KO Lineup at “Boxing Superstars” Event
Boxing fans in SoCal are in for a treat THIS Saturday, January 24 as the City of Pico Rivera hosts their 5th Annual Boxing Meet & Greet at Pico Park. This 2015 bash is tabbed as “Boxing Superstars–Round 5” and will feature a huge lineup of champions, fighters, boxing luminaries and more.
Here is my exclusive sneak peek at what the fans can expect at this year’s function!
This yearly event is one of my favorites. It’s a chance for the boxing community to get together; an opportunity for fight fans to meet their heroes up close while getting an autograph or a photo with the favorite athletes. And the best part about this fiesta? It’s FREE for attendees and open to the public (kids 12 and under must be accompanied with an adult). Boxers scheduled to appear include new faces in the sport, current champs and old-time veterans.
I’ve watched this gathering grow each and every year and this weekend’s party boasts the biggest lineup to date. The fighters all donate their time at this community event organized by the City of Pico Rivera Department of Parks & Recreation, Efrain Lee (Senior Coordinator), Leticia Reyes (Coordinator) and the city staff dedicated to make this fan fest the best yet. There will be FREE autographs, raffle prizes and giveaways, Cleto Reyes displays and mini ring, special merchandise and collectibles available for purchase. The City of Pico Rivera in association with Cleto Reyes will host this 3-hour extravaganza that will appeal to all ages. Free giveaways in previous events have included photos, WBC patches, T-shirts, posters, keychains and more fun souvenirs for the boxing fan.
The roster of fighters slated to attend is lengthy and packed with familiar faces! The long list includes champions and boxers like Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Mia St. John, Alfonso Gomez (one of the originators of this event), Israel Vazquez, Chango Carmona, Gerald Washington, Yeyo Thompson, Josesito Lopez, Miguel Vazquez, Jesus Soto Karass, Sergio Mora, Paul Gonzales, Oscar Muniz, Art Frias, Efrain Esquivias, Emanuel Medina, Freddy Hernandez, Julius Jackson, Manny Roman, Sergio Nunez, Oscar Arce, Rodrigo Contreras, Humberto Zatarain, Hassan Chitsaz, Daniel Ramirez, Roy Tapia, Minwook Kim, Edwin Solls, Edgar Nava, Eddie De La Huerta, Oscar Negrete, Jorge Mejia, Walter Sarnoi, Fabian Ocegueda, Jaime Ocegueda and many, many more. Apologies if I’ve left anyone out as the list of guests continues to grow!
There will be surprise guests in attendance. The champs will also be presented medals and special certificates from the city, state and Congress. 
Every year, the presentation culminates with speeches, raffle giveaways and both humorous and poignant moments. The night will include a “Ten Count” honoring Julian St. John, the son of WBC champ Mia St. John, who recently passed away. Mia has worked tirelessly to help combat mental health issues and vows to continue in honor of her beloved son. St. John also helms her own nonprofit organization, El Saber Es Poder.
WBC Supervisor Rudy Tellez, representatives from Supreme Boxing, Robb Gomez and members of the band Hy3rid, boxing coach and award-winning artist Steve Harpst, trainers Alfonso Gomez Sr., Javier Capetillo, cornermen father-and-son duo Gil “Candyman” Nieves and Markey Nieves, Universal Boxing Hall of Fame’s Adolfo Perez Sr., Boxing Let’s Talk reps, Elite Pro Boxing, The Boxing Agency and others will also be there.
The Boxing Agency’s Alfonso Gomez and Dulce Padilla recently unveiled their new 2015 calendar and Alfonso told me Saturday will be the last chance to get this calendar. The fighters starring on the poster will be there to add their signatures to the collectible wall poster. “It’s a great opportunity or those who still need Mia’s signature to finally get it,” Gomez relays to me. In December, they had an inaugural autograph signing but St. John was at the WBC Convention during this time.
Saturday promises to be a fun-filled night for all. I spoke to the show runner Efrain Lee today to hear the latest about this weekend’s gala.
The Pico Rivera Senior Coordinator is in West Virginia for a business conference but still working hard with his team planning this Saturday’s get-together. While many fan expos charge for admission, Efrain is very happy that the City of Pico Rivera Department of Parks & Recreation can offer free admission to the fans planning to attend.
Each year grows in attendance and I noticed last year that the line to enter formed early with excited fans waiting to meet their heroes.
And it will be a room filled with pound-for-poung pugs at this Meet & Greet, which is building it’s yearly tradition as the place to be.
“We’re all very excited about Saturday,” Efrain Lee tells me. “It’s a unique night for boxing fans and enthusiasts as they get to meet new talents along with veteran boxers.”
Lee is also honored to have Cleto Reyes returning as a partner and humbled to have such a huge lineup of boxers scheduled to appear at this fan fair. “Fans have to keep in mind that the lineup can change at any time, but I’m honored to have all these fighters donating their time to meet the fans. Boxers like Leo Santa Cruz, who just fought, will be interacting with the fans. It will be great!”
Don’t miss out on the 2015 “Boxing Superstars–Round 5” Meet & Greet!
Click here to see what the 2014 event was like:
PICO PARK
Saturday, January 24, 2015
5-8 PM
9528 Beverly Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
*(Lineup of guests subject to change)
Photos by Michele Chong