“Ladies First”: A Look Back at 2013 Awards

Golden State Boxers’ Hall of Fame Event

Happy New Year to all the boxing fans!

As we embark on 2014, we start with a clean slate, a new beginning and endless possibilities.

What will this year bring forth in the sport? Who will emerge as superstars? Which fights will keep us on the edge or our seats?

Time will tell as the days and months commence for Twenty Fourteen.

As I look forward to all the exciting matches this year, I want to take time to look back at one of my own personal highlights of 2013. The year went by in a blur with so many great fights, several shocking upsets and breakout stars making the scene. I enjoyed covering both the pro and amateur scene and kept busy throughout the months.

And now it’s fitting that my very first story of the new year is recap of a special awards day for my fellow cohorts involved in boxing.

This past November, I was part of the Golden State Boxers’ Association’s (GSBA) Hall of Fame “Ladies First” Induction hosted by GSBA President Bill Dempsey Young and Vice President/Executive Secretary Linda Young. The husband-and-wife duo were the knockout pair that organized this awards luncheon along with the GSBA committee including the Youngs, Senior Vice President/Advisor Don Fraser, Treasurer Ron Sandate. The gala was held at the Luminarius Banquet in Monterey Park.

This day was a tribute to the women who lace up for a living and to the females working in the sport. Fighters Layla McCarter, Lucia Rijker, Sue Fox, Mia St. John and boxing official Gwen Adair were in the inaugural class of inductees. And I was honored to also be inducted along with Jacquie Richardson (Retired Boxers Foundation) and Carol Steindler (Main Street Gym). There was also a memorial to Ken Norton, with his family in attendance to accept his posthumous award.

There were so many familiar faces joining the party including amateur superstar Mikaela Mayer, female boxers Diana Prazak, Jill Morley, Krysti Rosario, Katarina De La Cruz, Maya Roseman, former fighters Mike Weaver, Alex Ramos, Paul Banke, John Montes, Bobby Chacon, Jesus Pimentel, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Ronnie Essett, Andy Price, Oscar Muniz, Frankie Santillan, Abel Fernandez, ringside photographer Marlene Marquez, timekeeper/author Mike North, trainer/artist Steve Harpst, boxing veteran Michael Boutte, boxing official Ray Chavez, timekeeper Joey Olmos, historian/author Gene Aguilera, singer/musician Drew Young (“Walking Phoenixes” and “Red Muffs”), WBC Supervisor and former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Joe Noriega and many, many more.

Thompson Boxing Promotions (TBP) also lent a strong show of support at the awards with President Ken Thompson’s wife Vera Thompson and TBP representative Jeanette Gonzales cheering on the ladies. One of the best fights of Thompson’s 2013 live shows was a fiery match between Jolene Blackshear and Sindy Amador. This rousing “chick fight” had fans clamoring for more. Thompson Boxing is one of the Southland promoters that have featured women as co-mains of their cards.

And during this ladies’ shindig, guests enjoyed a delicious lunch, prize raffle, awards ceremony and a film clip session showcasing both the female and male prizefighters sitting in the banquet hall.

These fierce–and fearless–females continue to be trailblazers in the sweet science. Lucia Rijker is also an actress (“Million Dollar Baby”), trainer, motivational speaker and more. Layla McCarter has 35 victories claimed and is still looking to add titles to her resumé. And Mia St. John (who couldn’t attend due to another commitment) is making another return to the ring this year in 2014.

The speeches were memorable and heartfelt. The women spoke of working hard to strive and succeed in such a male-dominated sport. And while progress has been made, there’s miles to go in finding equality in boxing. But on this day, the ladies were showcased on stage.

Emcee Bill Young (whose family has four generations in boxing) presented State of California proclamations and statues to all of us ladies being inducted. WBC Supervisor Rudy Tellez also surprised me and fellow inductee Carol Steindler with a special green and gold World Boxing Council (WBC) championship medal.

The gathering was friendly and fun, at times bittersweet and emotional and also rockin’ and raucous as the champs got together for a group shot and also stood by the large screen projecting their knockout highlight reels.

The camaraderie and lively banter filled the room–a good time had by all. The boxing fraternity–and in this case, sorority–all bonded for one day celebrating the girls in the fight game.

The WBC Supervisor and “Mouthpiece Doctor” Rudy Tellez has known most in the room for decades. He spoke highly of Linda Young, Carol Steindler and all the honorees. “These women are great,” he said. “Hard working and well deserving of these honors.” Rudy and Carol go way back from the golden era at the storied Main Street Gym. Carol is currently working on a film project with Don Franken about her life story. Her father, Howie Steindler, was murdered in a mystery still unsolved.

Boxing forms strong bonds and many reconnected at the luncheon. Former WBC champ Paul Banke told me how much he enjoyed meeting the female champions. “I’m really impressed with them,” Banke expressed, after seeing the women’s clips on screen. “Watching Layla McCarter was great. She’s an awesome champ!”

Layla had her trainer Luis Tapia and family with her at the awards. The Vegas fighter also donated two autographed boxing gloves to the prize raffle which was loaded with sports memorabilia, fight tickets (courtesy of promoter Dan Goossen), holiday items and more.

And the November “Ladies First” fiesta with the Golden State Boxers’ Association was a spirited affair bringing together those in the local boxing community as well as visitors from Nevada (Layla McCarter) and Oregon (Sue Fox). Sue “Tiger Lilly” Fox remains a pioneer in the sport and now runs her own website dedicated solely to women’s boxing.

The GSBA (founded in 1968) was proud to honor this group of women. The SoCal organization is dedicated to honoring the past and present heroes of the sport and meet every Tuesday in Hollywood.

Linda Young said that there will be upcoming events honoring more in the sport soon, including a second annual ladies’ bash.

All in all, this Hall of Fame awards will always be a special one for those involved.

Congrats to all the ladies and wishing everyone a knockout New Year too!

Photos by Michele Chong