EL Scorpion Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, the new Mexican cantina and tequila bar located in the South of Fifth area of South Beach, will host Ferdie Pacheco for the launch of his new book Tales from the 5th St. Gym.
The 83-year-old world-renowned artist and iconic author will be onsite to introduce his 30th book, meet-and-greet guests and autograph copies in honor of the former site of the legendary 5th Street Gym, just one block south of the launch event.
It was at the 5th Street Gym that Pacheco was “The Fight Doctor” for boxing legend Muhammad Ali, as well as 12 other world champion boxers. The 272-page book chronicles the fascinating history of the 5th Street Gym (1951-1992) and features a wealth of photographs, essays and contributions from prominent writers and insiders including Tom Archdeacon, Angelo Dundee, Suzanne Dundee Bonner, Enrique Encinosa, Howard Kleinberg, Ramiro Ortiz, Ed Pope, Bob Sheridan and Budd Schulberg.
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WHERE:
EL Scorpion Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
433 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305.532.4544
Reservations for dinner available
Ferdie Pacheco, M.D.
Ferdie Pacheco, M.D. has been called a Renaissance Man because of his polifacetic career. He has been successful as a pharmacist, medical doctor and “Fight Doctor” in boxing, working as a corner man for 12 world champions, most notably Muhammad Ali for 17 years. He also served as a boxing commentator for NBC, Showtime and Univision, winning two Emmys. During this time he was the boxing consultant for NBC for 10 years. He has written articles, columns and reviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. He is a world-recognized fine painter, and has recently focused on Florida history, specializing in Ybor City where he was born of Spanish parents.
He has been exhibiting his work in galleries since 1983. The awards for his art include Gold Medal and First Prize in Tonneins, France and Best Colorist at Musee du Luxembourg in Paris. His paintings are in the collections of many leading personalities including Andy Garcia, Shirley MacLaine, Budd Schulberg and Petula Clark to name a few.
The 5th Street Gym
The 5th Street Gym got its start in the 1950’s when Chris Dundee began promoting big-time boxing in Miami Beach and it quickly became the celebrated “University of Boxing,” overseen by Chris and his brother Angelo. The ring vibrated under the feet of greats like Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Dick Tiger, Bob Foster, Johnny Saxton, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Ken Buchanan – and marked the beginning of underdog Cassius Clay, who later became boxing legend Muhammad Ali after training to fight for the 1964 Liston fight at the 5th street gym.
EL Scorpion Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar is located at 433 Washington Avenue in the SoFi (South of Fifth) neighborhood of South Beach. This neighborhood has become a destination spot for both locals and visitors, offering patrons a refuge from the congestion north of Fifth Street and offers convenient access via 395 for those coming from other parts of Miami and Broward County. EL Scorpion is open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday and 11am to 2am Wednesday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. For reservations and more information call 305.532.4544.
About TurnTable Restaurant Group
TurnTable Restaurant Group is the management company and developer of EL Scorpion and is planning to open another restaurant concept in the Lower Downtown neighborhood of Denver, Colorado will open later this year.