Amateur Pugilists Display Skills Under The Stars At City Hall

– Courtesy photo

The City’s second, free outdoor amateur pugilistic extravaganza—The Centennial Square Boxing Exhibition—takes place under the stars in front of Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., 7-10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25. More than a dozen amateur boxers, including some possible future Olympic hopefuls or pros, will engage in a series of three-round matches.

Weigh-ins for both male and female boxers, ages 8 and up, begin at 4:30 p.m. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Non-reserved seating will be available along with food for purchase. Sign-ups are still available by contacting the Villa-Parke Community Center, (626) 744-6530.

Last year’s event drew several hundred spectators who sat ring-side watching the amateur boxers compete. Like last year, this year’s event is sanctioned by the U.S. Boxing Federation and features a full-scale, elevated boxing ring.

Pasadena and boxing have a long tradition going back more than 20 years. The Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St., is home to the City’s popular boxing program through the Human Services and Recreation Department.

Every month, hundreds of boxing contenders train under the tutelage of City Boxing Specialist Fausto De La Torre. Currently, more than 300 young people and adults are registered to use the boxing program’s gym, including about 100 youths. Boxing promotes physical and mental discipline, strength and well-being and is often a good fit for youth who are not drawn to traditional team sports, De La Torre said.

Preliminary bouts begin at 7 p.m., beginning with youngest athletes and progressively moving up in ages. The “Main Card” of the evening features fast-paced, hard-hitting action in the “Master’s Division” with boxers age 50 and older, beginning at about 8:30 p.m. Awards will be presented after the matches are completed.

Motorists are advised that Garfield Avenue will be blocked off to traffic in front of City Hall, between Union St. and Ramona.

Pasadena Media, www.pasadenamedia.org, will be on hand to record the event with highlight from the evening shown later on KPAS, the City’s government cable access TV channel, seen locally by Charter subscribers on Ch. 3, AT&T U-verse subscribers on Ch. 99 and streamed online.

For more information about the Villa-Parke Community Center and recreation programs offered by the City, go to www.cityofpasadena.net/HumanServices, or call the Villa-Parke Community Center at (626) 744-6530. The center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.

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