“A Fighting Chance” Kicks Off Renovation Campaign”
Three boxing champs lent their support at Saturday night’s “A Fighting Chance” gala held at the Villa Parke Community Center in Pasadena, California.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley, Zachary “Zack Attack” Padilla and Ricky “Showtime” Quiles shared their love for the City of Pasadena at this fundraiser to help build awareness and help raise funds for the renovation and expansion of a boxing ring and fitness facility at the Villa Parke Community Center.
Here’s the “Chatter Box’s” exclusive look at what went down at the weekend bash!
Local hero “Sugar” Shane (46-8-1, 39 KOs) has a showdown coming up soon on May 18 versus Pablo Cesar Cano in Mexico. But the Pomona slugger knows how important it is to support the area youth so he took time away from his busy schedule to attend this charity function.
The night included a VIP reception, dinner, celebrity boxing exhibition and live entertainment for the guests gathered in the gym. Some heavy hitters lent a powerful punch at this kickoff reception featuring dinner and fisticuffs, making this a sold-out affair.
Head Trainer Fausto De La Torre of Villa Parke served as referee for the special boxing exhibitions that took place. I’ve known the humble boxing coach for several years now and have witnessed firsthand his quiet dedication and unwavering passion to help the at-risk youth in his neighborhood. Boxing is, arguably, a preemptive strike in keeping kids away from gangs, drugs and a life of crime. Keeping kids and teens in the gym–and away from the allure of street life–is one empowering aspect the fight game offers.
And the decades-long connection between fighters stays strong. Fausto used to spar with Shane back in the day. The Mosleys spent a lot of time training at Villa Parke and the family has not forgotten their early roots. Shane and his father, trainer Jack Mosley both were at this April 20 fiesta. Shane and his dad were longtime fixtures in the amateur circuit and the torch has been also passed down to Shane Mosley Jr., amateur boxer. Team Mosley also promotes their own amateur and pro bouts and continue to give back to the boxing world and beyond. They are also planning their own father-and-son themed boxing show on June 16 in Pomona.
The love of boxing runs deep in this crowd.
And the “Knock Out” committee in Pasadena scored a victory Saturday night as they begin their goal of reaching $1.2 million in necessary funds for the planned expansion and renovation of the Villa Parke Boxing and Fitness Center.
Sharing their SoCal roots, the homegrown heroes and boxing stars posed for photos and signed autographs for the crowd. Ricky Quiles also shared the ring with actor Victor Alfieri (“Southland” and “The Bold and The Beautiful”), along with two local fighters and champs Eddie Lopez and Christian Camarena.
A presentation was made in the ring by the committee’s Barbosa Polverini and Gabi Barbarena. The dynamic duo presented “The Winner” bronze trophies to the trio of champs representing at the dinner and boxing show. Mosley, Padilla and Quiles were honored with these statues made by California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee Steve Harpst (boxing trainer and sculptor), who was also in attendance.
The support from the community is snowballing and getting stronger and stronger with hopes that these fundraising efforts for Villa Parke will continue to grow. The KO committee will keep looking for more sponsors as they strive to meet their goal.
“The collaborative effort will continue until we reach our goal and we invite everyone from the community to be part of the campaign because every little bit helps,” Barbosa Polverini, co-chair of the committee stated.
“All the civic support from the community was very impressive,” boxing trainer/artist Harpst remarked. “It was truly an honor to be part of this night and I’m looking forward to their future events as well. Congratulations to Barbosa, Gabi and the whole committee!”
Photos courtesy of Villa Parke/ Gabi Barbarena, ARAS, Inc.