Amateur boxing returns to the garlic city for the first time in
a decade with Sunday
’s USA Boxing-sanctioned card filled with top local prospects at
Big O Tires in Gilroy.
Amateur boxing returns to the garlic city for the first time in a decade with Sunday’s USA Boxing-sanctioned card filled with top local prospects at Big O Tires in Gilroy.
There will be at least 10 bouts, starting at 2 p.m., at 7700 Monterey Street in Gilroy. Young boxers who train out of the Gilroy Community Youth Center on Sixth Street will go up against other area club teams, including Hollister’s Bulldog Boxing Club.
Individual tickets start at $10 and are limited at the door the day of the event. Special seating, will call and credit card purchases can be made by calling (408) 848-4143 or (831) 902-5088. There will also be drawings and door prizes, including a comedy club package for four from Planet Gemini in Monterey.
“I’ve had this in the makings for a few months. I just needed to get the right location,” said organizer Rick Mello, who also trains the Stick & Move Youth Boxing Club. “I’m trying to get boxing back in Gilroy. I’m going to bring more events to Gilroy.”
Mello’s first event, sponsored by Big O Tires, Ernies Plumbing on Railroad Street in Gilroy, Planet Gemini, Pacific Security Fence Company in San Martin and the Ramada Inn, has fighters ranging in age from 10 up to 25.
“It generates opportunities for them to move along and get experience and qualify for other teams,” Mello said. “Teams like Silver Gloves, Junior Olympics, Golden Gloves, Diamond Belts, Cadet USA Boxing, and U19s.”
Amateur fighters from Mello’s Stick & Move Club team scheduled to fight will be 132-pounder Danny Hernandez, 19, of Gilroy; 152-pounder Russell Guerrero, 20, of Gilroy; 152-pounder Rene Augaristi, 21, of Morgan Hill; and 122-pounder Yvette Gaza, 21, of Morgan Hill.
“For the older boys, it gives them a chance to be looked by a lot of professional promoters if they want to venture into pro boxing,” Mello said.
The Gilroy-based Bad Intentions Boxing Club, run by trainer Roy Ramon, will send some of its fighters in the ring including 75-pounder Manuel Ybarra, 11, of Gilroy; 95-pounder Andrew Santiago, 10, who has a 4-4 amateur record; and 122-pounder Mercedes Baca, 17, who has a 4-3 record.
Out of Hollister’s Bulldog Boxing Club expected to partake are: 120-pounder George Hernandez, 11, who is 7-1 in the amateur ranks; 97-pounder Tony Corales, 13, who holds a 7-6 record; 117-pounder Brian Lopez, 14; 117-pounder Freddy Martinez, 15; and 125-pounder Sergio Morales, 25.
“All of the kids are Youth Center trained,” Mello said. “If it were not for (Gilroy’s) gang task force providing us with a building and Big O Tires wanting to do something for the community, the kids wouldn’t have the opportunity.”
The winners from Sunday’s card will then have a box off August 20 at the Elks Lodge in Monterey for state amateur championship belts.
According to Mello, the last boxing match in Gilroy was at the Armory in 1994.
