Meet & Greet with the Boxing Stars!
The “Boxing Superstars Meet and Greet–Round 3” is in the books as the City of Pico Rivera and the Department of Parks and Recreation hosted this third annual event this past Saturday night.
The “Chatter Box” was there to bring you this special report and exclusive snapshots from the community event attended by a KO group of prizefighters and champs. The bash was organized by Efrain Lee (Special Events Coordinator) and Robb Gomez (Hy3rid) and featured autographs sessions, photo opportunities and a free prize drawings for the guests.
The line began forming early; the families in the neighborhood looking forward to meeting their favorite champions up close and personal.
Champs and fighters appearing included current boxers Alfonso Gomez, Mia St. John, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Leo Santa Cruz, Miguel Vazquez, Urbano Antillon, Efrain Esquivias Jr., George Faavae, Emanuel Medina, Lalo Robles, Hassan Chitsaz, and former fighters Paul Gonzales, Bobby Chacon, Oscar Muniz, John Montes Jr., Art Frias and Rodrigo Contreras. Also showing support was Mayor Gustavo Camacho, WBC Supervisor Rudy Tellez (“The Mouthpiece Doctor”), “Battle of the Badges” coaches Alex Cornejo, Frank Martinez and Gil “Candyman” Nieves, trainers Clemente Medina, Alfonso Gomez Sr., trainer/sculptor Steve Harpst, Cleto Reyes’ Guillermo Moreno, Kiriat Moreno and Lorenia Gaxiola. The music world was represented with the band Hy3rid’s Robb Gomez, Alfonso Gomez and Jesus “Zeuz” Gomez greeting the crowd. Also at the function was a budding star, Paris St. John. The 20-year-old is a singer and model and definitely has championship genes in her make-up. Paris is the 
daughter of WBC Champ Mia St. John and actor Kristoff St. John.
Mia and Paris were a KO team and a popular draw at the boxing bash. St. John will be taking on Cecilia Braekhus on April 13 in Denmark. The busy fighter also continues to donate proceeds to El Saber Es Poder, the nonprofit foundation she founded.
During the night, the boxers had a chance to reconnect with each other in a reunion of sorts while some got to meet each other for the first time.
Many of the athletes took time out of their training schedules to meet the fans.
Heavyweight George Faavae is looking to make his pro debut on February 22. This was the first time the slugger had attended the Pico Park gathering. He and his stablemate Efrain Esquivias Jr. met with the kids and represented Adrenaline Fiends Sport Apparel.
Several other punchers have fights lined up in the near future: Daniel Ponce De Leon locks horns with Jayson Velez on March 2, Miguel Vazquez is facing Ricky Burns on March 16; Mia St. John, Leo Santa Cruz, Alfonso Gomez and Efrain Esquivias all plan to lace up in April.
But these SoCal sluggers wanted to take time to give back to their loyal fans and show support for the Pico Rivera area. They had photos, gloves, posters, T-shirts and more available for the attendees. The champs also received Island Boost natural energizer drinks at the Harpst bronze statue display with complimentary samples sponsored by Island Boost.
The legendary Cleto Reyes glove manufacturer, equipment and boxing product company also had a surprise for the attendees. They built a mini-ring in front of the stage where the celebrity guests were greeted by the City of Pico Rivera Mayor Gustavo Camacho. The mayor presented the special guests with Certificates of Appreciation while several of the champs spoke to the audience assembled.
Mia St. John said she was proud to be “Pura Chicana” and reminded all the kids to believe in “Si Se Puede” (the phrase on Robb Gomez’s shirt). Olympian Paul Gonzales told the youth to dream big and continue to strive for the top. Leo Santa Cruz also spoke at the podium. The champ told the crowd that he came to the inaugural meet and greet back in 2011 when he was an up-and-comer. Leo promised back then he would return with a belt and on Saturday night, Santa Cruz proudly shared his IBF championship belt with the boys and girls who came to meet him. Santa Cruz also had his family with him including his new baby girl.
For many of the boxers, it was a family affair with the pugilists bringing their spouses and children with them.
That is the goal of this yearly fiesta–a family-friendly atmosphere in a fun, casual setting where the community can get to know the boxers.
And Team Gomez, Efrain Lee, Mayor Camacho, Charissa Manor (Recreation Manager), Selina, Jesus, and the rest of the city employees all made sure the boxing stars received an enthusiastic welcome at this year’s Meet and Greet.
“Boxing enthusiasts of all ages were able to meet some of today’s boxing superstars under one roof,” Mayor Camacho told me. “Hosting the gathering of these many champions in the City of Pico Rivera was an honor.”
And fight fans can look forward to Pico Park–Round 4 in 2014 as this event continues to grow bigger each and every year.
Here are my exclusive photos from the night!
Photos by Michele Chong
I was there and was a good event .
Got a chance to talk to all the boxers one on one …
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