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About The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

In the United States, there are Sports Halls of Fame that honor professional and amateur athletes in football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball and other sports. There are also ethnic halls of fame that recognize outstanding athletes from different groups including Italian, Jewish, Irish and blacks to name a few. But, there was not a single sports hall of fame that would recognize, honor and salute the outstanding accomplishments/achievements and contributions of our Latino/Hispanic Sports Heritage not only from the United States but also those who came to this country from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Central and South America and from the vast talent from the Caribbean Islands. The Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame/Salon de Ia Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte was organized in Laredo, Texas in 1974. At first it was to celebrate, honor and promote local and regional individuals who had excelled at their particular sport but soon it opened the doors to include National and International Professional Athletes. It also recognizes as Sportsman of the Year individuals who continue to preserve and enhance our Latino culture, values and educational opportunities for our youth and who contribute to the betterment of the City of Laredo and South Texas. There have been since its inception an equal recognition of women athletes inductees. It was important to find role models for our youth and the organizers wanted to include all ages, regardless of sex in their programs. The Latin Hall was also created to promote economic development and stimulate business activity in downtown Laredo when local businesses are contracted to provide services to our inductees, their families and guests who visit Laredo during the annual 3-day welcome reception, media luncheon and induction banquet celebration weekend. Through the years. (1975-2014), and with limited amount of funds the organization has, had the opportunity to help the youth of our community with scholarships and other youth activity fundraisers. Plans are to have a Latin Sports International Hall of Fame Museum (downtown) (soon) which will be a first for the United States and to provide clinics (free of charge) to instruct our youth in different sports.

Mission

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1975 to recognize individuals with good and proper standing in the community, high morals and values and who have excelled in sports and/or have contributed to the promotion of sports and goodwill in the Latino community.


Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

47th Annual Induction Banquet

RUBEN OLIVARES

Boxing
World Bantamweight Champion - Los Angeles, 1968


Ruben Olivares often call ed "Mexico's Best Boxer of all time" because of the way
he would finish his bouts was born and raised in a poor barrio of Mexico City.
Olivares first won the Bantam Weight Title on August 22, 1968 by Beating Lionel
Rose at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Up to that time, Ruben had lost only once
on July 29, 1967 to German Bastidos. After successfully defending his Bantam Title to
many challengers all over the world, Olivares was TKO by Mexican Chucho Castillo in
1 October 17, 1970. The Champ recaptured his crown on April 18, 1971 at the Forum
with Veteran George Parnassus as the promoter. He stopped Chucho in the 10th round.
Ruben defended his Bantam Title more than anyone else in History . He also made more
money than any Mexican fighter during his boxing career. Ruben fought in the best
arenas in North and South America - and in Japan he was the Knowckout art ist of his
day with almost all of his challengers end ing up on the canvas. One by one Ol ivares
either kayoed or outpointed all his challengers including : T. Harada , Takao Sa kura i,
Allan Rudkin, Ernie De La Cruz, and Kid Pasqualito.
He later won the Featherweight Title ( 126) lbs.) and fought against such boxers in .
that division as Kuniaki Shibata , Vicente Saldivar and Pamoso Gomez.
Olivares biggest purse was $80,000.00 in 1971 when he kayoed Kalzuych i,
Kanazawa in Nagoya, Japan .