Bobby Chacon

Bobby Chacon was another fighter that trained at the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles from time to time. I happened to be working out one day when Bobby and Danny "Little Red" Lopez sparred. Danny was managed by Howie Steindler, the owner of the gym. Bobby was managed by Joe Ponce. Bobby had KO'ed Danny a few years earlier and his career soared. By this time in 1975 Danny's star was rising and Chacon was struggling to keep his career alive (this was before his great Rocky like comeback in the 80's).

The gym had come to a screeching halt and everyone crowded the ring apron to see these two crosstown rivals go at it. we were not disappointed. I would have paid good money to have seen these to do battle, but as it was I got a free show. These guys would not give an inch, and I can tell you, this was not a sparring match, this was a fight. If I had to choose a winner, I think I would have given the edge to Chacon, but not by much.

Bobby Chacon had an amazing career. It had three stages. The early seventies when he first won the featherweight title. The floundering years in the mid to late seventies, and his amazing comeback as Lightweight Champ in the early eighties, culminating with his blood and guts fights with Cornealeas Boza-Edwards and Raphael Bazooka Limon. Bobby gave his all in the ring and real boxing fans will always have a place in their hearts for this little giant. The last I heard he was suffering from pugilistica dementia (punch drunk). I wish him the best of luck. Lopez of course went on to have great career himself until he ran into a kid by the name of Salvador Sanchez. You can see Bobby's record here and Danny's here.

Oscar Accuser Has Apologized!

According to fightnews.com, the woman that claimed to have taken the outrageous photos of Oscar De La Hoya in fish net stockings has recanted and is now changing her story. "I cannot personally verify the authenticity of the images" she states, she also said "I was pressured into going public with the photos by certain individuals who had improper motives and acted solely for their own financial gain".

Personally, I hope they throw the book at her, and anyone else involved in this scam, and I have no doubt that is what it is, a scam. I cannot imagine the damage that has been done. More to the point I cannot imagine anyone with a brain believing it. For the complete story click here.

Live Boxing at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa

De La Hoya Acquires the Ring Magazine

In his continual, almost one man quest to restore boxing to it's rightful place in the sports world, Oscar De La Hoya has acquired the Ring magazine as well as KO, World Boxing and Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazines. "To be here now and actually own the title is truly a dream come true," said De La Hoya . Regarding questions of conflict of interests, De La Hoya had this to say "We have a very skilled and capable team at The Ring, and I have all the confidence that these magazines will not only continue to prosper, but in fact grow globally. "These magazines will be held in an editorial trust where they will be operating totally independent of any influence from me or others from the Golden Boy companies as it relates to editorial direction or content."

Kudos to De La Hoya, an East Los Angeles native, that rose from humble beginnings to win a gold medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, win six world titles to become the biggest money making draw, and most popular non-heavyweight in boxing history, and on his way to becoming the top promoter in the sport, and now the owner of the "Bible of Boxing" the Ring magazine. De La Hoya is a proven winner with the Midas touch, here's hoping his golden touch rubs off on the Ring magazine.

2007 California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees

September 22, 2007, also a tribute to 80th anniversary of the famous Dempsey-Tunney "Long Count"

California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees

Boxing Category
Oscar De La Hoya
Shane Mosley
Fernando Vargas
Albert Davila
Art Frias
Jimmy Harryman
Genaro Hernandez
Armando (Mando) Muniz
Richard (Cali) Martinez

Non-Boxer Category
Richard Schaefer
Don & Lorraine Chargin
Dr. Michael De Luca
Frank Espinoza
Josie Arry-Meja
Carlos Avila
Hank Nagamine
David Martinez
Frank Baltazar Sr.

Posthumous Category
Henry Armstrong
Diego Corrales
Larry Soto
Howie Steindler
Dynamite Jackson

Congratulations to all the inductees, especially my friend Frank Baltazar Sr., and to the family of my former trainer, the late Larry Soto. Larry was my trainer for a short time in the early 1980's, after the passing of my original trainer Mel Epstein.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Registration & Social Hour
11:00am
Roast Prime Rib of Beef Luncheon
12:00 noon

SPORTSMEN'S LODGE

12833 Ventura Blvd. Studio City Ca.
(corner of Ventura & Coldwater Canyon)

Luncheon Ticket - $50.00
Tickets almost sold out!
(818) 761-4887
Fax: (818) 7614887