City of Hope Event: LAPD vs. LASD
Professional prizefighters Amir Khan (26-1, 18 KOs) and Ray Beltran (25-5, 17 KOs) lent their support last night at the 18th 
Annual “Fight for Life” charity event pitting the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) against the Los Angeles Police Police Department (LAPD) in three rounds of amateur boxing.
I caught up with the two boxing champs who were there cheering on the hard-swinging warriors in the ring. Khan will soon be facing Lamont Peterson on December 10 in Washington, DC. but wanted to take time to root on these weekend warriors fighting for a good cause.
Friday fight’s night, benefiting the City of Hope, was held at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California and featured ten bouts of fisticuffs between L.A.’s finest. This City of Hope fundraising event is promoted to help battle back against cancer. It featured a packed audience including the L.A. Chief of Police Charlie Beck and California State Athletic Commission’s (CSAC) Executive Officer George Dodd, both who were in attendance.
The WBA and IBF Light Welterweight Champion “King” Khan said he really enjoys giving support to worthwhile causes like these charity boxing events, both in the U.S. and the U.K.
“I’m good friends with a few sheriffs who come train with me at Wild Card. I think it’s brilliant to be here and support a great event like this,” the Bolton boxer told me. “And it brings everyone together.”
Khan was watching the fights with Deputy Art Gonzalez, who has fought in past battle of the badges events.
They were cheering on two sluggers in the Sheriff’s Red Corner, Larry “Wild Card” Swanson and Mike “Sweet Feet” Hernandez, both who were donating their time and efforts in this “Battle to Beat Cancer.”
In the corner with Swanson was Khan’s stablemate from the famed Wild Card gym, Raymundo Beltran.
Ray, a USBA Lightweight Champ, worked with Swanson, who scored a TKO in the opening bout. Known as Manny Pacquiao’s main sparring partner, Beltran will be fighting in January. He was featured in the HBO “24/7” series about Pacquiao-Marquez and has been working alongside Pacman for over eight years.
During a break in between bouts, I teased Ray, “Where does Manny hit you? Where does it hurt the most?”
“EVERYWHERE!” the good-natured fighter said with a laugh.
Both Ray and Amir greeted the attendees and posed for photos with the amateur boxers at the gala.
Boxing brothers from the Burbank Boxing Club, Oscar Portillo and Albert Portillo (out of the Sheriff’s Dept.) had a blast meeting the fighters.
Another young fighter from the San Fernando Valley was excited–and inspired–to meet one of his heroes in Amir Khan. After Vaghik Grigoryan received of encouragement from the British puncher, the boy told me, “I want to be like him! I’m gonna train every day.”
Also greeting the champs were trainer/sculptor Steve Harpst (whose new “Fight for Life” bronze trophies were presented to the combatants) and Coach Rodrigo Mosquera (trainer of rising star Gary Russell Jr.).
And Team Khan’s support meant the world to the sheriffs and police officers giving it all in their ring, especially since Amir was heading out to Washington, DC the very next morning in preparation for his Lamont Peterson clash.
I asked the friendly Brit his thoughts on this upcoming matchup. Training with Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza, Amir says, “We are gonna be ready on December 10; I’m gonna put on fireworks. I’m gonna go in there like I always do and put on a great show!”
“Any prediction?” I inquired about next Saturday’s match.
“A late knockout or a unanimous decision,” Amir answered.
One thing’s for sure–last night’s event was a real knockout in raising funds for the City of Hope.
Check out these exclusive snapshots of Amir Khan and Ray Beltran at the 2011 “Fight for Life”!
Photos by Michele Chong