International Boxing Hall of Famer Don Fraser, who worked in numerous roles in boxing -- promoter, matchmaker, manager, publicist, writer, cornerman -- died on Oct. 30 at his home in Toluca Lake, California, the Hall of Fame announced on Monday. He was 92.
A 2005 Hall of Fame inductee, Fraser was the California correspondent for The Ring magazine in the 1950s, but that was just the start of a lifetime in the sport.
He served as public relations director for three Los Angeles boxing hotbeds, Hollywood Legion Stadium (1956-1959), the Olympic Auditorium (1959-1967) and The Forum (1967-1981), where he also spent years as the director of boxing.
At The Forum, Fraser promoted many fights, including the 1973 rematch between Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton. He also promoted fights involving Sugar Ray Robinson, Ruben Olivares, George Foreman, Jose Napoles, Salvador Sanchez, Carlos Zarate, Bobby Chacon and Danny "Little Red" Lopez.
From 1981-1983, Fraser served as the executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission.
After leaving the commission, Fraser returned to promote fights at the Olympic Auditorium from 1983-1984 and also ran regular boxing cards at the Irvine Marriott Hotel in Irvine, California, until 1992.
"Fraser did it all in the sport of boxing and dedicated his life to the sweet science," Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said. "Everyone at the Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing and remembering his many, many accomplishments."
