Azusa Community Day of Champions
World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Paul Banke hosted his 6th Annual BOXFAM BBQ on Saturday, August 3 in the City of Azusa. The Southern California pugilist held the large gathering at Memorial Park in the City of Azusa.
It was presented as the “Azusa Community Day of Champions: A Celebration of Boxing” organized by Mayra Rico and crew along with the National Boxing Hall of Fame (Bill and Linda Young).
Guests included past fighters/champions, current boxers, amateur stars, trainers, cornermen, authors, singers, actors, glove manufacturers, nonprofit organizations and more. The partygoers traveled from all over the U.S. to join in the festivities under the sizzling summer sun.
It was a knockout day filled with amateur boxing exhibitions, live music, a delicious BBQ, merch available at rows of vendors and (later in the night) a viewing party streaming the Terence Crawford vs. Israel Madrimov fight.
And the prizefighters continued to stream in from start to finish. It was a nice reunion for many of the athletes who told me they enjoyed reconnecting with everyone and making new friends too.
Banke thanked everyone for all their support in coming out to the fiesta.
Check out my snapshots from my time at the 2024 BOXFAM BBQ!
Photos by Michele Chong