Ramon Espada Hosts Amateur Show
Attention “Chatter Box” readers! With the long Memorial Day weekend coming up, what could be better than fun in the sun and boxing by the beach?
Former fighter and current boxing trainer Ramon Espada is hosting his annual “Rumble in Venice” amateur boxing show that offers all of the above THIS Sunday, May 29 in Venice Beach, California. For boxing fans who want to soak up the sunshine, this “rumble” in the ring will offer 25 bouts sanctioned by USA Boxing and best of all, it is FREE and open to the public. I caught up with the San Fernando Valley trainer as his mega event nears.
Ramon is a familiar face in amateur boxing and last fall he hosted a special L.A. Collegiate Boxing Invitational Fight Night with dueling teams of USC vs. UCLA. Now that the weather is warmer, Muscle Beach will be the place to be this Sunday as amateur pugs from both California and Nevada will be ready to square off right in the middle of legendary Venice Beach. Espada told me he is really looking forward to plenty of exciting matchups where fans can scope out some of the best talent in the amateurs. You may also see some professional prizefighters that have been invited to attend as well. In previous shows, several pro boxers have come out to show their support for these future champions.
Presented by Imaging 3, hosted by Espada Boxing in association with Joe Wheatley Productions, this year’s “Rumble in Venice” looks to be their biggest show yet.
With the beach showdown just a few hours away, I checked in with Espada during a break in his busy schedule.
Michele Chong: Hi Ramon. Congrats on your upcoming show! This isn’t the first time you’re hosting this show, right?
Ramon Espada: Hey Michele! Thanks! I really appreciate it. It’s our fourth annual show, and this show would not have been possible without our new sponsors Imaging3 and my partner, Joe Wheatley.
MC: I’ve heard great things about your Venice shows. What was last year like?
RE: Last year was great! We had our best turnout and enough boxers to do way more than our usual 25 bouts.
MC: Can you tell fans who are interested in attending what the “Rumble in Venice” is like?
RE: It’s free to the public and we will feature 25 amateur bouts sanctioned by USA Boxing. My clubs, Espada Boxing, USC and UCLA will be featured as well as boxers from all over SoCal, including Gio’s, Wild Card, Ten Goose, All-American Heavyweights and several other clubs from Oxnard, Vegas, San Diego and the Antelope Valley.
MC: Sounds like a good lineup! And what are you looking forward to the most about this Sunday?
RE: The show has grown every year we’ve done it and I expect that to keep going. I look forward to all the clubs representing to put on a great show as usual and give boxing fans a glimpse of the future of boxing. SoCal nurtures some amazing talent in the pro game. And this is where it all starts–in the amateurs.
MC: And what’s nice about this is fans can enjoy a day at the beach too. The show is all outdoors?
RE: It is outside and we have the ring under a canopy. It’s on the basketball courts–the same one where Kobe filmed his commercial!
MC: Oh yeah, that’s a cool location!
RE: “White Men Can’t Jump” was also filmed there too…and the movie “Breakin.” (Laughs)
MC: (Laughs) It sounds great. Hope you have a fun show, Ramon–and good luck to all the boxers!
RE: Thank you so much!
Fight fans who want to catch some great amateur action, be sure to join the “rumble” on the courts–and in the ring.
Don’t miss out on the 2011 “Rumble in Venice”!
See you at the fights.
“Rumble in Venice”
Sunday, May 29
*FREE Admission*
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Venice Beach (Basketball Courts)
1800 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA
Photos courtesy of Ramon Espada