Alex Ramos or Jacquie Richardson
Retired Boxers Foundation
Phone (805) 583-5890


For Immediate Release
December 10, 2002
Retired Boxers Foundation news release
Retired Boxers Foundation Founder, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos,
Receives Award at WBC Convention in Tokyo
Jose Sulaiman, World Boxing Council President and International Boxing
Commentator, Colonel Bob Sheridan, present Award to Ramos for his
efforts to help retired boxers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2002
Simi Valley, CA] On Tuesday, December 3, 2002, at the World Boxing
Council (WBC) 40th Annual Convention in Tokyo, Japan, the Founder and
President of the Retired Boxers Foundation, Alex "The Bronx Bomber"
Ramos, was presented an award for his efforts to help retired fighters
through the organization he founded, the Retired Boxers Foundation. At
the Opening Gala Dinner at the Tenku Hall, Tokyo Dome Hotel, Colonel Bob
Sheridan introduced Ramos to the WBC Convention attendees, which
included several current and past World Champions, including Oscar
DeLaHoya, Eric Lucas, Erik Morales, Jorge Arce, Masamaori Tokuyama
(Super Flyweight Champion from Osaka, Japan), Veeraphol Nakhonluang
(Bantamweight Champion from Thailand), and past world champion Jeff
Fenech from Australia. In addition to the Champions, the audience also
included several prominent WBC executives and board members, as well as
referees Bruce McTavish, Frank Cappuccino, Tony Castellano and Jay Nady
as well as other boxing dignitaries from over thirty countries.
Colonel Bob Sheridan introduced Ramos as a friend and a humanitarian
who, today, is putting his own needs behind those of retired
professional boxers who need a hand-up.

Joining Col. Sheridan at the
podium, was WBC President, Jose Sulaiman, who presented Ramos with a
large silver tray engraved with the words, "In Honor To Alex Ramos,
Retired Boxers Foundation, World Boxing Council 2002" surrounding a 3
dimensional golden WBC logo.

Sheridan told the story of Alex Ramos's glorious amateur career where he
won four New York Golden Gloves, through his professional career as a
middleweight, fighting under the management of Shelly Finkel and his
presence in boxing as one of NBC's "Tomorrow's Champions." He told the
audience about Alex's struggle with alcohol, drugs and women, and his
descent into what Alex himself calls "the darkness."

Sheridan focused more on Alex and the transition from his boxing career, to his
dedication of today, to the Retired Boxers Foundation-"Fighters Helping
Fighters." Sheridan said, "Alex was a contender during his career,
winning the 1984 USBA Middleweight Championship and the 1986 California
Middleweight Championship and a lot of us watched his career. None of
us were there when he was homeless, living on the streets. In fact,
most of us didn't know what happened to Alex Ramos." Sheridan
continued, "Alex's story is unbelievable. He picked himself up, got
sober and dedicated his life to helping other fighters who need a hand
up. He started the Retired Boxers Foundation and even though Alex has
virtually nothing himself, he uses every penny the Foundation gets to
help other fighters.

Now he's rubbing shoulders with all of the right
people, including friends of the President of the United States. "
Ramos accepted the award from Jose Sulaiman and Col. Sheridan, and
extended his heartfelt thanks to all of the people who supported him in
his journey back "from the darkness." He also complimented Sulaiman
and the WBC for their generosity in helping fighters and for their
efforts to make boxing safer. He said, "You don't hear the stories
about the good things the WBC does for fighters. In fact, as big as
this convention is, I am a shocked that all of the media that ask for
credentials for the fights, are not hear to cover this international
boxing event. " He said he wanted to make a point that the WBC
conducts training for ringside physicians, cut men, referees and all of
the boxing officials with 100% of their efforts to make the sport safer
as well as insuring that the sport is officiated by well trained and
respected officials. Ramos also expressed his respect for Sulaiman
and the WBC for "walking the talk" just like the Retired Boxers
Foundation, to do everything possible for the athletes, whether they are
in the ring or retired.

The Retired Boxers Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation started
by 1984 USBA Middleweight Champion, Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos in
1995 to help fighters in need, is leading a campaign called "Fighters
Helping Fighters" to inspire other fighters to help. Ramos started the
Retired Boxers Foundation because of what happens to professional boxers
once their careers are over. Because boxing is the only sport that does
not provide adequate pensions to fighters once they retire, too many of
them suffer in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a
dignified retirement.

For more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, "Fighters Helping
Fighters" program, call Alex Ramos at (805) 583-5890 or visit their
website at www.retiredboxers.org. The Fighters Helping Fighters
campaign has assisted over 100 retired professional boxers and their
families, including arranging surgery, tax consultation to clear up
problems with the IRS, legal services, rehabilitation services, Dignity
Bags for homeless fighters and fighters in convalescent homes as well as
financial assistance for the families.

Ramos takes between 15 and 20
calls a day from fighters and their families from all over the world.
He, along with RBF Executive Director, Jacquie Richardson, make
referrals and help fighters apply for medical assistance, social
security disability, rehabilitation services and legal assistance.
They also assist organizations interested in hiring retired fighters for
appearances and for speaking engagements. Just recently, they began a
program to help fighters recover their own cherished memorabilia that
has been lost or stolen.


One fighter got his Golden Gloves back.
Another got his championship belt returned by an old girlfriend's
mother. Just today, the RBF received an email from someone regarding
former Heavyweight Champion, Michael Bentt that said: "Hello, I have
come across many personal items of Michael Bentt's. There are a lot of
items that must have sentimental value for Michael. Many of his boxing
related memorabilia. These are personal one of a kind items that I'm
sure Michael would want back. Please have him contact me so I can let
him know what I have. I live in the Poconos near Michaels old home. I'm
sure Michael would want these back. Thanks, Jim."






Copyright 2002 Total Action Inc.