Trainer & Sculptor at “Boxing Superstars” Bash
Boxing trainer and artist Steve Harpst had a special exhibit at the recent “Boxing Superstars–Round 5” Meet & Greet hosted by the City of Pico Rivera’s Department of Parks & Recreation. This annual SoCal bash always draws a large crowd and this year’s gathering proved to be the biggest and best yet as the fans lined up two hours before doors officially opened.
Many champions including WBC and WBA Julius Jackson (son of Hall of Famer Julian Jackson), amateur star and brand new pro Eddie de la Huerta, WBA champ Art Frias, Paul Gonzales (Olympic Gold medalist), Jose “Pollo” Hernandez (MMA fighter) and more came by Steve’s display showcasing his specialty bronzes. This was the boxing coach’s fourth year in a row participating in this event attended by champions, fighters, and boxing luminaries from past and present. Not wanting to miss this highly-anticipated yearly event, Harpst flew in that day after having been in the corner of a 19-year-old amateur boxer at the USA Boxing’s Elite National Championships in Spokane, Washington. Newhall’s Damien Lopez, trained by his father David Lopez, made it all the way to the quarter finals. This was the team’s first time fighting in this prestigious tournament. Lopez represented the Burbank Boxing Club, founded by Harpst.
During the “Meet & Greet” (which was free and open to the public), Harpst was honored by the City of Pico Rivera for participating in this star-studded affair with champs like Mia St. John, Israel Vazquez, Alfonso Gomez and approximately 40 fighters/VIPs meeting the crowd.
Harpst’s pieces have been presented at many awards shows, Hall of Fame galas, banquets, live fights and charity events in the U.S. and Canada. Besides pro boxing, Steve has amateur boxing and baseball pieces installed in community centers and baseball stadiums. Coach Steve boxed and played baseball in his youth and has always loved the sweet science and sports. His love of the fight game and his world of art collided to create this current line of boxing bronzes and wall reliefs in his current collection.
The “Art of Boxing” really comes to life in his award-winning sculptures depicting pugilists in various stances. Boxing can be beautiful and brutal and the precious metal shows the stages of the sport from glory to defeat. Harpst has won “Fitness Instructor of the Year” many times and is also a California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee and was involved with the Golden State Boxers Association and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
This “knockout” artist was honored to once again take part in the January 24 Pico Park bash where fans got to meet the special guests in the boxing world. As fans came by his booth, he explained the time it takes to sculpt each finely-detailed statue from start to finish (with details about the original sketch, armature, clay, mold, bronze and patina). He has won “Best of Show” ribbons from community art shows. Steve says he enjoys reconnecting with those in boxing circles while making new boxing friends too.
“I enjoyed seeing everyone and meeting new people too,” Harpst said. “And it was great seeing the fans’ reaction to the bronzes.”
Boxing aficionado Mauro Echeveste and his family were some of the first fans to enter the building. Mauro, his wife Grace and their three kids made a beeline to Harpst’s booth when the say the boxing statue display. It turns out Mauro’s grandfather Luis Echeveste (from Fresno) was a pro fighter so the love of boxing has remained in the family. The family showed their appreciation of the lifelike art which ranges in small trophies to large sculptures all designed by the boxing coach/artist. The champs also loved seeing the sculptures up close and even lifting some of the heavy metal for photo ops!
Coach Steve also had the support of his boxing club members and friends (Maya, Leilani, Shelly, Heather and Carlos) who stopped by the Meet & Greet to check out the scene.
“I would like to thank Efrain Lee, Alfonso Gomez and the City of Pico Rivera,” Harpst spoke from the stage. “This is a great event with the fights and thanks for supporting the sport of boxing.”
He has remained dedicated to the sport for many years and continues to support worthwhile causes in boxing.
“Some people do a double take when they see me in the corner at amateur fights,” Steve laughs. “They might have met me at an awards dinner or luncheon where I’m wearing a suit and then next thing you know, I’m giving a fighter water or holding a spit bucket!” The Southland trainer and his young warriors often compete in weekend amateur shows and also plan on entering the upcoming Golden Gloves competition.
Amateur fighter Maya Roseman (also a co-trainer at the Burbank Boxing Club) has witnessed firsthand Coach Steve’s job in the ring, in the gym and at outside events with the champs. She has attended many of the celebrity events while also seeing Harpst in the corner. “It’s the ‘same’ Steve…but I also see a different side to him,” she comments. “He has a hand in a lot of aspects in boxing.”
Roseman received a first-place medal in the 2014 Oxnard PALs. She has known Steve for a few years and boxing has become a pivotal part of her life, having lost a whopping 88 pounds while training with Coach Harpst for over four years now. Maya enjoys supporting her coach when he appears at special functions like this Pico Rivera party.
“Steve’s not just my coach, he’s not just a trainer,” she adds, “he is an artist.”
The busy coach–and artist–says the transition from training young pugs in the gym to cornering amateurs to appearing on stage at awards galas is seamless. Multi-tasking is just part of the job, and one that he enjoys doing. And he notes he feels very fortunate to be involved in the sport and in different areas of boxing too.
The trainer/sculptor received awards from the City, State and Congress and was truly honored to be part of this year’s event!
Photos by Michele Chong
