Class of 97

Al Hostak started boxing at a gym in Seattle about the seventh grade, fighting in the 125-pound class - a spindly little blond kid with a terrific wallop. He had a total of 83 pro battles from 1934 through 1949, mostly in Seattle, although this Minneapolis-born (Jan. 7, 1916) hard-punching Czech-Mate middleweight knockout artist is best defined by only two of them - his first round knockout over Freddie Steele when he first captured the world championship in 1938 and his fourth-round knockout over Solly Krieger when he regained the crown he'd earlier lost by decision to the New Yorker on the electric, explosive and unforgettable night of June 27,1939.

All - Out Al Hostak was the portrait of portrait that night as the old Seattle ballpark was filled to capacity with cheering fans although their hometown hero went into the outdoor rematch as a decided underdog. Krieger had a rock chin, was also a good puncher and better boxer, having pressed Billy Conn in three close 12-rounders besides his impressive decision over Hostakin in their first meeting. But not this night against the inspired Hostak, who finished Krieger with a furious flurry of home-run powerhouse combination hooks and crosses to both body and head. He kayoed Killer Coates and Eric Seelig in subsequent successful defenses, but along came another legendary puncher with and even more legendary rock chin, Tony Zale, who took his title with a 13th round knockout in 1941 and did it again in two rounds in their Chicago rematch May 28, 1941.

It was virtually Hostak's last hurrah as a top contender, but he retired in style with a ninth round knockout over Jack Snapp in his last fight Jan. 7 1941, in Seattle. He could punch. He won 68 of his 83 pro fight, 47 by knockout.

It was one of those Charles Dickens best of times and worst of times. In his third shot at the gold ring, he had just won the WBC world bantamweight championship with a furious flurry of punches to knockout Mexico's Francisco "Kiko" Bejines in the last seconds of the 12th and final round before a roaring hometown SRO crowd at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium.

It was Sept. 1, 1983. It was the pot of gold and more at the end of the rainbow for Albert Davila, who had paid his dues and climbed the ladder from the old neighborhood gym in Pomona. Twice before in challenges for the 118-pound crown he'd fired and failed with disappointing and frustrating setbacks - first an 8th round TKO loss to peak Carlos Zarate Feb. 25, 1978, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood and then by tense and tight disputed 15-round decision loss to Jorge Lujan in New Orleans.

But now he'd finally done it. World champ at last. Normally mild-mannered, thoughtful and quietly reserved, he was about to start shouting and jumping up and down in the ring. But something was wrong. Kiko wasn't getting up. They were working desperately over him and calling for the ambulance.Bejines died two days later after a team of neurosurgeons was unable to reduce the pressure from what they described as "massive cerebral contusions."Davila took a long vacation, put on weight, vacated the crown, then retired prematurely after a 1986 loss to Miguel Lora.

Kiko's death was the second tragedy to mar Davila's career. In March of 1977, he was also rocked badly when his manager, Howie Steindler, was murdered in a mystery that's never been solved. If Bennie Georgino, one of Howie's best friends, hadn't stepped in to take over Davila's management, Albert was ready to retire then. But Bennie was there to guide both Davila and his featherweight stablemate, Danny Lopez, and both rallied from the gloom to win world crowns dedicated to Steindler's memory.

Davila won his first 13 fights after turning pro in 1973, beat such as Lupe Pintor, Wilfred Gomez and Frankie Duarte to earn his champion chances, and there obviously could have been much more but for that best and worst deadly September night in 1983.

He lost via a rare 10-round decision to fellow Class of '97 Hall of Fame inductee George Chuvalo at the tag end of his vividly colorful and powerhouse career in 1971, but he at least still had enough left even then to make Chuvalo's private "history book."

"My face is a history book," Chuvalo said on a recent TV show. "Look at all the scars. Each has a name. Here, this one is the Big Cat mark. This one is Joe Frazier and here's Ali...and this one is George Foreman...Big Cat is the biggest. He nearly took my head off."

"Rare" is the word to describe a Cleveland Williams bout that went the distance, without a doubt, because the Big Cat typically either knocked his opponent flat or wound up that way himself. He was one of the greatest punchers in heavyweight history.

He was born in Georgia June 30, 1933, had his first pro fight in Florida in 1951, and after a year in the U.S. Army in 1955, he fought out of his adopted hometown of Houston, Texas, the rest of his career—his biggest moment coming when he faced Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight crown in Houston in 1966 on the wave of a nine-fight win streak, only to go down and out in three rounds.

That was the way it was, and you can hear Sinatra singing it again, "All or nothing at all." Trainer Bill Gore is the one who nicknamed him because of his sleek tigerish moves and tremendous left hook. The Big Cat went 37-0 at the start of his career, 23 of them by knockout, mostly quick and quicker—eight in the first round.

But every time he seemed to be right there, ka-boom on his own chin, the first time he got kayoed himself coming against another "All or Nothing" banger, Bob Sattefield, in a lightning three in 1953 in Miami Beach. He also was kayoed twice by Sonny Liston, twice by Mac Foster and once by Al Jones and Al Lewis as

well as Ali. In turn, he knocked out Ernest Terrell, Curley Lee, Alex Miteff, Alonso Johnson, Young Jack Johnson and Sonny Banks among his long parade of broken-chin victims.

"He comes shuffling across the ring with just hint of a crouch, the classic pose of the heavyweight fighter at work, right hand cocked, held high and close to the chin, left hand just below eye level, elbow tucked to his body. Big Cat fights the way a heavyweight should," famed journalist Jerry Izaenberg once wrote about him paying tribute to his Hall of Fame dynamite. Exactly.

Mohammed Ali once tried to tease and antagonize him by downgrading him with the nickname of the "Washer Women." Maybe not too far off or really demeaning at that because George Chuvalo, who had claimed to flout like a butterfly, never quit charging and churning, and much like a tireless washing machine pumping away and forever giving it's best, the Canadian champion always kept moving forward and he never gave up.

More pertinent to his entire career, of course, most everyone else pointedly referred to him with respect and admiration simply as "The Warrior" and even Ali, who couldn't back him up or never put him down in a total of 27 furious rounds of churning and chopping, had to agree in the end.

"Still Standing" is what Chuvalo himself says he would use as a title for the story of both his boxing career and his tortured life outside the ring. Still standing, that's Chuvalo, all right.

He had 97 pro battles spanning three decades in the prize ring, and he was never knocked down. He was stopped a few times on cuts and assorted dents, but he was never knocked down…and the later tragedy of the drug-related suicides of two of his four sons as well as that of his grief-stricken beloved onetime child bride, Lynn, couldn't put his spirit down for the count.

He just keeps coming, has made a new life as an actor and lecturer, got his youngest son, Mitchell, though college, and finally remarried to find happiness with a former nurse named Joanne.

It's been a long road, but he sure is "still standing." He was born Sept. 12,1937, in Toronto, turned pro at 19 in 1956 with four quick knockouts to win a Jack Dempsey Novice Heavyweight tournament.

In his 18th pro bout, he knocked out James J. Parker in one round in a Toronto match for the vacant Canadian heavyweight crown, a title he later lost, re-won and lost again in three wild 12-rounders with Robert Cleroux.

He fought everybody-George Foreman, Joe Fraszier, Floyd Patterson, Zora Folley and Ernest Terrel as well as Ali in a 15-round world title bout in 1966 in Toronto and then a 12-rounder in 1972 in Vancouver over Cleveland Williams, Joe Bygraves, Mike DeJohn, Alex Miteff and Willi Besmanoff. Then and now, this is the Warrior.

Uncle Emile Famechon was also a world-ranked feather at one time. But little Johnny Famechon, better known as "Fammo" to his adoring Australian fans, outdid them all the night of Jan. 21, 1969, when he outpointed Jose Legra with a masterful exhibition of quick feet and quick hands in a furious 15-rounder in London to climb to the very peak of the mountain to win the 126-pound crown.

It took Fammo nine years to get his title shot, and he decided not to linger around too much longer when, after two successful defenses against Japan's Fighting Harada in Sydney and Tokyo, he abruptly decided to retire at the still prime-time age of 25 following the loss of his championship to Mexico's Vicente Saldivar via a close photo finish 15-round decision May 9, 1970, in Rome.

Fammo's wise farewell words as recorded at the time by Aussie journalist Ray Mitchell, probably should be chiseled in marble and held up for all his fellow fighting men to consider. When he called a press conference in September of 1970 to announce his retirement, many thought he was making a mistake, that he'd only lost to Saldivar by narrow point margins on the scorecards on an off-night and would have a good chance in a rematch.

"If there were a next time, I believe Fammo would beat Saldivar," Mitchell

wrote then. But Johnny knew best. Still unmarked after 10 years as a professional and still charming all with his boyish grin, he said, "I'm no Madame Melba. I won't be back. I'm as fit as 10 men, but I've had enough. If some bloke were to phone me and offer me the moon for a fight, I'd tell him I'm sorry. A lot of people may say I'm throwing money away, and maybe I am, but I'm happy with the way it's set up. The money I've made is spread around. I'm set for life and now I'm going to catch up on some living and let my investments look after me".

And Fammo made it stick. Born March 25, 1945, he was 15 when he first hit the gym in Melbourne, never had an amateur fight and was just 16 for his first pro bout in 1961, swiftly rising to the top and winning the Australian featherweight title with a 15-round decision over Ollie Taylor in his 22nd fight in 1965. He fought often and well. He won 56, lost only 5. Had six draws and was never stopped. He always knew how to take care of his good looks and boyish smile.

Philadelphia's legendary Italian-American champion of champions Midget Wolgast and Mexico's legendary trail-blazing Juan Zurita, one of his country's earliest world ring kings, met five bitter and brawling times in 1935-36 - three times at Hollywood Legion Stadium, once at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium and once in Mexico City.

It tells it better than anything perhaps about his Hall of Fame heart that, after losing to Wolgast by 10-round decisions in their first three battles, Zurita came on to kayo his nemesis in five rounds in their fourth match in Mexico City and beat him again by 10-round decision in their final tangle under the pepper trees in Hollywood.

Born in Guadalajara in 1914, Zurita always had amazing stamina and always refused to accept defeat - one of those typical hard-working never-say-die warriors of the hard-time '30 who was ready to fight anytime, anywhere, you name it put the money on the wood and get out of the way. He averaged a main event a month for eight years from 1936 through 1943 in a truly remarkable run that spanned a total of 14 years and 138 bouts.

Managed at the start of his pro career in 1933 by Jimmy Fitten, he was later guided by George Parnassus through his greatest championship years beginning in 1938 with his 12-round decision victory over Joe Conda in Mexico City for Mexico's lightweight championship. A natural featherweight at 5'3" and less than 126 pounds, he captured the world lightweight championship with a stunning 15-round upset decision over Sammy Angott at Hollywood May 9, 1944, in his 13th year as a professional, then lost it 3 years later on April 18, 1945, via a second round knockout by a young tiger Ike Williams in Mexico City. It was the final fight of Zurita's career, but what a run he had while it lasted. He was twice stopped by Henry Armstrong at the Olympic in 1936 and 1942, but along the way he had great victories over George Latka, Speedy Dado, Jimmy Hatcher, Carlos Miranda, Richie Lemos, Eddie Marcus, Vern Bybee, Aldo Spoldi, and Mike Belloise.

Of his 138 bouts, he won a total of 114 times-76 by KO and one by foul - with two draws and 21 defeats. Zurita, play it again, Sam, surely was Juan in a million.

He roared through his first 49 professional battles with 49 consecutive victories, 48 by knockout, 20 in two rounds or less.

Any more questions about killer-chiller bantamweight bomber Carlos Zarate going into the Hall of Fame?

Born in Tepito, Mexico, May 23, 1951, officially turning pro at 19 in 1970 (and probably long before that, although his earlier records were lost and never found), Zarate reigned three years as WBC 118-pound king, 1976 to 1979, and successfully defended his title nine times until losing it on a disputed 15-round decision to Lupe Pintor June 3, 1979, in Las Vegas.

Once upon a time, there was the great debate in LosAngeles as to which of the Killer Z's was the greater slugger; Alphonso Zamora or Zarate; when both were headlining quite frequently at the Great Western Forum, known then merely as the Fabulous Forum. Many suspected Zamora had the edge, but then the Killer Z's, who both specialized in sending their foes into ZZzz unconscious states, finally met head-to-headApri123, 1977, in the famous Inglewood ring before their usual full house of devoted and frenzied fans. Zamora went into the showdown with a 25-0 record and 25 consecutive knockouts. Zarate was 42-0 with 41 knockouts. Only Vic Ramirez had managed to last a full 10 rounds with Carlos. Nobody had gone the distance with Zamora, of course, and he was a slight favorite, perhaps because of his slightly more handsome profile. But all the arguments ended in a hurry. Wham-bam, Zarate by KO number 42 in four rounds, still the champ, still unbeaten at 43-0. The badly crushed Zamora on the other hand was never the same.

It was the crowning moment of Zarate's sensational career, and he remains very probably the most spectacular punching champion in the history of the division, also boasting knockouts over such impressive foes asAlberto Davila, Emilio Hernandez, Danny Batista and Juan Rodriguez.

In a bid for the super bantamweight title, he was stopped in five by Wilfredo Gomez in San Juan in 1978, three bouts prior to losing his own title to Pintor. But his overall record of 61-4 with 58 knockouts stands as the bantamweight achievement of a lifetime.

It says on his birth certificate that he was born December 27, 1957, in Mexico City as Jose Isidro "Pipino" Cuevas Onuevas Gonzalez, but there was a time in the late '70s in Los Angeles that he was more simply identified as "Mr. Knockout." That was the Jose "Pipino" Cuevas who was WBA welterweight king from July 17, 1976, when he flattened poor Angel Espada in two dynamite rounds in Mexicali, to August 2, 1980, when he himself was defeated by the explosive hands of 22-year-old Hitman Vbmmy Hearns in Detroit.

For those four electric championship years, nobody was ever more feared and respected by opponents and idolized and worshipped more by fans than Mr. Knockout, as popular a warrior as ever produced in old Mexico.

What a run he had with his debilitating, devastating "cruise control crusher" of a left hook. He turned pro on January 15, 1972, with a fourth round KO of Jose Arias in Mexico City. Soon he had finished Miguel Rodriguez in 2, Pancho Tapis in 2, Raul Martinez in 1, Sergio Alejo in 4, Jose Figueroa in 3, Octavio Amparan in 7, Salvador Ruvalcaha in 1, Sugar Sanders in 1, Jose Pena in 1 and Sammy Garcia in 3.

And then he got hot. He successfully defended his welterweight title 11 times, mostly swift and sensational executions, especially a first-round flattening of New England contender Billy Backus before a stampeding SRO house May 20, 1978, at Los Angeles Sports Arena. His only style was all-out bombs-away.

"Cuevas is the most dangerous puncher I've ever seen in the welterweight division," veteran promoter-matchmaker Don Fraser said in 1979 when "Pipino" was at his peak riding the crest of his amazing knockout string. At that time, Fraser rated Cuevas ahead of all the rising young welters of the moment, including Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Wilfred Benitez.

And, well, it was so grand while it lasted, the dream of dreams come true for a kid who grew up with nine brothers and sisters all working in their father's modest butcher shop.

With his championship earnings, he eventually bought a string of six butcher shops of his own to manage and supervise. What he has always remembered most fondly was that initial two-round icing of Espada that made him king. "That was the proudest moment of my life," he once told former light-heavyweight champ-turned-writer Jose Torres. "It was something indescribable." And now at last it's also the indescribable Hall of Fame for Mr. Knockout.

It was the night of May 21, 1945; 51 years ago in Baltimore, a different time, a diA'erent era, a diA'erent mentality in America as young Archie Moore and Lloyd Marshall, in his up and down tough ninth year as a pro, battled for survival.

It was a time the African-American fighter got few breaks in the prize ring. The best were ducked by most headliners of the day. The best of the best mostly fought each other, and such was the way as Marshall went to war with Moore. If there had been pay-per-view TV or even much of any kind of television then, if things were the way they finally are now, the Marshall-Moore epic would doubtless be better remembered as one of the all-time thrillers.

Marshall knocked Archie, then the St. Louis rather than the San Diego Mongoose, down four times in the early rounds only to see Archie keep getting up to fire back, rallying to floor Marshall three times and cutting him over both eyes. Lloyd bled all over Baltimore, also from the nose and mouth as well as his eyebrows. Moore was finally awarded a 10-round split decision. That was the story of Lloyd Marshall's life in boxing. Vbugh, tough fights and close, close losses. He won 64 times as a pro, but he lost plenty, too, particularly at the end of a 15-year career that stretched from 1937 through 1951.

Many of the early losses are still doubted. It was a time when some of the best had to agree not to do their absolute bestjust to get a match and a meager payday that sometimes barely covered a week's meals.

So many great middleweights beating up on each other first vice and then versa so oRen then; Marshall, Moore, Ezzard Charles, Charley Burley, Jimmy Bivins, Shorty Hogue, Big Boy Hogue, Jack Chase, Eddie Booker, and on and on. Win-loss statistics are meaningless for that era.

Mainly, those who saw him, those who knew him and those who fought him are unanimous in insisting that Marshall belongs in any Hall of Fame. Ohio born in 1919, he won his first Golden Gloves title in Cleveland an 1934. He had Ezzard Charles on the canvas eight times and stopped him in eight rounds the first time they met in 1943, he was knocked out twice by the eventual heavyweight champ in two subsequent meetings. He defeated nine world champs, including Jake La Motta, Joey Maxim and Freddie Mills, but no cigar ... until tonight.

Those wondrous old characters referred to as "veteran fistic experts" don't usually agree on much of anything. But at least one very firm belief most find they do share is that the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in boxing history was a fast-stepping and sweet-singing masterful combination boxer-puncher personality plus stylist named Sugar Ray. Some say Sugar Ray Robinson of the Furious Forties and Fabulous Fifties. Some say Sugar Ray Leonard of the Surging Seventies and Amazing Eighties. Either way, Sugar Ray II, the one names Leonard, the man who made the great Roberto Duran say "no mas," is the photo finish with anyone as the greatest to ever wear leather on his flashing fists.

He was born May 17, 1956, in Wilmington, North Carolina, one of seven children. It was apparent from his childhood and first day in a boxing gym that his everwear leather belonged on his flashing fists.

He barely turned 20 when he exploded upon the world scene as the gold medal junior welterweight champion of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He won 145 of 150 amateur bouts before turning pro with an equal burst of skill and power just a few months after the Olympics with a six-round decision over Luis Vega on February 5, 1977 in Baltimore.

The rest soon became the stuff of legends. Super legends. He roared to 26 consecutive victories inside his first three years as a pro, capturing the world welterweight crown in his 26th fight via a spectacular 15th round knockout over the previously undefeated Wilfred Benitez, who suA'ered his first loss in 39 pro starts that history-turning night of November 30, 1979, in Las Vegas.

The one night of his life he let his heart overrule his head, he tried to turn toe-to-toe slugger in losing his welter crown via a close 15-round decision to Roberto Duran at his peak in June of 1980. He was then so quick and smart and clever with a masterful boxing display in the rematch that he made Duran quit in frustration on his feet in one of the game's most controversial surprises.

Before his first retirement in 1982 he collected a total of six world championships. He set new fistic standards both financially and artistically, and his victories, in particular, over Benitez, 'Ibmmy Hearns, Jose "Pipino" Cuevas and Marvelous Marvin Hagler as well as Duran have put him high above the pack on a mountaintop of his own. Even sweeter than sugar, never a doubt.

Gaspar "Indio" Ortega was born in Mexicali, Mexico but grew uo in Tijuana. His ancestor were zapotec Indians and therefor the name "Indio". He was one of 10 children and grew up dreaming that he would become a bull fighter. His mother quickly doused that dream and robably would have objected to Gaspar boxing, but he used her maiden name instead of the family name Benitez. That was done so his mother would not find out he was boxing, and a secret that lasted he became an idol of Mexico.

In his 15 years of boxing he was involved in 185 professional bouts, boxed against 9 world champions and became one of the most traveled boxers in the last half century. He was a welterweight contender in the 60' and the 70' and fought on national T.V. 44 times. He was one of the busiest fighters in boxing, and in 1962 and 1963, he boxed 22 bouts each of thse years and in 1964 he entered the ring on 29 occasions. In his only bid for the title he lost to Emile Griffith. He beat a lot of good fighters including Tony Demarco (2), Isaac Logart, Kid Gavilan, Benny "kid" Paret, and fellow inductee Johnny Gonsalves.

Early in his career, after his first fight at Madison Square Garden, write Gene Ward wrote, "He punched with dazzling speed, and his graceful movements were those of Jaguar. His coordination and reflexes were remarkable. When cornered or stung he had an uncanny way of leaping out of harms path, an almost instinctive sense, it seemed, for avoiding punches."

Today thirty years retirement Gaspar is still fighting, his latest opponent is cancer. Since his diagnosis early this year Gaspar has undergone to torrid regimen of radiation and chemotherapy that has hit him as hard as Griffith ever did, but naturally Gaspar keeps getting up.

Gaspar and his wife of 38 years, Ida, make their home in New Haven, CT. Gaspar is very proud of Ida's accomplishments. She dropped out of school to marry him and today she is the co-manager of a bank, They have three sons and one daughter. Their son Michael is an east coast boxing official.

Gaspar is counselor to drug addicts and inmates getting out of jail. He is a well known and respected member of his community. We welcome Gaspar "Indio" Ortega into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Jerry Quarry first put on a pair of boxing gloves when he was three years old. By the time he was eight, he had won the Jr. Golden Gloves – 45 lb. Championship. He continued in the amateurs until 1965 when he culminated a great career by winning the national Golden Gloves Boxing Championship. In doing so, he set a record that still stands, he won the title by knocking out five opponents.

Under the watchful eyes of his co-manager, his dad Jack Quarry, and the veteran fight manager Johnnie Flores, Jerry turned pro in May of 1965. He ran off 12 wins before Tony Dyle fought him to a draw. He also fought 2 draws with Tony Alongi. His first loss came in his 20th pro bout against the tough Eddie Machen. His loss was attributed to poor conditioning and at that time, Jerry promised himself that poor conditioning would never be the cause for another loss. He beat Joey Orbillo, Alex Miteff, Bill Daniels, Floyd Patterson, Buster Mathis, Brian London and Mack Foster. In 1973 he avenged his draw wit Tonny Doyyle by knocking him out in the 4th round.

Jerry lost a disputed 15 round split decision to Jimmy Ellis for the W.B.A. version of the heavyweight title that was stripped from Muhammad Ali.

Boxing Illustrated name Jerry the most popular professional boxer in the world in 1968, 1969, and in 1970 Jerry and Muhammad Ali shared the honor. He gave Muhammad Ali his chance for a comeback only to lose the fight via an eye cut. The cut took eighteen stitches to close. Most of his losses were attributed to cut eyes. The major fight Jerry had was against Ken Norton, losing that fight via a bad cut.

His last fight was a cruiserweight and although Jerry won the fight, it took eighty stitches to close the cuts on his face and eyes.

Jerry came along in an era of boxing that was considered the best of all time, and he was rated # 1 on three occasions. His younger brother Mike was from the same era, and was also rank in the top ten for several years in the light heavyweight division.

In 1994, Jerry along with his brother James founded a foundation for fighter who are afflicted with pugilistica dementia and need help with medical and financial matters.

Johnny Gonsalves was born in east Oakland in 1930. When Johnny was 9 years old they opened a gym across the street from where he lived. He started out by helping the trainers, but his interest turned to boxing and he was soon boxing with older kids in the gym. He was a natural and a quick learner. He got so good that in 1942, the gym lied about his age and entered him in the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament. His maturity in the ring made him look 18 instead of his actual twelve years, he looked so good in fact that he won the Championship. Johnny was a top amateur for several years, winning 5 Golden Gloves titles and was the National A.A.U Champion in 1947 and 1948. He beat Gene Fulmer and Johnny Sazton in the amateurs, and closed his amateur career with over 300 bouts and very few losses.

With such an outstanding amateur record and reputation it was difficult to get him his first professional match. On September 29, 1948 at the "Real" age of 18, his first bout was with another "toughie" from Oakland, Chief Archie Whitewater, who had a 15 and 4 record (8 by K.O.). To no surprise to his followers Johnny won a 6 round decision and went on to win 14 in a row before losing a 10 round decision to the aging Bean Jack in a bout held in Oakland. In his 12th pro bout he held the great Maxie Docusen to a 10 round draw. In his first 14 bouts he beat Bobby Burgess, Lem Thomas, Alex Amador, Joey Barnum and Tony Chavez to name just a few. At the tender age of 20 he was ranked #1 in the world and stayed in the top ten for 11 of his 14 years in professional boxing. He was the California State Lightweight Champion and held wins over fighters like Tommy Campbell, Freddie "Babe" Herman, Rudy Cruz, Mario Trigo, Henry Davis, Paddy DeMarco, Wallcae Bud Smith, Lulu Perez, Cisco Andrade and many more, in a division that at that time had many great fighters. In 1960 just before retiring he lost to an up-and coming Gaspar Ortega (who is also being inducted this evening). In his first fight on national T.V. (in its infant stage) he beat the flashy Orlando Zulueta.

Johnny retired in 1961, started tending bar at the "Marina Lounge" until he bought it. He had a son and daughter from early marriege, a son born out of wedlock (Johnny Jr.) and has been married to his parent wife Barbara for 16 years. Barbara has been bedridden with multiple sclerosis for the past 2 years, and Johnny has taken care of her all this time. Johnny was a masterful boxer and although never a world champon, he is and has been a "champion" to his family and friends from the beginning. The World Boxing Hall of Fame is proud to induct Johnny Gonsalves to his rightful place in the Hall of Fame. Welcome champ!!

In and around New York, in his heyday, Johnny Saxton was known as "The Fighting Orphan". Johnny never knew his parents and spent much of his youth at the Riverdale Orphanage, where he first got interested in boxing. His coach and mentor was a gentleman that Johnny always called "Mr. Phil Lee", who was the unofficial athletic director at Riverdale. Johnny was a quick learner, who didn't like getting hit even though he took a good punch. He learned everything that "Mr. Phil Lee" taught him. At 16, Johnny was sent to a foster home with a widowed Mrs. Hortense Pierson and her family. Johnny always claimed that living with the Piersons was the best thing that ever happened to him. During that same period "Mr. Lee" put Johnny in the hands of a well known Harlem trainer Bill Miller, so that Johnny could pick up the tricks of the trade. Johnny learned everything Miller taught him and he learned it well. Johnny was being noticed by all the New York boxing crowd as a real flashy newcomer. In his first year in the amateurs Johnny won the New York AAU Boxing Tournament and went all the way to the finals in the National Tourna- ment, losing to a classy little boxer from Oakland, CA, Johnny Gonsalves, who ironically is also being inducted into the world boxing hall of fame this evening. The following year he also ivent to the finals, losing to another classy boxer, Chuck Davey. Altogether Johnny had 35 amateur fights, losing only these two. When Johnny turned pro, Bill Miller all of a sudden had a partner in the management of Johnny Saxton, in the person of Frank "Blinky" Palermo. It's rumored that "Blinky" paid Bill $7500 for Johnny's contract. Pretty soon, Bill was completely out of the pic- ture and "Blinky" was in complete control. Johnny was a tremendous boxer and ran a streak of 41 victories, 1 loss and 1 draw in his first 43 bouts. The loss was to the rugged Gil Turner, whom he later stopped in the 10th round, and the draw was with Wallace "Bud" Smith. In Johnny's 49th pro fight he took the welterweight crown from the great Kid Gavilan on a 15-round decision in 1954. He lost his title to the rough, tough Tony DeMarco the following year, and won it back again in 1956, on a disputed 15-round decision over Carmen Basilio in a fight that 13 of the 20 Boxing writers at Ringside gave to Basilio. He unsuccessfully defended his championship in 1957, losing it in a 2nd round knockout to the same Carmen Basilio. Johnny Saxton retired from boxing in 1958.

Johnny married a couple of times and fathered a son, 3ohnny Jr. Out of boxing and with no nioney (after having earned over $250,000 in the ring) Johnny became despondent and his roller coaster life began to fall apart. He was arrested for house breaking with the proceeds ($5.20) of the burglary in his pocket. The judge asked Johnny "Where did your money go?" Saxton answered in a slurred, barely audible voice, "I didn't get much of it". "Why did you give up fighting'?" Saxton dropped his gaze to the tloor and responded "They didn't need me any more". Shortly after that incident Johnny Saxton tried to commit suicide and was committed to an insane asylum for a short period. Several years later he worked as a security guard at the Brownsville Commu- nity Center. Today he is suffering from Alzheimers and is too ill to attend this celebration ot Johnny's excellent involvement in the world of boxing.

Earliest Soxing Memory: "Winning my first national tournament in 1974 in Denver. Leon was always winning tournaments. I could never win anything before that. I beat five guys. They all went down in the first round. It was the biggest day of my life."

Prefight Feeling: "Nervous. I never wanted to go out there. 8ut on my walk to the ring, I left all my fears behind me."

Hardest Punchers I've Faced: Mike Tyson ("He knocked me silly. Paralyzed. He hit me in a good spot. It numbed my body."), Rufat Riskiev ("He beat me in Russia in 1979. He put me down with a straight right. I'd never been down before. But I came back and beat him in the Olympics.")

Toughest Opponents: Tyson, Luis Rodriguez (He was my second pro fight. It didn't matter how hard I hit him, he kept coming."), Eddie Davis ("He was really, really good. Leon fought both him and his brother Johnny in the amateurs, and said Eddie was better and stronger. Leon was right.")

Hobbies: Table tennis, listening to music, taking long car rides, camping.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Honey Vanilla

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Oatmeal with raisins

Favorite Music: Earth, Wind 8 Fire, Isley Brothers, Al Green,' War, Herbie Hancock

Favorite Movies: 1941 ("John Belushi cracks me up."), Stone Cold ("With Brian Bosworth. I really like it."), A Rage In Harlem ("I could watch that every boy:")

Favorite Soxer To Watch: Bernard Hopkins ("He's a good kid. I'd like to see him cash in on his talent.")

All-Time Favorile Fight: Ali-Frazier I, Leonard-Hearns I ("I predicted Ray would win. I lived with him and knew he was stronger than Hearns."), Leon Spinks-Ali I (I always believed in Leon.")

Closest Friend In Soxing: Marvin Stinson ("We met in the amateurs in 1975. He's a good- natured guy. We'll always be friends."), Leon, and Roger Stafford.

People I Most Admire: "Mentally strong people. People who believe in them- selves and never, never accept no for an answer. They don't let society dictate how their lives can be."

Most Treasured Possession: "The gift of life from God. No material gift can overshadow a spiritual gift."

Little-known Fact: "I really love to see people getting along and loving each other. I know I played a violent sport, but what makes me feel good is loving, sharing, caring. So much comes out of that sort of thing. It makes me feel good."

class of 94

Benny Goldberg a rough Jewish Southpaw from Detroit Michigan, via Warsaw Poland, was one of the classiest fighers in the Bantamweight Division. Ring records on Benny are not complete, (Benny tells us they omitted twelve of his winning bouts - and he has the clippings to prove it). The ring record book, the bible of boxing has Benny in a total of 37 bouts and a record of 33 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, a "no contest" with 14 of his wins via the "Kayo" route. His two losses were a ten round loss to Billy Miller in Benny's Hometown, Detroit and a 15 round split decision loss to the great Manuel Ortiz in his only bid for the title. Benny is very quick to remind us that he had previously beaten Ortiz on 2 occasions, one of which was Manuel's Pro Debut and the other a a ten round main event at the legion. Benny had earned the title shot with a string of 28 wins, and Manuel was the first man to beat him in the pros.

Benny, the youngest of the Goldberg family (2 brothers and 3 sisters) grew up in Detroit and didn't get interested in boxing until high school. It seems that Benny, the smallest in his gym class was always being asked to box with the P.E. Coach, and after a couple of weeks of beign teased by his coach, Benny decided to go ahead and put the gloves on and knocked out the coach. The coach decided that if Benny was that tough he should box amateur. Benny got so good that he went into the finals of the Detroit Golden Gloves, but had to pull out because of injuries sustained in an accident.

After a successful amateur career Benny turned pro and even without the twelve bouts that are missing in Benny's records he still fought the best and beat them. He won the Michigan State Bantamweight Championship from Charley Parham and beat the rugged Joey Archibald in a war effort promotion "Bomber for McArthur Boxing Show" for promoter Jack Lakin. Featured on the undercard were Pat Comisky, Lee Savold and Bill Poland, all top notch boxers, but the star of the show were Benny Goldberg, and referee Jack Dempsey.

Benny also beat Tony Olivera, the toy battleship, Luis Castillo, Lorenzo Zafora, Eli Galindo and closed out his career with a victory over Pedro Ramirez at the Hollywood Legion Stadium.

Benny and his wife of 53 years, Minette, have two grown children, a son Sam and a daughter Marilyn and five grandchildren. After his boxing career Benny went to work for the studios. He spent 10 years on "Ben Casey" and has worked on "Hill Street Blues", "Baretta" , and is presently working on producing a feature film.

Jimmy Bivins' family moved to Cleveland when Jimmy was 4. He was always a good student in school. He started boxing amateur in 1936 and in 1937 was the Cleveland Novice 126 lb Golden Gloves Title and went all the way to the finals of the National Golden Glove Tournament in San Francisco, losing a controversial decision. He turned pro in 1940 under the tutelage of his amateur mentor, "Whizbang" Carter. In his first year he beat such notables as Nate Bolden, Charley Burley, and Anton Christoforidis, who happened to also be the first man to beat Jimmy, after 19 consecutive wins. By 1942 Jimmy had moved up in weight often giving away as much as 35-40 lbs. a fight. By the end of '42 he had beaten 5 World Champions, ans was rated #1 Contender in both the Lightheavyweight and Heavyweight Division, something that had never been done before or since. He beat former Middleweight Champions Teddy Yaroz and Billy Soose, hometown rival and future 175 lbs. Champion Joey Maxim, stopped undefeated Joe Muscato, Tami Mauriella, Bob Pastor and Lightheavyweight Champion gus Lesnevich in a non-title bout. After the Lesnevich fight Gus's manager was quoted as saying, "We don't want to meet Bivins again, now or later, he is too good" and he held true to his word. Jimmy never got a title shot at Lesnevich or anyone else for that matter, "He was just too good!!" Jimmy trounced Ezzard Charles, flooring him 4 times for the "Duration" Lightheavyweight Title adn also beat NBA champ Anton Christoforidis a month later. In 1943 Jimmy and Tami Maurillo were matched for the "Duration" Heavyweight Championship in front of a packed house at Madison Sq. Garden. Frank Sinatra sang the National Anthem for his Pal Tami, but in the end it was Bivins' hand that was raised in victory.

After defeating Lloyd Marshall in front of 18,000 rain soaked fans at Cleveland stadium Jimmy announced that he would no longer fight as a Lightheavyweight, he was moving up to the Heavyweight Division. Jimmy went into the Army special services in 1944. Most people felt that when the war ended, Jose Louis would give Jimmy a shot at his title, but instead, chose to fight Tami Mauriello, a man, Jimmy had beaten twice. Jimmy went back to the ring wars in 1945 and in his first seven fights he won six and drew with Melio Betina including a 6 roudn knockout over the Great Archir Moore. In 1946 Jimmy lost a split decision to Jersey Joe Wollcott adn lost 2 more to Lee Q. Murray adn Ezzard Charles. He never seemed to get back to the greatness of the early forties, this is not to say he didn't have soem big wins or that he still wasn't a force in the Heavyweight Division, but he never reached the pre-1945 peak and there was no more talk of title shots. Jimmy was active and kept a topo ten rating until 1953. Jimmy retired in 1955 after 4 wins in a row which is uncommon with fighters. Jimmy's 86 wins, included victories over 8 World Champions, close losses to Jersey Joe Wolcott, Joe Louis and Harold Johnson, all that at only 5'9" and usually 175 to 180 lbs. When Jimmy retired he went ot work for a bakery as a driver salesman and when the firm closed he continued on with a major potato chip producer until he retired a few years back. Today, he runs a gym and trains fighters in Cleveland. Jimmy is a member of The Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame and lives with his wife Elizabeth and daughter in Cleveland. Jimmy was inducted into The Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1988. In accepting the "Integrity Award" from The Rochester Boxing Association Jimmy told the audience how he could have had a title shot if he had played ball with the "Mob" in New York, wherein his response was "Heck, I'm a fighter, not a ballplayer". That's Jimmy Bivins.

Jose Torres is one of those rare individuals who has done more outside the ring than he did in the ring, even though he retired with a record of 53-3-1, (39 by KO) and won the Lightheavyweight Championship of the World!!! There seems to be no end to this gentleman's talents.

Born in Playa Ponce, Puerto Rico, He took up boxing at 18, while serving in the U.S. Army. Jose became "All U.S. Army", "All U.S. Services" and in 1956 he represented the U. S. at the Olympic Games in Melbourne, He was a Silver Medalist in the Light - Middleweight Division. As good as he was, he still wasn't perfect, his over-all arnateur record was 40 wins and 1 loss. Jose turned pro in 1958 and was undefeated in his first 27 fights, although he was held to a draw in his 14th fight by the rugged Benny Paret. His first loss, was a 5th round KO by Cuban Florentino Fernandez in 1963, followed by another streak of 13 wins including a TKO win over Willie Pastrano for the Lightheavyweight Championship of the World. He defended his title 3 times before losing it to Dick Tigre, on a decision. He retired in 1969 after knocking out Charlie Green. Most boxers worry about what they're going to do after retirement, not Jose, he found this to be his opportunity to devote his time to other projects! In 1971 he wrote "Sting Like A Bee", the best selling novel about Muhammad Ali. From 1970 to 1978, he was a sooio-political columnist for the New York Post, becoming the first Hispanic to write a regular column for a major English Language newspaper in New York. In 1978 he was appointed Ombudsman for the City of New York, the first Hispanic to hold this position in the city. He was also the personal representative of the governor of Puerto Rico in the U.S. 1981 through 1983 he was Executive Asst. to Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein. He was selected to serve as a Commissioner of the N.Y. State Athletic Commission from 1983 to 85, and was the chairman from 1985 to 1988. During 1988, he also found time to put out another book, the Mike Tyson story, "Fire & Fear." The book will become an H.B.O. rnovie later this year! From 1988 to 1992 Jose was special consultant for the Government of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico's Federal Affairs Administration in the U.S., focusing on issues affecting the Puerto Rican community in the U.S. Since 1993, Jose has been responsible for doing the "Color Commentary" in Spanish, for the "Tuesday Night Fights" on the U.S.A. Network, a live program which is seen thoughout Central and South America, as well as by Domestic Latinos in the U.S. He still finds time to continue his journalism and he is still the president of the "World Boxing Organization". With all that we have mentioned Jose still finds time to lecture all over the world on several topics including drug abuse prevention. He's been the keynote speaker at Penn. State, Harvard and Yale, on a variety of subjects, including sports and the socio political condition of the Latino community in the U.S. Jose always makes time for his family, his wife Ramona and their 4 children. The W.B.H.F. Acknowledges Jose Torres is a champion, both in and out of the ring!!!

Australia is best known as the "Land Down Under", adn home of the koala bear and the kangaroo, but in boxing circles it is known as the country that gave us Lionel Rose. Rose was the "Rough - Tuff" little bantamweight that gave bantamweights around the world fits in the ring.

They say that Lionel was born with "A glove on his hand." Taught by his father from his toddler days, Lionel was a wide eyed pupil as Dad showed him the various punches and "counters" used by the professionals in the stadiums in teh big cities. As Lionel grew older he was taken to the Annual District Show and rodeo at Droven, the small country town in Victoria where he was born and raised. Highlight of the show was the boxing tent where Dad would put on the gloves adn challenge the boxers on the line-up to a fight for a prize offered by the promoter. Boxing was always the main topic of conversation at the Rose household and it quickly became Lionels ambition to win a World Championship. At 16 he became one of the youngest title holders in Australian Amateur Boxing History. 1964 was a disappointing year for the fighting Aborigine, as he lost in the finals of the olympic trials and missed a trip to Tokyo. He had the eventual winner Billy Booth on the canvas and many thought he deserved the win.

Paul Pender the two time Middleweight Champion of the World gives the word "homeboy" a new meaning. He grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, has worked in Brookline, most of his life and has lived in Brookline all his life. Paul was a football star in high school with a passion for boxing. He had to make a choice of accepting one of many football scholarships or stick with boxing. As we all know he chose the latter, and to this day, he still says he's never regretted it. 1949 the year he graduated from high school was the year Paul turned pro. In those early days he was known as a boxer with a punch, and kayoed 12 of his first 22 opponents. Injuries to his right hand forced him to retire in 1953. Paul still had the dream that all fighters have - to be the champ - so in 1954 he made a comeback and won 4 out 5 fights (the loss was by split decision to the great Gene Fullmer). In 1956 brittle hands forced him into another retirement, and it wasn't until after he knocked out an obnoxious drunk in a Boston tavern, without damaging his hand, that inspired him again to chase his dream! His second comeback started in 1958 and after his 23 months of inactivity Paul Pender hung up a string of 9 wins, - 5 of which were knockouts - and won the New England Middleweight Championship. On January 22, 1960 Paul was 5 to 1 underdog in his successful attempt to win the Middleweight Championship of the World from Sugar Ray Robinson. With both hands broken by the seventh round Pender outboxed the champ and won a split decision. In a rematch six months later Pender did it again. He successfully defended his title 3 times before losing it to Terry Downes on a cut eye on July 11, 1961 in London. In what turned out to be Penders last fight, he won back the title he so desperately had fought for his entire career, by decisioning Terry Downes In Boston.

This fighting machine led Tony DeMarco to say "He was the only man to beat Robinson twice in a row, that says enough." Miami based historian Hank Kaplan said, "Pender had very good boxing skills, He used them well."

After boxing, Paul worked as Athletic Director at Norfolk Correctional institution of Mass. and then was Asst. Athletic Director at the University of Mass. (Boston Campus) and from there, became assistant clerk of court at the Brookline Municipal Court, until his retirement. Pender, a Graduate of Boston State College is best remembered by the press, as the cocky boxer who used to razzle-dazzle them with an expansive vocabulary or humored them with verses of Shakespeare, and his articulate dissertations on ways he would in. It was an educated mans version of "Trash Talk."

Paul married his high school sweetheart Rose Anzivino in 1952 and they have three children, Paul Jr., Joyce, Roseann, and 5 grandchildren. At present the champ is involved in his biggest fight ever, against the dreaded disease, alzheimers. He still lives in Brookline and still enjoys a round of golf with his ex-cornerman, confidant, and best friend, Babe Wood. In a recent interview Paul stated "Everything I wanted - I accomplished, everything was perfect, I have no regrets."

"Raton" Macias started boxing amateur at the age of 14, and people noticed the "Little Mouse" right away! His amateur career was highlighted as a member of the Mexican Olympic Boxing Team in 1952 and advancing to the semi finals.

He returned professional in April 1953 in a 10 round bout, beating the veteran Manuel Armenteros by decision. Macias was so respected and feared as an amateur that all of his professional bouts were main events. In only his fifth pro bout, he won the vacant Mexican bantamweight title with a twelve round decision over fellow countryman Roberto Couary in twelve rounds.

In 1954 he knocked out Billy Peacock in 7, beat Fili Nava in twelve (retaining his Mexican title and won the North American bantamweight title in a win over Nate Brooks. March 9 of '55, he won the vacant NBA bantamweight title from Chamrern Songkitrat by TKO in the 11th round in his first American fight. The bout was held in front of 5300 fans and drew $31,500 at the gate. In his 15th professional fight, Macias stunned the boxing world losing by a knockout to the man he had beaten the year before, California's Billy Peacock, in a non-title fight. In losing Macias sufferred a fractured jaw. His first fight after his Kayo loss to Peacock was a ten round win over Cecil Schoonmaker in Corpus Christi, followed by a 17 win streak that ended when he and Alphonse Halimi fought for the undisputed bantamweight Championship at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, on November 6, 1957. Halimi won a split decisoin with Judges Frankie Van and Dynamite Jackson scoring for him and referee Mushy Callahan scoring in favor of "Raton." Macias fought only five times after his loss to Halimi and won them all. He finally retired in 1962 with only two losses in 38 professional bouts.

During his career, Macias shattered all attendance records in Mexico and in the September '93 issue of Ring Magazine, he was ranked #8 in their column "The Best of a Nation -- Mexico". After his boxing career was over, Macias turned to acting. He presently trains boxers in Mexico. He was on the coaching squad of Mexico's 1984 Olympic Boxing Team. He lives in Mexico City where he is still a national hero!!

It took Vito Antuofermo's uncle ten years to legally get Vito's family to America. In 1968 perseverance finally paid off and the Antuofermo's of Bari, Italy were transplanted to Brooklyn, New York

Vito, the second oldest of the Antuofermos got his first, taste of baxing after a fight in an empty lot with some kids from another neighborhood. During the fight, which he started at a "Block Part", the police came and as Vito tells it "I was a good fighter but a lousy runner". Vito got picked up and put in a squad car. The officer started asking Vito if he was a good fighter and after a lengthy conversation took Vito to the local P.A.L. Gym. Vito put his the gloves on (first time in his life) and a neighborhood kid tore him up. When Vito got back to his buddies, he explained what had happened and told his pals he was going back to the gym to learn how to box so he could whip the kid, that had just beat him up. One month later, at a P.A.L. boxing show in the local church, Vito got his chance for revenge and stopped the kid in the second round. By this time they had become friends and the kid was unaware of the vendetta Vito was carring. He soon found out!

In 1970 Vito became the 1970 New York novice 147 lb. Golden Glove Champion. The following year Vito went all the way to the final of the open division, losing to Eddie Gregory, (Eddie Mustafa Mohammad) a fighter he had beaten in the novice division.

In 1971 Vito was a spectator at a boxing show in Queens and was asked to fill in for a fighter that didn't show up. Vito won a four round decision and after that ran up a 19-fight win streak, before losing on a TKO to Harold EWestin on an eye cut. Vito's corner didn't have a "cut man" and they couldn't close a wound caused by a head butt in the second round. Needless to say Vito never fought again without a cut man.

Vito won another 19-in-a-row and in 1976 he won a 15 round decision over Eckhard Dagge in Berlin to win the European Jr. Middleweight Title. In 1979 Vito won a 15 round decision over the tough Hugo Corro to win the Middleweight Champion of the world. In November of that year Vito defended this title against "Marvelous Marvin" Hagler in what has been called "World War III." The bout ended in a draw with Vito retaining his Championship. In 1980 Vito lost his title to Allan Minter, and once against Hagler. All of Vito's losses were due to cuts. Vito retired on De. 7, 1981 and made a short cameback in 1984 winning 4 and losing 1. In his 59 bouts Vito beat some of the best in his division including Denny Moyer, Emile Griffith, Vinnie Curto and Bennie Briscoe.

Vito is presently appearing in the hit play "Tonny and Tina's Wedding" in New York. He plays the part of Tony's dapper and fun-loving father. The play runs seven nights a week andhas been a big success, with Vito receiving some rave reviews. He is also very visible in commercials, The Freshman and The Godfather. Vito Lives in New York with his wife Joan and their 4 children.

When asked would he do it over again, without hasitation his answer was,"Definitely."

class of 93

For as far back as he can remember, Armando Muniz had one bright, shinning ambition: to be a fighter. Not millionaire. Not a ballplayer. And certainly, not a boxer. A fighter.

Mando's late father, Sabino, was a fighter, befoe the responsibilities of providing for a large family took precedence over his ring career, and Mando himself, serving as big brother-protector of the eight Muniz children as the family followed the crops through northern Chihuahua and over into Texas, learned to fight early and often. But he wanted to fight in a ring. With gloves. With people looking on.

It was in El Paso, in the spring of 1961, that Mando made his move. At age 13, driven by visions of glory, he filled out an entry form that was printed in the local newspaper, and before you could say "muchacthito loco," was assigned a spot in the local Golden Gloves tournament.

"You're crazy" said papa Sabino, when he learned of his son's rash action. "Look at you! You have no equipment. No boxing shoes. No trunks. No mouthpiece. You're much to young. And you don't know the first thing about boxing!"

"No problema," his son replied. "i'm not going to be boxing; I'm going to be fighting. I have my tennis shoes. My shorts. My teeth are stong, so I don't need no mouthpiece. I'm as old as you were, when you started fighting. And you just haven't seen me; I can fight like hell."

And so it was that 13-year-old Armando Muniz (fudging a bit about his age, of course) was matched against a seasoned, 18-year-old amatuer named Tony Romero in the opeing round of the 1961 El Paso Golden Gloves.

We don't need to tell you who won that bout, but Mondo fought too hard to allow the referee to stop the fight. At the end of three rounds in which he had absorbed maybe a thousand punches, he was still charging in, firing punches, actually putting Tony Romero into retreat, captivating the crowd with his fighting spirit.

As good fortune would have it, a couple of Mando's schoolmates were at the Golden Gloves that night--were astounded to see him in the ring, and totally entranced by his performance. So the word was all over school the next day, and Mando's reputation - and course in life was set forever.

Mando was later to earn a wrestling scholarship at UCLA, get into amateur and pro boxing under the tuteledge of a fine man named Jack horn, cand ended up under the management of the enterprising Vic Weiss. He terrortized Southern California amatuer boxing ranks, represented the United States in the 1968 Olympic Games at Mexico City (where he lost a ridiculous decision to a Mexican named Antonio Roldan, whom he later destroyed in two rounds when they met again as professionals), and established himself as one of the better welterweight boxers (make that fighters) of his time.

Who did he beat? A lot of very good ringmen: Boby "Boogaloo" Watts, Walter Charles, Gil King, Clyde Gray, Percy Pugh, Adolph Pruitt, Manuel Gonzalez, Thurman Durden, Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, Hedgemon Lewis Billy Lloyd, Zovek Barajas, and Pete Ranzany. He also beat the hell out of of the great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles, with the world title on the line in Acapulco, Mexico, on the fateful date of March 30, 1975 - only to have Napoles declared the winner and still champion on the basis of an alleged foul that had occured nine rounds earlier.

Muniz came up short in three othe title tries (twice vs. Carlos Palomino, once vs. Napoles); but he never, ever failed to give the best he had within him, each time he entered the ring.

The kid from Chihuahua lives today in Riverside County with his lovely Yolanda, teaching Spanish at Rubidoux High School and dabbing in insurance and rel estate. He has come a long way from Chihuahua, and he's still moving up. He's the kind of guy who doesn't know how to quit...Just ask the kid in El Paso, named Tony Romero.

Bobcat Bob. What a name for a fighter. And what a fighter he was!

Born in South Caroline, raised in Philadelphia, Bobcat Bob burst into the fistic scene in 1938 with five quick KO's in Atlantic city. He followed with 18 more wins - most by knockout, all in Atlantic City or Philadelphia.

It may have been an unexpected decision loss to Tommy Spiegel, in 1939; or maybe Manager Frankie Thomas had more clout than we realize today - but somehow, Montgomery managed to rach fistic maturity without coming under the benevolent guidance of the sisnister duo who seemed to muscle in on the management of all Philadelphia-area prospects in that place and time: Frank "Blinky" Palermo and his silent partner, Frank "Mr. Gray" Carbo.

Montgomery lost decisions to the first two world class fighters he met: Lew Jenkins and Sammy Angott, in the fall of 1940. But he learned from those losses, retrenched, and went on a rampage that resulted in his capturing the New York version of the world lightweight title, in 1943. Along the way he bested Nick Peters, Lew Jenkins in a return bout, Slugger White, Jimmy Garrison, Bobby Ruffin, Mxie Shapiro, Chester Rico, Lulu Constantino, and Roman Alvarez, among others.

Bob upset the popular Beau Jack for the 135-pound title in May of 1943; lost it back to him six months later; then beat Jack for the title a second time, in March of 1944.

Sandwiched between the title bouts with Beau Jack was a non-title bout that ranks as perhaps the high-water mark of Montgomery's career. On January 25, 1944, he met another young warrior in what fight fans reverently refer to as a "hometown natural." The upstart Ike Williams, from across the bridge in Trenton, New Jersey, and their pairing took on title-fight dimensions. Montgomery administered a frightful beating to his young rival, closing his eye early on and dropping him two or three times en route to a 12th-round KO. Williams claimed afterward that the eye injury was caused by a thumb, and he stalked his conqueror-neighbor for the next three years.

The Second Battle of Philadelphia was waged on August 4, 1947, with Williams winning in six rounds. Montgomery wasn't the same fighter after that loss, dropping six in a row before retiring from the ring in 1950.

Make no mistake: Bobcat Bob was a worthy champion, in an era of outstanding 135-pounders. In addition to those mentioned earlier, he numbered among his victims Fritzie Zivic, Petey Scalzo, Cecil Hudson, Nick Moran, Leo Rodak, Tony Pellone, Allie Stolz, Wesley Mouzon, Eddie Giosa, Joey Barnum, and Jesse Flores.

Let us welcome this great warrior on his triumphant return to Los Angeles!

In any accounting of the most exciting fistic contests of the 1980's, the name of Cornelius Boza-Edwards looms large and often.

There was his gallant TKO loss to the great Alexis Argelllo, in his introduction to big time boxing in Atlantic City in August of 1980; his blood-baths with Bazooka Limon and rolando Navarette; and his two Fight-of-the-Year collisions with Hall of Famer Bobby Chacon, in 1981 and 1983.

Born in Uganda, taking the "Edwards" part of his name from the British benefactor who gave him his start in boxing, Boza-Edwards captured the hearts of British boxing fanciers as few pugilists ever have. Not only was he terrific, exiting fighter; he was (and still is) a gentleman in the ring, a true sportman, impeccable in his speech and in the way he carries himself. No other athlete of his generation so exemplified the British ideals of courage, genteel manner, and sportsmanship.

Boza-Edwards won the World Boxing Council 130-pound "super featherweight" title by besting Mexico's Bazooka Limon in a 15 round war in Stockton, California in 1981. His first defense was against former featherweight champ Bobby Chacon, and he seemingly ended the San Fernando Schoolboy's career with a tumultous, blood-drenched 13-round TKO in Las Vegas.

In retrospect, that fight may have taken more out of Boza-Edwards than it did Chacon. He lost the title to Filipino Rolando Navarette in a shocking upset just three months after beating Bobby. And though he fought on for five more years, he was never able to recapture the title-nor, for that matter, the razor-sharp "edge" that made him a champion.

In a classic boxing manifestation of "everything that goes around, comes around," Bobby Chacon outlasted Bazooka Limon for the WBC featherweight title in December of 1982. And his first defense was against Cornelius Boza-Edwards, in a brawl for the ages. Chacon won a 12-round decision in a bloody, multi-knockdown war.

At his best, Boza-Edwards was an agressive, Finely-tuned, hard hitting southpaw, possessed of a beautiful physique augmented by relentless conditioning. He was never, ever out of shape. Nor was he ever in a dull fight.

They still love him in Londo, but Cornelius chooses to live in his latest adopted hometown of Las Vegas, where he works for a major casino and trains boxers on the side. His prize potege', Kid Akeem, seemed headed for the world flyweight championship until an unfortunate head injury cut short his career.

Fabulous Fabela, we called him in his fighting prime.

And anyone who saw him in action during those years (late Forties thru mid-Fifties) remembers why. He was a poised, baby-faced ball of fire with hands so fast they were just a blur. He had a certain electricity about him that brought huge crowds into Southern California areanas (Southwest Arena / Ocean Park / Hollywood Legion Stadium / Olympic Auditorium, even Gilmore Field and Wrigley Field) and entertained them in a manner that few boxeadors have ever equalled.

Born in Albuquerque, raised in East L.A., Alexander Chavez was hawking newspapers at the skid row corner of Sixth and Main Streets in Los Angeles one fateful day in 1942, when a man driving a long, dark sedan stopped nearby, recruiting volunteers for an amateur boxing card at the old Southwest Arena. It was the easiest three bucks the kid ever earned - and soon he was on his way, training at the Main Street Gym, hanging out with a classy young pro named Jimmy Doyle, boxing two or three times a week in local clubs. The fact that little Alexander was just 12 years of age, while the minimum age for boxers was 18, presented no big problem. He borrowed the draft card of an older kid named Rodrigo Fabela, and boxed under that name for several years - winning all but a handful of 248 amateur contests.

Eventually he bacame Fabela Chavez, in adn out of the ring. He turned pro in 1945, a few weeks before his sixteenth birthday.

The youngster's first loss as a pro was to another hot prospect named Art Aragon, in Las Vegas on October 3, 1945. Two weeks later he evened the score, beating Art in six rounds.

Early in his career, Fabela had the good fortune to come under the tutelege of a man who would remain his friend and benefactor for the next four decades - World Boxing Hall of Famer George Parnassus. Thus he also became the stablemate of another boxing legend: Hall of Famer Enrique Bonlanos.

Chavez beat two world champions (Harold Dade and Lauro Salas), but never had the opportunity to fight for a world title. Of his 10-round decision loss to the incomparable Willie Pep in 1952 he says, "I'm still looking for that guy."

The thing that distinguished every bout Fabela ever engaged in was excitement. He was never in a dull fight. And the rematch was usually just as good as the original. thus his (two amateur, two pro) series with Aragon; his three-fight series with Lauro Salas; his three with Bobby Jackson; and his six wars (three wins, three losses) with a punching machine named Alfredo Escobar.

Fabela married the one woman in his life, his beautiful Catalina, 47 years ago. They have raised four children, all now grown, of whom they are very proud.

Does Fabela chavez belong in our sport's Hall of Fame? Just ask the citizens of Carson, California, where for many years Fabela has been involved in youth work. Check out the name adorning one of the finest, cleanest, most modern athletic facilities to be found anywhere in the United States. It is called the City of Carson Fabela Chavez Boxing and Weightlifting Center. And the director of the center, the guy all the kids loko up to, is Fabela himself.

One look tells you that Giovanni "Nino" Benvenuti was meant to be a star.

Born in the Italian seaport city of Trieste (on the Adriatic Sea, next door to Yugoslavia) in 1938, raised on the run in a country ravaged by war, he became street-smart and resourceful at an early age. He learned how to hustle, and he learned how to fight.

What's more, he learned how to look pretty - and how to please a crowd. Looking pretty came easy as easy to him as knocking down a plate of pasta. Tall and extraordinarilly handsome, even as a youngster he had about him a certain Valentino-like elegance. He might have become a movie star (and later, as champion, did accept some film roles) or an international soccer star (and did excel in that sport, as well) - but chose boxing instead.

Nino captured the hearts of his countrymen by winning the welterweight Gold Medal in the 1960 Olympic Games - in Rome, of course. (The Gold Medal in the lightweight class that year was won by a loquacious young American named Cassius Marcellus Clay.)

Turning pro in 1961, Benvenuti won 65 in a row before dropping a disputed decision (and the junior middleweight title) to Ki-Soo Kim in Seoul, Korea, in 1966. He came back to defeat Emile Griffith for the middleweight title in 1967, then lost and won again in two encore meetings with griffith within the next 11 months.

Style-wise, Nino was an uptight, orthodox boxer-puncher with fast hands, a spearing left jab, and good power in his right hand. He made good use of his height and reach, and was difficult to hit with a solid shot.

So who did he beat? Well, just about all of the good 150-to 160-pounders of his time: Gaspar Ortega, Isaac Logart, Jimmy Beecham, Tony Montano, Denny Moyer, Art Hernandez, Juan Carlos Duran, Sandro Mazzinghi (twice, with the junior middleweight title on the line both times), Don Fullmer, Fred Hernandez, Charley Austin, Luis Rodriguez, and Tom Bethea.

Five of Nino's eight losses came near the end of his 10-year pro career, when his skills began to erode. He lost his middleweight title to the great Carlos Monzon in 1970, and failed in a bid to win it back six months later.

Seldom has an athlete been so admired by an entire nation as has Nino Benvenuti, by his belle Italia. Let us welcome this handsome and elegant Man of Trieste to his rightful place in The Boxing's Hall of Fame!!!

"What shall we name this little guy?" Jose'Ramos asked his wife, after she had given bith to their twenty-second child in Mantanzas, Cuba, on December 2, 1941.

"Ultiminio (Last One)," the long-suffering woman replied. And so it was that a future featherweight champion of the world got his name.

"You were lucky, Uliminio," one of the youngster's older brothers used to tell him. "They could have named you "No Mas."

The Last One grew up quick and plenty tough. He was fighting professionally before he turned 16, and only three draws and one loss via disqualification marred an otherwise perfect record in his first 45 contests.

Ramos was one of the great Cuban boxers (along with Luis Rodriguez, Doug Vaillant, Florentino Fernandez, Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles, Isaac Logart, Benny "Kid" Paret and Baby Luis, among others) who fled their homeland when Fidel Castro's Communist governmant banned professional sports in the early 1960's. Like Napoles and Luis, he relocated in Mexico City - and became a star.

At the time of his arrival in Mexico in 1961, Sugar (who took his nickname from the great Ray Robinson or from the cane fields of his native province - take your pick) was undefeated in 28 bouts, with 25 knockouts already to his credit. He just kept getting better, overpowering good fighters like Alfredo Urbina, Kid Anahuac, Eddie Garcia, Joe Rafiu King, Danny Valdez, Baby Vasquez, and Jose Luis Cruz, en route to a showdown with the great Davey Moore for the undisputed featherweight championship.

Moore vs Ramos was a ring classic, marred by a tragic ending. They met in Dodger Stadium on the evening of March 21, 1963, before a crowd of 26,142 paid a record $269,452.00. For 10 fierce rounds they bulgeoned each other, fighting with the desperation of predators in a primeval jungle. Moore was floored late in the 10th round, the back of his neck landing hard against the bottom strand of ring rope. The fight was stopped between rounds, and Moore lapsed into a coma. He died two days later.

Ramos held the title for a year and a half, defending successfully against Joe Rafiu King in Mexico City, Mitsunori in Seki in Tokyo, and Floyd Robinson in Accra, Ghana before losing via 12th-round TKO to the great Vicente Saldivar.

He moved up to the lightweight class and fought on spoadically for another eight years - but was never quite able to recapture the magic of his early career. He retired from boxing in 1972, having lost just seven times in 66 pro contests ageinst the best of his time.

It all came easy for Wilfredo Benitez. Too easy, perhaps. He was a child prodigy, and then some.

At age 14, little Wilfredo was outclassing main event professionals in his father's makeshift gym in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dropping out of school and lying about his age, he turned pro at age 15 and went undefeated in his first 39 bouts, scoring 25 knockouts and picking up two world titles along the way. Those were undisputed titles, and he didn't win them from second-raters. He decisioned the great Antonio Cervantes for the junior welterweight crown on March 6, 1976 - five months after his 17th birthday; and did likewise to Hall of Famer Carlos Palomino, three years later, for the undisputed welterweight title.

Only a draw with smooth-boxing Harld Weston marred Benitez' sparkling record during his first six years of boxing. He breezed past good fighters like Tony Petronelli, Mel Dennis, Bruce Curry, and Randy Shields. With success came easy money; and the money was invested in flashy things; clothes, cars jewelry (with emphasis on gold chains) - and of course women. Flashy women. Success also transformed the kid's natural cockiness into a certain arrogance, and with the arrogance came disregard for the personal dicipline that boxing demands of even its most talented performers.

The first loss of Wilfredo's career occured on November 30, 1979, at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, when Sugar Ray Leonard surged from behind to stop him with just six seconds remaining in the 15th and final round of a scintillating contest. There was very little to choose between the brilliant young 147 pounders that night, and Ray's slight edge probably lay in superior conditioning.

Benitez lusted for a rematch with Leonard, but was denied the opportunity as Ray defended his title against Dave (Boy) Green and then began his celebrated series with Roberto Duran.

Wilfredo moved up to junior middleweight (Jose Suliman's World Boxing Coiuncil calls it "super welterweight") class in 1981, easily winning the WBC title by stopping Britain's Maurice Hope. After successful defenses against Carlos Santos and Roberto Duran, he lost the crown via close decision to Thomas Hearns in 1982.

The Kid from the Bronx didn't exactly hang around to become anybody's punching bag, but things were never quite the same after that loss to Hearns. He won seven bouts, lost four over the next four years, drifting into retirement after K.O. losses to Matthew Hilton and Carlos Herrera in 1986.

Of Course, Wilfredo wishes today that he had stayed in school longer and spent his money more wisely; but what ex-fighter doesn't?

It was a great run, and great fun while it lasted, for the cocky kid who became champion of the entire world at age 17.

class of 92

Frank Klaus came along at a time that has been called The Golden Age of Middleweights, when the 160 pound division was peopled by the likes of Stanley Ketchel, Jack "Twin" Sullivan, Sam Langford, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Jimmy Gardner, Leo Houch, Jack Dillion, Billy Papke, Eddie McGoorty, Jeff Smith, Les Darey, and Georges Carpentier.

Klaus beat most of 'em - battling to a No Decision - draw with the great Ketchel in 1911. A 12 - round decision win over Sullivan the same year, and a 20 over Dillon in 1912. He beat Carpentier via disqualification in Dieppe on June 24, 1912, when the Orchid Man's manager, Francois Descamps, scrambled into the ring in the middle of the 19th round of a scheduled 20-rounder to save his man from a sure knockout.

On March 5, 1913, Klaus won the world middleweight title when Billy Papke fouled out in the 15th round of their scheduled 20-rounder to determine Ketchel's successor. He held the title just seven months before losing in a shocking upset to the only man ever to knock him out during his 10-year pro career, George Chip.

What kind of guy was this fellow Klaus? We get a clue from newspaper accounts of the time he knocked out two guys in one night.

The date was May 15, 1909; the city was Philadelphia, and the opponent was an opportunistic Englishman named Harry Mansfield. Klaus landed a solid left hook to the body in the second round, and Mansfield fell to the floor and was counted out. Mansfield's manager cried "Foul!" and much of the crowd sided with him.

The promoter, Jack McGuigan, tried to smooth things over but was shouted down by the unruly crowd. Over his own manager's protests, Klaus told McGuigan, "If they really think I hit this Limey low, tell'em I'll fight any man in the house. For free!"

The legendary Sam Langford, then in his fighting prime, was in the house that night. So were Philadelphia Jacklackburn, Brokklyn Tommy Sullivan, and heavyweight Jim Smith, known as the Brooklyn Plumber.

It was and a few minutes late he was in the ring, stripped down and ready for action, six inches taller and 40 pounds heavier than the stocky Klaus.

The fight was furious, while it lasted. And it only lasted about one minute. Look again, this time well above the belt line, and the Brooklyn Plumber went down and out, with a couple of cracked ribs.

And then, in an action that proved forever that he had true grit, he yelled down to Promoter McGuigan: "Does anybody else want to try it?" There were no takers.

Frank Klaus left us 44 years ago, at age 61; but his legend is alive and well. Frank's son, Frank Klaus, Jr., is an avid boxing buff in Southern California and will be on hand Nov. 7 to acknowledge out trite to his great warrior of boxing's bygone era.

There aren't a lot of people around today who saw Frankie Garcia in action in a boxing ring. There is no accounting of his career in The Ring Record Book, but we were able to piece together this much about him:

Frankie was born April 9, 1989, in El Paso, Texas, Full name: Francisco Dominguez de Garcia. His family moved to Los Angeles shortly after his birth, and it was in the City of Angels that the youngster got his start in boxing as The Fighting Newsboy. One of his early sparring partners was an irish kid named Jimmy Doolittle - later to earn lasting fame as an air combat hero and leader of the famous B-25 bombing raid on World War II.

In his Who's Who in the World Friendship Temple of Fame, WBHF founder Everett L. Sanders quotes sports, columnist Johnny Brannigan: "For 12 long years Garcia beat the best of them. The king of the featherweights, Johnny Kilbane, would not give Garcia a chance at the title...

A hustling promoter in Houston, Texas, decided to hold a featherweight title bout. The best featherweight in the west was Garcia. The greatest in the east was that wonderful boxing machine, Charlie Beecher. For 12 rounds it was Garcia's murderous punches thrown at Beecher with Beecher managing to deflect the blows, Garcia was declared the winner and new champion (Apparently, the title claim was not widely recognized - ED).

Garcia is said to have participated in 365 professional fights. He made Bob Ripley's "Believe it or Not" by flooring Toughy Murray 19 times in one round in a bout in Houston, in 1921.

Prior to his death in 1982, Frankie and wife Elsie lived for many years in Gardena, CA where the proud ex-featherweight managed and trained boxers and authored a sports column for the local newspaper.

Frankie is well remembered by his friends in the Golden State Boxers Association (of which he once President) and the Cauliflower Alley Club.

It is easy to make a case for Harold Johnson as the best lightweight ever to campaign in the heavyweight division. The only heavyweight ever to defeat him was Jersey Joe early in his career. Meanwhile, Harold whupped on Arturo Godoy, Jimmy Bivins, Henry Hall (three times), Clarence Henry, Ezzard Charles, Nino Valdes (with greatest ease). Marty Marshall, Wayne Bethea, Eddie Machen and big-hitting Bob Satterfield (twice). In his own wright class he defeated Bert Lytell, Chuck Hunter, Leonard Morrow, Jimmy Slade, Paul Andrews, Sonny Ray, Henry Hank, Hank Casey, and Eddie Jones among others.

It is part of the legacy of Harold Johnson that in spite of his record as one of the greatest lightheavyweight boxers of all time, he is remembered as much for his failures as for his accomplishments.

First, there was the Archie Moore thing. the Old Mongoose tagged Harold with his first loss (after 24 easy victories), 1949. They were to meet four more times over the next five years, with Archie winning three-including a dramatic come-from-behind stoppage in 14 rounds on August 11, 1954, just when Harold appeared to have thoroughly defeated his ancient foe.

then there was the clebrated loss to Jersy Joe Walcott, in 1950 - noteworthy because Walcott had stopped Harold's father, Phil Johnson, in 1936 in the same city (Philadelphia) and in the same round (round three).

And of course, there was the controversial "poison orange" episode when Johnson was upset by little-known Julio Maderos-blaming his lethargic performance on the effects of his having eaten a "doctored" orange that was handed to him by a mysterious strange shortly before the bout.

Aside from those strange happeings, and periods of inactivity complicated by managerial problems, Harold Johnson was a damn-near perfect boxer. A Magnificent physical specimen, he was a thorough professional in the ring: an intelligent, enormously talented "thinking man's fighter" who boxed with cool precision and punched with power.

Harold didn't get his second shot at the 175 pound title until 1961, when at age 33 he turned in a flawless performance in taking out Jesse Bowdry in nine rounds. He held the title for 28 months, defending successfully against Von clay, Eddie Cotton, Doug Jons, and Gustav Scholz, before dropping 15 round split decision to Hall of Famer Willie Pastrano in 1963.

Harold still lives in his native Philadelphia, where he is revered a one of the City of Brotherly Love's all-time great athletic heroes.