MEMO
Sam Dehne, Lt Col, USAF (ret)

IF NEVADA WANTS A REAL-THING and HONEST BOXING HALL OF FAME,
IT MUST INCLUDE RING DOCTOR ED DEHNE AND ADMINISTRATOR AL MONTICELLI 

HERE ARE TWO LEADERS WHO MUST BE INDUCTED IMMEDIATELY IF THIS
IS TO BE A CREDIBLE HALL OF FAME. IN THE FIRST ROUND!
 


ONE.  Doctor Ed Dehne has to be inducted with the first group. He was the person who almost single
handedly saved boxing from nationwide extinction when the American Medical Association (AMA)
was hell-bent on having boxing banned back in the 1980s.
"Doc" Dehne traveled the nation at his own expense and gave innumerable lectures expounding
upon the many qualities of the sport.
This was often to the chagrin of his medical associates; most of whom thought boxing was too brutal
to be considered a sport.
(From Physicians' Journal: Neurologists first called for boxing to be banned in 1983. "There is
absolutely no way you can make boxing safe," said Nelson Richards, MD, a delegate from the
American Academy of Neurology who proposed the original resolution to ban the sport in 1983). 

Just as importantly "Doc" Dehne was the only ring-side physician in Northern Nevada for that long period of time.
He was the sole official from ringside for more than 7,000 professional and amateur fights during those many years.
The boxers he oversaw as the ring doctor is a plethora of famous pugilists.. from Sugar Ray
Leonard to Teofilo Stevenson to Larry Holmes to Evander Holyfield.. and myriad pros and amateurs
in between.
"Doc" Dehne, himself, was a world-class boxer in the 1930s; having had fights with a Who's Who of famous
boxers and holding his own all the time; while working his way through Medical School at Oregon University.


Here's more on "Doc" Dehne (click):
 http://www.renocitizen.com/drdehne.htm 


Doctor Dehne did many other great things for America and the World that were far beyond "just" boxing.
(click) http://www.renocitizen.com/drdehne.htm
 

But he was also one of the very most important people in the history of Reno/Nevada in both AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL BOXING
He was The Official Ring Doctor for more than 7,000 fights as Northern Nevada's ONLY boxing doctor for 15 years - 1970 and 80s.

This short story I saw LIVE epitomizes Doctor Dehne's ubiquitous never-ending spunk, gumption,
and moxie, and charisma.. when it comes to all things in his life. Not just boxing.

It was immediately after the Sugar Ray Leonard/Bruce Finch World Championship fight in Reno, Feb 15, 1982. 
The first Championship Boxing match in Reno in over 80 years. (That other was Jack Johnson, the only
person who might deserve being in the Boxing Hall of Fame any more than Doctor Dehne)

My dad, Doctor Ed Dehne, was The Premier and Primary Ringside Doctor for the fight.
My dad's backup doctor neglected or forgot to make Leonard pee in the bottle after the fight.
That pee examination was mandatory for fight to be official championship bout!  
As soon as my dad found out about the blunder, my dad and I went to Leonard's hotel penthouse.
There were 4 huge body guards standing outside Leonard's room.
Dad said,: Where's Leonard?
They said: What do you want him for?
Dad said: None of your business.
And went into the hotel room and got Leonard to pee in the official bottle.
While I got to sit making small talk with the big galoots.
Dad did thank the guards for their assistance as we left.
Without Doctor Dehne's unilateral quick thinking and brave poise there would
not have been a legally recognized Leonard Championship fight in Reno in 1982. 
 
That famous Reno fight would have been null and void without the pee.
MY DAD WAS ONE OF THE VERY FEW WHO KNEW THAT.
 
FACT!

Doctor Dehne  deserves to be in the Boxing Hall of Fame.. and much much more.
Without his courage in 1984 there would have been no legal boxing in Nevada.
For 20 years he was the ONLY Doctor with qualifications and desire to make Boxing
possible in Reno and Northern Nevada

~Sam DNA Dehne, Lt Col, USAF (ret)

The Physicians and Experts at "Immortality Medicine" Headquarters
Recognize Doc Dehne's Contribution to the Sport of Boxing (click)



TWO.  Al Monticelli also has to be inducted in the first Boxing Hall of Fame group.
It was Al who, virtually all by himself, oversaw all of Northern Nevada boxing operations as
THE go-to-guy in the 1970s and 1980s; up until his untimely death.
He traveled with "Doc" Dehne to more boxing tournaments than a person can count.
And he also joined "Doc" Dehne at many of those AMA (American Medical Association) "Ban-Boxing" Hearings.
Al was "Doc" Dehne's right hand man. Or maybe it was vice versa.
Anyway you look at it, they were one heck of a 2-man team. And essentially they WERE boxing
in Northern Nevada during those dark years. Along with the boxers.
Nobody has been more important to Nevada boxing than these two boxing Pioneers.
PS
For some bizarre reason these Pioneers have never been given the credit, honor, and recognition
that they deserve for their myriad noble aspirations and accomplishments.

WHY NOT!?!

Note:
Sam Dehne, was a pretty up and walking good Boxer and Trainer himself and
a 1960 Air Force Academy Champion, who was also a boxing ringside announcer
in Reno, Nevada.
World Hall of Fame referee and announcer, Arthur Mercante, once
asked Sam if he could join him in his ringside commentating.
Sam's erudite and extemporaneous understanding and reporting of the
actions in the ring left Arthur astounded. All he could say was,
"Sam you belong in Hollywood!"


 

BOXING'S DOC DEHNE AND COACH MONTICELLE
WERE ORIGINAL "RENO BOYS (AND NOW GIRLS) CLUB" PIONEERS!

Colonel "Doc" Dehne and Al Monticelle deserve everlasting Thanks and Credit for helping create the
"Reno Boys and Girls Club" back throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

This wonderful operation owes a great debt of gratitude to Doctor "Doc" Ed Dehne and Al Monticelli.
In the early days the main focus of the Boys (and now Girls) Club was Boxing.
Monticelli was instrumental in putting hundreds of boxing events together, and "Doc" Dehne volunteered
as the (mandatory required) ringside physician. THE ONLY PHYSICIAN IN RENO WITH THE BOXING SKILLS,
MEDICAL EXPERTISE, AND GUMPTION TO HELP THE AMATEUR BOYS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN!
This volunteer work by these original pioneers were the critical foundation and groundwork Chapters for what
eventually morphed into the popular Reno Boys and Girls Club.
Between the 2 of them they administrated more than 7,000 boxing matches throughout those early years
and into the 1980s prior to Monticelli's untimely death. These endeavors created a huge and loyal membership that provided
the basis for rapid increases in Club membership.
The dedicated volunteering by these 2 Pioneers, combined with fantastic support and the community is what created the
wonderful operation we have today.
Many people deserve a lot of credit for this praiseworthy venture.. ESPECIALLY these two gentlemen: Dehne, Monticelle!

(Note) These 2 leaders were also simultaneously The Driving Forces that saved boxing throughout the nation; when one of
the American Medical Association's top priorities was to ban boxing.

FURTHERMORE! Thelma and Ray Tavares were the other 2 who ran this primarily boxing show.  Thelma, Ray, Al, and Doc
(in no order of priority) were the every-day "operators" of The Reno Boys (and now Girls) Club in the 1970 and 1980s. Period.

Sam DEHNE

Letter to editor:

On a similar note "Doc" Dehne and Monticelle deserve credit for helping create the
Reno Boys and Girls Club back in the late '70s and early '80s.

SHAME ON THE RENO MEDIA AMATEURS! 
Reno Gazette REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE  2 IMPORTANT LEADERS!

This wonderful operation owes a great debt of gratitude
to Doctor "Doc" Ed Dehne and Al Monticelli.
1. In the early days the main focus of the Boys (and now Girls)
Club was Boxing.
2. Monticelli was instrumental in putting hundreds of Boxing events
together, and "Doc" Dehne volunteered as the (mandatory required)
ringside physician.
3. Between the 2 of them they administrated more than 2,500 boxing matches
throughout those early years and into the late 1980s prior to Monticelli's
untimely death.
4. The dedicated volunteering by these 2 Pioneers, along with fantastic
support from local business leaders like the Reviglios of Western Nevada
Supply and others, is what created the wonderful operation we have today.
5. These 2 leaders were also simultaneously instrumental in saving boxing
throughout the nation; when one of the American Medical Association's
top priorities was to ban boxing.
6. Many people deserve a lot of credit for this praiseworthy venture..
including these 2 Pioneers.

For Shame, RGJ!

 

Back to The Reno Citizen magazine.