Benefit for Youth Boxing & Finding Freedom
Boxing champ Rico Ramos is used to fighting for titles and belts inside the squared circle.
Last Thursday night, he joined others in being a “champion for a cause” at Solongo Productions’ “Food, Wine & Music Festival” held at Con Sabor Restaurant and Lounge in Los Angeles. This was a special collaboration combining the boxing world and the global universe as funds will benefit Coach Joe Zanders’ nonprofit youth boxing program and Finding Freedom International (an organization battling against human trafficking).
In this exclusive inside look at the charity affair, helmed by boxing’s William Torres, see all the “champs” in action as they came out to support a worthwhile cause as the “Chatter Box” caught up with some familiar faces in the sport.
Taking time to help others in need was undefeated WBA Super Bantamweight champ Ramos (20-0, 11 KOs). Known as “Suavecito” in the pro ranks, Rico was also an amateur champion who’s been training out of Broadway Boxing Gym since he was just a little boy.
I asked the fighter, outfitted in a blue argyle sweater instead of his normal boxing gear, if he will be facing Guillermo Rigondeaux in the future. The two were reportedly going to square off during the Cotto–Margarito rematch. But the Goossen Tutor fighter is still planning to face southpaw Rigondeaux in an anticipated bout. The contest looks like it has been rescheduled–but now on a different card. “Yeah, I still want to fight him,” he said with a smile. “I think it’s gonna be in December.” With his black and gold championship belt around his shoulder, the L.A. slugger met the attendees and posed for photos in front of the Finding Freedom backdrop on the patio of Con Sabor.
Also at the fiesta were boxers and trainers from the area including boxing trainers Adam Thompson (Sportscene’s “Coach Adams”), Broadway Boxing’s Steve Jenkins, Burbank Boxing’s Steve Harpst, TRU Boxing’s Jerry “Whiteboy” Rosenberg, former fighter and current boxing advisor Cesar Garcia (Roy Tapia and Sergio Nuñez), amateur talents Luis Hernandez (making his pro debut on All Star’s November 26 show), Donald Brown, Christian Escamilla, female amateur Channelle Rodgers, veteran cutman Tony Rivera and Channel mun2 reality star Monica Weitzel (“Beauties and the Boss”).
During the evening, Weitzel and trainer Jerry Rosenberg had a chat about reality TV shows. On the outset, it appeared that the two have nothing in common. The glamorous Monica is a tall brunette bombshell comfortable on the red carpet while Jerry (known as “Whiteboy”) is one of boxing’s more colorful characters. While he may appear rough around the edges, turns out Rosenberg really has a heart of gold.
The trainer, currently working with Kassim Ouma and others at Jerry’s new gym called TRU Boxing, told me all about a reality show he’s hoping to launch in the future. But this concept is not about the boxing vet, it will be all about helping disadvantaged and high-risk youth. Rosenberg wants to reach out to these kids while having them live together under one roof while prizefighters and champions come visit and set them straight while inspiring them. Jerry shared the name of his new project while we chatted. “It’s called 12 Rounds to Recovery,” he said.
Besides the reality TV stars and boxing personalities, I also took time to meet the Finding Freedom spokesmodels Tera Shatsky, Ginger Michele, Billie Herwig and Jessica Zarins.
During the fundraising party, I visited with these ladies from Finding Freedom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the plight of human slavery and sex trafficking. I had a great time learning all about their valiant efforts through this group. The women fight for freedom for the endless cycle of young girls in Thailand being peddled in the sex industry. Raising funds to combat this atrocity, the gals offered an array of beautiful jewelry with part of the proceeds benefiting those caught in human trafficking. Finding Freedom was founded by Tera Shatsky and at the event, they handed out bracelets with the message of “Restoring Lives.”
The second organization being honored on this night was the nonprofit Long Beach Sportscene World Class Boxing, spearheaded by Joe Zanders. The longtime boxing coach was named as the U.S. National Coach who will be guiding our USA Boxing Team heading to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Representing the Long Beach gym was Coach Adams.
Fighting for freedom and fighting for USA Boxing’s future champs, the fundraiser hopes to make a difference in the lives of many. The evening also presented a silent auction with autographed boxing gloves and a prize raffle. Live entertainment was provided by DJ Calexico and a performance by the unforgettable Mariachi band of Mariachi Voces de Mexico.
Show runner William Torres was constantly in motion the whole night to ensure a KO success. I watched him greet new guests, introduce various sponsors to each other and caught him even bussing tables while balancing plates of food! And believe it or not, the date of this event just happened to fall on his birthday. But eschewing any lavish gifts or B-day blowouts, Torres chose to help others in need by hosting this fundraising effort. He also wants to give credit to many other individuals who reached out in assisting the two nonprofits.
“I want to thank all the sponsors and supporters in USA Boxing and the youth programs,” Willie mentioned to me during a break in the night. “Thanks to everyone for coming especially Raphael Rosemblat, who’s been great. And having champ Rico Ramos and Coach Adams from Sportscene joining us tonight means so much to me. I really appreciate all the support from the champs!”
The WBA titlist Rico Ramos, his young fellow fighters from Broadway Boxing, and all the patrons coming out last week were “Champions for a Cause”–pitching in with their time, money or resources to support Coach Zanders’ Sportscene program and Finding Freedom in a real knockout night.
Photos by Michele Chong
