Boxing Bonanza in So Cal

Boxing Bonanza in So Cal

By Uppercut Magazine staff

Let’s call it the Age of Influencers as celebrities from social media have developed notoriety and fame via cell phones and tablets.

Need proof?

A boxing show took place in downtown Los Angeles that featured an entire boxing card promoted by the Influencers Fight League at a building called Fearless. One bout featured professional fighters while the others were amateur celebrities.

Silvia “Mom” Figueroa and Sabrina Persona fought what seemed to be one-minute rounds in a light flyweight match. It was the lone bout featuring professional fighters and seemed to surprise the audience with their ability to throw proper punches and exhibit defense.

After four rounds Figueroa, who is trained by her husband Julio Figueroa, was able to out-score the taller Persona and win by decision in their exhibition match. Despite being pros the boxing card was not a sanctioned event by the California State Athletic Commission. Therefore, the win was an exhibition and not a sanctioned pro fight.

They also wore headgear. Pro fights do not allow headgear for participants.

Still, the crowd present enjoyed the fight and both women showed polished fighting skills.

Figueroa and her family are all involved in boxing. Her son, her husband and she all devote time to the sport.

Commerce Casino

A pro fight card featured Cris Rios (9-0) and Jeronil Borres (11-7-1) fought a ferocious six round flyweight contest. It was the best matched bout on the extensive boxing card that took place at the Commerce Casino parking lot tent.

More than 1,600 fans loudly packed the tented stadium to watch the extensive number of pro fights staged by Redboxing Promotions and Elite Boxing Promotions. A number of fight cards have been organized in the past at Commerce Casino but most had been held in the ballroom.

The outdoor set up was not bad considering it was a cool summer night.

Fighters were quickly ushered in and out of the dressing room with military efficiency. Altogether it was a very organized event by the organization. Much of the appreciation should go to Melody Doria one of boxing’s secret weapons.

Doria has hit the Southern California boxing scene like a sonic boom. She has learned all the tricks of the promoter trade in lightning fashion and the boxing card on Saturday was evidence of her mastering the trade.

Winners in the prize ring were Rios, Jesus Ahumada, Oscar Alvarez, Aida Satybaldinova, Eric Mondragon, Adrian Alvarado, Damian Carrillo, Raul Chavez, Jose Elias, and Juan Gonsales. Jaime Rios and Larry Serrano fought to a draw in a super bantamweight fight.

WBC in East L.A.

Speaking of impactful women organizers, the WBC held their annual amateur tournament at the Grinder in East L.A. on Saturday June 18. The lead organizer is super woman Nancy Rodriguez who spearheads that sanctioning body along with a web site called Supreme Boxing.

Rodriguez is another force in the sport and has added so many other necessary elements to keep boxing alive in Southern California. She also supports women’s boxing and helped set up the main bout that featured Maya Hernandez versus Perla Bazaldua who are both potential Olympians.

Women are coming up strong in the boxing world.