Partnership with the National Boxing Hall of Fame
A fun fiesta was held Sunday in the City of Azusa, California that launched the start of the new Azusa Youth Boxing Program. Billed as “Walk the Line: Azusa’s Route 66 Roadhouse Benefit,” this July 13 fundraiser showcased a live concert with the Walking Phoenixes, an All-You-Can-Eat BBQ, Southern desserts, line dancing, silent auction, opportunity drawings, a bull riding, steer roping on the patio, and a whole lot more!
The National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) is a Founding Legacy Sponsor in partnership with the city as they embark on building the new Azusa Youth Boxing Program.
NBHOF President Bill Young, his wife and NBHOF Senior Vice President Linda Young and their son Executive Vice President/Producer Drewin Young joined the festivities along with a KO group of former prizefighters, world champions and boxing luminaries including hometown hero Zachary “Zack Attack” Padilla, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Victor Valenzuela, Herman Montes, Paul Banke, Greg Puente, the Weaver Triplets (Lloyd, Floyd and Troy), Charles Nwokolo (Young Dick Tiger), Steve Harpst, Alan Santana, Gary Garcia, etc.
There were also several city officials and councilmembers taking part in the sold-out gathering. Azusa Mayor Robert Gonzales, City Manager Sergio Gonzalez, Azusa Community Resources Department’s Miki Carpenter and Mayra Rico thanked everyone for their support and shared their excitement about the new boxing program which will have respected boxing trainer Victor Valenzuela running the gym.
I chatted with the newly-assigned Boxing Program Director who told me that has come full circle in the sport. Victor told me he began his career with Azusa decades ago. The SoCal coach worked with Azusa’s boxers for over 27 years and then helmed the Duarte Boxing Gym for 19 years until he recently retired. His younger brother Louie Valenzuela has also worked at the Duarte Boxing Club for years.
Victor was enjoying his retirement but was drawn back into the sweet science when this new Azusa Youth Boxing Program was created. The well-regarded trainer has coached both amateurs and pros and is looking forward to building another successful group of athletes with the City of Azusa.
It is still in its early development phase but City Manager Gonzalez says they hope to find a new venue on Route 66 where they can install a dedicated gym and also an area for a National Boxing Hall of Fame museum too. The nonprofit NBHOF recently celebrated their 10th anniversary at their induction ceremony in April. The Youngs continue to honor those in the boxing world through their award shows and events.
Azusa’s Miki Carpenter welcomed the crowd and spoke of the bonding partnership with the NBHOF. They are all very upbeat about plans to expand their new boxing program while also housing a new NBHOF museum. There is a strong community force in the city and this new boxing gym can enhance opportunities for young amateurs (many who will have dreams of becoming Olympians and world champs).
And the weekend fundraiser was a spirited kickoff to finding a new facility (preferably on Route 66) for the boxers. There was plenty of Western-themed decor in the dining hall and on the two outdoor patios that were decked out rodeo style! There were hoedown vibes with bales of hay, wagon wheels, S’mores stations, a Santa Maria BBQ with all the fixins’, signature cocktails and plenty of fun photo ops for the cowboys and cowgirls in attendance.
While enjoying appetizers, dancer Kristal Lynn led the guests in line dance lessons and as the chuckwagon dinner began, the Walking Phoenixes began their live performance–A Tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter.
Singers/musicians Drewin Young and Jeanne Jacobson and band members/musicians Dave Allen, Matt Lake, and Jared Miller got everyone tapping their toes as they launched into classic country tunes and rock ‘n roll songs. Drew’s father and NBHOF President Bill Young also made a cameo on stage as they sang “A Boy Named Sue” together. The fighters all enjoyed the live music and I even saw legendary champ Danny “Little Red” Lopez sing along when the band played one of his favorite melodies “It Ain’t Me Babe.”
It was truly a festive and fun summer bash benefiting the future boxers in the City of Azusa and the San Gabriel Valley.
This unique “Route 66” event was a first-class affair with many of the spectators saying Azusa should have this Western fiesta every year!
Fight fans loved it. They were treated to seeing an an extra large World Boxing Council (WBC) championship belt up close, got selfies with the boxing champs, and shopped for branded merch at the souvenir booths inside the banquet hall that was decorated like a fancy barn. Ticket holders also got to take home souvenir drinking glasses adorned with the NBHOF and City of Azusa (incorporated in 1898) logos.
Next up for the City of Azusa will be the annual Paul Banke BOXFAM BBQ. It is the seventh annual event for the former WBC champion and the second year in a row with the Community Resources Department hosting it at Memorial Park.
This town love its boxing and with the planned partnership with the National Boxing Hall of Fame, look for more events in the future!
Photos by Michele Chong