Huntington Park : Duarte Resigns as Boxing Coach of Athletic Program

Former world championship contender Frankie Duarte has resigned as head boxing coach of the Huntington Park Athletic Club, a city-sponsored boxing program to keep youths off the streets and out of gangs.

Police Chief Patrick M. Connolly, who helped organize the club, said Duarte resigned last month to take care of personal business. Connolly said he hoped Duarte, 35, would return to the position soon.

“We’re really going to miss him,” Connolly said. “He’s made a great contribution and we want to get him back as soon as possible.”

Duarte, a former drug addict and alcoholic, had a relapse before he accepted the coaching job last year. Connolly said Duarte’s resignation was not related to drug or alcohol abuse. Duarte could not be reached for comment.

Duarte had his biggest victory in July, 1986, when he won the North American Boxing Federation bantamweight championship. It capped a comeback from drug and alcohol addiction that had derailed his career.

Duarte had several championship fights but was never able to capture a major championship belt. He retired last August after losing a one-sided fight to Daniel Zaragoza for the World Boxing Council super-bantamweight title.