The City of Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Department will host its third annual, free “Centennial Square Boxing Show” featuring a full-scale boxing ring in front of City Hall, located at 100 N. Garfield Ave. The show will be Friday, Aug. 24, from 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Weigh-ins begin at 4:30 p.m. The “Main Card” will feature pugilistic match-ups in the “Master’s Division” with boxers age 50 and older. A variety of other boxing exhibitions will be highlighted with competitors, both male and female, ages 8 and older.
Every month, about 1,800 people of all ages take advantage of the Villa-Parke Community Center’s programs, but one of the most popular activities at the center is the boxing program. During the past two decades, hundreds of hopeful future Olympians and professionals have undergone training with boxing specialist Fausto De La Torre. Currently, more than 300 youth and adults are registered to use the boxing program’s gym. Boxing promotes physical and mental discipline, strength, and well-being and is often a good fit for youth who are typically not drawn to more traditional sports.
Garfield Avenue will be closed to traffic in front of City Hall to allow for the boxing ring in Centennial Square. The event is free and open to the public. Last year’s Pasadena Media coverage of the event won a WAVE Award from the Alliance for Community Media Western States Region in the category of Sports Coverage.
For more information about Villa-Parke and its programs, including boxing, visit cityofpasadena.net/humanservices or call the Villa-Parke Community Center at (626) 744-6530. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., and is closed on Sunday.
