Avila Perspective, Chap 200: King of the Club Shows, Stallone and More

Avila Perspective, Chap 200: King of the Club Shows, Stallone and More

COSTA MESA, CA.-A packed crowd saw Southern California’s newest hot prospect Ernesto “Tito” Mercado continue his road to the top and amateur star Jesikah Guerra make her professional debut on Thursday.

It was also a record crowd for Roy Englebrecht Events with 1,482 fans at the OC Hangar.

Englebrecht has been promoting boxing shows in Southern California’s Orange County since 1985.

“I started with Don (Fraser) back in 1985 doing shows in Irvine,” said Englebrecht while simultaneously coordinating the event and barking instructions. Fraser was an ace promoter for decades in California. He passed away at 92 in 2019.

Southern California has been a bastion for boxing and stages more pro fight shows than any other area in the country and perhaps the world. Often three or four shows run simultaneously on the same weekend.

No other promoter in California has lasted as long or been as successful as Englebrecht. He’s considered the maestro when it comes to club shows.

Club shows are the backbone for prizefighting. Whether it’s MMA or boxing the fighters mostly begin their journeys at the club show level in front of scant crowds. Roy Englebrecht Events has showcased many stars and world champions such as Sergio “Latin Snake” Mora, Wendy Rodriguez, and Sugar Shane Mosley at the beginning of their careers.

On Thursday night, a record crowd for the OC Hangar saw Mercado register his seventh win and Guerra gain her first victory as a professional. Perhaps both can eventually win world titles. It’s happened before.

Regardless of who’s fighting, it’s the best place to watch boxing in Orange County or simply hang out at the OC Hangar. It’s a show within a show. Englebrecht Events has a stranglehold on club shows for the area and many fans that attend are regulars with season ticket seating.

Its also common to see ringside fans toss dollar bills into the boxing ring after an entertaining fight.

And don’t think you can find these boxing shows on television.

“We don’t need television,” said Englebrecht. “Unless they want to give us a lot of money.”

It’s the best show in town.

Stallone Movie “Samaritan.”

Speaking of shows, Sylvester Stallone who made his fame writing and starring in the Oscar award winning film “Rocky” has a new film out today on Amazon Prime called “Samaritan.” He is not directing this film.

“Directing is not fun. Its brutal. You answer 8,000 questions a day,” said Stallone on his Zoom interview. “I, for example, enjoy acting now more than I did at 35.”

Stallone did write the story and stars in the film about a superhero from the past who hides in obscurity for years until forced to re-appear. It also stars young amateur boxer Javon “Wanna” Walton in one of the key roles. I’m anxious to see the film.

MarvNation in Pico Rivera

Smack in the middle of suburbia, MarvNation Promotions stages a fight card filled with undefeated prospects including featherweight Nathan Rodriguez (8-0) of Pico Rivera fighting veteran Moises Flores (25-7-1) in the main event at Smith Park in Pico Rivera, Calif. on Saturday Aug. 27.

Also on the card, undefeated super middleweight Raquel Miller (11-0) meets Mexico’s Irais Hernandez (4-4-2) who only fights top contenders and champions. Their eight-round clash could decide who fights the winner between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall in a couple of weeks. FITE TV will stream on pay-per-view.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Social Gloves Sept 10 in LA

Boxing featuring social media stars and sports celebrities called Social Gloves: ‘No More Talk’ takes place at Banc of California Stadium on Sept. 10, in Los Angeles. It will be streamed live at SocialGloves.TV, FITE.

The fight card was originally scheduled for early August but was postponed for various reasons. Those competing on the boxing card are Nick “Swaggy P” Young, BlueFace, Le’Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson among others.

For more ticket information go to: www.BancOfCaliforniaStadium.com and www.Ticketmaster.com.

Fights to Watch

Saturday, ESPN 7:30 pm PT. Jose Pedraza (29-4) vs. Richard Commey (30-4)

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