Golden Boy Statement
Golden Boy Promotions is extremely saddened about the loss of our friend and colleague Dr. Frank Ryan, who passed away on August 16 following injuries sustained in a car accident in Ventura County, California. Dr. Ryan was a mainstay at all of Golden Boy’s major West Coast boxing events, volunteering his time as an on-site plastic surgeon for participating fighters should they get cut or suffer a facial injury during their fights. He was a close friend of Ten-Time World Champion and president of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar de la Hoya, all of whose fights Dr. Ryan attended from 2002 until his retirement last year. As a promoter, De La Hoya requested that Dr. Ryan be ringside whenever possible to ensure that all boxers fighting on Golden Boy events were under the best and most immediate care should they get injured or cut during their fights.
“After any fight in which I was cut or suffered an injury, Dr. Ryan was always there for me from the time I left the ring until I was fully healed, even going so far as to accompany me to the hospital following a fight if necessary,” said De La Hoya. “He was an outstanding physician, a wonderful and charitable person as well as a good friend. On behalf of my wife, Millie and I, we send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Dr. Ryan sat ringside at Golden Boy Promotions events with his medical bag at the ready in case a fighter suffered a facial injury. From headlining superstars to four round fighters, he would render his services immediately following the fight by going directly to the injured fighter’s dressing room, examining the injury and giving the necessary treatment on the spot whenever possible, which more often than not involved stitching deep cuts in fighters’ dressing rooms. Dr. Ryan treated many of Golden Boy’s elite fighters including Oscar de la Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Israel Vazquez, Juan Diaz and Sergio Mora to name a few.
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, continued, “It was a comforting feeling to know that Dr. Ryan would be at our events in case a fighter suffered a facial injury. From the biggest name pay-per-view fighters to four round fighters that most fans have never heard of, he provided the same great level of care. All of us at Golden Boy Promotions are shocked about this tragic and sudden loss. He will be greatly missed.”
In addition to volunteering his time at fights, Dr. Ryan was also well known for founding The Bony Pony Ranch Foundation whose mission is to help underprivileged and underserved children and teens excel beyond their current situations and maximize their potential in life. The foundation accomplishes its goals by removing gang-related tattoos, birthmarks and scarring; through leadership and life training workshops and seminars; and through day camps and overnight camps at Malibu’s 26 acre Bony Pony Ranch.
GARY SHAW STATEMENT
Frank’s memory should not be about boxing, although he worked with my fighters. Frank should be remembered for his founding of The Bony Pony Ranch, and the great charitable work he did there for underprivileged children, as well as the work he did, pro bono, for former gang members, removing their old tattoos. But most of all, Frank should be remembered as a great friend, who always had a smile on his face, and was always available to help. My wife Judy and I will miss him.
