PROMOTER DAN GOOSSEN’S MEMORIAL SERVICE

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Exclusive: Final Farewell from Boxing Community

Marotta

The church was standing-room only. The champs continued to stream in until every seat in this San Fernando Valley parish was full.

Boxing’s luminaries came out to show their love, respect and support in honor of longtime promoter Dan Goossen who passed away on September 29 after being diagnosed (around Labor Day) with liver cancer. He would’ve turned 65 on October 3. This was a perfect tribute; an epic service with a memorable reception in the outdoor courtyard with a Blood Moon rising overhead. Yes, the total lunar eclipse occurred in a “celestial” tribute that just happened to coincide with this service for a man so admired in the boxing universe.

Funerals are never easy for anyone. The grief, somber mood along with heartbreaking tears are, of course, part of the process. And funerals for boxing personalities are always poignant affairs. We want to honor those we’ve lost, share stories and reminisce about the good times shared. But there’s always an awkward fine line in which we want to pay serious respect to the fallen while also wanting to laugh and rejoice, remembering the fun times and action-packed fights that Goossen promoted. And when I run into boxing pals I haven’t seen for years it becomes a reunion of sorts–and I can’t help but smile even if it’s under such sad circumstances. And those closest to Dan said he would’ve wanted these smiles and laughter from all who crossed paths with the popular SoCal promoter.

The Dan I met through the boxing circuit was a stand-up guy who looked you in the eye, knew your name, shook your hand and offered perfect soundbites in a professional yet sincere manner. Everybody felt the same way about him; when I arrived an hour early for Dan’s Memorial Mass last night, a huge crowd was already filing into the St. Francis de Sales Parish in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Among the hundreds who arrived were champions, fighters, promoters, media members, trainers, cornermen, actors and athletes who filed in at a steady pace for the 6 p.m. service at the same St. Francis church the Goossen family has been part of for decades. It was a veritable “Who’s Who” in boxing that came out to pay respects to the Goossen-Tutor Promotions frontman and to offer condolences to Dan’s wife Debbie, children Craig, Chris, Max and Rex, grandchildren, siblings (brother and boxing trainer Joe Goossen), nephew and former fighter Pat “P.J.” Goossen, and various family members.

Sharing space in the church were some iconic people in boxing. Famed promoters Don King and Bob Arum. Heavyweights James Toney and Chris Arreola. Superstar Oscar De La Hoya. Baseball legend Pete Rose. And Hollywood’s Frank Stallone and Mr. T. Ring announcer Michael Buffer was there as was female boxing champ Mia St. John.

I saw so many of those in boxing circles that all came out to honor this promoter, businessman, friend and family man.

Sitting in the pews and lining the walls of the alcove, the halls were packed. It literally was standing-room only and Dan would’ve got a kick out of this “sell out” event that brought forth these boxing VIPs. Dan was known for his colorful, bigger-than-life persona with bright suit coats in hues that we didn’t know existed! It really was a “Who’s Who” of heavy hitters that only a man like Dan Goossen could succeed in–bringing everyone together in one place at the same time, albeit under such a sad situation. But everyone kept saying Dan would be pleased to see everyone together. Grieving, yes, but also celebrating his life.

In attendance were champions/fighters Oscar De La Hoya, James Toney, Chris Arreola, Vanes Martirosyan (who just got a victory in Dan’s honor this past Saturday), Gabe Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Randy Shields, Wayne McCullough, Mia St. John, Alex Ramos, John Molina Jr., Juan Funez, etc. Promoters Bob Arum, Don King, Ken Thompson, Roy Englebrecht and Tom Loeffler were there. There were ring announcers Michael Buffer and Amy Hayes, sportscasters Jim Gray, Rich Marotta and Al Bernstein, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and the WBC’s Chuck Williams Craig Hubble and Rudy Tellez also at the service. Actor Mr. T, MLB’s “Hit King” Pete Rose, singer/actor Frank Stallone and celebrity lawyer Robert Shapiro also witnessed the moving tribute.

I saw a large contingent from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) including inspectors, ringside officials, judges and referees such as Jack Reiss, Max De Luca, Tom Taylor, Larry Ervin, Mark Relyea, Raul Caiz Sr., Raul Caiz Jr., Paul Wallace and more. There were also PR gurus Fred Sternburg, Bill Caplan and John Beyrooty, Marylyn Aceves, and esteemed veteran writers Kevin Iole and Steve Springer. A ton of boxing trainers (both pro and amateur), cornerman and matchmakers also paid their respect including Ricky Funez (who was like a son to Goossen), Goossen Promotions matchmaker Tom Brown, Golden Boy’s Eric Gomez, Abel Sanchez, Henry Ramirez, John Bray, Cassius Green, Sean Gibbons, Hervi Estrada, Steve Harpst, Kevin Morgan, Jerry “Whiteboy” Rosenberg, among others. Golden State Boxers’ Association’s Bill and Linda Young, the Main Street Gym’s Carol Steindler, Team Goossen’s Irma Moreno, Rodney Hunt and Carmen Ocampo, Retired Boxers Foundation’s Jacquie Richardson and the Supreme Boxing team were also some of the attendees at the gathering.

After the hour-and-a half long church service, guests proceeded to a second building adjoined with an outdoor court where “comfort food” greeted the patrons. Everyone said this reception (which also turned out to be an incredible boxing reunion) would’ve brought a big grin to Dan’s face. Everybody hugging, reconnecting, sharing Goossen stories was just what the doctor ordered for everyone’s broken hearts. At every boxing presser, Dan would always say to us: “Did you get enough to eat?” He made sure the press was happy while making sure we also got plenty of quotes and quips from the fighter and promoter.

Yes, Dan, we enjoyed every bite. Every detail was thought of by the Goossen family. From the red boxing gloves and Tootsie Roll Pop centerpieces to the food truck festival that offered gourmet burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, the popular “Trailer Park” hot dog with cheese-covered tater tots and so much more, it was an amazing reception for the gregarious promoter. And for dessert? One of the food trucks and friend of the family (son/famed chef Chris Goossen used to have “The Knockout Taco Truck”) offered Dan’s favorite dessert–“Glazed Donut Hot Bread Pudding” from B Sweet. And of course, it was a KO.

MiaAmyAnd during the memorial, a painting by Mohammed Mubarak was unveiled, a prayer from Dan’s young son Max Goossen was spoken, and an amazing eulogy was given by Rich Marotta (who went to school with Dan). Marotta addressed many of the boxing anecdotes and behind-the-scenes memories from their decades-long friendship. One humorous story involved Dan telling certain people that he liked them so much he considered them an “11th Goossen” brother (Ten Goose stood for the 10 siblings). The only thing is, he just happened to tell several of his cohorts that “they” were the honorary 11th Goossen sibling, thus eliciting laughter from those in the church. So it was a running joke that many people fought for bragging rights to be proclaimed as the one and only “11th Goossen”!

And the Goossen legacy will live on. All of the fighters have said Dan treated them like family and really cared about them. In fact, during the memorial I happened to see Dan’s son, Craig Goossen, accepting many condolences from champs and boxers from the Goossen stable. And in these moments, I would overhear Craig saying to each one, “My dad REALLY loved you!” It reminded me of the “11th Goossen” offering from his dad and I had to chuckle. And yet, just like his dad, I have no doubt Craig’s sentiment rings true. His father really did love his fighters and that set him apart from the unsavory, unscrupulous promoters known in boxing. Each fighter was his favorite, each slugger treated like family by the boxing promoter.

And Dan was first and foremost a family man–and if you met him once, you already felt like you were part of the family. He balanced this and everything so well, this from a man who began at the very grassroots level in boxing and proceed to make his mark in the sport. He was firm, he was fair while also injecting his well-known sense of humor into everything.

I last saw Dan at a private WBC and UCLA luncheon honoring Jose Sulaiman, who died in January of this year. The lunch was on August 13, just two and a half weeks before Dan would be admitted to the hospital and sadly, where he took his last breath. I was shocked when I heard the news of his passing. His family kept the news of his deadly illness private and many in the media did not know of his dire condition. When I saw him in August, he was the Dan Goossen we all knew and loved. While we chatted, he made sure to give me the latest update about his legal squabble with Andre Ward and then after that, he began to tell me an interesting and funny story about an international fight years ago. While Dan started in on the story, I was called away by someone requesting a photo. I excused myself from the conversation with Dan while making a mental note that when I saw Goossen next, I would remind him to finish his story.

And I, like countless others, now have that void of no more future conversations with Dan. Whether it was small talk at boxing events with acquaintances like me, boat trips and traveling with Goossen like trainer Ricky Funez did with him, morning conversations with Dan that CSAC’s Larry Ervin told me about or the jovial kidding around about who really was the “11th Goossen” with Goossen’s amigos Rich Marotta, Al Bernstein and Steve Springer, there will be no more talk with Dan Goossen for any of us. His big, booming voice forever silenced. Hard to believe he is gone.

We will all remember him. Ring emcee and model Amy Hayes told me how Dan gave her her first start in boxing back in 2002 as the first female ring announcer. The blonde beauty flew in from Kentucky, vowing to be there for her former boss and mentor. And hundreds of boxing associates vowed to be there for this special service honoring Goossen. There were young writers commingling with media titans, there were past champs meeting young guns in the game, there was the “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya offering a comforting hug to Dan’s wife, Debbie. There were endless reminiscing about the Country Club fights in Reseda. While it may be disrespectful to call this a “party” but through the tears it was a truly joyous celebration of one man’s life.

WBC champ Mia St. John commented: “Boxing funerals are so sad but it feels so good to see all of our friends in one room.”

Everybody said Dan would’ve loved this moment: all of his family and friends–in and out of boxing–all in one place.

I didn’t leave the reception until 10 p.m. and in the darkness of the courtyard I could still see the smiles illuminating the night. I said goodbye to the lingering boxing pals and out-of-towners here for the service. While walking out into the parking lot, I turned one last time and saw everyone laughing and really enjoying each other’s company. A reminder of Dan’s unexpected passing…We can never take for granted the limited time we all have on this planet.

Tuesday night was a bittersweet farewell to a friend in the sweet science.

“What a beautiful tribute last night,” his close friends Bill (Golden State Boxers’ Association President) and wife Linda Young told me. “Still can’t believe Dan has left us… Always in our hearts forever.”

A sentiment shared by all. And at the conclusion of Dan’s longtime friend and boxing associate Rich Marotta, the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame President backed his words up with emotion.

“For those of us who knew him–for however long–we would’ve been missing one of the most important components of our lives,” Marotta spoke at the podium. “To me, Dan Goossen was the most unforgettable character of my life.”

On the prayer cards handed out at his funeral, printed was this poem given to Dan by his mother Anna May Goossen. It reads in part:
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part
So bless those memories in your heart.

He touched many people and those in boxing and beyond will never forget him.

REST IN PEACE, DAN GOOSSEN.

Photos by Michele Chong

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