Thompson Boxing Promotions show are now on sale and available for purchase for $75, $45 and $30 by calling 714-935-0900 or through www.thompsonboxing.com The event will take place at the Doubletree Hotel, Ontario, located on 222 North Vineyard Ave. Doors will open at 6:30 pm; first bell 7:45 pm.

For those of you who will be attending the World Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet of Champions on October 14th, why not join Alex, myself, the TBP crew, and former WBHF President Kenneth Thompson two nights later for a wonderful night of boxing. Excellent live boxing is a great way to cap a great weekend at the Banquet.

Remember…all roads lead to the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California!

Until the next round…Peace and God Bless!

Johnny Ortiz is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame Board of Director’s

Johnny Ortiz is a member of the Golden State Boxers Association Board of Director’s

Johnny Ortiz is a former co-owner of the famous, legendary Main St. Gym

Johnny Ortiz is a media advisor for Thompson Boxing Promotions

Johnny Ortiz is a former twelve year radio host of LA’s original boxing show