MARRIOTT’S BATTLE IN THE BALLROOM INAUGURAL HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED 24 BOXERS TO BE INDUCTED 25th Anniversary Logo Also Revealed

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, December 17 - Any company that stays in business at the same location for 25 years is an oddity in this day and age, but for the business to be professional boxing, it is almost unheard of. But this coming February 19, 2009, when promoter Roy Englebrecht opens the doors to the Irvine Marriott’s Grand Ballroom, it will be opening night for the 25th Anniversary season of his Battle In The Ballroom series. And to commemorate this historic year, Englebrecht has announced the inaugural Battle In The Ballroom Hall Of Fame, as well as a 25th Anniversary Battle In The Ballroom logo.

“The success of any business is the product that you sell,” said Englebrecht, “and for 25 years we have given the boxing fans of Orange County a great product that has featured some of the top boxers in the world. With over 36 current or world champions who have fought at the Marriott during their careers, I believe there is no better way to honor this unique show then by honoring the great fighters who fought on the shows. So with the help of Don Fraser, who was the first Marriott promoter and who I worked with on the very first show, and Danny Valdivia, our very first ring announcer, we have selected 24 boxers and six non boxers who best tell the story of why the Battle In The Ballroom is the longest running and most successful club boxing series in history. We will honor four boxers and one non boxer at each of the six 2009 shows.”

Named as members of the initial Battle In The Ballroom Hall Of Fame class are:

IN THE BOXER CATEGORY

IN THE NON BOXER CATEGORY

Four boxers and one non boxer will be inducted at each of the six 2009 Battle In The Ballroom shows, with inductees receiving a specially designed Battle In The Ballroom Hall of Fame Bracelet.

ABOUT THE INDUCTEES

When Shane Mosley first fought at the Irvine Marriott against Francisco Rodriguez in 1994, he was just 7-0 with dreams of greatness.  14 years later, “Sugar” Shane is a household name with multiple world title belts and classic battles against the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Fernando Vargas, and Miguel Cotto under his belt. It’s a similar story to that of some of his fellow inductees, such as former WBO junior lightweight champ “Mighty” Mike Anchondo, who thrilled his hometown fans with three exciting victories before going off to conquer the world.

Of course, some of the great fighters who fought at the Battle of The Ballroom came to Irvine already established as forces to be reckoned with, like super bantamweight superstar Israel Vazquez, who was 30-2 when he fought Felipe Ramirez at the Marriott.  Two fights later, “El Magnifico” was fighting Oscar Larios for the world championship.  A member of perhaps the greatest US Olympic team ever, 1984 Gold medalist Paul Gonzales graced the ring here twice in his career. Bantamweight champion Alberto Davila, one of the best fighters of the 80’s, fought one of his last bouts at the Marriott as he decisioned Edel Geronimo in March of 1987.

Then there are the fighters who grew up in the Irvine Marriott, such as future Hall of Famer Johnny Tapia. The soon-to-be three division world champion made his pro debut in the “Battle In The Ballroom” with a draw against Efren Chavez in 1988, and five of his first ten fights were in Irvine. Another legend who made his bones under the auspices of Roy Englebrecht was longtime super featherweight king Genaro Hernandez, who went 8-0 with 4 KOs in Irvine, and Julio Gonzalez (4-0) and Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez (6-0) also developed the skills that made them champions in the ballroom.

And who could forget fighters like WBO junior welterweight champion Zack Padilla, IBA 140-pound champ Antonio Diaz, 126 and 130-pound contender Francisco “Pancho” Segura, 90’s light heavyweight standout the late Ernie Magdaleno, and the late super bantamweight warrior Rudy Zavala – who all thrilled the packed houses night in and night out.

The battlers who waged war at the Irvine Marriott even include Freddie Roach, who stopped Martin Morado in eight rounds in 1985 before going on to a training career that will undoubtedly land him in the Hall of Fame.

The success and uniqueness of the Battle In The Ballroom was also because of some fighters who fought with tremendous heart….did not always win…..but always gave Marriott fight fans their money’s worth. Johnny “Chispeto” Vasquez thrilled fans every time he stepped into the ring. He made it so exciting that the fans filled the ring with money every fight he had at the Marriott. John “The Fighting Lifeguard” Armijo from Huntington Beach thrilled Marriott fans with his punching power and huge following of fans. Maybe Orange County’s most talented fighters, Mike Semaza won his first 10 fights at the Marriott and was always in a razzle dazzle fight. Librado Andrade won his first eight fights in the Ballroom and still is a title contender.

In the early years it was the likes of Cubanito Perez out of Santa Ana that was always in a good fight as he both a boxer-puncher. After the Marriott he had a number of big fights in Las Vegas. How about Georgie Garcia from the Westminster Boxing Gym, who always had a large following of fans and won the California State Title at the Marriott. Another fighter to win a State Championship at the Marriott at welterweight was tough Ernie Chavez. And John Montes was a big puncher who thrilled fans, as did Oscar “The Boxer” Muniz, who made each of his fights in the ring a spectacle.

Needless to say, it’s been an amazing quarter of a century for Roy Englebrecht and the Battle In The Ballroom series.  But the way Englebrecht sees it, this is just the beginning.

Englebrecht is asking that the Hall Of Fame Boxer Inductees contact him so he can get up to date addresses to send out the Official Notification. Englebrecht can be reached at 949-760-3131 or boxing77@aol.com.