"Toto" Penagaricano Receives High Honor From PRPBC
Last Thursday, at the offices of the Puerto Rico Sports and Recreation Department in San Juan, the Puerto Rico Professional Boxing Commission held the annual awards ceremony. The Commission gave the following awards:
Fighter of the Year: Miguel Cotto
Promoter of the Year: Miguel Cotto Promotions
Prospect of the Year: Félix Verdejo
Manager of the Year: Ricardo Márquez
Miguel Cotto was unable to receive his award because he is currently in camp in Los Angeles for his upcoming June 7th bout in New York. Héctor H. Soto from Cotto Promotions was there to receive it.
The event had the presence of many Puerto Rican former world champions. Among others, Cholo Espada, Alfredo Escalera, Victor Callejas, Iván Calderón, Juan Manuel López, Rafael del Valle, John John Molina, Alex Sánchez, and Daniel Santos were present at the occasion.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the Sports and Recreation Department wanted to pay homage and respect to longtime commissioner Jose "Toto" Penagaricano. Penagaricano has been a commissioner for over 42 years and has always provided his services without any compensation. The Department relocated the gallery of champions, where all 71 Puerto Rican ex-world champions in history are on display, and dedicated the building to Penagaricano.
The event had the presence of several top politicians on the Island, who were there to support Penagaricano. Among others, Secretary of State David Bernier and Attorney General César Miranda. Also present were all past chairs of the Sports and Recreation Department, specifically current Secretary Ramón Orta, and David Bernier, Henry Neumann, Georgie Rosario, and Leo Gonzalez.
