Ex-Champ Supports “Oldies But Goodies” Show
A champion is used to rolling with the punches and using fancy footwork while dodging an opponent who’s coming straight at them.
Former WBC Super Featherweight and WBC Featherweight Champ Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon hung up his gloves back in ’88. But at a recent music event held in Southern California, the slugger showed that he can still roll with the punches and pivot around while keeping light on his feet–and staying one step ahead of the game.
Showing off his “boxer’s shuffle” on the dance floor while also shadowboxing, the ex-world titleholder grooved to the tunes at JAM Promotions’ “Oldies But Goodies Show” saluting music legends at A Mi Hacienda in Pico Rivera. He “rock ‘n’ rolled” with the punches as the funky tunes kept the large crowd on their feet as you can see in some snapshots I captured at the lively shindig.
Hosted by boxing’s Josie Arrey-Mejia, this was a six-hour extravaganza featuring both music and boxing luminaries in attendance. Chan Romero (“Hippy Hippy Shake”), The Dew Drops, The Heartbreakers, Arlene Mendoza, Cannibal & the Headhunters and many more entertained over 400 people at the gathering.
Joining the former the two-time world champ Chacon were boxing referee/judge Gwen Adair, timekeeper Mike North (author of “At the Apron, A Night at the Fights”), promoter Tony Mora, cutman Tony Rivera, and LASD Boxing’s Hank Nagamine.
Mejia is the boxing coordinator from the Bell Gardens PAL Boxing Club, a program that she says it’s pivotal in “keeping kids off the streets and away from gangs.” She hosts amateur shows with the youth club and is also with the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Combining her love of music and the sweet science, this was Josie’s second gathering where music pioneers and legends (who were also in armed services) performed and were also honored in a special ceremony. Mejia presented Dan Alegria, Dan Rios and Eddie Torres Sr. certificates of achievement for their contributions in their field. A Color Guard presentation also was made.
Mixing in with the boxing group were hundreds of concert goers decked out in colorful Zoot Suits and nostalgic outfits from that golden era.
“It’s always great to have them be part of the show,” Josie told me in regards to the support from her boxing circle. The function was a big hit and she said she’ll be planning another music fest “sometime next March or April of 2012.”
Giving back to the community, she works tirelessly to help at-risk kids while honoring music legends of the past through these live concert events.
“My goals are to keep this going toward the kids that need help with money to buy books and supplies for college,” Mejia explains, “and to recognize the musicians who are now 
having health issues–and also who served in the service and have become ill. My family history is of service related in family who served in different departments, so I would like to keep this as honor to our men who served our country.”
And on this day, boxer Bobby Chacon scored a KO victory on the dance floor as he shimmied to the beat with his partner Rosie. Check out this video clip of the “Schoolboy” in action. Suffering from pugilistic dementia, the former world titlist still got to enjoy the music and let loose for a while as he and the audience reminisced about the “good ‘ol days.”
“I loved to see the express of the people faces when each song came on as they would go back into that song and remember what they were doing at that time…” Josie comments. “Crazy, but it was fun!”
And when boxing and music collide, it’s nothing but a knockout of course.
Bobby Chacon Dancing–Video Link:
Photos by Michele Chong