Connect with us

Articles

Golden Boy Farewell Fiesta for L.A. Sports Arena “Heart and Soul” of L.A.

Published

on

LOS ANGELES-Southern California sports fans are invited to say farewell to a place that was the heart and soul of sports the L.A. Sports Arena.

Golden Boy Promotions plans a massive fiesta on Saturday at the L.A. Sports Arena when it puts its local prize Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera against Philadelphia’s Hank Lundy for the vacant NABF junior welterweight title.

HBO Latino will televise.

Boxing busted opened the doors of the L.A. Sports Arena in 1959 and it’s shutting down the historic sports venue 56 years later.

When the doors first opened Mexico’s Jose Becerra challenged and defeated France’s Alphonse Halimi for the bantamweight world title and won. He became the first of many Mexican world champions to come.

It was also where John F. Kennedy was introduced and won the Democratic Convention in 1960. He would proceed to become the President of the United States that same year. In its seven decades it housed indoor track and field, saw Jerry West and Elgin Baylor lead the L.A. Lakers, saw Lew Alcindor lead UCLA past Houston in the 1968 Final Four and Bill Walton lead UCLA past Florida State in the 1972 Final Four, and it was where the 1984 Olympic Games housed the boxing tournament that introduced Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Paul Gonzalez, Mark Breland and Meldrick Taylor to the world of boxing.

On Saturday the fiesta begins at 1 p.m. with a Corona beer garden, food booths, mariachi music and autograph booths featuring boxing stars of the past such as Paul Gonzalez, Gato Gonzalez, Gabe Ruelas, Henry Tillman, and stars of today like Randy Caballero and Julian Ramirez; it will take place outside of the Sports Arena.

It’s going to be a party.

The Fights

Inside the arena a massive array of local and international prizefighters will put on display their talent.

Ireland’s Jason Quigley (6-0, 6 Kos), a middleweight prospect with thunder and lightning, faces Michigan’s Tom Howard (8-3, 4 Kos) in a six round affair. Quigley has been very impressive especially fighting so far away from home. He’s adapted to Southern California and looks very good.

“Jason is on the fast track and has tremendous speed, tremendous power and has a fan friendly style,” said Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy and a former mega star. “He’s matched up tough.”

Former U.S. Olympian Jojo Diaz (16-0, 10 Kos) also has a tough opponent in Nicaragua’s Rene Alvarado (22-4, 15 Kos). Anytime someone from Central America makes his way to the U.S. you can bet he’s not easy pickings.

“This victory will be for Nicaragua,” said Alvarado, adding he wants to continue the winning streak that fighters such as Randy Caballero and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez have started in Southern California. “We have the courage and spirit to be successful in this sport.”

Michael “The Artist” Perez (22-1-2, 10 Kos), who is a native of Newark, N.J. but trains in Riverside, Calif. with Robert Garcia, has his hands full with Mexico’s Luis Sanchez (17-3-1, 5 Kos).

“Sparring Mikey Garcia and Saul Rodriguez I come prepared and ready to let the world know I want to be champ,” said Perez. “It’s a huge card with a lot of prospects. Thank you guys for seeing something in me.”

Brooklyn’s Zachary Ochoa (11-0, 5 Kos) meets veteran fighter David Rodela (17-10-4) in a super lightweight showdown.

“This is my first time in L.A.,” said Ochoa. “This is my first time fighting a guy with that kind of experience. I’m ready to go.”

Also ready to go are Philadelphia’s Lundy and Riverside’s Herrera.

“This fight coming up is going to be a great fight,” said Lundy, who was married during training. “You got two hungry fighters. On my wedding day I ran seven miles. He (Herrera) is going to pay for it.”

Herrera didn’t blink upon hearing those words.

“Lundy is a tough fighter. Both of us had it tough. We’ll see who is hungrier,” said Herrera. “In Lundy’s hometown they know I beat Danny Garcia.”

Herrera realizes he’s taking part in a significant night that will essentially be the last gasp for the L.A. Sports Arena.

“I’m going to come out victorious that night and you can close the arena after that fight,” Herrera said.

De La Hoya, who grew up a mere five miles away from the L.A. Sports Arena and saw many sports events there, said, “It’s a special place. There’s a lot of history involved in the Sports Arena.”

Boxing opened its doors 56 years ago and now will help shut it down. It’s only fitting.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 day ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles51 minutes ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 day ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles4 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles1 week ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending