Southland Sizzles With Annual Show
Boxing is alive and well in Southern California as evidenced by the weekend’s 2014 Blue & Gold National Invitational Amateur Boxing Tournament held at the Teamsters Youth Boxing Club in South El Monte. Pro fighters lending their support included WBC champ Daniel Ponce de Leon (who is currently training boxers), ex-pro heavyweight Stan Ward (also a trainer now), amateur star and current flyweight pro Seniesa Estrada (rooting for her teammate from Montebello PAL), USA California champ Ernie Chavez (cornering with Pacoima trainer and former pro Fidel Briseno).
I watched some of the sizzling action during Sunday’s championship bouts and the ring was really on fire with the amateurs going toe to toe for the winner’s medal. Hundred of young punchers (open and novice, male and female) signed up to compete in this annual show held August 28-September 1 in the San Gabriel Valley. Boxers from SoCal and also Vegas (Johnny Tocco’s) all hoped to get on the official brackets after Wednesday’s weigh-ins.
There are thousands of registered athletes through USA Boxing in the State of California and each weekend provides a chance to showcase their skills as they move up through the ranks. Many of the kids tell me they want to go to the Olympics or make it big in the pros. But first come these amateur matches where they learn the ropes.
The fighters and their families, the trainers and the USA Boxing team of volunteers have proven their loyalty to the sport. And even though it was the long Labor Day weekend, there was no break in sight for the USA Boxing corp who worked tirelessly this past week.
And after five days of weigh-ins and daily competitions, the hours in the blazing hot gym continued as the boxers waited for their time center ring. From the “Pee Wee Division” starting at just 8 years old all the way up the scales to the heavyweight adults, I saw plenty of heart and courage in the rounds. These kids and teens learn mental toughness leading up to the semi-finals and championship bouts.
The temperature in the gym continued to rise as the fighters readied for combat. Each day had full sheets of matchups with some days having to hold two sessions (11 a.m. and 6 p.m.) to meet the demands of the participants who signed up. I spoke to many of the boxers and coaches who had waited patiently for their turn in the spotlight. Some of the fighters were disappointed when their opponents didn’t show up thus moving on to advance via “walkover.” There were some boxers who jumped up in triumph when there hands were raised and many fighters who climbed through the ropes disappointed at their loss.
Win or lose, important experience is gained. And there’s always another show just around the corner to go after another victory.
During breaks in the action, I caught up with Coach Joe Zanders (USAB Director) and trainer Ben Lira (Tournament Host). Both men have decades of experience in the amateurs of Coach Lira also works with several pro fighters including Olympian JoJo Diaz, rising superstar Gennady Golovkin and more.
Coach Joe told me he’s overjoyed with the huge turnout of boxers. He also praised the dedicated team of officials who are judges, referees, timekeepers, and volunteers that make sure each bout is supervised with security and fairness. These volunteers put in 12-15 hours for five days straight as the stream of combatants continued from the 7 a.m. weigh-ins to Sunday nights last bout at 7:30 p.m. And on that day alone there were a whopping 54 matches originally scheduled! Yes, 54 bouts. USA Boxing’s Dick Jones, Delilah Rico (Chief of Officials) and all of the other judges/referees/ring physicians working these SoCal shows have made an impression on boxing veteran Joe Zanders.
Joe says these individuals work so hard to ensure each show is organized and ready on time. “These are the hardest working people,” he comments as we watched the bouts proceed. “We have a great group and Delilah Rico is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen.”
Delilah (known as “Momma D”) has been involved in amateur boxing for years; two of her children (Denise and Damien) are amateur champs. She was part of the 2012 Olympic Team of officials. You can find her ringside almost every weekend and is just one of the unsung heroes of the sport.
Another official putting in time at fights was Dominic Serna Sr. Dominic is also a ringside photographer and the father of Dominic Serna Jr. (“Lil D”) and dad to 10 children (baby boy due anytime now) with wife Michelle Serna (also a working USAB official and volunteering at the show while pregnant). Boxing is a family affair for Team Serna with boys Dominic Jr. and Blane having amateur experience. Dominic Jr., 15, won his division in this weekend show and will lace up next at the Jerry Ortiz Memorial Championship this Sunday. Young Serna currently trains with noted coach Lee Espinoza at the Coachella Valley Boxing Club and he is one to watch.
There were many fresh faces with the talent to go far. But time will tell which ones will have the true talent, diligence, intestinal fortitude and luck to go all way way. Part of the process is enjoying the journey that each amateur fighter faces during the long road to glory.
Longtime veteran Ben Lira has seen many prizefighters rise from the amateur ranks. He lives and breaths the sweet science and continues to work with both amateurs and pros. And he never tires of working with the young, hungry amateurs. “It’s really great to support the amateur program,” Ben tells me as we watch the little sluggers in the ring. “Through the years I enjoyed working with everyone affiliated in amateur boxing. And you see some of the best fights in the amateurs!”
As the matches continued, the 2014 Blue & Gold champs were crowned. The fighters have earned their bragging rights till next year’s tournament.
Congrats to all the entrants in this annual show.
Photos by Michele Chong
