Tampa’s boxing history traces to old Benjamin Field, then to Fort Homer Hesterly with the late National Guard’s Col. Eddie Chasse, to trainers like Chris and Angelo Dundee, to promoters Lou Viscusi and Phil Alessi, to boxing champs like Willie Pep, Luis Rodriguez, Tony Licata and “Tampa Tommy” Gomez, to now with Antonio Tarver and Pete Fernandez to Steve Canton who said he’d on this night reached the mountaintop and wanted to thank “all who made this night necessary.’’

  This special night in this basic sport so deep and prominent in Tampa’s history at the Downtown Howard Johnson ballroom that drew about 300 people as our boxing writer, Eddie Daniels reported, was the induction ceremony of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame. It should have been held here in Tampa. The Hall will be here, booster-lawyer-promoter Steve Yerrid said, “it can only be here. Look around you.’’

  I was seated at a table with Chairman Flansburg, with Lusita Pacheco and her mom and husband, the man for all seasons, Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, who quickly did a caricature of my wife Linda, and of the wonderful, but troubled, Mark Biero, longtime ring and jai alai announcer who only has about 20 percent vision left after diabetes has taken the rest. But, he could see and appreciate the likeness Pacheco did in a minute, simply emphasizing his wide range of talents. This genius born in Ybor City and still romanced by it, is a doctor, author of books and so many pieces on boxing as well as being a longtime top announcer on televison, is readying another book, “The Tales of the Fifth Street Gym,” his haunt and that of so many boxing greats, including Muhammad Ali, for publication. Pacheco, the fast, continuous talking Pacheco, is a hoot, as well as a genius, who loves the State of Florida, notably Miami and Tampa, and the Florida Gators, his university, writing, speaking and story-telling. He writes regularly, for the established and well-read Ybor weekly, La Gaceta, published by Patrick Montiega, since the too-soon death of his gracious, meticulous dad, Roland.  Pacheco grew up in Ybor. His dad had a pharmacy there. Pacheco had a showing and sale of some of his fine works in St. Petersburg recently. One is coming up here. 

    But the Boxing Induction Fame night was special.  The fighters inducted, there or not, gives you an idea of the depth of the sport here, fighters included Luis Rodriquez, Ralph Dupas, Willie Pastrano, Florientino Fernandez, Pinkton Thomas. Managers/trainers included Angelo Dundee (Ali), Steve Canton and Jimmy Williams. Promoters included the late Chris Dundee, a genuine pioneer here along with Yank Durham . Non participants but strong in the game inducted and present were Biero, Pacheco and Bob Goodman, so effective and selective here for so long. Special award winners were Phil Alessi, loyal to the sport always, Terry Trekas and Pete Fernandez, who now has a busy gym on Spruce Stret.
 
And look there moving around the room as he did the ring for so long world-wide was referee Brian Garry. See him, you’ll know him. One of the best. He lives here now in Tampa. Angelo Dundee lives in Land O’Lakes. He is spry as ever, smart as ever. You can always get a story out of Angelo. Why not? He worked the Ali corner forever, all over the world. He also remains without ego, unless the circumstance needs some of that. Ali had enough for both.

  “Shoot, I remember Willie Pep had a bar or two here, on Kennedy before it was Kennedy, and down here by the Cass Street Bridge, I think,’’ said Bob Goodman, to me. “Weren’t you once the executive secretary of the Tampa Boxing Commission? I know you’d do anything to get the sport going.’’

I admitted I was for Colonel Chasee before I was reminded it was a conflict of interest, and it was. I quickly excused myself and returned to more objectivity, I hope.