The beauty and brutality of the sweet science
THIS Friday night, Thompson Boxing Promotions will offer another night of highly-charged SoCal action in their “Locked ‘N Loaded III” card. And earlier today, I heard the official announcement that the pride of Lowell, Massachusetts, “Irish” Micky Ward, will be a very special guest at the show!
Everyone’s been already buzzing about this fight night with the upcoming Riverside gym rivalry between Jose “El Niño” Reynoso (12-3-1, 1 KO) and Hector “Teco” Serrano (13-0, 5
KOs) in the main event. They will go toe-to-toe for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight CABOFE belt. Co-main will feature Efrain Esquivias vs. Ephraim Martinez, along with four other bouts scheduled. Confirming with the promotion, it’s already close to a sell out as the popular Ward, best known for his fierce trilogy with Arturo Gatti, makes an appearance on the West Coast.
So with the newest “Locked ‘N Loaded” installment quickly nearing, I decided to take a visual look back at promoter Ken Thompson’s second show of this “Locked ‘N Loaded” series with a photographer who experienced live boxing for the very first time!
I offer you a look through the green eyes of a camerawoman who normally shoots rock stars and the hippest Hollywood celebrities. Here’s my description of her first foray at ringside:
With muscles rippling and faces grimacing, the gladiators leave it all in the boxing ring as they fight till the final bell. With each painful body shot and every wicked left hook, they release grunt after grunt that emanates deep within their guts as they duke it out for glory.
For professional photographer Amy Opoka, these thrilling performances are nothing like the exciting and world-famous artists she normally shoots. Having photographed Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey and myriad of others, these satin-trunked warriors on the canvassed stage were something new for the award-winning 
photojournalist. But for the Chicago-born lensman, she found these athletes JUST as exciting as any top recording artist.
And as we boxing aficionados all know, most fighters really are skilled “artists” at their craft. I respect every warrior that climbs up those steps toward the ring. It’s not for everyone, and those capable of lacing up as professional prizefighters deserve our respect. With the camera strap around her neck, Opoka gave respect to the fighters through her digital lens.
Amy accompanied me at Thompson Boxing’s July card at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. Full aware of my love of boxing, she had wanted to know what this crazy sport was all about. Ask and ye shall receive. So embarking out to the Inland Empire, we attended the summer “Locked ‘N Loaded II” fight that showcased some non-stop action between Alberto Herrera-Sammy Gonzalez, Efrain Esquivias-Jonathan Alcantara, Jonathan Arellano-Hugo Ramos and Manuel Delcid-Carlos Hernandez.
After introducing her to Thompson Boxing’s official photographer Carlos Baeza and the row of other professional shooters lined up against the apron, Opoka was ready to witness her very first live boxing match ever. These veteran boxing photographers were all so helpful and gracious to this “new kid on the block” in boxing.
And the young woman certainly showed bravery of her own, as she took the position right near the blue corner. We all tried to “warn” her of all the blood and sweat that could come her way, but she quickly learned on her own of what being inches from the corner really meant–as the sights, sounds and flurry of activity in that one-minute break began to unleash.
While the rounds were taking place, she leaned back with the quick reflexes that the lensmen learn fast. If you don’t get out of the boxers’ way quickly, you could get stomped on–or worse, your camera equipment could be in danger! When the three-minute wars ceased, the frenzied activity in the corners then began. I had given Amy a heads up to NOT wear white while covering boxing. She didn’t. But she did get doused with a steady shrapnel of water, perspiration, blood…the basic DNA matter flicked off from these brave men in battle. Undaunted, she kept her focus and kept clicking away.
With her lens pointed just inches away from the boxers, she captured some evocative images you can now view in this special pictorial.
Finding the artistry and pugilistic rhythm of the sweet science, Amy found minute details that perhaps many of us who are used to boxing may tend to overlook. But Opoka is no stranger to photographing sports. Always in-demand, she has traveled the world shooting pro basketball, baseball, football, cycling, track and field and more.
But since this was her first chance at shooting boxing, I was curious to hear her thoughts on the evening.
“It was so intense! The fighters are so passionate about what they’re doing,” the pretty blonde remembers. “They were in the zone–completely in the zone! I don’t even know if they hear people yelling at them. It makes you wonder.”
We also chatted about how the lens can makes things appear even closer–so each punch could look like it was coming right her way! Kinda scary for a boxing newbie. Just inches away from the wars, she was also impressed by the heart, will and tenacity of all the sluggers. “Sometimes you can see physically that they’ve been beaten,” she observed. “But they still did not give up!”
The Columbia College graduate is now based in Los Angeles and is a freelance photog, primarily in the entertainment world. Her photos have been seen around the world in various print and online publications including Time magazine and Entertainment Weekly. Her sought-after and creative vision has also caught the attention of actor Johnny Depp, director Tim Burton, musical stars Ne-Yo, John Legend, Green Day, The White Stripes, Christina Aguilera, Jason Derulo, Phil Collins and Genesis, just to name a few.
But the perky photographer is open to shooting almost anything and her work has taken her to locations as far as Jamaica, Italy, Amsterdam, England,
France and other countries. This year, she also toured the U.S. with Owl City (with hit record “Fireflies”) and hot new singer Lights.
So is she hooked on boxing now? Or is it “one and done” for Amy?
“I would definitely try it again!” Opoka laughs.
She, along with other Southland fight fans, can have another shot at it THIS Friday night, September 17 when Thompson Boxing Promotions will offer another night of SoCal action–“Locked ‘N Loaded III.”
See you at the fights!
“Locked ‘N Loaded III”
Friday, September 17
Doubletree Hotel
222 North Vineyard Avenue
Ontario, California
For tickets: (714) 935-0900
Doors open 6:30 p.m/ First bell 7:45 p.m.
*Bouts are subject to change
Photos by Amy Opoka/ www.amyopoka.com
