'Golden Boy' Art Aragon, 80

Back when boxing was a big spectator sport in Los Angeles, Art Aragon fought major bouts at the Olympic Auditorium, Wrigley Field and Hollywood's Legion Stadium. He was "the top drawing card in L.A. boxing history," publicist Bill Caplan says in the Times obituary by Lance Pugmire. Aragon grew up in East Los Angeles, was romantically linked to actress Mamie Van Doren and "had friendships with starlets Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Sophia Loren and Betty Martin, the ex-wife of Dean Martin, among several others." Aragon suffered a stroke March 15 and died today at Northridge Hospital Medical Center after his family withdrew life support.

Photo: Los Angeles Times