The NBHOF and City Officials at Event
The brand new Azusa Boxing Program has begun!
The festivities were held at Memorial Park Gym in Azusa, Calif. with a huge turnout taking part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting, awards, special presentations, refreshments and a tour of the current gym facility.
The Founding Legacy Sponsor is the National Boxing Hall of Fame and its Founder/President Bill Young and Senior Vice President Linda Young were there in attendance at the January 5 fiesta. Special guests included former champion Gregory Puente, acclaimed boxing historian and best-selling author Gene Aguilera, and boxing’s Louie Valenzuela, Steve Harpst, Rafael Castineyra, Ricardo Castineyra, DJ Phillip Guerrero and more.
Kicking off the evening was the new Mayor Eddie Alvarez, former Mayor Robert Gonzales, City Manager Sergio Gonzalez and City Council members, and Azusa Community Resources Department including Jesse Avila, Sabrina Bow, Miki Carpenter, Mayra Rico, Mari Castañeda, among others. The Azusa Boxing Program Director Victor Valenzuela was also introduced along with a top team of trainers: head coach Zack Padilla, Gary Garcia, Trey Torres and Jesse Rodriguez. The coaches will instruct two sets of weekly classes each day for ages 8-12 and ages 13 and up. The first session just ended and Round 2 begins now thru February 27.
Everyone was excited about this long-awaited program to begin. The workouts for the youth, teens and adults will encourage a healthy lifestyle, strength and fitness, self defense, etc. The luminaries spoke of building a strong foundation with hopes of producing both amateur and pro champions in the coming years. With this KO team of boxing trainers, this new program should thrive and continue to grow.
The crowd was large and the enthusiasm high as everybody mingled while touring the current gym. Azusa hopes to eventually move into a larger facility to accommodate the legions of students that want to learn the art of boxing.
I met several city officials from neighboring towns and they all expressed support for Azusa. For many decades, the sweet science has been a big part of this Southern California landscape. People spoke of the many generations who have grown up in the city; kids that first began training in Azusa are now adults with children and grandchildren of their own. And seeing them lace up in the newest iteration of Azusa Boxing is both inspiring and emotional for them.
One of Azusa’s trainers Trey Torres told me that this new program is a dream come true. He’s known the Valenzuela family for years and he is happy to be able to give back to the community. I also met Marina Rodriguez whose son Jesse Rodriguez is also one of the new Azusa boxing coaches. She recalls the years when Jesse was a boy and how much boxing has meant to them. And now it’s come full circle as she watched her son take his place in the ring for the official photo ops. These men are all respected veterans in the fight game and are looking forward to making a meaningful difference in the community.
It was a very special night celebrating this new Azusa Boxing Program. Guests were treated to a delicious buffet (catered by Pressed+Flower) which included a beautiful cake (inscribed with “Building Champions for Life”) presented to the partygoers. The guests also got the chance to meet amateur and professional boxing champions and Hall of Famers.
Program Director Victor Valenzuela is a California Boxing Hall of Famer and Head Trainer Zack Padilla is an inductee of the National Boxing Hall of Fame. Padilla is also a true hometown hero in the City of Azusa, with a street named after him. And in the current gym, there are posters and photos of the champ. He says it is a huge honor to join this team of KO coaches.
The National Boxing Hall of Fame’s Bill and Linda Young also spoke of their partnership with the City of Azusa. They spoke very highly of all the support the city has shown them during their various events. Next up will be the NBHOF’s award ceremony on April 26. And the bond with Azusa will continue as they are once again hosting Paul Banke’s Annual BoxFam BBQ this summer.
Until then, the new boxing classes will continue to flourish as they, hopefully, build future prospects, contenders and champs raised in the City of Azusa!
Photos by Michele Chong