LAS VEGAS (Nov. 23, 2009) – Latinos have had a profound influence on boxing, particularly in smaller-weight divisions, evident by 21 nominees in the ongoing “World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” (“WGEB”) promotion. Eighteen of the 21 Latino “WGEB” nominees are in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the remaining three – Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera – are surefire locks for induction as soon as they’re eligible..
On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes (10 candidates in each division except for 12 heavyweights), highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer.”
The Dec. 11-13 weekend of events at the Paris Las Vegas include a USA vs. The World pro boxing show on Saturday (Dec 12). Final results of the global on-line vote at www.GreatestEver.com will be announced Sunday (Dec. 13) at “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” black-tie awards dinner.
The Dec. 11-13 weekend event is being presented by Greatest Ever Enterprises, which already has done “world’s greatest” tributes on two continents in the sports of soccer and rugby.
Roberto Duran, Wilfredo Gomez and Carlos Ortiz are among the numerous “WGEB” candidates already committed to attending the Dec. 11-13 weekend festivities in Las Vegas.
Argentinean middleweight CARLOS “Escopeta” MONZON (87-3-9 1 NC, 59 KOs), a 3-time world champion in the 1970’s, held the record at the time for 14 middleweight defenses. Monzon was a known playboy convicted of murder who was killed in car crash on weekend furlough. He had two victories against “WGEB” welterweight nominee Emile Griffith.
Mexican-American welterweight OSCAR “Golden Boy” De La HOYA (39-6, 30 KOs), 1992 Olympic gold medalist, defeated 17 world champions and was a 10-time world champion in six weight classes. Three-time world welterweight champion JOSE ANGEL “Mantequilla” NAPOLES (77-7, 54 KOs) was a national hero in Cuba and Mexico after he found asylum in Mexico after Fidel Castro banned pro boxing in Cuba.
The “WGEB” lightweights are well represented. Panamanian ROBERTO “Hands of Stone” DURAN (103-16, 70 KOs) was world champion in four different weight classes and the second fighter ever to fight in five different decades. Mexican icon JULIO CESAR “JC” CHAVEZ (108-6-2, 87 KOs), 6-time world champion in three weight classes, fought 25 years and was No. 1 Pound-for-Pound during one stretch. He started his pro career by winning first 88 fights and holds records for most world title defenses (27), most world title fights (37) and longest unbeaten streak (91). Puerto-Rican CARLOS ORTIZ (61-7-1, 1 NC, 30 KOs), a 4-time world champion in two divisions, moved to New York City and became first Puerto Rican world champion in more than 30 years and second ever at time.
Four of 10 “WGEB” bantamweights are Latinos. The recently deceased Nicaraguan favorite ALEXIS “El Fiaco de Explosivo” ARGUELLO (80-8, 64 KOs), a 6 -time world champion, was the sixth boxer to be world champion in three weight classes, only the second Latino. Mexican star SALVADOR “Chana” SANCHEZ (44-1-1, 32 KOs) won a world title at 19 but died in car crash in 1982 at the age of 23. Another Mexican warrior, “Baby Faced Assassin” MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA (65-7, 43 KOs) is a 7-time world champion in six divisions. “The Cuban Bon Bon” KID CHOCOLATE (131-9-6, 50 KOs) became the first Cuban world champion in the 1930’s.
Latinos dominate the “WGEB” bantamweight process with seven of 10 nominees. “Panama” Al Brown (123-18-10, 4 ND, (62 KOs) was boxing’s first Hispanic world champion. Mexican-American Manuel Ortiz (96-28-3, 49 KOs) was a 2-time world champion. Brazilian Eder “Golden Bantam” Jofre was a 4-time world champion as a bantamweight and featherweight. Mexican Ruben “El Pucas” Olivares (88-13-3, 78 KOs) also was a 4-time world champion in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. Another Mexican great, Carlos “Canas” Zarate (61-4, 58 KOs) set the record for two streaks of 20 or more knockout wins. Puerto Rican power puncher Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez (44-3-1 (42 KOs) was a Puerto Rican Olympian, 3-time world champion in three divisions, and he had one of the highest KO rates (95.4%) in boxing history, including 32 knockouts in a row (longest streak of any world champion). Mexican-American Orlando Canizales (50-5-1, 37 KOs) defended his IBF title belt a record 16 consecutive times.
Strawweights are included in the flyweight category. Pascual “El Terrier” Perez (84-7-1, 57 KOs), the first Argentinean world champion, didn’t lose as a pro until his 52nd fight. Four-time world champion Mexican Ricardo “Finito” Lopez (51-0-1, 38 KOs), who established the record for most consecutive title bouts without losing (26), defended his WBC Strawweight title 21 times. Mexican-American Michael “Little Hands of Steel” Carbahal (49-4, 33 KOs) was a 4-time world champion. Miguel “El Maestro” Canto (61-9-4, 15 KOs), another Mexican superstar, lost his first pro fight but went on to become WBC Flyweight champion, and holds the record for having 13 15-round title fights.
Tickets to the dinner are available at www.greatestever.com or via MMG in Las Vegas (702 617 9730). The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity.
Tickets for the US vs. World pro boxing show are priced at $150 (Super VIP), $100 (Platinum), $80 (VIP), $65 (Gold) and (newly added) $40. The fight card plus hospitality packages are priced at $500 (Super VIP), $400 (Platinum) $250 (VIP) and $150 (Gold), as well as for the Greatest Ever Dinner Awards Ceremony and Entertainment at $1000 (Super VIP), $800 (Platinum), $450 (VIP) and $250 (Gold).
For all USA ticket sales for the World’s Greatest Ever Boxer event please contact: MMG Marketing & Consulting, 702 617 9730, 1771 Flamingo Road, Suite 216A Las Vegas, NV. 89119 Email: WGEB@marketingbymmg.com