Alfredo Angulo cheers on young fighters and future champs
Some of Los Angeles’ best young boxers got in the ring and gave it their all during yesterday’s Hollenbeck 
Youth Center Boxing Show held at their East L.A. gym.
Already fearless at age eight, the littlest boxers whaled away, throwing punches in three rounds of amateur action inside the ropes. Whether they were awarded the victor or not, the kids all gained experience and skill while facing new competition.
There were 14 bouts (one scheduled fight fell out) during the day with area kids from age 8 to 25 all lacing up blue or red gloves in the USA Boxing-sanctioned show with the “best in the West” Dick Jones and Irma Ortiz overseeing the fights.
Clubs from Hollenbeck, Maywood, Azteca, Westminster, Santa Ana, South El Monte, Oxnard, San Diego and more all showed up for the weigh-in, in hopes of getting on the board of matchups. Familiar L.A. trainers Clemente Medina, Ramon Espada and former welterweight champ Kevin Morgan were all there with their youngest protégés in tow.
The fighters kept up a brave face before and after their bouts, win or lose.
But the boxers let down their guards, becoming regular kids again and excited fans, when professional boxer and unbeaten top prospect Alfredo “Perro” Angulo arrived at the gym to support his trainer, Clemente Medina, and his amateur stablemates from the Maywood gym.
The little boys surrounded “Perro” for autographs and photos. The 2004 Mexican Olympian posed with the children and signed every glove, head gear, hand wrap that was held out to him. The boys’ eyes were wide with admiration as they looked up at Angulo. For the kids, he has already accomplished what these young fighters dream of: an Olympian career and an undefeated record in his 15 pro bouts.
The junior middleweight is proof that–through hard work, discipline and training–goals can be reached.
For many of the at-risk kids at Hollenbeck, this message of hope is an important one, especially during these times of recession.
As Angulo signed two gloves for the prize raffle, I quizzed him about his upcoming fight against Kermit Cintron. The May 30 bout in Florida will be a tough test for the undefeated boxer. To many, Cintron is the odds-on favorite, but the ferocious “Perro” could pull off an upset. I ask Alfredo for his prediction in his most important bout to date, “How many rounds do you think it will go?” He answers, “We’re fighting 12 rounds.” I laugh and then say, “Yes, but how many rounds do you predict it will go–before you win?” The humble boxer chuckles and not taking the bait, replies, “I think it’ll go 12 rounds.” No trash talking from Angulo–he prefers to let his fists do the talking at the end of this month.
The Hollenbeck Youth Center and Inner-City Games Los Angeles (ICGLA) offers underprivileged children both athletic and educational opportunities–a chance to better their future. And boxing has been an integral part of their program for over three decades.
Founded by Daniel L. Hernandez, the Hollenbeck gym has seen many champions and contenders rise to glory. “We’ve been involved with boxing here for over 30 years,” says Hernandez, who was at the show with wife and ICGLA’s Executive Director, Beatrice. “With Paul Gonzales, back in 1981, boxing was really strong–L.A. was becoming a powerhouse. Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya started here and I’ve seen it come full circle. Today we have 15 fights. For the kids, this is where they start building their skills and abilities in hopes of a gold medal or a world championship. ”
Beatrice Hernandez is always happy to support the boxers, some who you may be seeing as the next great champs in the boxing world. I asked her where daughter Priscilla, who is an ICGLA Board Member, was today since I usually see her at every Hollenbeck event. Her proud mother, Beatrice, excitedly tells me, “Priscilla just graduated from USC with her MBA!” Practicing what the Hernandez family preaches, Priscilla sets a perfect example of working hard and staying in school.
A lot of the volunteers at the show have been fixtures at the gym for years. Mariana Gonzalez, 13, who has been going to the Hollenbeck Youth Center since 2004. She was awarded Hollenbeck’s “Kid of the Year” honor two years ago for her excellent grades and dedication to the youth center’s activities. At Sunday’s boxing show, the bubbly teen was in charge of the prize raffle for the day. Her brother and parents were also there, all pitching in to help out during the show.
For many of the attendees, the youth boxing program brings back a lot of memories from their own childhoods. While watching the fights which took place up on the gym’s stage, Gil “Candyman” Nieves, trainer and cutman, reminisced, “I had my first amateur fight here in the late ’60s. The ring was in the middle of the gym and Al Stankie was the trainer. I fought one of Ruben Navarro’s kids, Carlos Sesti. I was 14 years old and still remember everything about it!”
Hollenbeck creates a long-lasting loyalty with many fighters returning to the youth center to show their support. Female boxer and two-time Junior Olympics Champion Denise Rico came out to cheer on the young sluggers. She began boxing at the youth center’s boxing club and has built a noteworthy amateur career through the years. Next month, the talented teen will be competing in the prestigious USA Boxing National Championships in Denver, Colorado. Rico and Seniesa Estrada, who both started out at Hollenbeck, are currently blazing a trail in the amateur circuit.
At yesterday’s show, after 14 bouts of tough competitors, eleven-year-old Misael Elias was awarded the Outstanding Boxer Award. As he held up his two large trophies, the boy smiled from ear to ear as his parents looked on with pride.
The Hollenbeck Youth Center caters to families and the afternoon had a wholesome vibe to it. Just a few doors down, church services where being held on the corner and inside the boxing gym, tasty Mexican dishes were offered at the concession stand. Sipping horchata and spooning up bowls of pozole, the boxing show provided a few hours of entertainment for both kids and adults.
Right after the show concluded, Jose “Nati” Correa, Program Director, said, “We had a lot of close bouts and good fights. This was great for the kids and their families!”
Photos by Michele Chong: “Perro” with a young fighter; trainer Clemente Medina; Denise Rico, Misael Elias, Ramon Espada, Kevin Morgan; Danny Hernandez with two youth boxers; Nati Correa and Danny Hernandez; Alfredo Angulo signs autographs; South El Monte’s youngest competitors