Local Fighters Return to Quiet Cannon

It was a KO show at Friday’s “Battle of the Rising Stars” show that rocked the house Friday night at the Quiet Cannon Country Club in Montebello.

Presented by All Star Promotions in association with the United Boxing Academy, this SoCal fight night has been a long-standing tradition in the Southland. All Star Boxing & MMA have promoted this popular live events at the Quiet Cannon and also the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

All Star Boxing’s Ed Holmes and matchmakers Pete Hironaka and Eddie Rodriguez provided the fans with eight bouts of toe to toe action from the opening bell to the final round. The audience was lively, the venue was popping and the fighters were slugging it out under the recently renovated arena. During one of the walkouts, there was even a live band (Monterrey style) playing in the ring.

Lending support at this May 20 bash were several familiar faces sitting ringside including pro fighter Aron “El Asesino” Martinez, former WBC Super Bantamweight champ Paul Banke, amateur champion Ryan Garcia and more. As ring announcer Jim FitzGerald introduced the special guests to the crowd, the attendees had a chance to get photos and autographs from the champs.

Aron Martinez has many memories of fighting at Quiet Cannon. The East L.A. boxer told me he had a great time on the All Star cards back in the day. In 2005, Aron had his second pro fight (against Solomon Tellez) at the Quiet Cannon and continued to fight several times there. The pugilist won the USA California State welterweight title at Quiet Cannon in 2007. He now has 20 victories as a professional prizefighter and has fought the likes of Robert Guerrero, Jessie Vargas, Devon Alexander, Josesito Lopez and more. His last fight was against Sammy Vasquez at the Staples Center in January of this year. Martinez suffered a minor injury in that match but hopes to be back in the ring later this year.

“The Real” Paul Banke was also enjoying the All Star show last Friday night. The WBC champ is known for his battles versus Daniel Zaragoza and was a fixture in the Southern California fight scene in the ’80s and ’90s. Banke had 21 victories as a pro and is still just as passionate about the sweet science. Paul continues to support both pro boxing and amateur athletes too.

Amateur titlist Ryan Garcia said he had a good time at the fights too. Just 17 years old, Ryan has won a multitude of titles, belts, trophies and medals. The blue chip standout has competed in the elite level for several years now. Team Garcia had a chance to take in the fights and meet those in the crowd.

The spectators had a knockout night meeting the special guests in attendance.

Aron Martinez posed for a lot of pics with the fans and even had some encouraging words for brand new fighters. One young amateur told Aron he just began training at the Eddie Heredia Boxing Gym in L.A. Martinez smiled and told the boy that that’s the very same gym he first laced up in! It all came back full circle as “El Asesino” also returned to his old stompin’ grounds at the Quiet Cannon.

You never know who you’re going to see sitting ringside at the “Battle of the Rising Stars.”

All Star Boxing’s NEXT SHOW will be July 8. Don’t miss it!

Photos by Michele Chong