Avila Perspective, Chap. 103: The 50th Anniversary of East L.A. Riots

Published

4 years ago

August 28, 2020

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 103: The 50th Anniversary of East L.A. Riots

When steely-eyed Jose Carlos Ramirez defends the WBC and WBO super lightweight titles against Ukraine’s human tentacle Viktor Postol on Saturday, it marks an important date for a large segment of the population that loves boxing.

On August 29, this Saturday, it’s the 50^th anniversary of the East Los Angeles Riots that took place along the Whittier Boulevard corridor in the heart of “East Los.”

When Ramirez (25-0, 17 KOs) meets the taller Postol (31-2, 12 KOs) on Saturday at the MGM Grand Bubble in Las Vegas, it will be exactly 50 years since a peaceful anti-war demonstration was met with police violence at Laguna Park. Several lives were lost.

Here we are a half century later and excessive police violence remains a problem.

That date, August 29^th, is burned in memory of thousands and resulted in me taking the long-winding course that led me here to boxing. It’s a very long story.

Back in 1970 anti-war demonstrations against American participation in Vietnam were occurring all over the country. Some say it mushroomed due to one man, Muhammad Ali, a heavyweight world champion, who refused induction to the U.S. Military in 1966 because of religious beliefs. He was stripped of his boxing titles and unable to earn a living in the prize ring. All states banned him.

Ali would not return to the prize ring until October 26, 1970 when he fought Southern California’s Jerry Quarry.

Unrest was taking place throughout the 50 states especially after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Most large urban cities like Detroit, Washington D.C. and New York City experienced rioting when King was killed on April 4, 1968. Los Angeles also rioted and had endured earlier riots in Black neighborhoods like Watts in 1965. The violence started because of police brutality.

There are always a few bad apples in every occupation including law enforcement.

Anti-war demonstrations were common in 1970 when more than 10,000 people marched several miles through East Los Angeles from Belvedere Park to Laguna Park on August 29, 1970. I remember it well.

As they passed by Eagle Street and Atlantic Boulevard near the infamous Kennedy Hall, marchers of all races and ethnicities were joyful and unaware that they would be under attack later that day. It was the furthest thing from their mind. I remember their faces.

East L.A. has always been a “Chicano” neighborhood. That’s a term used by Mexican-Americans to describe themselves for the past 80 years. After days of burning and violence, the riots subsided, then ignited again during the Mexican Independence Day celebrations.

Los Angeles County and the rest of California finally realized a large segment of the population truly mattered. Things began to change in education and employment opportunities. Significant changes.

Among those with East L.A. ties during the riots are brothers Oscar De La Hoya and Joel De La Hoya, and also their neighborhood friend Eric Gomez. All of them lived blocks away from Whittier Boulevard within the heart of the uprising but were not born yet.

Chicanos are comprised of many ethnicities, not just Mexicans. They also consist of every Latin American country with the common thread being Native American blood. Chicanos are mestizos, mixed Latinos living in the USA. Not everyone calls themselves a Chicano, only those that really know their roots and understand they are part of America. It’s a political statement and a way of thinking.

One thing about Chicanos, they love to fight and they love watching fights.

Professional boxing has always been popular in Los Angeles. Even while most newspapers refuse to acknowledge it, prizefighting continues to thrive without support from major media. Latinos love prizefighting whether they consider themselves Chicano or otherwise.

Here’s another secret; whether they live in East Los Angeles or the East Coast, Latinos as a whole love boxing.

Top Rank on ESPN+

Whether Ramirez calls himself Chicano, Mexican or Latino, one thing is certain the prizefighter from Avenal, California has not fought in over a year despite being red hot.

“After the big win against Hooker, I am ready to go and continue my journey to become undisputed champion. I know Viktor Postol stands in the way of that, and he is a very experienced fighter,” said Ramirez, whose last fight was a knockout win over Maurice Hooker for the WBO super lightweight title.

Earlier this year Ramirez was expected to defend the WBC and WBO titles against Postol but the coronavirus pandemic forced two postponements,

Postol has been lurking like a vampire. He’s got that boa constrictor style to cause problems for anyone with his penchant for holding.

“Jose is a good fighter. He is a good champion, but I know I have a good chance to win this fight. I have the motivation because this fight is for two belts. I’ll be ready,” said Postol who’s trained by Freddie Roach.

It’s one of the best male fights so far this year. So far, female fights have dominated male fights in terms of quality matchups. This Ramirez-Postol match is a true elite clash.

Other fighters on the card are Southern California’s Arnold Barboza (23-0, 10 KOs) another super lightweight contender zeroing in toward challenging for a world title. His foe will be Canada’s Tony Luis (29-3, 10 KOs) a 32-year-old fighting for his own place in line.

Barboza seems to have found his power and has four knockouts in his last five fights.

The Top Rank fight card can be seen on ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. PT.

PBC on FS1

Cuba’s slick Erislandy Lara and Mexico’s Alfredo Angulo meet in the boxing ring at Microsoft Center in Los Angeles, but not at the same time. Too bad. Television coverage begins at 3 p.m. PT on FS1.

The last time they engaged Angulo forced Lara to stand and fight at the StubHub Center back in 2013. Lara was floored twice in their bloody and brutal fight but rallied to stop Angulo in the 10^th round in a crazy encounter. It was probably the last time Lara was in a 50/50 fight until he ran into Jarrett Hurd in 2018.

Aside from the Hurd and Angulo fights, Lara never could attract a large following due to his non-fighting style learned in the amateurs. It’s ingrained in him. That served him well in the amateurs but fans attending a pro fight want to see some fisticuffs.

Lately, some are saying he has finally learned how to fight in the pro style. Is it too late?

Lara defends the WBA super welterweight title against Greg Vendetti (22-3-1, 10 KOs) who upset Japan’s Yoshehiro Kamegai two years ago and won’t be a pushover.

In the semi-main event, “El Perro” Angulo (26-7, 21 KOs) meets Caleb Truax (31-4-2, 19 KOs) the former super middleweight world champion. If fans were allowed the Los Angeles arena would be packed with spectators.

Angulo always had a very rabid fan base. Even when it seemed he was heading to the scrap heap during losses to Freddie Hernandez and James De La Rosa, the fans still showed up. When he lost to Sergio “the Latin Snake” Mora after falling behind early, the rally he drummed up convinced his promoter that he still had something left. He did.

Angulo knocked out Evert Bravo in his next fight and then upset Peter “Chocolate Kid” Quillen by split decision in one of the great comebacks in boxing.

Now here we are.

Mexicali-born Angulo just loves to fight and now trains with Abel Sanchez in Big Bear. He’s also proof that whether Mexican or Chicano, fighting is one of the things we love to do. Whether on the streets or in the prize ring you can count on fists flying.

Here’s a toast to all the Chicanos and especially to the memory of slain L.A. Times journalist Ruben Salazar who died 50 years ago during the East L.A. Riots.

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Results from the Chumash Casino where Akhmedov Gave a GGG-like Performance

Published

6 hours ago

December 13, 2024

David A. Avila

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Shades of Triple G.

Kazakhstan has another middleweight killer as Sadriddin Akhmedov overran veteran Raphael Igbokwe to win by knockout on Friday evening.

“He’s a tough guy, but I’m a tough guy too,” said Akhmedov of his Texas foe.

Akhmedov (15-0, 13 KOs) excited the crowd at Chumash Casino with a strong performance against a gritty Igbokwe (17-6, 7 Kos). The Kazakh fighter has Gennady Golovkin’s old trainer Abel Sanchez at his side.

It was evident in the first round that Akhmedov wields power, but it was also evident that Igbokwe was not going to quit. Blow after blow was absorbed by the Texas-trained fighter and he continued to press forward.

Akhmedov telegraphed his overhand rights but fired quick and accurate left hooks. Igbokwe withstood the power for round after round.

At the end of the fifth round both fighters continued to fire punches after the bell rang. It angered the two middleweights.

Akhmedov must have still been angry when the sixth round began as he erupted with a 12-punch barrage. Several big blows connected and the Texas fighter was in trouble. Though Igbokwe escaped the first barrage he was unable to avoid the second and the fight was stopped by referee Rudy Barragan at 56 seconds of the sixth round.

The Kazakhstan fighter thanked his fan support and his new trainer Sanchez.

“Every morning at 7 a.m. he wants to kill me,” Akhmedov said of Sanchez.

Other Bouts

A battle between Olympians saw Carlos Balderas (15-2, 13 KOs) knock out Cesar Villarraga (11-11-1) in the sixth round for the win at super lightweight.

A one-two combination found the mark for Balderas at 56 seconds of the sixth round. Villarraga beat the count but once the fight resumed the referee stopped the fight after Balderas connected with another right.

“My coaches told me it was there,” said Balderas of the right cross that finished the fight.

Balderas fought for Team USA in the Olympics and Villarraga for Team Colombia.

Super welterweights Jorge Maravillo (10-0-1, 8 KOs) and Damoni Cato-Cain (8-1-2) fought to a split draw after eight back-and- forth rounds.

Cain-Cato sprinted ahead for the first three rounds behind subtle pressure and focusing on the body then the head against the taller Maravillo. Then, it stopped.

Maravillo stopped retreating and used his long stiff left jabs as a probe and counter punch and became the stalker instead of the prey. It turned the fight around. But Cain-Cato was reluctant to give up too much territory and fought through a damaged left eye to keep the match tight. After eight rounds one judge saw Maravillo the winner, another saw Cato-Cain, and a third saw it even for a split draw.

It was a fitting score.

Angel Carrillo (4-0-1) out-pointed Joshua Torres (0-2-2) with combination punching and in-and-out maneuvers to win by decision. Though 14 years younger, Carrillo wore a protector near his chest. Twice he placed it far above his belly button and was never warned.

Fidencio Hernandez (3-0) was the more polished fighter and used straighter punches and a tighter defense to shut out Laguna Beach’s Josaphat Navarro (1-3-1) and won by unanimous decision.

In her pro debut Perla Bazaldua (1-0) won by knockout over Mollie Backowski (0-4) in a super flyweight contest. Bazaldua fights out of Los Angeles and has long been touted as a one of that city’s best amateur prospects. Now she is a pro.

Photo credit: Lina Baker / 360 Promotions

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 308: SoCal Rivals Rocha and Curiel Rumble and More

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2024

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 308: SoCal Rivals Rocha and Curiel Rumble and More

Decades ago, battles between regional warriors were as common as freeway traffic in Los Angeles during rush hour.

Bobby Chacon repped San Fernando Valley, Mando Ramos came from the docks of San Pedro, Danny “Little Red” Lopez lived in Alhambra and Ruben “Maravilla Kid” Navarro hailed from East L.A. And they rumbled repeatedly with each other.

The boxing sphere in California has grown much larger despite the closure of boxing palaces such as the Olympic Auditorium, Hollywood Legion Stadium, Great Western Forum, the L.A. Coliseum and Wrigley Field.

Those were classic venues.

Today in the 21^st century boxing continues to grow.

Golden Boy Promotions presents SoCal regional rivals Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha (25-2, 16 KOs) facing Hollywood’s Raul Curiel (15-0,13 KOs) in a welterweight clash on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. DAZN will stream the main card and YouTube.com the remainder.

Ontario is located in the Inland Empire known as the I.E.

Rocha, 27, has grown into a crowd favorite with a crowd-pleasing style developed by Orange County boxing trainer Hector Lopez. I remember his pro debut at Belasco Theater in downtown L.A. He obliterated his foe in three rounds and the small venue erupted with applause.

Wherever Rocha goes to fight, his fans follow.

“Anyone I face is trying to take food away from my family,” said Rocha.

Curiel, 29, has traveled a different road. As a former Mexican Olympian he took the slower road toward adapting to the professional style. Freddie Roach has refined the Mexican fighter’s style and so far, he remains unbeaten with a 10-fight knockout streak.

“I want to fight the best in the division,” said Curiel who is originally from Guadalajara.

Super welter hitters

Another top-notch fighter on the card is super welterweight Charles Conwell from Cleveland, Ohio. Conwell (20-0, 15 KOs) faces Argentina’s undefeated Gerardo Vergara (20-0, 13 KOs) in the co-main event.

Conwell may be the best kept secret in boxing and has been dominating foes for the past several years. He has solid defense, good power and is very strong for this weight class. Very Strong.

“I got to go out there and dominate,” said Conwell. “This is a fight that can lead me to a world championship fight.”

Golden Boy Promotions got lucky in picking up this fighter who could compete with any super welterweight out there. Anyone.

Vergara, 30, is another Argentine product and if you know anything about that South American country, they groom strong fighters with power. Think Marcos Maidana. This will be his first true test.

“I really hope he (Conwell) backs what he is saying,” said Vergara.

Marlen Esparza vs Arely Mucino

Former flyweight world titlists finally meet, but at super flyweight.

Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza fights Mexico’s Arely Mucino in a fight that should have taken place years ago. Both are both coming off losses in title fights.

Esparza has the “fast hands” as she said and Mucino the “aggressive style” as she mentioned at the press conference on Thursday in Ontario.

It’s a 10-round affair and could mark the end for the loser.

Friday Night Fights

Undefeated middleweight Sadridden Akhmedov (14-0, 12 KOs) headlines a 360 Promotions and faces Raphael Igbokwe (17-5, 7 KOs) in the main event on Friday, Dec. 13, at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the event.

Akhmedov hails from Kazakhstan and if you remember legendary Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin also hails from that region. Tom Loeffler the head of 360 Promotions worked with GGG too among other legends.

Is Akhmedov the real deal?

Former American Olympian Carlos Balderas (14-2) is also on the card and fights veteran Cesar Villarraga (11-10-1) who has been known to upset favorites in the past.

Fights to Watch

Fri. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Sadridden Akhmedov (14-0) vs Raphael Igbokwe (17-5).

Sat. DAZN 10:30 a.m. Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1) vs Ricardo Espinoza (30-4).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Alexis Rocha (25-2) vs Raul Curiel (15-0); Charles Conwell (20-0) vs Gerardo Vergara (20-0); Marlen Esparza (14-2) vs Arely Mucino (32-4-2).

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Cardoso, Nunez, and Akitsugi Bring Home the Bacon in Plant City

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2024

Arne K. Lang

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Cardoso, Nunez, and Akitsugi Bring Home the Bacon in Plant City

The final ShoBox event of 2025 played out tonight at the company’s regular staging ground in Plant City, Florida. When the smoke cleared, the “A-side” fighters in the featured bouts were 3-0 in step-up fights vs. battle-tested veterans, two of whom were former world title challengers. However, the victors in none of the three fights, with the arguable exception of lanky bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi, made any great gain in public esteem.

In the main event, a lightweight affair, Jonhatan Cardoso, a 25-year-old Brazilian, earned a hard-fought, 10-round unanimous decision over Los Mochis, Mexico southpaw Eduardo Ramirez. The decision would have been acceptable to most neutral observers if it had been deemed a draw, but the Brazilian won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice.

Cardoso, now 18-1 (15), had the crowd in his corner., This was his fourth straight appearance in Plant City. Ramirez, disadvantaged by being the smaller man with a shorter reach, declined to 28-5-3.

Co-Feature

In a 10-round featherweight fight that had no indelible moments, Luis Reynaldo Nunez advanced to 20-0 (13) with a workmanlike 10-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s Leonardo Baez. The judges had it 99-91 and 98-92 twice.

Nunez, from the Dominican Republic, is an economical fighter who fights behind a tight guard. Reputedly 85-5 as an amateur, he is managed by Sampson Lewkowicz who handles David Benavidez among others and trained by Bob Santos. Baez (22-5) was returning to the ring after a two-year hiatus.

Also

In a contest slated for “10,” ever-improving bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi improved to 12-0 (3 KOs) with a sixth-round stoppage of Filipino import Aston Palicte (28-7-1). Akitsugi caught Palicte against the ropes and unleashed a flurry of punches climaxed by a right hook. Palicte went down and was unable to beat the count. The official time was 1:07 of round six.

This was the third straight win by stoppage for Akitsugi, a 27-year-old southpaw who trains at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in LA under Roach’s assistant Eddie Hernandez. Palicte, who had been out of the ring for 16 months, is a former two-time world title challenger at superflyweight (115).

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