Local fighters face off in Pasadena
Every champion fighting for a multi-million dollar paycheck represents thousands upon thousands of young boxers that hope to reach that same pinnacle of success. While only a sliver of all pugilists ever find the heights of that worldwide fame, many fighters begin honing their skills as a child while en route to making it big time.
And it usually begins in the amateur ranks. Amateur boxing, sanctioned by USA Boxing, remains strong in the U.S.
Weekend boxing shows are a common sight in cities around the nation with gyms bursting with many talented up-and-comers. While their names aren’t household names just yet, these young amateurs could someday be the new faces in the Olympics or pro boxing. For now, the early morning weigh-ins, getting a match and fighting for a victory are their top priorities they face while also juggling the classroom and piles of homework too. These students of the fight game all have hopes of becoming an Olympian and each win inches them closer to their dreams.
I caught up with some familiar faces in the West Coast amateur boxing scene at the recent card hosted by Coach Fausto De La Torre. He held an action-packed show at the Villa Parke Community Center in Pasadena, California for fighters of all ages, both male and female. The Los Angeles area is a hotbed of boxing with many amateurs fighting every weekend.
At this SoCal show were 14 bouts with competitors from Wild Card Boxing Club, Duarte, Santa Fe Springs, Outlaws, Flash Boxing, ELA CYC, Burbank Boxing, Monster Boxing, Riverside, Azusa, State Street, Refuse to Lose and more all squaring off in the ring.
Before the fights began, I chatted with one of the unsung heroes of USA Boxing, Melanie Ley. She is an official who has spent over 26 years in the sport. Ley’s seen a lot of the elite talents come up through the ranks during almost three decades of working as an official. She remembers Floyd Mayweather Jr., the “Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya, the late Diego “Chico” Corrales and many more that she witnessed as young amateur champs. While not everyone can be like a Mayweather Jr. or a De La Hoya, the boys and girls keep punching their way toward the top.
And who says the sport of boxing is giving way to the ever-growing MMA?
“There are over 20,000 registered fighters in USA Boxing,” Melanie confirms. “While only a very small percentage make it to the top, boxing is a GREAT outlet for kids. They learn self discipline and self confidence and learn how to ‘fail’ successfully.”
Each fighter usually faces defeat along the way; coping through the loss and learning from the deficit can only help these youngsters mature and learn how to handle loss in and out of the ring.
Pasadena’s boxing trainer and show host Fausto De La Torre knows how important this is for the youth. He’s been coaching at Villa Parke for over 18 years; he first began going to this Pasadena center back in 1984 as a member and young fighter himself.
Fausto remains passionate for the sport and his number one mission of helping kids in the gym.
“It’s my passion–it’s what I love to do!” the humble De La Torre told me during a break between bouts. “My goal is to build champions who are educated and successful in life.”
On this day, he was in the corner with tough female fighter Tamara Espinet. The veteran trainer coaches both amateurs and pros.
Also at the show were members of the City of Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Department including Bill David (Pasadena Parks & Rec), California Hall of Famer Victor Valenzuela, trainer Henry Ramirez (Josesito Lopez, Chris Arreola, etc.), boxing official/former fighter/current radio host Krysti Rosario, trainer Ramon Espada and fighter Irina Gospić from the U.S. Intercollegiate Boxing Association, trainer/sculptor Steve Harpst, pro fighters Roberto Crespo and Carlos “The Solution” Morales and more joining the large crowd in the gymnasium.
There were some spirited scraps inside the ropes with no fighter holding back. The amateurs often fight with heart and courage that belie their age. Coach Fausto’s next amateur show will take place on December 14 and plans are also in the works for a special tribute to Southland fighters Vanes Martirosyan, Dominic Breazeale and Eddie Lopez.
Check out some of the snapshots from the Villa Parke show which included a performance by singer Emily Rose Morrison (known as “Emii”), a booth display with Laced Up Boxing Apparel and rousing bouts between some of SoCal’s thriving amateurs.
Photos by Michele Chong
