Boxing Trainer/Artist Honored in Tucson

Steve Harpst receives award at “Battle of the Badges” event

Boxing trainer and artist Steve Harpst was honored last weekend in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona at a special “Battle of the Badges” event with over 3,500 in attendance.

Show promoter and Officer Mark Doe, from the Tucson Police Department’s Gang Outreach Unit first contacted Harpst, who now resides in Los Angeles, to invite him to their annual show to receive an award.

For the boxing coach and founder of the Burbank Boxing Club, this was a great trip visiting his family and local friends. “It was like a homecoming, a celebration,” he comments. “I got so many phone calls from all my Tucson friends congratulating me on this award.”

Born in Toledo, Ohio, he moved to Arizona at age eight and boxed in the Police Athletic League as a youth. The University of Arizona graduate also worked for the Tucson NBC-TV affiliate, KVOA as an account executive for four years. Harpst, whose parents, Howard and Patty still live in Tucson, says he usually travels back home about twice a year.

The show was held last weekend with Sergeant Danny Denogean giving Harpst a hero’s welcome–a police escort upon his arrival at the airport!

Former Tucsonian Harpst, who has promoted his own amateur fight nights in California and Canada, says that boxing is growing as more boys and girls are finding their way into the gym. “It’s revving up right now,” the coach says. “Before the show, I had some time to visit a local gym in town, the 6th Street Gym. It’s a very spacious gym and full of kids on a Saturday morning.”

Later that night, the 2nd Annual “Battle of the Badges” was held in Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater and featured 16 bouts in front of a sold-out crowd. While police officers, prison guards and border patrol officers went head-to-head for bragging rights, Harpst was treated to a catered BBQ feast with the other attendees. With high desert temperatures at their peak in Tucson, the audience remained energetic cheering for their brave warriors in the ring.

“The event was in an outdoor arena,” Harpst says. “It rained a bit but then it got hot again when everyone got in the ring–then it really heated up!”

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Police Athletic League (PAL), which is sponsored by the Tucson Police Officer’s Association. This organization offers sports programs for juveniles. Many youngsters get their start in the PAL program while staying off the streets and away from gangs and drugs. Harpst, an award-winning sculptor of sports bronzes, is proud to be part of this benefit, “Anything that helps at-risk youth is great in my book.”

Officer Doe adds, “It was great for the fighters, great for the fans. It was good for the Tucson boxing scene; we’re happy to be part of it.” Their next scheduled show will be in August 2010 (a Police and Fire show) with a 3rd Annual “Battle of the Badges” taking place next September.

Harpst, who is also a World Boxing Hall of Fame Board of Director, sat with his parents at ringside and was brought up on the canvas to receive his award, a silver boxing trophy. He enjoyed meeting some local boxing personalities while attending the show, like female pro boxer Annette Agredano and former fighter Paco Flores (19-5, 11 KOs). “It was great to see the likes of fighter Paco Flores, who fought in the ’70s,” remembers Harpst. “My dad used to take me to all of his fights while I was growing up. We would go to see boxing at the Tucson Community Center. Paco was a warrior, he was fun to watch!” Flores and Harpst were both announced in the ring during the second intermission of the show.

Veteran official Bobby Ferrara was also happy to see Flores back in the ring for his round of applause from fans. “This was the first time I’ve seen Paco Flores in a very long time,” said the Ferrara, who worked the show as a referee. “Paco was in his middle twenties when I refereed his fights (in the mid-’70s). He was a warrior of a fighter; the people loved him.”

Ferrara adds, “This was a very impressive show with 14 of the 16 matchups really competitive–the fighters really gave it their all!”

After the amateur bouts ended, the ticket holders watched the PPV airing of the Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez fight giving everyone in the venue time to mingle and relax.

Harpst’s proud father and mother continued the weekend celebration with a dinner for some of his closest childhood friends, including Harpst’s best buddy who still lives in Tucson, Lee Cox Jr.

“Lee started with me in the gym. We’ve known each other since sixth grade,” explains Harpst, who was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008. “We both enjoyed amateur boxing. We also were on the same football team in high school–for Amphi High, the first undefeated regular-season team out of Tucson.”

Harpst and Officer Doe became fast friends during the “Battle of the Badges” show and the two plan to work together again soon.

“I think Mark is really doing great things for some underprivileged kids,” Harpst sums up. “Being recognized in my hometown in front of such a huge boxing crowd was incredible!”

Photos courtesy of the Harpst family and Alfonso “Fonzie” Lievanos: Harpst and Officer Doe with boxing belt; Visiting a local Tucson gym; In the ring with boxer Paco Flores; “Battle of the Badges” weigh-in and Fight Night