Vive La Lucha in Los Angeles!
Holy Guacamole!
The popular Luchadores (Mexican wrestlers) were part of last weekend’s event I attended at Club 740 in the historic theatre section of downtown Los Angeles. Hosted by boxing veteran Adolfo Perez Sr. and his son Adolfo Perez Jr., the pugilistic pair promoted a ten-hour extravaganza combining both sports and music. Also in attendance was former light middleweight Sal Jasso.
“We had a great crowd of over 800 people,” Perez Sr. told me when I caught up with the former President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame after their promotion. “Everyone was really happy with all the performances at this ‘Vive La Lucha’ show; it was a lot of fun.”
For four decades, Perez Sr. has worked in almost every aspect of the sweet science as a fight broadcaster, manager, promoter, editor, publisher, TV station owner and so much more. Perez Jr. is just as involved in boxing and is currently an advisor to fighter Aalan Martinez, who is scheduled to fight in Utah soon. The father-son duo are also inaugural members of the Universal Boxing Hall of Fame founded by Perez Sr.; his son serves as Vice President of this new group. After two successful events this year, plans are already in the works for another Hall of Fame event in the upcoming year.
While boxing is their number one passion, the Perez pair also enjoys promoting Mexican wrestling shows that are a big hit with the fans and part of their Latino heritage. As the promoter and producer of the show, the elder Perez mentions that the show is on TV and is a huge draw in Japan too. Besides the Lucha Libre fighters, the “Half-Pint Brawlers” also took to the ring in bouts of midget wrestling.
Before the combat got underway, Ralph Verdugo, Club 740’s CEO/CFO, took us on a tour of the L.A. hotspot, where on this day three large stages and one boxing ring featured live bands and wrestling matches in a round-robin style. The club is in the original site of the legendary Globe Theater from the early 1900s, the current proprietor explains.
During the action-packed day, the attendees were able to roam the massive nightclub with its three floors rocking 30 bands who performed live during the show. This latest installment is the third concert and wrestling show that the Perez family has promoted at the venue.
During breaks between set-ups, I met with the Perez family and also the lively Lucha Libre guys. The four Mexican gladiators, representing World Power Wrestling, are also big boxing fans too. Meet Porkirio Jr., Red Spider, Sgt. Stryker and Wama, the costumed foursome who had the attendees cheering them on in the ring.
Viva La Lucha and see you at the fights!
Photos by Michele Chong