Night of Olympians inspires boxing club
It was a powerhouse lineup last night at the Burbank Boxing Club in Southern California: Olympic Boxers Wayne McCullough, Henry Tillman, Shawn Estrada, George Lopez, Armando Muñiz and Walter Sarnoi were special guests during the “Evening with the Olympians” meet-and-greet at the Valley club.
As specials guests, the six fighters received a VIP welcome as they were introduced to the kids, teens and adults who had just finished their workout. After the announcements were made, a lively Q&A session took place as the youth had a golden opportunity to ask the gold and silver medalists questions about their Olympic experiences.
“We are so lucky to have five Olympians visit in one night,” Coach Steve Harpst, founder of the club, said. “They really inspired the kids. These boxers also went on to college, have 
successful careers and are champs who have achieved their dreams.”
And what a pedigree of boxers that came out to visit the club! These six men really do have fists of glory; they are certainly worth their weight in Gold, Silver and Bronze! Here are just SOME of their highlights in their prizefighting careers:
Wayne McCullough: WBC and NABF Bantamweight Champion, Ring magazine titlist, Two-time Olympian, Silver Medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Games, 1988 Seoul Olympian with an amazing amateur record of 319–11, over 100 KOs!
Henry Tillman: Gold Medalist in 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Silver Medalist in the Pan Am Games, and actor in “Rocky V.”
Armando Muñiz: Former welterweight and 1968 Mexico City Olympian (alongside George Foreman), college graduate, California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee, and current World Boxing Hall of Fame President (and 1993 WBHF Inductee). Will always be remembered as the “uncrowned welterweight” champ in his battles against Jose Napoles.
George Lopez: Represented Argentina in the 1988 Olympic Games, promotes “Fight for Life” boxing events, is an active police officer in L.A. and continues to fight in charity boxing shows around the U.S.
Shawn Estrada: “El Chamuko” is still unbeaten as a pro boxer. A role model from East L.A., Shawn was a Gold medalist in the U.S. Junior Olympics, silver and bronze medalist in many amateur tournaments, medaled in the PAL, Blue and Golds, and Pan Am Games Box-Offs, Gold medalist in international boxing tournament in Italy, and was also a World Cup fighter. Plans to step back into the ring this summer.
Walter Sarnoi: The “Schoolboy” remains undefeated as he does double duty as a grad student at Azusa Pacific. Competed in the Olympic trials, is on the Athlete Advisory Council for USA Boxing. The 2008 Golden Gloves champion is also a graduate of Northern Michigan University. A stablemate of IBF Champ Yonnhy Perez, Sarnoi speaks four languages and has traveled the globe. He will be traveling to China in June.
A fun show-and-tell also took place with these athletes who showed the kids some prized mementoes from their many accomplishments like championship belts, fight photos, scrapbooks, commemorative coins, framed awards–and an Olympic relay torch! As Mando Muñiz unveiled the authentic torch to the crowd, you could see the club members’ eyes grow wide in awe as they all said, “Wow!” Then the former welterweight and current President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame let the audience hold the historic torch as it was carefully passed around the gym.
Then it was “showtime” as one more very special guest was introduced. McCullough’s daughter, Wynona Leigh, is a singer/actress/dancer. It was a treat last night when she performed two songs for the attendees. The talented 12-year-old first sang “Party in the U.S.A.” and later closed out the evening with a soulful rendition of “Put Your Records On.” She also made friends with some of the young female boxers in the club as they bonded over boxing, music and of course, teen texting!
During the event, some of the youngest members of the boxing club were brought up into the ring for a presentation with the celebrity guests. The pro fighters were made honorary members of the Burbank Boxing Club and received T-shirts, hats and more with the BBC logo.
The professional boxers then stepped into the ring and showed the youngsters a little tricks of their trade. All six are still fast on their feet and showed off their hand speed too. While Tillman and Muñiz have officially retired from competing, McCullough, Lopez, Estrada and Sarnoi are still lacing up to compete.
Estrada and Sarnoi said they are both hoping to fight on the undercard of the June 19 Andre Ward-Allan Green in Oakland. And the “Pocket Rocket” Wayne McCullough is still boxing at age 39. The former Las Vegas resident is a fan favorite and was set to take part in this weekend’s “Prizefighter” competition in the U.K. Due to a hand injury, he was forced to wait this one out.
During the night, I watched as the veteran boxer hit it off with Estrada and “Schoolboy” Sarnoi, both just in their twenties, sharing sage advice about the ins and outs of pro boxing. Wayne told Shawn, promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, that he made his professional debut with the same well-regarded promoter, back when it was called Ten Goose Boxing. While Shawn and Walter are gearing up for their next battle on the canvas, the Irish-born boxer continues to train while his hand heals.
But the super bantamweight is not resting on his laurels at all, he really is still training hard and the proof is in the pudding that age is just a number. Do you need more proof that the 39-year-old is still in peak physical condition? I saw an impromptu “abs of steel” competition between McCullough and the younger fighter Sarnoi. They both pulled up their shirts to reveal washboard abs. The winner of this ab flashing? Could be a draw, but the Irishman may have edged out the Thai boxer by just a smidge. Hey, from the looks of it, thirty-nine is the new twenty!
While watching the macho shenanigans of these two tough warriors, I got a chance to bond with Wayne’s wife/manager Cheryl. The pretty brunette and I discussed our “sacrifice” during the night–we both were at the gym missing out on the live finale of “American Idol.” Since her daughter is a singer on the rise, the whole family has followed “A.I.” through the years. And I have to admit, I voted for Lee, as did the McCulloughs. But we all thought (as of last night) that Crystal would win! So a bonus to the evening was later finding out Lee DeWyze is the brand new idol! Okay, okay now back to boxing.
The pro fighters also had time to bond with each other in their own elite boxing fraternity. Everyone was surprised and happy that former Olympic boxer and current peace officer George Lopez took time to stop by the club–in his policeman’s uniform–before his call of duty began. Some of the boxers knew each other from way back and others met for the 
first time. Estrada enjoyed meeting McCullough, Lopez and Muñiz got a chance to reconnect, and Tillman reminisced with all about winning the gold medal. And Muñiz also got the chance to tell the pugilists about the November 19th World Boxing Hall of Fame banquet being held in Las Vegas for the very first time.
Mando really enjoyed meeting the club members and was also impressed by the McCullough performance. “The facility’s nice, the kids are really respectful and enthusiastic,” commented Muñiz. “And I really think after hearing Wayne McCullough’s daughter sing that Wynona is really on her way to success! She was so poised and did great.”
“By the time she’s 16,” further enthused the heavy-fisted fighter, “she’ll KO Britney Spears in the pop world! When a kid has talent, they have. She has it.”
Wayne was just a little older than his daughter when he went to his first Olympic Games at age 17. He told George Lopez that they were there at the same time during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. There were many other connections too; Muñiz and Lopez explained that they trained side by side over 27 years ago with the same trainer. Louie Aragi trained the two Olympians out of his garage, turning out a total of three Olympians in his tenure.
There were many highlights during the night of having the amateur boxers meet their heroes and hear words of encouragement during the high energy affair. The fighters were 
great in posing for photos and signing autographed pictures. Also taking part in the festivities were Cheryl McCullough, PR dynamo Rachel Charles, and SoCalBoxing journalist Igor Frank.
The kids were given a truly memorable evening in having this championship group spend time with them. And vice versa. Heavyweight Henry Tillman got a big kick out of meeting the BBC boxers. “I love their enthusiasm and I liked how the kids all worked together,” the slugger said. “Being around the kids can keep anyone young!” Speaking with the Olympian the morning after the event, he continued to rave about the visit, saying, “I really enjoyed being part of it–and I’m still wearing my Burbank Boxing Club hat!”
For the Olympic boxers and champs who shared their time with the club, they truly inspired future generations of boys and girls. The guys showed all the club members that through hard work, discipline and drive that they too can achieve their highest dreams. They have sacrificed much to reach their goals and inspired all in the room.
“Many of the kids here tonite ran up to me and said this was the best time of their lives,” Coach Steve added. Harpst founded the club 14 years ago and has been voted the “Best of Burbank” Fitness Instructor seven times. Said Harpst: “The club is so honored to have these champion fighters come talk to our boxers. It is packed here and a really, really fun night.”
The members of the Burbank Boxing Club really did have the time of their young lives last night–thanks to the six great boxers who shared invaluable insight and encouragement to all.
Thank you, Champs, for your winning ways!
Photos by Michele Chong, David Lopez, Angela Lopez