National Boxing Hall of Fame prepares for biggest event ever

The goal of the National Boxing Hall of Fame is to shine a light, and, honor the great fighters and participants from the past.  

Bill and Linda Dempsey, founders of the organization, will hold their sixth incarnation, delayed for two years due to the pandemic, on April 24th at Quiet Cannon Crystal Grand Ballroom in Montebello, Ca.    

The delay has not hurt attendance. 

“We’re sold-out,” Linda replied to me a few days ago on Facebook.  

Scheduled to be honored are inductees from 2020, 2021, and 2022.  

They include: (from 2020): Former world champions Lalia Ali, Jorge Arce, Paul Banke, Pipino Cuevas, Alberto Davila, multiple world champion Sugar Ray Leonard, and Marvin Johnson.  

Contenders: Frankie Duarte, Ernie Brown, David Tua, and uncrowned welterweight kingpin, Armando Muniz. Also to be honored will be writer and commentator, Steve Farhood, referee Frank Garza, ringside physician, Dr. Blair Kranson, timekeeper, Mike North, and WBC supervisor, Rex Walker.  

The class of 2021 includes matchmaker, Antonio Curtis, historian, Henry Hascup, former two-division champion, Virgil Hill, manager and promoter, Ricardo Maldonado, and Charlie Norkus Sr/Jr. 

This year’s inductees are writers, Flo Anthony and Doug Krikorian, Atlantic City Hall founder, Ray McCline, former heavyweight champion, Pinklon Thomas, and former bantamweight champion, Eva Jones Young. 

Honored posthumously will be Los Angeles legend, and former lightweight champion, Mando Ramos, plus Danny Valdez, and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler.  

Individual recognition:  

Don Jose Sulaiman award: Don King 

Alberto Reyes lifetime award: Jill Diamond 

Bobby Chacon Gift of Love: Louis Rodriguez 

Howie Steindler Award: Alberto Davilla 

The NBHOF event is a raucous, freestyling event loaded with speeches, love, historical clips, and memories.  

I had the honor to attend in 2019.    

It was unforgettable - as I’m sure this year’s event will be. 

As always it’s about the fighters.

We must never forget.