Boxing at the Bonaventure THIS Saturday
Southland boxing fans get ready to rumble THIS Saturday, April 19 as boxing returns to the famed Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
All Star Boxing’s Ed Holmes and Pete Hironaka brings the sweet science back to the storied Bonaventure Hotel with eight pro bouts scheduled for this Saturday night. The card had originally featured a clash between Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis and Vernon “Iceman” Paris but that contest was postponed earlier this month. The show will go on with Jose Hernandez vs. John Hays on the bill.
I attended their show in March and the All Star crew always gives their fans an action-packed evening. It’s a chance for local attendees to catch rising stars in action while checking out competitive matches in boxing, MMA and Muay Thai.
During last month’s show, the crowd favorites had the audience on their feet with ring announcer Jim FitzGerald on the mic ushering in five pro boxing matchups. The country of Kyrgyzstan was represented with Urmat Ruskeldiev having his hand raised in victory in his feud against Jamal Harris. Super flyweights Richard Rodriguez and Ricardo Alvarado faced off in a spirited six-rounder with Rodriguez winning a unanimous decision.
Rodriguez has a large contingent of fans behind him wearing Team Mosquera Boxing Management hats and shirts. Richard is trained by Rodrigo Mosquera, who has had a busy year with his Young Champions stable of fighters. Rodriguez will lace up again in May and as he continues his win streak.
And at these All Star Boxing shows, there were many familiar faces sitting and working ringside.
I caught up with Zachary “Kid Yamaka” Wohlman, a boxer from Wild Card. He is a local fighter with a loyal fan base; Zach will be featured on the May 17 Forum lineup. I also spoke with Walter “Schoolboy” Sarnoi, known for being both a college graduate and prizefighter. Sarnoi just graduated from the El Camino Fire Academy last Friday. While he will now suit up as a city fireman, he says he will also continue to box. Slugger Aalan Martinez was also at the fights, cheering on his stablemates. Martinez comes from a boxing family; his brother Aaron Martinez is squaring off against Josesito Lopez on April 24.
All the guys said they enjoy being at these club shows and watching the homegrown talent emerge through the ranks.
And after the final bell, I talked with a few of the veteran officials at the show. There was a trio of Denkins at the fights with longtime boxing judge Marty Denkin flanked by his son, David Denkin, and daughter, Jackie Denkin, nearby. Team Denkin are all working officials in the fight game and have worked years in the sport. Jack Reiss, another veteran referee, was also there. Reiss is a familiar “Third Man in the Ring” and recently traveled to Japan to work the Randy Caballero-Kohei Oba title eliminator. Kickboxing legend Blinky Rodriguez was also in the mix watching the battles in the ring as well as official Larry Landless, recognizable for his work in mixed martial arts.
The All Star fights always draw a large crowd and this Saturday should give the fans another night of good action!
All Star Promotions
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Doors Open: 5PM
Tickets: 323-816-6200
(All bouts subject to change)
Photo by Michele Chong
