Welcome Home Event for Bane Ortiz!
There was a very special community event hosted by the Kid Gloves Boxing Foundation in Simi Valley, Calif. The Saturday, June 14 bash showcased a car show, Lucha Libre wrestling, food booths, T-shirt sales and more.
Robert Ortiz Sr., his son Robert “Scrappy” Ortiz, Scrappy’s son Timothy Ortiz and boxing champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz had a “Welcome Home, Bane Ortiz” fiesta in honor of Scrappy’s 7-year-old son being returned to his father (after he was taken by his non-custodial mom). This was a fundraising party in honor of Child Abduction and Kidnapping Awareness and Mental Health Awareness. The organizers and sponsors included Team Ortiz, Pro Wrestling Alliance, Team Veteran, Twenty14 Productions, KO, VIP Social Group, Next Auto Body Shop, among others.
The outdoor ring featured masked warriors on the canvas while the appreciative crowd cheered on the victors. There was also a thank you speech from little Bane himself, a live DJ, photo booths and even some wrestling moves by Bane Ortiz with his grandfather Robert. The boy stood on the ropes like a pro before jumping on his grandpa as the crowd applauded his win!
And it was fitting that this all-day affair was held on Father’s Day weekend. Robert and his family have been involved in the fight game for five generations now and have built a solid legacy in combat sports. Robert is a former pro fighter/bodybuilder/gym owner/boxing trainer with Scraptime Fight Club ; and both Scrappy and Timmy (Killers Only Co.) are pro boxers. And ex-champion Victor Ortiz may not be officially related to them but he is definitely part of their family.
“I’ve known Victor since he was 16 years old,” Robert tells me. “He calls me Tío (uncle) and is always here to support.”
It was a big family day on Saturday. Victor and his wife Hailie brought their 11-month old baby Ezekiel to the fundraising event. Victor will be fighting Tony “The Rhino” Giles on July 25 in London. He also brought his five championship belts to the wrestling matches so that fight fans could see the shiny straps up close and pose for photos with the friendly champ and his belts.
Also in attendance and checking out the scene was WBC champ Paul Banke, wrestling icon Jane O’Brien, car aficionado Jay Pelkey, fitness pro Ronny Camacho and boxing trainer/artist Steve Harpst. The audience was treated to several wrestling matches complete with “chairs being thrown” as the rivals in the ring went toe to toe. The cheers (and good-natured jeers) resonated in the courtyard as fans enjoyed a night of Lucha Libre.
The outdoor ring was set up in the Simi Valley Town Center and visitors could also step into the Kid Gloves Boxing Gym to experience the spacious gym lined with posters, photos and awards. The Ortiz family has held several live fight nights (boxing, wrestling and MMA) at the current gym location; they’ve been in the Simi Valley Town Center for over 11 years now. Robert (Scraptime Promotions) mentions that he likes to host charity fight nights and fundraisers and through the years has had events in honor of Anti-Bullying, Parkinson’s disease, Breast Cancer, Diabetes and Autism Awareness, etc. They also host toy drives and bicycle giveaways for the underserved tots in the neighboring areas.
Robert, his son and grandson and family continue to be a huge part of the community. He says he loves Simi Valley (near Ventura County) and also shares that he is going on 30 years of being a boxing trainer in the city. There will be a 30th Anniversary party in the future to celebrate the longtime coach’s dedication to the sweet science working with both amateurs and pros while also helping people (non-athletes) reach their fitness goals too.
While chatting with guests at the celebration, Ronny Camacho (RYDR4LYF Foundation) states how much everyone appreciates Robert Ortiz and his family.
“Robert does so much for the community; he and his family are on another level,” Camacho says as we watch the masked gladiators tough it out in the ring. “The Ortiz family is really heaven sent for Simi Valley.
“They do so much, they don’t have to…but they want to!”
And through the years they have made an impact in the city and made a difference in the lives of so many individuals.
And the community banded together when young Robert’s beloved grandson Bane Ortiz went missing after a visit with his non-custodial mother. The youngster is back safely with his father Scrappy now. And he was having a good time as everyone came out to support him and join in the festivities for this “Welcome Home” gathering!
Photos by Michele Chong