Community Event with Scraptime Promotions
The fists were flying during Saturday’s special boxing exhibition held at the Simi Valley Town Center in Simi Valley, Calif. Several amateur fighters took part in the family-oriented Father’s Day event with Scraptime Fight Club coaches Robert Ortiz Sr. and his son Robert “Scrappy” Ortiz Jr.
While it’s not uncommon for father-son duos in the sport, Team Ortiz can actually boast of FIVE generations of fighting through the decades (Alfonso Ortiz, Mike “Top Dog” Ortiz, Robert Ortiz Sr., Robert “Scrappy” Ortiz Jr. and Timothy “Kid Hollywood” Ortiz). “Scrappy” and his son Timmy are currently fighting and both battled on Scraptime Promotions’ May 14 live professional boxing show; the pair will also both lace up on the just-announced August 13 show at the outdoor arena in the Simi Valley Town Center.
The Kid Gloves Boxing Gym is a popular draw with amateur boxers, professional prizefighters, weekend warriors and other athletes learning the skills of the sweet science. And now the Ortiz family is promoting their own pro boxing bouts with their recently created Scraptime Promotions. The August 13 bash is called “Fight Night 2” (Say No to Bullying) and the event will also honor boxing trainer Bernie Hopalian ((who passed away last July). The beloved boxing coach’s significant other photographer Jeanna Hopalian was at the June 18 exhibition capturing the action through her camera lens.
And it was nonstop action in the ring between several amateurs of all ages, levels and weight classes including young pugilists working with Team Ortiz trainers Robert Sr. and “Scrappy,” Steve Harpst (Burbank Boxing Club), Frank Silva (Silva Boxing West Hills), and more.
Robert Sr. welcomed all the participants and reminded the amateurs that this public exhibition was about being “an open workout and not war” with larger padded gloves. The teens and adults worked on their offense and defense without knocking each others’ blocks off and in turn, giving the spectators an up-close view of training and sparring. It was a chance to all work together and entertain the crowd at the community gathering which also featured a vintage car show, dance performances, live music, food vendors, a bounce house and caricature artist Elvis Manuel Cedeno (who will also make an appearance at the August 13 pro fights).
Team Ortiz has long been respected in and out of boxing. The father and son combo have continued to reach out to the neighborhood and help others in need with their Kid Gloves Boxing Foundation. They have held toy giveaways, classes for seniors with health issues, anti-bullying events, holiday parties, fundraisers for child abuse, etc. and also held a memorial for the late Bernie Hopalian at their gym.
Their boxing gym is a state-of-the art facility that has to be one of the cleanest gyms I’ve ever visited! As I toured the building, it was spotless and showcases all the amenities for their classes and workouts. Kid Gloves and Scraptime is definitely a family business as their crop of T-shirts proclaim: “Ready for War.” With “Scrappy” and Timmy both currently fighting (and representing the “Killers Only” line of merchandise), the Ortiz legacy is still adding chapters to their family’s history book. And there might even be a SIXTH generation gladiator in the future as “Scrappy’s” little son Bane, just 4 years old, stole the show with his natural abilities already showing in the ring. How could he not love boxing? As an Ortiz, he was born to fight!
It was truly a family affair on Father’s Day weekend with Robert Ortiz Sr., son “Scrappy” and grandkids Bane and Teagan, 11, also joining the crowd at the boxing exhibition.
It was a fun outdoor event and the amateurs all said they got a great workout inside the ropes. As I watched the punches fly, I noticed Robert Sr. working with both the males and females, bringing out the best in each individual. After so many years working in combat sports, the U.S. Marine, former bodybuilder and ex-pro fighter still loves the fight game. His dedication and passion for boxing is clearly evident as he shared his knowledge with his amateur sluggers.
And on August 13, Team Ortiz will have another memorable event with their “Fight Night 2” show!
Photos by Michele Chong