Champs at LAPD vs. LASO Charity Event
The 2012 “Fight for Life” show made history this past weekend when the event reached the million-dollar goal of raising $1,000,000 throughout 18 years of hosting this annual amateur boxing event that showcases Los Angeles Police vs. Los Angeles Sheriffs. The funds raised from the affair will benefit the City of Hope.
Friday night’s charity bash was a memorable one as you’ll see and hear in my Special Report about this fundraising night held at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello.
I felt the anticipation of over 2,500 fans waiting for the gladiators to enter the ring The arena was packed, the fighters in the dressing rooms ready for battle with the evening was dedicated to helping the City of Hope organization. The festivities kicked off with a moving guitar performance of the National Anthem by Ariana Infante, daughter of Lt. David Infante. The audience also witnessed a “Ten Count” and Color Guard procession.
Then it was time for the fireworks in the ring!
There were two special exhibition matches and nine bouts featuring sheriffs and officers hailing from the Rampart Division, the Twin Towers, Men’s Central Jail, Fugitive Division, Hollenbeck Division and more. The peace officers came out of their corners battling for braggin’ rights–and knowing they did their part in volunteering their time in the ring.
These “Fight for Life” shows were the brainchild of Officer George Lopez. A 1988 Olympian and Police Olympics Champion, Lopez decided to begin his own series of charity fight nights after watching a hockey game between the troops years ago. Fast forward 18 years later and George tells me that they were thrilled to reach their mark of raising one million dollars through the nearly two decades of putting on these boxing shows.
With his fellow officers and sheriffs, committee members, corp of volunteers, sponsors and fans, George is grateful for the support of everybody in the community.
Sitting ringside at the gala were the LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck, Sheriff Lee Baca, and a trio of professional prizefighters including WBC Featherweight Champ Daniel Ponce de Leon (fighting in February), two-time world champ Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon and Thompson Boxing prospect Richard Contreras (fighting in early 2013), plus many other city officials and luminaries in the fight game.
When the bell sounded, the men inside the ropes really gave it their all. Whether they had little or no experience in the ring or had several rounds banked away, each fighter received a huge ovation from the crowd. The policemen and sheriffs each brought their own fan bases who shouted their appreciation and chanted their favorite fighters’ names. The fight fans in attendance were wowed by the bouts–and at times, the roar of the crowd really took over the building. Hearing the patrons’ appreciation and watching the audience cheer, I could feel the excitement building with each and every round.
Lopez greeted everyone at the door, knowing some for years since the beginning of various shows/tournaments first held at the famed Olympic Auditorium. George has remained extremely loyal to the sweet science. “My heart’s still in boxing,” he states. “And these shows have helped us raise a million dollars through the years. Thanks to all of our sponsors like Steve Needleman and everyone else for all their support!”
And he is glad the fans continue to show up in droves for these “Fight for Life” shows.
The crowd came early–lining up outside the ballroom, awaiting the action that gives a boost to the City of Hope.
Before the fights began I chatted with George Lopez and also several of the show organizers, volunteers and trainers including Isaac Gonzalez, John Negrete, Al Fraijo, Byron Woods, former pro fighter Quran McMullan, and others. Officers Lopez, Woods, Negrete have boxed in past cards and John now is in the corner with the LAPD team. George, having fought in these recent shows, hopes to lace up again, possibly next year.
Lopez is a longtime veteran of the amateur boxing scene. He knew some of the USA Boxing officials from years ago and had a good time catching up with them ringside. I also met a team of hardworking and dedicated volunteers also made the night go off without a hitch. LaShawn, Pat, Nathan, Rambo, and Michelle were just some of the MVP volunteers that worked tirelessly to ensure a great night.
Lopez, the show’s founder, takes time again to give his appreciation to everyone who pitched in to make their yearly shows a big success.
And while the LAPD cornered the victories in the majority of the bouts, the co-main and the main captured wins for the Sheriff’s Department and “Fight of the Night” honors as well.
And whether they won or lost their respective bouts, Officer Lopez considers them ALL winners. I caught up with George a couple of days after the charity event to get his thoughts on the evening. “If you notice, the trophies didn’t say ‘First Place’ or ‘Second Place’ for a reason,” he mentions. “That’s because EACH fighter is a winner in our eyes!” The special trophies were made by boxing trainer/artist Steve Harpst and featured a brand new addition of the badge insignias set in the walnut wood base (George Lopez’s idea). Each warrior received a statue and each fighter really is a winner, Lopez attests.
George explains there’s always going to be a “friendly rivalry” between the forces, all really were winners in the crowd’s eyes helping the City of Hope in their “Battle to Beat Cancer”!
Congratulations to all the fighters in making “Fight for Life” a real knockout.
Photos by Michele Chong
