Q&A:
Don Chargin!
November 3,
2005
By Jose
Reyes at ringside
About
Don Chargin
Boxing
runs through Don Chargin's veins. He has been in boxing in
one capacity or another for more than a half-century. His
life in boxing began as a prizefighter in the 1940s, but his
career inside the ring ended rather quickly due to an injury,
so he became a boxing coach in order to remain in boxing.
Don learned the intricacies of the sport and his career took
off to the next level when he became a matchmaker and promoter.
Don first promoted a fight card at the age of 23, which dates
back to 1951.
From 1964
to 1984, he served as matchmaker for the weekly boxing show
at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, where he earned
the nickname Don "War A Week" Chargin. During this
time he promoted fighters like Bobby Chacon, Mando Ramos,
Danny Lopez, Pete Ranzany, and Carlos Palomino.
He later
moved to Sacramento, California, where he continued promoting
fighters like Tony "The Tiger" Lopez, Loreto Garza,
Willie Jorrin and Juan Lazcano. Chargin is also the senior
advisor to Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.
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Due to Roberto
"La Amenaza" Garcia and his climbing streak in the welterweight
rankings, the Rio Grande Valley has become the hottest boxing ticket
in Texas. Now it seems, it's only going to get hotter, as one of
the most seasoned and recognizable promoters in boxing has turned
his way towards the southern tip of Texas and "La Amenaza"
Garcia.
The sold out,
standing room only "Noche De Campeones" (Night of Champions)
fight card on March 10, which was televised live on Telefutura's
"Solo Boxeo" series, featured Garcia's unanimous decision
win over the cagey veteran Juan Carlos Rubio. The was co-promoted
with Marines Promotions alongside Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin,
was a giant success for all the parties involved.
Chargin spoke
in detail to Fightnews.com about his appearance in the Rio Grande
Valley and how Roberto "La Amenaza" Garcia is a young
prospect at welterweight to watch out for.
What
can you tell us about what you experienced here in the Rio Grande
Valley and this fight card of "Noche De Campeones"?
Starting off with the main event which is a terrific, terrific fight.
You know, you got two real warriors. I have used Rubio in probably
15 to 20 fights. He is a favorite on Telefutura and when Julio Marines
sent me tapes of Roberto Garcia, I just knew that this was a fight
for us and this just figured. It's the kind of fight that if Roberto
wins the fight, then he should be on his way because he is fighting
a tough cagey veteran that has been in with everybody and is used
to going into peoples hometown. He (Juan Carlos Rubio) boxed in
Philadelphia and he fought Michael "No Joke" Stewart and
was a prohibitive underdog, yet he fought a great fight and won.
So, him and Robert, I really just seen Robert on film and gained
the out most respect for him and to think that if he gets over this
spot it's going to be like cross roads fight for him even though
he has only been through 21 fights but he will be on his way, I
don't think there will anything stopping him.
You have been involved in boxing for many, many years and
associated in boxing with great people. One of them being Oscar
De La Hoys'a Golden Boy Promotions.
Yes, I am a consultant for Golden Boy Promotions.
Being that you are as you say consulting with Oscar, what
about managing and promoting your own? Because you have remained
very active in promoting as well as consulting. What prizefighters
are you managing and promoting currently?
Well, we have got Juan Lazcano, Oscar Andrade, Freddy Hernandez
and I have got four Casteneda brothers whom on April 21st all four
of them will be boxing on one card in Sacramento. We have got Eric
Reagan, we have got quite a few fighters.
What is it that you see in the Rio Grande Valley after this
fight card (Noche De Campeones), do you see your company coming
back?
Oh, definitely! Julio Marines and I, we think this is going to be
a long term partnership and I was so impressed here. I love this
little arena, the publicity on these shows, the fans! The turnout
for different press functions we've had have been tremendous. And
you know, with Mexican fight fans, you have got the greatest fight
fans in the world -- bar none. So, we are anxious to come back again.
We are already thinking about other dates to come back.
What do you foresee in the welterweight division? it is
just so thick now, with Oscar coming down to 147 and Sugar Shane
Mosely?
Oscar wants to come down. Oscar's fight (against Ricardo Mayorga
at 154) is so hot, you can't believe it. I talked to the office
today, and they said that tickets are going at a faster clip than
they did for Oscar's fight against Trinidad. Oscar is really pumped
up for the fight and we really look forward to see him have an outstanding
performance.
Speaking of Golden Boy, they have really come on strong. With the
development of the company, Golden Boy East, Golden Boy West and
even Golden Boy Mexico with Marco Antonio Barrera heading that,
did you have anything to do with that?
Well, yes. I am involved in the day to day things, but you know
I am also busy with my own company. Oscar is one of my favorite
people and anytime he calls I am there.
He is a world class fighter as well as a world class person.
He has said that his whole intent is to make things better in boxing
and its future.
Yes he is. He really is concerned about the fighters and this is
great for someone that has gone through the things that he has.
A person that knows the game and knows the falls and young fighters
will listen to him.
It was a pleasure talking to you Don because you have been
through so many events in the past couple of decades in boxing and
I can just feel the experience and years in boxing that you have
cemented. What would you like to say to the boxing aficionados from
the Rio Grande Valley?
I would say to the fans here, you have got a great young welterweight
(Roberto "La Amenaza" Garcia) and really back him up because
I think he is something special.
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