Connect with us

Articles of 2008

29th World Boxing Hall Of Fame Inductions

Published

on

It’s the 29th annual World Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony and will be packed with a number of boxing’s best when Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Marvin Johnson and Greg Haugen take their place.

The banquet takes place at the LAX Marriott Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 15, and also includes awards for current boxers and contributors to the sport for a number of other honors including Fighter of the Year.

It was Mexico’s Antonio “Tijuana Tornado” Margarito who has been named Fighter of the Year for 2008. After capturing the WBA welterweight title with an impressive stoppage of Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto and earlier beating Kermit “The Killer” Cintron for the IBF title, he was the boxer chosen most outstanding though several others contended for the honor.

Winners of the Fight of the Year were Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez for their ferocious third fight that exploded in front of an awestruck Southern California audience last March 2008. Other fights such as Michael Katsidis-Joel Casamayor took place that had plenty of action, but for pure scientific savagery everything else took second place. Marquez and Vazquez III was boxing at its best.

“It was a brutal fight,” said Frank Espinoza, who manages Vazquez. “These guys put their hearts into that fight.”

Also awarded this year for their considerable contributions to the sport are Japan’s Akihiko Honda, Gilberto Mendoza, Alberto Reyes and Miguel Diaz.

Honda is a second-generation boxing promoter in his country and is considered one of the most influential in the world. Among the world champions he has guided are former titleholders Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez, Jiro Watanabe and Tsuyoshi Hamada. He currently guides Edwin Valero, Jorge Linares and Hozumi Hasegawa.

Mendoza of Venezuela heads the World Boxing Association and Diaz is a cut man and trainer based in Las Vegas. Reyes is owner of Reyes boxing gloves, which have become the favorite of many of the world’s best prizefighters.

Posthumous awards will be given to Cuba’s Luis Rodriguez a slick fighting welterweight from the 1950s and 60s, and Guido Bardelli, a light heavyweight champion.

Inducted

Lewis, who now works as an analyst for HBO, held the heavyweight world title three times, engaged in some of the most significant bouts in the last 20 years, including collisions with Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Vitali Klitschko. He changed the dynamics of heavyweight boxing in proving that a man of immense size could be agile, fast and devastating in the ring.

Johnson was a three-time light heavyweight world champion in the division’s heyday during the 1970s and 80s and fought notable bouts against Matthew Saad Muhammad, Eddie Gregory and  Michael Spinks. The southpaw from Indianapolis, Indiana captured the WBC and WBA titles when that division was loaded with some of the best 175-pounders ever seen at one time.

Whitaker, also known as “Sweet Pea,” was a defensive boxing genius who captured world titles in the lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight division and fought in a number of great battles with Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya and Roger Mayweather. He was also a gold medal winner in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Greg Haugen was a lightweight world champion during the late 1980s when that division was top heavy with talent and he battled against Hector Camacho, Vinny Pazienza, and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. He fought Chavez at Mexico City in a fight that drew more than 130,000 people.

Others being awarded are Bob Arum, Richard Schaefer, Lee Baca and Bernard Parks. Ticket prices range from $100 to $200. For more information call (626) 964-2414 or visit www.wbhf.org

Congratulations

Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan captured the WBA and WBC titles by knocking out Mexico’s Cristian Mijares and now holds all three major titles including the IBF junior bantamweight titles. The Armenian slugger beat Mijares at the Home Depot in Carson last Saturday. He is a former IBF flyweight titleholder.

Darchinyan says he’d like to face WBO titleholder Fernando Montiel of Mexico, who is a former flyweight champion too.

Also on the victory parade is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for his conquest of Matt Vanda in a junior middleweight rematch. Chavez seeks a match with De La Hoya or an elite junior middleweight such as Vernon Forrest. That’s a fight that could be easily made.

Mexico’s popular Jorge Arce has challenged junior featherweight world champion Israel Vazquez, who is anxious to get a deal signed. Arce has never fought at the 122-pound weight level and would be a serious underdog against the super strong Vazquez.

Arreola in Big Bear

Riverside heavyweight Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola will be training in Big Bear in preparation for his showdown with fellow heavyweight contender Travis Walker that takes place on Nov. 29, in Ontario, Ca. at the brand new Citizens Business Bank Arena.

Also training with Arreola is another Riverside prizefighter, Josesito Lopez, who will be fighting Mongolia’s Bayan Jargal. Lopez will be fighting in an eight round junior welterweight bout against the pressure fighting style of Jargal who appeared at Soboba Casino in September. He won by second round knockout. Lopez is making his second appearance as a junior welterweight. He lost to Edgar Santana last April in Florida despite scoring two knockdowns.

Tickets are on sale at Citizens Business Bank Arena or at www.Ticketmaster.com

Fights on television

Sat. HBO pay-per-view, 6 p.m., Roy Jones Jr. (52-4) vs. Joe Calzaghe (45-0); Zab Judah (36-6) vs. Ernest Johnson (18-2-1); Gato Figueroa (19-2) vs. Emanuel Augustus (38-29-6); Dmitriy Salita (28-0-1) vs. Derrick Campos (17-5).

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles1 week ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles5 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles6 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles9 hours ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles5 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles5 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles6 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles1 week ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending