Mel Epstein
Mel Epstein was a boxing manager and promoter in the Western United States between the 1920s and 1970s. He originally started working with boxers in Butte, Montana, during the 1920s. While in Butte, he also promoted shows for the local American legion. Amongst the notables he worked with out of Butte, were; Young Firpo, Hubert (Kid) Dennis, Tiger Ray Cote and Ritchie Fontaine.
In the 1940s, Epstein would move his operations to Seattle, where he promoted in 1946 and 1947. After leaving Seattle, he resurfaced in Yakima, Washington in the spring of 1948, where he would work briefly as George Chemeres matchmaker. In 1959, Epstein would become the matchmaker for the Spokane Sportsmen's Club, most notably developing Kirk Barrow into a top-10 Light Heavyweight contender briefly. After leaving Spokane, Epstein, would move to Los Angeles, where he would continue to handle fighters until his death in 1980. Included amongst the fighters he managed in the 1970s while in Los Angeles were Mike Nixon, Rick Farris, and Randy De La O.
