[professordp]

I got interested in this when I was scanning the picture of the 1965 ring card girl (see my post there) which was taken at the Hacienda. The hotel had quite a history (there's even a book about it). Built in 1956, it was the first "family-oriented" resort in the city. Unfortunately the wrong family (Soprano-types) gained control. It was imploded in a rather dramatic event (you can find video of it on the Net) New Year's Eve 1996. Boxing promoter Bill Miller began running Tuesday night fights there from 1964 to 1966.

It was a small venue (1,700 max) and pretty cheap--even back then. Ringside seats went for $5.00 and general admission was $2.50. Ferd Hernandez appeared there regularly as did Ernie Lopez, Denny Moyer, and Don Fullmer. I guess the high point was Hernandez's decision over Sugar Ray Robinson on July 12, 1965.

During the late 1980s-early 1990s there was some brief activity. "Jazzy" Jeff Mayweather was a regular feature with Nigel Benn and David Vedder also having bouts at the Hacienda. Ray Mercer won the IBF Intercontinetal belt there in 1990 and Scotty Olson staged a defense of his USBA Flyweight crown as well.