Community Event with the City of Azusa
It was a knockout day at the 8th Annual Paul Banke BOXFAM BBQ–Celebrating the Boxing Community. The annual fiesta took place on Saturday, July 18 at Memorial Park in Azusa, Calif.
A full schedule of activities kept the large crowd entertained and the delicious BBQ made everyone well fed and happy.
Former champ Paul Banke is a beloved figure in the sport (especially in the Southern California area). The ex-prizefighter has partnered with the City of Azusa and the National Boxing Hall of Fame’s Bill and Linda Young to present this yearly gathering.
In attendance were many former pro boxing champs and contenders, Olympians, bare knuckle boxers, amateur fighters, trainers, cornermen, managers, promoters, and more involved in the sweet science. There were also city officials, dignitaries, artists, actors and special VIPs mingling with the crowd.
The City of Azusa’s Miki Carpenter and her team organized a great day and night for all the guests (open to the public too). On the grass, there were lots of activities for families and kids and for the 21 and over crowd, there was also an enclosed garden area for drinks and refreshments.
The weekend celebration featured live music from Proyecto Rojo and MC Master Phil (Philip Guerrero’s Work It Records), fighter introductions, free food, drinks and swag, vendor booths with artwork, souvenirs, prize wheels, T-shirts and so much more.
New this year was a huge outdoor screen that was perfect for viewing the FIFA World Cup soccer game and then later that night, the Diego Pacheco vs. Immanuwel Aleem card was also broadcast for the partygoers.
The City of Azusa continues to embrace and support the sport of boxing. In the beginning of this year, they began their new boxing program for children, teens and adults for both Azusa residents and non-Azusa residents. It has been a big hit with the community and a very popular program. Noted boxing coach Victor Valenzuela is the Program Director and homegrown champion Zack Padilla is one of the dedicated trainers along with Gary Garcia, Trey Torres and Jesse Rodriguez.
There were several of the boxing kids and teens at the BOXFAM event too and they had fun getting autographs and selfies with some of their heroes. It was a perfect summer outing and as the hot weather faded, a cool breeze was a welcome relief while watching the live boxing broadcast in the park.
I chatted with many of the fighters and they expressed how much they enjoyed the relaxed outdoor setting and socializing with everyone at the BBQ. And female boxing champ and current natural bodybuilder Sindy Amador was serenaded by the audience who sang “Happy Birthday” to her. The petite puncher just celebrated her birthday before the BBQ. She and fellow professional fighter Richard “Kiki” Torrez Jr. talked boxing in between posing for photos with the fans.
Kiki mentioned to us that he drove down from Tulare, Calif. to see Paul Banke and to visit with those who came out to this year’s BBQ. Kiki said he will be traveling a bit and training for his comeback fight this fall. The heavyweight’s parents Richard Torrez Sr. and Kim Torrez also made the three-hour trek to see their longtime friend Banke. The loyalty in the fight game is strong amongst Team Banke.
Boxing builds bonds that transcend generations. And annual events like Banke’s BOXFAM help bring everyone together. It’s a festive reunion and an outlet to make new friends too. This year’s BBQ was bigger than ever and everybody said they are already looking forward to next year’s bash.
Check out the snapshots from the day and keep swinging!
Photos by Michele Chong
New City of Azusa Boxing Program: www.myboxingfans.com/kickoff-for-the-new-azusa-boxing-program