2013 Luncheon With Honorees
There was a special gathering at the Golden State Boxer’s Association’s 2013 Awards Luncheon held at Steven’s Steakhouse in the City of Commerce. This organization meets every Tuesday in Hollywood and the longstanding, loyal group honors fighters, past and present.
This March 16 fiesta honored the outgoing President Larry Montalvo while ushering in the new incoming President Bill Dempsey Young. Awards also went to Dr. Joe Noriega, Mack Kurihara (“Miyagi Boxing”), the Ruelas brothers (Gabriel and Rafael), the Pimentel brothers (Jesus “Little Poison” and Jose) and a posthumous award to Ace Hudgins.
In attendance were many retired fighters and champs that gained a crowd following in their heydays of the sweet science. Joining the festivities were Jesus Pimentel, Jose Pimental, Gabe Ruelas, Randy Shields, Albert Davila, Bobby Chacon, Frankie Duarte, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Mando Muniz, Mike Weaver, John Montes, Orlando De La Fuente, Ray De La Fuente, Frankie Santillan, Danny Valdez and more. Also at the Saturday function were football player Charlie Powell, Goossen Tutor Promotions’ Dan Goossen, Cleto Reyes Gloves’ Mike Serrano and California Boxing Hall of Fame’s Don Fraser.
There were photo collages displayed for the guests, a prize raffle of memorabilia and a “Ten Count” to honor timekeeper Arnie Koslow, who passed away in January.
These get togethers give the boxing aficionados a chance to reconnect and reminisce. Many I chatted with spoke of the wars back in the days of Goossen’s fight nights at the Country Club in Reseda with the hard swingin’ Ruelas brothers. Mike Serrano, who had two displays of his latest Cleto Reyes gear, remembered those times and the excitement it brought to the Valley. “The fights were great,” Serrano says. “And it was during those years that I first worked with Dan Goossen.”
Most of the attendees go back for decades. Fighters Mando Muniz and Randy Shields told me about their days sparring against each other. Shields was only 15 or 16 back then but his ring generalship was far beyond his years. “Randy was so elusive; he was a slippery guy to fight,” Muniz laughs about his former sparring partner. “He got me so mad I tried to put him against the ropes but he was always moving!”
The boxers enjoyed a Saturday afternoon of speeches welcoming the 2013 awardees. The champs were able to mingle with the crowd before accepting their awards. Several of the prizefighters had their spouses and children with them as they looked on with pride. And the champs also proudly sported their blue satin Golden State jackets embroidered with their names on the front panels.
Linda Dempsey Young, wife of new President Bill Dempsey Young, mentioned how moving the speeches all were.
“Dan Goossen gave out the Don Fraser Lifetime Achievement Award to Gabriel Ruelas who gave a very heartfelt speech,” Linda tells me. “Joey Olmos had Bill give out the Joe Louis Award to Orlando “Roy” De La Fuente and Abe Fernandez (actor in ‘The Untouchables’).”
And the Youngs were also surprised by a very generous gift from renowned boxing promoter Dan Goossen. The famed promoter invited the GSBA guests on March 16 to take in the upcoming Chris Arreola vs. Bermane Stiverne heavyweight fight taking place at the Citizen’s Business Bank Arena in Ontario.
“That was such a generous offer of Dan!” the pair raved about Dan’s surprise announcement. “It will be an awesome night for everyone.”
The Youngs were also happy to have in the audience boxing’s Vince Delgado, Carol Steindler, and Joey Olmos. And it was also a bittersweet day to say goodbye to the outgoing President, Larry Montalvo. But chatting with Larry and his wife Elsa, the couple assured me they will remain a part of the Golden State group in the future.
Congratulations to the newest GSBA honorees!
Photos by Michele Chong
