Welterweight attends weekend charity event
Welterweight Alfonso Gomez lent a helping hand at yesterday’s fundraising event for the non-profit Global Immigrants organization. The function combined boxing and music while the event organizers held a charity car wash at El Rodeo nightclub in Pico Rivera, California.
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Gomez (19-4-2, 9 KOs) came out and showed his support for the Latino community. The Mexican native was victorious in his May 1 bout against Juan Manuel Buendia (14-2-1, 8 KOs) winning by a TKO in the eighth round of an action-packed bloody war.
During his break from helping out at the car wash, I asked Gomez when he’ll be fighting again, what’s next for him? “Who do I want to fight?” Gomez answered back. “Anybody who wants to fight–I’m tired of calling people out. Right now I’m at the point where I’m training hard and I’m calling out all comers!”
Besides boxing, his second passion is music. The fighter told me about an appearance he’s really looking forward to that will showcase his musical talents. On June 14, Gomez and his brothers, Robb and Zeuz, will be performing live with their award-winning band Hy3rid at the Viva La Lucha Arts and Cultural Festival at Club 740 in downtown L.A. The upcoming Lucha Libre fiesta will feature music and entertainment from Latino artists, including Mexican wrestling and live bands. World Boxing Hall of Fame Board of Directors Adolfo Perez Jr. and Henry Vega, also involved in this cultural fest, invited the Gomez brothers’ popular band to play at the highly-anticipated concert.
And Vega enlisted Gomez and music producer Alex Enamorado to join him at Sunday’s event, where both music and boxing were prevalent during the day. Singer Ricardo “El Gavilan” Cerda also made a special appearance at the fundraiser. Vega explained, “The boxers and singers in the community agreed to help out with the organization. We all got up early to be here; we’re helping out Latinos and benefiting the community. Alex is my partner in the music venture and he, “Gavilan,” Alfonso, and I want to support Mr. Madrigal with all his efforts.”
Mr. Madrigal is Gabriel Madrigal, President of Global Immigrants LLC. He founded the charity after surviving a brush with death. “I was in a head-on car collision. This led to a vision, and I was given another chance to help others. I was given a sign, given one more chance to help others. So with what little money I had, I started Global Immigrants–this is about helping Latinos. We hold car washes, sell T-shirts, whatever we can do to raise funds.”
After the car accident that he considered a wake up call, Madrigal was determined to assist others in need. He tells me, “I grew up poor and my dad crossed the border many times. I was lucky enough, fortunate enough to come over from Mexico. I grew up and went to school here. And I owned a construction company. Now I can do something for others.”
The goal of the non-profit is to stop discrimination, abuse and neglect of immigrants and to help them to become strong productive citizens. “Changing lives one person at a time” is their mission statement.
So after a breakfast buffet at Mr. Charro’s restaurant in El Rodeo and interviews with local Latino networks, Madrigal, Vega, boxer Gomez and the group of Global Immigrant volunteers spent the day working to raise funds and to raise awareness about helping fellow Latinos in need!
Photos by Michele Chong: Alfonso Gomez, Henry Vega, Gabriel Madrigal work to raise funds for non-profit charity; Alfonso with brother, Robb, Vega, singer “Gavilan”, producer Alex Enamorado, and WBHF’s Steve Harpst; Gomez faces the cameras onsite