Alfonso Gomez & Champs Team Up With Pico Rivera!
It was a “knockout” night for the City of Pico Rivera as they hosted their 2nd Annual “Boxing Superstars Meet & Greet” at Pico Park on Saturday night.
This event, helmed by Alfonso Gomez and his brothers, Roberto Gomez and Jesus Gomez (“Zeuz”), Efrain Lee, Special Events Coordinator for the Department of Parks & Recreation and their team of sponsors and volunteers, was a weekend celebration open to the community.
I made the rounds in the large venue which was turned into a lively “House of Champions” for the evening. Each booth featured a champ, contender or prospect all coming out to show support for this “Meet & Greet: Round 2.” Last year’s inaugural gala showcased about a dozen prizefighters–and this year’s function more than doubled in attendance with both fans and fighters.
A remarkable feat pulled off by the show promoters was the fact they were able to offer free admission, free autographs and free raffle prizes for patrons in the surrounding communities. Families were able to come out and meet a boxing legend, kids were able to pose with their idols and boxing fans were able to score an autograph from heroes in the fight game as you’ll see in this exclusive report!
I caught up with Alfonso Gomez right before the show began. After fighting Canelo Alvarez last fall, the “Contender” favorite plans on coming back strong in 2012–while coming down in weight. He says he wants to fight at 140 and “make some noise” in that division. He was accompanied by his pretty wife, Dulce, and their adorable daughter, Heidi Luna. The other big news is that the couple is expecting their second child, a boy, later this year.
Gomez also has been busy with the band Hy3rid, which is coming out with a new album soon. He also told me he was proud to take part in this community event for Pico Rivera and that one of his dreams is to someday open up his own gym in the city.
Joining the WBC titlist were several other champion, contenders and prospects from both the pro and amateur ranks as well as trainers and other boxing notables. Mayor Bob Archuleta and Efrain Lee announced the VIP celebrity guests and brought them on stage for Certificates of Appreciation.
Champions and fighters Israel Vazquez, Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria, Efrain Esquivias, Enrique Ornelas, female star Kina Malpartida, Xavier Montelongo Jr., Denise Rico, Walter “Schoolboy” Sarnoi, Olympian Paul Gonzales, Ruben Castillo, John Montes, Oscar Muniz, Art Frias, Chango Carmona, Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon, Vitaliy Demyanenko, Luis Merced, Misael Elias, Hassan Chitsaz, kickboxer George Valdez, trainers Alfonso Gomez Sr., Mario “Big Yuca” Morales, Steve Harpst, Ben Lira, Gil “Candyman” Nieves, Alex Cornejo, Frank Martinez, Javier Adame, advisor Angelicque McQueen, Universal Boxing Hall of Fame’s Adolfo Perez, Azteca Boxing Club members, Team Cleto Reyes, among many other luminaries who came out to join the festivities.
During the three-hour fiesta, the aisles were packed with fans all clamoring to bump fists with the stars and get a glove or picture signed.
“The purpose is to give the families an opportunity to meet their boxing heroes, take pics and ask them questions without the pressure of time,” Team Gomez said, “and to also to bring boxers from all walks of life under one roof.”
In every row, the boxers all had special displays at their tables filled with championship belts and medals, glossy photos, T-shirts, videos and more. My vote for the coolest and most “unique” offering was Enrique Ornelas’ booth. With his wife, Mary, and three (Mateo, Diego and Damian) of their four kids in attendance, the couple handed out delicious homemade cookies shaped in a heart and decorated with edible boxing gloves! The champ’s wife is one talented cook with her amazing baked goods. The treats were a big hit with the crowd and I had a fun time chatting with the family.
The Solid Rock Boxing Gym was also in attendance with new pro Xavier “The Mongoose” Montelongo Jr. and top amateur Denise Rico also greeting the guests. Trainers
Gilbert Valdez and
Xavier Montelongo Sr. flanked the two rising stars who had their cache of shiny belts and medals laid out to share with the fans. Xavier’s next bout will be February 10 in the City of Vernon. “I’m going to be the main event!” the junior lightweight mentioned. The likable 19-year-old also had his own line of “Relik Realm” T-shirts represented at his booth.
During our chat, fellow fighter Walter Sarnoi came over to visit. Xavier and Walter know each other from the amateurs, have sparred before and are good friends. Sarnoi just won his main event bout at Pechanga and fights in a slightly lower weight class but I asked the two if they would ever fight each other? “YES!” both boxers agreed with a laugh, “If the money’s right, why not?” Walter says friends fight all the time. Glancing at Brian Viloria’s booth across the way, Sarnoi adds, “Brian and Giovani Segura are friends and they had to fight!”
And next to the guys was Montelongo’s stablemate, Denise Rico, a top-ranked elite amateur, who continues to make a splash in female boxing. Her brother Damien Rico is also an amateur champ and their mother Delilah Rico is a well-regarded volunteer official with USA Boxing. “I’ll be fighting in February next,” the talented slugger said, “in Colorado in the 178 division.” The female boxer got a huge round of applause when she was announced on stage during the night.
Another fighter who has a big match coming up is a very popular local, Efrain Esquivias Jr. Trained by Freddie Roach at the Wild Card, the Carson native also puts in time at The Rock gym and has a tremendous fan following in the Southland and beyond. His loyal supporters will soon be traveling to USC’s Galen Center as Thompson Boxing’s unbeaten super bantamweight will be on the ESPN card in a ten-round battle. “I can’t wait till February 24!” the beaming champ told me.
Another popular draw was Israel “El Magnifico” Vazquez. The former champ will always be recognized for his wars versus Rafael Marquez. The Mexican warrior opened his own in South Gate and says he enjoys seeing young champions train. He had two of his belts with him and let the youngsters pose with the precious hardware. “Where do you keep your belts?” I asked the puncher, who was with his gorgeous wife, Laura. “I have a display for them in my house,” Vazquez replied.
Israel then met up with the other champs for an impromptu photo op at boxing trainer and sculptor Steve Harpst’s booth. The California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee brought several of his award-winning bronze statues in a special surprise showing at this 2012 “Boxing Superstars Meet & Greet.” “I wanted to come out and support the show,” the coach and artist said. “I think this is an incredible event for the community and I’m honored to be part of it.”
There among the bronzed immortals, today’s current champs had a blast greeting each other and all the fans buzzed around the group. Hoisting their championship belts, there was a lot of gleaming metal flashed. These fighters have all sacrificed a lot in earning their world titles and take pride in what they worked hard to attain.
Giving respect to each and every boxer, this Pico Park party was a chance for everyone to shine–both amateurs and pros, veteran pugs and new up-and-comers, male and female fighters, champions and contenders alike.
“The Boxing Superstar Meet & Greet started last year from a collaboration of ideas with Efrain Lee from The City of Pico Rivera and me,” Robb Gomez, Alfonso’s brother relayed. “Twelve boxers made an appearance last year, leaving the city and the fans happy and wanting more! So in 2012 we did “Boxing Superstarts Meet & Greet Round 2.”
Alfonso Gomez spoke of all the hard work by his brother, Efrain Lee and everyone involved: “Robb and Efrain have done a great job planning everything. And we’re already looking forward to next year–it will be even bigger and better each year!”
On stage, the mayor also expressed the team’s appreciation. “We want to thank the boxers and the families of the fighters for all the sacrifices they make in boxing,” Mayor Archuleta announced. “And thanks for all your support at this Meet & Greet!”
All in all, it was a “knockout” night for the community with the boxers bringing everyone together.
Photos by Michele Chong
