Fundraiser for Israel Vazquez’s Family
Boxing champion Israel Vazquez (44-5 with 32 KOs) passed away on December 3, 2024 after bravely battling cancer. The warrior known as “El Magnifico” would’ve turned 47 on Christmas Day. He was a beloved member of the fight community and his passing has definitely left a void in boxing circles and beyond.
On Saturday, January 18 there will be a special fundraising event in honor of the late prizefighter’s family with 100% of the proceeds going to Israel’s wife Laura and their three children Israel Jr., Anthony and Zoe.
Alan is a former prizefighter himself with over five decades in the sweet science as an amateur standout and a pro boxer known as “The Matinee Idol.” He is also an international boxing judge, a business owner (Bay Cities Paving Inc.), the North American West Coast Supervisor for the World Boxing Federation (WBF), an award-winning author, a longtime actor, and he runs a nonprofit organization too! He is also a film producer, a Hall of Famer and a devoted family man with his wife Annamarie and their four grown children. Alan is a very busy man, to say the least. But he is taking time to organize and host this special fundraising event for the late Israel Vazquez.
Alan Santana’s 2nd Annual Bowling Tournament & Fundraiser (Benefiting Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez) will be held at the Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, Calif. Several boxing champs, celebrities and luminaries will all be testing their skills on the lanes as they take their best shots at bowling.
I caught up with Alan Santana, the organizer of this upcoming tourney. I first met Alan through the World Boxing Hall of Fame organization. He has always been very dedicated to the sport and is known as an enthusiastic supporter of the fight game. The Southern California former boxer held his very first bowling bash on August 21 in the City of Downey. Billed as Alan Santana’s Inaugural Bowling Fundraiser (Benefiting Fighters in Need) in conjunction with the World Boxing Council (WBC), the day was a knockout success as the ex-champions competed for first place honors.
And on January 18, the fun will continue and help raise money for the Vazquez family. I wanted to hear all about this bowling fiesta with the boxing stars giving their time to show their support to Team El Magnifico.
Alan is a former prizefighter himself with over five decades in the sweet science as an amateur standout and a pro boxer known as “The Matinee Idol.” He is also an international boxing judge, a business owner (Bay Cities Paving Inc.), the North American West Coast Supervisor for the World Boxing Federation (WBF), an award-winning author, a longtime actor, and he runs a nonprofit organization too! He is also a film producer, a Hall of Famer and a devoted family man with his wife Annamarie and their four grown children. Alan is a very busy man, to say the least. But he is taking time to organize and host this special fundraising event for the late Israel Vazquez.
Here is our exclusive chat. Hear what this 2nd annual tourney will be like, which champs will be bowling for strikes, why he stays loyal to boxing and how fans can join in on the fun!
Michele Chong: Hi Alan! Tell me about your upcoming bowling event and a fundraiser for Israel Vazquez’s family?
Alan Santana: Hi Michele! I received a phone call from my friend Chris Smith back in October and he asked me if I would put on a celebrity bowling fundraiser for Israel Vasquez because he had cancer and he was not doing well. My response was of course I could do that for him. I reached out to his wife and spoke with her on the phone to let her know what I was going to do for my friend Israel. I reached out to Fountain Bowl and the next day I secured the bowling alley for this event which will take place on January 18th at 2 pm in Fountain Valley, Calif. at 17110 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley.
MC: This is your second bowling tournament. How did you first get the idea to host these events with the champs?
AS: I have been involved with several fundraising events here in the Los Angeles area and around the country over the past several years to help raise money for fighters who were in financial need. I wanted to do something different than the traditional boxing show so I gave it some thought and came up with the idea to put on a bowling event. My first event back in August was a huge success and the monies that was raised went on to help several ex-professional fighters. I know that everyone loves to bowl and that it would be much easier to get people to show up for an event like this especially with our boxing family because we do support each other and are a tight-knit group of guys and gals. It is a brotherhood and we are one big family. My plans are to make this a annual event and to grow it and raise as much money as possible for fighters in need.
MC: What can people expect on January 18? Which fighters and special guests will be appearing at the Fountain Bowl?
AS: I chose Fountain Bowl because of its history and holding the Professional Bowlers Tour once a year in the past. The location is centrally located just off of the 405 freeway and easy to get to. We will have photographers there as well as press for this red carpet sporting event Gene Aguilera will be introducing the fighters who will be bowing in this event along with several actors who will be in attendance like Lou Pizarro (“Operation Repo”). Lou and I have been friends for years and he is very supportive and is a big boxing fan. Juan Bustamante who is the Bailiff on “Judge Faith Jenkins” and actor Wil Lopez will be in attendance (he just recently just finished working with Eddie Murphy). Wil and I met while on location filming a movie in Los Angeles several years ago and have been friends ever since.
Several former world champions will be on hand as well from Mike Weaver, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Paul Banke, former featherweight California State Champion Greg Puente, Arturo Frias and the Weaver triplets, just to name a few of the fighters who will be in attendance to support this event. We will also have a few PBA bowlers in attendance as well. Tina Marie Puente will once again be singing the National Anthem to kick off this fun event.
MC: And fans are welcome to come out and watch the bowling (even if they’re not on a team)? How can people purchase tickets to watch or bowl on a team?
AS: The general public is invited to attend this event to bowl or just hang out and watch. Tickets can be purchased via walk up on the day of the event. General addmission is $10 and $60 to bowl. Each team will consist of five bowlers and the three top scoring teams will receive beautiful medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. We will also have raffles for some great prizes and memorabllia for sale. Booths will be available for $50. Food and drinks will also be provided to all bowlers.
MC: What are you looking forward to the most on January 18?
AS: On January 18th when we all get together to celebrate the life of former world champion Israel Vasquez, it will be to honor this wonderful human being and friend. Israel always had a big smile on his face and was a huge fan favorite at the National Boxing Hall of Fame inductions held every year in Montebello, Calif. Most of all, we will be looking forward to just hanging out with a great group of people and have a good time bowling and raising money for Israel’s family.
MC: Speaking of boxing, you’ve been involved in it for over 55 years. How did you get your start in the sport?
AS: I was introduced to the sport of boxing (by my father Armando) as a young boy, so that I could defend myself against bullying. That turned into a 50-plus year career in the sport and a love affair with boxing. I have been able to travel the world as a supervisor and international boxing judge for several sanctioning bodies. I have met some wonderful people along the way and have remained friends with them as well. And I am still involved with the WBF as the North American Coordinator/Supervisor and have been with them for over 10 years now.
MC: You’re also an actor, an author, award winner and business owner too?
AS: I got involved with acting as a young teenager. A friend of mine, who I met at the Fabela Chavez Boxing gym while training, took me to Hollywood and introduced me to George Jay who was a talent agent. George signed me right on the spot and I worked on shows like “The White Shadow” and “The Dabney Coleman Show.” When you are a young kid and you get a check for $450 for working in an TV show, you instantly catch the acting bug. George was my agent for over 20 years and would often call my father and tell him that I could make it big if I would out more effort into my acting career.
My career was put on hold for several years due to other commitments from boxing to running a business and a nonprofit, No Teen Riders. I started acting at age 55 again and was written into my first movie about the life story of Raymond Mendoza who was the youngest hit man at age 16 and later on in life became an informant. Since then I have been cast in several movies as a reporter and police officer. I recently was contacted by casting for a role to play the Chief of Police in a movie titled “It Happened in Barstow” which will start filming in March. I have co-produced three films for Cedar Films and looking to get “ROGUE COPS” turned into a series for cable.
MC: And you’re also known as a devoted family man and a very busy entrepreneur too.
AS: I got married at 25 years old to my wife Annamarie and have been married for 37 years. We have four grown children, Victoria, Austin, Andrew and Arron. We recently became grandparents for the first time when Austin’s wife Kourtney gave birth to Jude Allen Santana.
In the past 37 years I started my company Bay Cities Paving Inc., wrote a best selling book to help educate boxers, athletes and business owners titled “Unprotected.” My book just recently won awards internationally and I will be attending an event to receive my awards in February in Arizona. I am currently working on my second book titled “PULLING A RABBIT OUT OF MY HAT” which is based on my life story. My business partner of 30 years, once told me that people would not believe the life that I have lived because of all that I have done and accomplished; he has witnessed all of it first hand.
MC: And how do you remain so passionate about boxing through the years?
AS: In life you need to be passionate first of all and never ever give up on whatever it is that you start. Find a cause that matters to you and get involved. Always finish what you start no matter what obstacles you have to overcome. Boxing teaches you that and also gives you the tools and regiment too get through life. If you can keep that formula intact you can make it in anything that put your mind to. Boxing will always be my first love and being part of a very special group of men and women who have been inducted into the National Boxing Hall of Fame and a family where we support one another and most of all give back to those who are in need. We are a boxing family to the end!
MC: Thanks, Alan! And here’s to a great event on January 18!
AS: Thank you for your support. It is truly appreciated.
For more info, you can contact Alan Santana here.
Photos/Flier courtesy of Alan Santana