College Amateurs at L.A. Athletic Club
“Rivals in the Ring” blasted off Friday night at the famed Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) in downtown L.A. This highly-anticipated L.A. Collegiate Boxing Invitational featured nine bouts of amateur boxing between heated rivalries between several universities. This card presented by Espada Boxing, Coach Ramon Espada, and Pro Boxing Supplies.
Here’s my special report and photo gallery from the weekend bash which showcased competitive bouts between the student athletes lacing up at this November 14 show. This first-class gala was also a fundraiser with 10% of the proceeds benefiting “Rivals United For A Kure” for cancer research. The L.A. Athletic Club (founded in 1880) has a long, rich history with the sport of boxing with champ Sam Dewey and Richard “Duke” Llewellyn paving the way for future pugilists in the Southland. At the beginning of the night, I met LAAC’s Ernest Baskerville, Directory of Sports Marketing, John Wooden Award, who told us about the revered history the landmark has with boxing and various sports.
The L.A. Athletic Club is known for its historic legacy in the sports world and is a great venue for this “Rivals in the Ring” event. The boxers and trainers told me they were honored to be fighting in this legendary building. Attendees enjoyed a dinner buffet and dessert reception on the third floor before witnessing the spirited fisticuffs on the sixth floor. Spectators also had a chance to watch from the VIP balcony and enjoy a view of the city on the rooftop area.
And all eyes were center ring once the boxing matches got underway. Hittin’ the books and the heavybags is a one-two punch for these amateur boxers. New champs were crowned as the victors’ gloved hands were held high. And this “Rivals in the Ring” gathering is quickly becoming an epic tradition between the colleges and boxing fans.
Catching the action ringside were professional heavyweight boxer Gerald Washington (also a former USC football player) and amateur champs Tamara Espinet and Brandon Carrillo. The unbeaten pro Washington was there to encourage Team USC to “Fight On,” giving the USC victory sign to the crowd. Gerald is scheduled to fight in December and has been training for his next victory.
At the “Rivals in the Ring” show, the National Anthem singer was popular recording artist Emii and the ring announcer for the evening was Mark Caloumenos (who mentioned that he has worked 465 amateur bouts in less than two years). The UCLA Cheer Squad also served as the night’s ring card girls and gave the crowd a unique show with their lifts, flips and dance routines inside the ropes. And their famous mascot Joe Bruin was also ringside to lead the cheering section. The addition of the cheerleaders as ring card girls and all the pom pom shaking was a refreshing idea that kept the audience clapping.
The night was filled with good competitive matchups and close fights. One highlight was the USC Trojans vs. the UCLA Bruins match between Marsha Cavasos and Elizabeth Pratt, with UCLA’s Pratt taking the belt after the decision was read. Not too many standing eight-counts were issued as the amateurs battled toe to toe for the winning belts and bragging rights for the year. Fans sported their school colors in sync with their ring heroes; the quarrels that took place in the squared circle were action-packed and entertaining. The boxers traveled from both near and far to take part in this annual bash and really left it all in the ring.
These young sluggers manage to balance both the gym and the classroom on their way to glory.
I met Arnel Adams who was with his coach Fausto De La Torre out of the Villa-Parke Boxing Club. The junior middleweight won his bout versus UCLA’s Sean Meyer and Coach Fausto says his student will be turning pro in early 2015.
I also caught up with another winner from the night, female dynamo Kellsie Pence (University of Washington). She said her “Rivals in the Ring” bout versus Cameron McCarthy (SCU) makes it a trilogy between the two ladies. “This is the third time we’ve fought,” Kellsie told me of their ring rivalry, “but this is the first time we’ve fought on this card.” McCarthy has won one of their three fights with Pence besting her opponent twice.
Kellsie Pence and the three UW trainers who traveled with the team said they were having a memorable time at this show. And Coach Chuck praised Pence for his hard work and dedication in school and in the ring. “Kellisie is great,” Chuck told me. “She is not only a student but a scholar athlete too!”
Pico-Union Boxing Club’s Adrian Cruz also had a big cheering section. The hometown hero was victorious, besting his challenger Gerald Santos from CAL.
Head Coach Ramon Espada (USC) also raved about all of the solid athletes/students who took part in this yearly affair. I caught up with the SoCal trainer to hear his thoughts on the night and the “MVP” list who helped make the show a big success.
“I’d like to thank everyone that made the show possible and that is a very long list!,” Ramon says, “The Los Angeles Athletic Club, Pro Boxing Supplies, all the clubs and coaches, USC, UCLA, UW, USF, UC Davis, Cal, SCU, UCSB, Pico-Union BC and Villa Park BC.”
He also wanted to give a special shout out to the officials. “I want to thank the officials and USIBA for sanctioning the event,” he adds.
USA Boxing’s Delilah Rico and an experienced crew of officials including Sharon, Krysti, David and Jonathan supervised the action in the four corners.
The arena was packed with a standing-room only crowd who cheered for each and every fighter. “I’d also like to thank all the people that came out to support ‘Rivals in the Ring’!” Espada acknowledges. “I believe it’s becoming a tradition and I am extremely proud to be a part of it.”
And win or lose, the sweet science provides a strict discipline for these college boxers.
Congrats to all the “Rivals in the Ring” participants and see you next time!
PHOTOS BY MICHELE CHONG
