College Boxing in the Spotlight
Check it out, Chatter Box readers!
Downtown Los Angeles will be the epicenter of action FRIDAY, November 14 at the highly-anticipated “Rivals in the Ring” live boxing event taking place at the famed Los Angeles Athletic Club (founded in 1880). This rumble is presented by the L.A. Athletic Club and Espada Boxing and will feature over eight bouts of war in this L.A. Collegiate Boxing Invitational. And Friday’s fights will feature female bouts for the very first time at this event!
The main event will be a showdown between USC and UCLA; USC is beating UCLA 3-1 in this heated crosstown rivalry thus far.
University of San Francisco, Cal Berkeley, UC Davis, Cal State L.A., University of Washington and Cal State Northridge are some of the schools invited to participate in this yearly bash. Besides competitive bouts, this exciting black-tie optional fight night will also offer specialty food items and whisky tastings.
And you will see some of the best amateur boxers compete for victory. It is also a fundraiser with 10% of the proceeds benefiting “Rivals United For A Kure” for cancer research.
The weigh-in will take place the day of the fights and all of the teams are ready to go.
As the event is just around the corner, I caught up with Ramon Espada, Head Coach and organizer of the annual competition.
I asked the Southern California coach how he first got involved with “Rivals in the Ring.”
“My involvement in ‘Rivals in the Ring’ came about because of my involvement with both USC and UCLA Boxing Clubs,” Espada told me. “I coached both Mike Evanisko (who started the USC club) and Tony Gonzalez (who started the UCLA club). I was contacted by the Los Angeles Athletic Club to help bring boxing back to the club.”
The L.A. Athletic Club has a long, rich history with the sweet science.
“It was the dying wish of Duke Lewellyn who used to run the club,” Coach Espada elaborates. “So we teamed up to bring ‘Rivals in the Ring’ to the SoCal boxing fans.”
Espada (a Chicago transplant) is honored to have this event at this legendary venue.
“When we first started I was totally unaware of the rich history the Los Angeles Athletic Clubs’ involvement in boxing and sports in general,” he says. “They are the founders of basketball’s coveted Wooden Award. The clubs members also played a major role in promoting boxing at the Olympic Grand Auditorium. And probably the coolest piece of history for me as someone who loves boxing is that Jim Jeffries (who fought Jack Johnson in the “Fight of the Century”) got his start at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.”
And now come Friday night, “Rivals in the Ring” will be ready to rumble.
“Fans can expect some action-packed equally matched college boxing in a very classic and historic environment,” Ramon adds.
The Burbank trainer has three fighters that will lace up Friday night. And he is proud that this is the first time there will be female fighters included. And, of course, he’s looking forward to the USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins collision inside the ropes!
“I am looking forward to the USC vs UCLA match the most. And it’s the first time females are boxing in this match up,” he states. “Both ladies are very competitive so it should be interesting. There are several other matches that I am excited about as well.”
So fight fans, don’t miss out.
Come out for a great night of boxing at the storied Los Angeles Athletic Club!
“Rivals in the Ring”
Doors Open: 6 p.m.
First Bout: 7:45 p.m.
Tickets: www.rivalsinthering.com or call (213) 625-0126