A Time To Remember And Say Thanks

A look at those we lost in the boxing community in 2007

The end of every year, we look back and try to remember what has transpired over the last 12 months and debate the good, dismiss the bad and hope the next year brings more fortune than not.

We give thanks for what and who we have in our lives because no matter how bad things seem, there is always someone out there who has it worse than we do or no one at all to spend their holiday season with. That is one of the good things about December; it makes us realize and appreciate.

One thing we also tend to forget as fans is that while our attention is usually focused on the currently active high profile figures of the sport, it is a combination of not just present but past participants both in ring and out, that have made boxing what it is. That list ranges from small time promoters, contenders and journeymen to referees and judges. Each and every one of these people played a pivotal role in keeping the sport of boxing a revolving one on one level or another.

Keeping in mind the words written above, I would just like to take a moment and remember some members of the boxing community that we have lost in 2007. Some names will sound familiar while others haven’t been involved in the sport for decades. All are going to be sorely missed.

Fighters:

Diego Corrales: Fans stood up and applauded during his bouts and chanted his name, even after the bell signaled to end his fights. Diego was just that exciting of a fighter, be it during a win or loss. His series with Jose Luis Castillo may be one of boxing’s greatest rivalries and his comeback in the tenth round of their first bout just may be the most memorable in the last half decade.

Diego won titles in both the super featherweight and lightweight divisions during his 11 year career. On May 5, 2007. boxing lost one of its bravest champions to a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 29 years old.

Hugo Pastor Corro: The Argentinean born in the city of Mendoza built a reputation in his homeland as a crafty boxer taking on all comers and losing only twice in five years. In 1978, he faced Rodrigo Valdez in Liguria, Italy for the WBC and WBA versions of the middleweight crown, winning a 15 round unanimous decision. In his very first defense, he faced undefeated Ronnie Harris, who was 28-0 at the time.

Harris had not lost since the 1967 Pan Am Games prior to the bout and was slightly favored over the champion. Hugo made the defense a successful one, beating Harris by unanimous decision. Corro would make two more defenses of the title before losing to Vito Antuofermo in a split decision in 1979. Hugo would retire in 1989 with a record of 50-7-2.

Lilly Rodriguez: In the 1970’s, Lilly was a boxer and kick boxer in the California area, She was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame in the 2007 class. Lilly was 59.

Bernie Friedkin: Bernie fought in the New York area during the 1930’s and as a lightweight he compiled a record of 48-11-16. He was 91.

Bobby Claus: A welterweight during the 1940’s who had a record of 13-19-1, Bobby fought great names of the era such as Jimmy Doyle, Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano. Bobby was 86.

Johnny Williams: Former British and Commonwealth champion who retired with a record of 60-11-4 in 1956. He was 80 years old.

Yvon Durell: Canada’s “Fighting Fisherman” who fought during the 1950’s and early 1960’s, faced famed fighters of his day such as George Chuvalo and even the great Archie Moore for the light heavyweight title in 1959. Yvon was 77.

Johnny Gonsalves: A top lightweight and for two years straight was ranked the #1 lightweight contender in the early 1950’s, Was inducted into the Hall of Fame in1995. Retired with a career record of 57-21-3. He was 76.

Len Dittmar: Len was the Australian welterweight champion during the 1950’s. He was 81.

Rachman Kili Kili: Former Indonesian Bantamweight champion. He was 32.

Tommy Burgoyne: Scottish bantamweight of the 1960s who compiled a record of 15-36-2. He was 68.

Wyatt Frost: A welterweight who hailed from Topeka, Kansas, He was 31.

Joe O’Connell: Light heavyweight from Maryland who fought in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Was on the undercard of Joe Walcott vs Rocky Marciano 1. He was 76.

Ronnie Cohen: A welterweight in the 1950’s and early 1960’s who started fighting during the Korean War,. He retired with a record of 20-11-2. He was 70.

Pete Mead: Middleweight from the 1940’s and 1950’s out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pete faced the best the era had to offer, fighting names like Randy Turpin, Rocky Graziano and Micky Doyle. Pete retired in 1950 with a record of 39-16-1. After retiring, he wrote a book entitled “Blood, Sweat and Cheers”. He was 83.

Nestor Carlos Jimenez: Nestor was a bantamweight contender from 1967-1981. While the majority of his career was fought in his home country in 1979 he faced the great Wilfredo Gomez in Madison Square Garden for Gomez’s super bantamweight title. He lost by TKO in the fifth round. Nestor fought four more times then retired with an overall 68-16-2. He was 59.

Jim Hegerle: a tough middleweight from St Paul, Minnesota Jim earned a reputation on being a determined local fighter who once fought 14 times in one year. In his last bout, he fought an up and coming young Italian named Nino Benvenuti, losing by fourth round KO. Jim retired with an over all 35-17-3. He was 71.

James Oyebola: The Nigerian born British resident was one of boxing’s tallest fighters to ever grace the ring, standing 6’9″, James developed a reputation as a hard hitter with a suspect chin. James fought from 1987-1996 and retired with a record of 18-4-1. He was 46 years old.

Jackson Bussell: A light welterweight who hailed from Reno, Nevada fought Javier Garcia in Calabasas, California on September 20, 2007 to a draw. Shortly afterward, he collapsed and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died the next day from complications. He was 28 years old.

Deeden Kenkarun: Deeden fought from 1995-2005 and compiled a record of 23-11-2. After a two year layoff, he returned to the ring in March of 2007. The bout had caused Deeden to go into convulsions and he passed away from complications in Bangkokm Thiland. He was 28 years old.

Lito Sisnorio: With a ring record of 10-5-1, faced a much more experienced Chatchai Sasakul ,58-3. Sisnorio was knocked out in the fourth round and had to be rushed to a local hospital for emergency brain surgery where he died from complications. He was 24 years old.

Anis Dwi Mulya: The 1-5 Indonesian had been returning to the ring for the first time in two years, After being knocked out in the sixth round, Dwi was rushed to the hospital where he underwent brain surgery. He died five days later from complications. Dwi was 24 years old.

Thamsanqa Dubase: 2-1 featherweight From South Africa fought from 2005-2006. 20 years old.

Nelson Javier Galdamez: 10-2-1 flyweight and bantamweight fought from 2003-2007. 32 years old.

Johnny Brenda: 2-2 welterweight from Chester, PA. 85 years old.

Paul Sykes: 6-3-1 heavyweight from Great Britain, fought from 1978-1980, 60 years old.

Gyorgy Kincses: 1-6 welterweight from Hungary, fought from 1991-93. 43 years old.

Max Murvanick: 1-1 featherweight from Connecticut, fought from 1923-24. 102 years old.

Isreal Crespo: 3-1 Pennsylvania flyweight. 21 years old.

Amanda Lyons: 0-4 super flyweight from Conway, AK. 20 years old.

Chasimeros: 0-1 welterweight out of Indonesia. 44 years old.

Jimmy Carroll: 20-22 light heavyweight from Stockport, England fought from 1946-1952. 84 years old.

Sugar Cliff: 31-8-3 fought in the Bahamas, fought from the 1950’s -1970’s . 72 years old.

Gene Parker: 47-9-4 from Indianapolis, IN fought during the 1950’s. 76 years old.

Eddie Giosa: 67-29-9 from Philadelphia, PA fought from 1943-1954. 82 years old.

Joey Olguin: 24-4 Sacramento, CA fought from 1959-1968. 66 years old.

Jimmy Martinez: 98-35-10 from Glendale, AZ fought from 1950-1959. 78 years old.

Von Clay: 20-17-2 from Philadelphia PA fought from 1957-1968. 67 years old.

Buddy Turmin: 45-15 heavyweight out of Tyler, TX fought from 1954-1967. 73 years old.

Non Combatants:

Hank Kaplan: Hank was perhaps one of boxing’s most knowledgeable associates ever. He is best known as being an archivist for pro boxing’s Hall of Fame and Senior Historian Hank could give just about any fact concerning any fighter or bout ,off the top of his head. He loved boxing and dedicated his life to it. Kaplan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 as part of the extended category. He was 88 years old.

Carol Castellano: Perhaps the best known female judge to ever grace the sport of boxing. Carol was a judge for over 100 title bouts over 25 years. Among those were Jose Luis Castillo vs. Joel Cassamayor, Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Hector Camacho Sr., and Chris Eubank vs. Nigel Benn.

Joachim Jacobsen: German referee who was best known for his officiating of WBO title bouts, including those involving former heavyweight champion Vitaly Klitschko and middleweight champion Felix Sturm. He was 56 years old.

Imre Nagy: One of Hungary’s best known referees and judges for both IBF and WBO sanctioned bouts. He was 52 years old.

Marv Jenson: Marv may be best known for managing the Gene Fullmer to the middleweight championship. He also managed Gene’s brothers Jay and Don. Marv was 89 years old.

Chuck Hassett: Chuck was a referee and judge based out of California. Some of the more famous fighters he served as a referee or judged bouts for were Roy Jones, Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. He was 72 years old.

Leopoldo Correa: Fight manager perhaps best known for guiding the early part of Manny Pacquiao’s career.

Theo Mthembu: Trainer of WBO Light Flyweight Champion Jacob Matlala, He was 79 years old.

I offer my condolences to the families of those mentioned, I wish them a Happy Holiday, and most of all a Thank You for everything their loved ones gave to our sport over the years.