2014 BOXERS CALENDAR UNVEILED!

Heroes Boxing Sponsorship Agency Makes a Splash

It looks like 2014 will be a knockout year as evidenced at last night’s press conference and meet-and-greet with the fighters and champs featured on the glossy new calendar by Heroes Boxing Sponsorship Agency (HBSA).

Here is my special report and exclusive photos from the fiesta, which was held the day after Christmas.

Arriving in a white stretch limo, the boxers (and “Calendar Boys”) ALFONSO GOMEZ, JOSESITO LOPEZ, DANIEL PONCE DE LEON, EFRAIN ESQUIVIAS AND SERGIO NUNEZ entered the banquet room to greet the press, city officials, sponsors and boxing fans who joined the Thursday night gathering at Steven’s Steak and Seafood House in Commerce. Two-time world champ Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon also lent support to these current fighters at the calendar unveiling.

Teresa Quevedo and Hector Duarte Jr. were the gala’s official emcees. Alfonso Gomez mentioned what a treat it was to have these two host the proceedings. Hector supports both amateur and pro boxing and Teresa is a very popular news anchor for Univision. “They both did a great job!” he said. The announcing team for the night introduced the boxing stars in both English and Spanish, moderated the media panel and also showed their comedic timing while at the podium.

The crowd enjoyed appetizers and watched a behind-the-scenes video of the making of the glossy wall calendar before a Q&A session and autograph signing began. The large posters, magnets and postcard were given to all the guests at this holiday function.

Chatting with all the fighters, the consensus was that they all had a great time at the photo shoot held December 1 at Azteca Boxing Gym. Oiled down and posing like GQ models, the guys stepped out of their normal gym rat mode to take part in this innovative calendar (which is FREE to fans) in the community and beyond. The large posters will be distributed around the Los Angeles area in gyms, businesses and communities to bring awareness to the sport in a positive light.

“We want to showcase the boxers,” Robb Gomez, at the helm of HBSA, said during our conversation. “This allows the fighters to shine and fans can see them in a different way.”

HBSA is a new organization to help build relationships between fighters and corporate sponsors. I often meet many young boxers who have to juggle work with training and I think this agency could bridge the gap, allowing the athletes to solely focus on training. Robb agrees and says he, Alfonso and Melissa DeVolentine have been a KO trio in working together and continuing to build the HBSA brand to support the pro fighters.

Gomez, also frontman for the popular band Hy3rd (with brothers Alfonso Gomez and Jesus “Zeuz” Gomez) said the calendar idea was the brainchild of Alfonso and his wife, Dulce Padilla. Robb says: “We’ve all worked really hard to make this possible, especially Dulce. She did a great job!”

Dulce Padilla, model and former beauty queen, was the “Hostess with the Mostest” as I watched her and husband, Alfonso Gomez (“The Contender” fan favorite) meet local politicians, boxing trainers, amateur fighters, family and friends who came out to this inaugural event. Gomez’s parents trainer Alfonso Sr. and Lilly were also in attendance, watching proudly as their sons mingled with the crowd.

All of the punchers are looking forward to a busy new year. Before the bash began, they all shared the same optimism in lacing up again soon. Josesito plans to fight at least three times in 2014, Alfonso will get back in the ring as soon as his hand injury heals, Ponce is busy training at his own gym in Montebello, Efrain said he’s hoping for a big fight soon and Sergio wants to make a name for himself in the upcoming new year.

And all five SoCal prizefighters told me they enjoyed the calendar shoot. They’ve known each other through gyms and sparring. Jose’s sister-in-law’s younger sibling is featured in Hy3rid’s “Si Se Puede” video with Don Cheto. The “Riverside Rocky” Josesito Lopez (who had his two championship belts with him) and Efrain Esquivias (who recently defeated Rafael Marquez) are stablemates with Thompson Boxing Promotions.

Lopez was victorious over Mike Arnaoutis on December 13 and Alfonso Gomez took time on the mic to thank his compadre for taking time out from camp to be part of this first-ever calendar for Heroes Boxing. Alfonso spoke of Jose’s commitment in joining the pugilists at the photo shoot.

What was the most challenging part of putting this calendar together with the five fighters?

“We all got along well and had a really fun time,” Alfonso told me. “I think maybe the hardest part of the day was keeping a straight face while we posed!”

Were there any divas in the bunch?

The guys laughed. No attitudes in the gym and no prima donna behavior from any of the men.

“I gotta say Ponce De Leon was really good in front of the camera,” Efrain Esquivias mentions. Most of the boxers aren’t used to modeling or being cover boys. “Daniel was a natural!”

The high-res calendar features the five guys in various fight poses. Boxing manager and promoter Manny Cota was there in support of his young charge, Sergio Nuñez. The lightweight slugger is an up-and-comer and Team Nuñez says 2014 will be a breakout year for them.

As for next year’s calendar, it will be hard to top this brand new 2014 issue but Team Gomez says look for more exciting events with Heroes Boxing Sponsorship Agency soon. One of the evening’s emcees, Hector Duarte, told me he was honored to be part of this historic unveiling. The boxing veteran has known many of the professional fighters for years and is also part of the amateur boxing scene.

With the buzz the new calendar is already getting, I can guarantee their 2015 calendar will also make a splash.

Fan demand for the collectible posters is already at high interest. I asked Robb how boxing aficionados around the world can get their hands on this 2014 wall calendar. “Fans can go to heroesboxing.com,” Gomez relays. “We will make it available today–FREE to everyone!” There will be an additional signing at their annual Pico Park “Boxing Superstars” event in January.

So be sure to get your cool calendar soon.

And the “Chatter Box” would like to usher in 2014 by wishing everyone a KO year!

Photos by Michele Chong