Comedian Willie Barcena to Host Fundraising Event
Meryland Gonzalez may be young and little but she is strong and mighty.
The amateur star from Watts, California has been training for over seven years now and has made a name for herself in USA Boxing while winning many medals, belts and trophies along the way. She has a dream of going all the way to the 2024 Olympic Games but that will take a lot of time, hard work, and most importantly, money.
That’s where famed comedian Willie Barcena wants to help. The Southern California funnyman is a big boxing aficionado. I can personally vouch for him in saying he loves the sport, is humble, and really wants to reach out in helping the youth. The father of three sons first got involved in boxing years ago.
“When my sons Willie Jr. and Fabian were little (like seven and nine years old) I would take them to different boxing gyms,” Barcena tells me. “And my youngest son Camilo has also trained.”
Yesterday, the actor/writer and his friend Joey Molina (cousin of just-retired pro fighter and fan favorite John Molina Jr.) went to Casillas Boxing Gym in Lynwood, where Meryland trains with coach Sal Casillas.
“I met her, her father George and coach. She’s a really likable kid who has a dream,” Willie mentions during our phone chat. “Meryland has good energy, a good aura. I want to reach out and hold a fundraiser for her in January or February of next year.”
Training and competing in amateur boxing can often take a hit in the wallets of hard-working families like Team Gonzalez. Traveling to shows and tournaments with flights, hotel rooms, meals, equipment and more all adds up. So anything helps. This is where Willie wants to do all he can to assist and is hoping others can pitch in too. Barcena has been in the limelight for over 20 years and will be appearing in Las Vegas November 11-17 at the Stratosphere.
But the busy stand-up star knows what it’s like to have to work hard and strive for more and stays true to his roots. I asked him to talk about his motivation in helping the kids and the underserved youngsters.
“It’s simple; I came from Mexico to East L.A. We had NOTHING, I was way too poor to play any sports or buy any equipment,” he explains. “After I became relatively successful as a stand-up comedian, I made sure my sons could play sports.
“And I want to help other kids. If there’s anything I can do to help, I do it.”
So the SoCal comic will host a special fundraising show with live entertainment, comedians and more taking the stage. He is planning on scheduling it for early 2020. His good friend and former pro boxer Ruben Castillo has already told him he will also lend support.
Little Meryland, 13, will be competing in tournaments in the next few weeks. I reached out to her trainer Sal Casillas (a former pro fighter) to hear more about his prized pupil.
“I’ve been training Meryland since she was six years old,” “El Diablito” relays to me. “We have the Nationals coming up next month. Thank you for all the support–I appreciate it!”
This female fighter is definitely a superstar in the making. I saw her at a recent WBC event and she is a stand out. With her megawatt smile and cute personality, it’s easy to like her. But the South Central slugger is also tough as nails inside the ring!
Her team mentions that she is a seven-time national champ who lives in South Central L.A. The Latina athlete trains seven days a week and has been ranked Number 1 in her weight divisions. Her goal is to join the team in the U.S. Olympics in 2024. She’s been ranked Number 1 at 75 pounds, 85 pounds and wants to be ranked Number 1 at 90 pounds in the 12-13 age division.
“My first fight in amateur boxing was on October 30, 2016 where we came out with the win,” the young puncher says. “After this victory, it awakened the desire to continue.
“I am a State Champion in the Silver Gloves, Junior Olympics in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. I won my first national tournament at the National PAL in Oxnard.”
Team Gonzalez is focused on working hard as they continue their quest to see Meryland make it to the Olympics in the Class of 2024. She also excels in her schoolwork as a straight-A student And her passion for the sweet science never wavers.
“I train harder with the help of my parents and many people including Joey Molina, who has given me advice and helped me to look at boxing differently, and helped me and the whole boxing team,” the tiny pugilist states.
Meryland has five years to go in a sport that tests even the toughest of kids.
And during those five years, the teen and her family will need a lot of financial support to achieve her dream of Olympic glory one punch at a time, one victory at a time.
With the local boxing community supporting her with the likes of Willie Barcena, Joey Molina and Team Gonzalez, the sky’s the limit for this talented sparkler.
She is a shining star and I wish her all the luck in the world. Stay tuned for more information about her fundraiser in the next few months!
Photo by Michele Chong; additional photos courtesy of Joey Molina, Sal Casillas