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My name is Lester Bedford, a frequent employer of Ricardo's, and most importantly, a friend, as so many of you are. I am in the business of managing and marketing professional boxing events. For many of the events I have co-promoted here in El Paso with various promoters, Ricardo was a trusted and valued employee.
I come here today, to represent those in boxing who were lucky enough to meet and work with him. Most couldn't be here today, because they are scattered throughout the country. I not only speak for myself, but for all those whom he worked with and for, including;
- Oscar De La Hoya, the six-time world champion and his company, Golden Boy Promotions
- Hall-of-Fame promoter Bob Arum and the employees of his company, Top Rank
- his many friends at HBO, which includes all those in production, as well as announcers Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant
- the many media members in El Paso whom he worked closely with while working on various events here
- Carol Roberts and her staff at UTEP and the Don Haskins Center
- the Univision and Telefutura networks
- ESPN Friday Night Fights
- the many fighters he worked with, whom had such great appreciation and respect for him
- and the many sponsors and ticket buyers he served
In the last two days, I have heard from most all of these group and individuals. I can tell you, in boxing terms, the decision was unanimous; we too lost a great friend and colleague.
No matter who I spoke with, all were deeply saddened. He was a tireless worker, invaluable to any promotion, but more importantly, he loved life and the Lord and was a great example to us all.
I'd like to read statements on behalf of two of his friends in boxing, Oscar De La Hoya and John Micale, Vice President of HBO.
- Oscar De La Hoya
- On behalf of myself and all the employees at Golden Boy Promotions, I'd like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Ricardo.
- I'd like for all to know that Ricardo was a true friend and a pleasure to have working with myself and Golden Boy Promotions staff over the past year. I know that he was an invaluable asset on the two promotions we did there in El Paso this past year.
- I saw and spoke to him over the weekend in San Antonio, where he was working on the fight for HBO. I know that he made the trip to be part of a great event. He was so enthused about being there and helping make it a success, which he certainly did.
- The few times I had an opportunity to visit him, I know that he had a true passion for the game of boxing, helping promoters and fighters, as well as people in general.
- It is my desire to honor him not only today, but also at the next boxing event I promote in El Paso. We at Golden Boy would like to honor him before the boxing fans of El Paso by sounding the traditional 10 count of the bell, the ultimate tribute to a fallen friend of boxing. He is truly deserving of boxing's highest honor.
- Once again, my heartfelt condolences to all close to my trusted friend, Ricardo.
- John Micale, Vice President, HBO Sports
- It is a rarity in any business when you meet someone who is a light to others. Ricardo was a clear light and a unique young man. He came to my attention here at HBO many years ago as an enthusiastic, good-looking kid willing to do anything to help out and be near a sport he admired and loved. He would call every time he knew we would be in an area he could get to, and there wasn't anything we couldn't ask him to do that he wouldn't do both quickly and effectively. You could feel his excitement at any event when he was involved and I always told him I expected great things from him. It was clear he had the talent, the creativity and the drive.
- I was surprised one day when we were speaking out by the TV trucks about philosophy and life to find out we shared a commonality in that he was deeply religious. He would tell me about how he would incorporate his faith into his work and his life, and relayed stories about how he had begun to work with young boxers and expose them to a different take on morality and integrity. I will miss Ricardo deeply, but know that he is in
- a place for which he seemed headed right from the beginning.
- I hope I can meet more people like him in my life and pass on the warmth and the inspiration with which he provided all of us at HBO that were lucky enough to work with him. God bless you Ricardo, and take a lot of pictures. Sincerely, John
After fielding calls and emails from so many of Ricardo's friends, I felt it was my duty and privilege to come here today to tell the world that Ricardo Lujan was a winner and finished on top.
An old mentor of mine had told me once that what you do till you're 35 doesn't matter much in business. Make friends, get out there and network, work with the best at whatever it is you want to do. Build a foundation and you will be in a great position to prosper down the road. Ricardo was a great example of a young man who had laid a solid foundation. He had done all of these things and done them well. With his desire, determination and dedication, the sky was the limit for him, not only in boxing, but for whatever field he chose. He had many friends rooting for him, ready to help in whatever it was he wanted to accomplish. He was a student of the game, eager to learn, help and make a difference.
As good as he was at his work, and I can tell you he was my favorite and most trusted employee over the years, it is the way he lived his life that left the biggest impression on us all.
I'd like to tell a quick story before I finish, which best describes him and the way he lived his life. Less than two weeks ago, we were all working hard on a boxing event being promoted by Oscar De La Hoya, right here in El Paso. The main event fighter was Angel Manfredy. Angel had risen to the top of boxing, becoming a world champion, but had a troubled life. Supposedly, he had turned his life around and was a born again Christian. Unfortunately, he had professed his faith before, only to falter again.
The night before the fight, Ricardo and myself had been working late on the fight. I eventually left and went to join friends who were having dinner at Café Central. I finally called it a night, walking into the hotel lobby around 1:00 AM. There was Angel, walking in as well, at 1:00 AM. I was sure he had messed up. My first thought was, "what the heck is a fighter doing up at 1:00 AM the night before a fight?" I nodded, said hello and noticed he had a bible under his arm. Before I could say anything, he told me he had been out at a bible study. To be honest, knowing his history, I wasn't sure I believed him. But then he told me...it was with, our friend Ricardo. I was relieved for Angel, and thankful for Ricardo. While many others were out partying, drinking or whatever, Ricardo was comforting this man by the name of Angel who had been tempted so many times by the Devil.
I could stand here and tell you many similar stories, not all having to do with his religion, just examples of what a decent man he was. But then again, we all have our stories about Ricardo. He truly was a wonderful pleasant man. That's who he was to all of us, even in boxing. He was a determined young man on his way in business. But more importantly, he had accomplished so much as a person. He was a hero in life to all of us and a great example of how we should live our lives. He thought we were the teachers. But all along, he was teaching us a much bigger lesson.
In closing, I have met world champions, CEO's of major corporations, the president of the United States, All-Star baseball players, Hall-of-Fame boxers and promoters. Even the great Muhammad Ali and many others who have accomplished great things. Many had fatter wallets, bigger reputations, but none had a bigger heart or were a better human than Ricardo Lujan. He leaves an extremely wealthy man, with many loving family members, friends and a lasting that will never die. We will miss him, but never forget him. He was one of the greatest champions of all time. That's right, in the biggest game of all, life, Ricardo Lujan, finished on top. The decision is unanimous, Ricardo Lujan, champion of the world. Now in the real Hall of Fame.
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