For a decade, Pasadena has put amateur boxing at center stage, building ‘champions of life’

For the last decade, boxers of different life paths, age groups and skill levels have gathered at Pasadena City Hall on a balmy summer night each August.

The warm night air is thick with anticipation. And with the ring of a bell, all eyes from big crowds fixate on the outdoor boxing ring in the shadow of a vintage City Hall.

Lights. Energy. Introductions. Music. Yells from a big crowd. They’ve come for a highly anticipated amateur boxing event.

And then, the fights. Knock outs, referees, the sound of feet pivoting on the floor of the raised ring. Standing eight counts. The winners!

The Centennial Square Boxing Show, a public and free event, will celebrate its 10th year on Aug. 23, welcoming male and female boxers ages 8 and older in a unique municipal showcase that draws fighters and supporters from all over Southern California.

It is hosted by Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

Fausto De La Torre, the event’s founder, leads the boxing program at the Villa Parke Community Center in Pasadena.

His goal transcends the moment, something bigger than a good jab or punch.

“My model is to build champions of life, not world champions,” he said.

De La Torre, 50, who works as the recreation coordinator for the city’s Parks, Recreation, & Community Services, has been involved with the boxing program since he was 8 years old.

Relying on not only the program’s needs, but the community, is an important asset for the program, he added.

“The mental challenges that people are going through, coming off of COVID to having these [Los Angeles] fires, people need an outlet,” he said. “We’re here to provide that for them.”

The event provides boxers the space to take their training from the gym to city hall.

“My vision was to bring my program outdoors, to bring it to the heart of Pasadena,” he said.

With Centennial Square as the boxing ring’s backdrop, the event also hosts food vendors, live music and lights for attendees to enjoy.

“That’s one of the reasons why I decided to take my boxing event to City Hall, because I wanted not only our community, but our city officials, to see our program in action,” De La Torre said.

The event should display the nonviolent, sportsmanship side of boxing, something the Villa Parke program takes seriously, he added.

“It’s just amazing to watch people’s transformation when they come in [the gym] with a frown,” said De La Torre. “After their two-hour workout, they’re a different person, they’re smiling, they’re joking.”

While boxing is a combative sport, De La Torre said the discipline and respect boxers have for each other is “magical.”

From the boxing gym to the competition – attendees can witness amateur boxing’s unique charm.

“[This event] is beyond my vision,” said De La Torre. “They’re dancing with each other, and the magic part of it is the sportsmanship.”

Featuring Olympic-style bouts, the event maintains a professional but welcoming atmosphere, even awarding the runner-ups with medals.

Fighters are introduced over a loud speaker, complete with music, applause and supporters eager to capture a photo or video.

De La Torre emphasized that safety is a priority while preparing for the event. For participants, there is a six-month, no-contact policy during early training.

“Our motto is to give everyone an opportunity to try the program, because it’s beneficial to everyone in different ways,” said De La Torre.

David Reyes, who started boxing during the pandemic, competed in the event last year.

Reyes, 52, is the general manager for Pasadena Water & Power and previously worked as the city’s community development director.

After pursuing boxing for personal reasons, Reyes made his way to the Villa Parke boxing program, where he trains every day on his lunch break.

“[There is] a sense of belonging,” he said. “Everyone says hello and no matter who you are…it’s a special place that’s all-inclusive and it’s welcoming.”

Before competing in the Centennial Square match, Reyes shared that he felt excited and physically prepared. As the fight neared, however, he started to wonder if he could do it.

“Am I ready for this? Why am I doing this?,” said Reyes, as he described the scene. “And then when I got in the ring and I got hit the first time, everything went out the window and I just let the training take over.”

The result was Reyes’ victory, a moment he remembers as uniquely special to Pasadena.

“You can’t even describe what it’s like to be able to compete and have City Hall in the backdrop, at night with lights shining down, it’s amazing,” said Reyes. “It highlights what a special place Pasadena is.”

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo counts himself as a longtime supporter of the event. He attended the very first show in 2015.

This event, according to Gordo, established itself as a premier competition because of the efforts of the Villa Parke boxing program.

“[This] celebration, in front of one of our most iconic places in Pasadena, is a recognition of not only the program, the people who staff the program, but the great athletes and the traditions and history of success that has come through the boxing program at Villa Park,” he said.

The program is “historic” and serves as one of the original community boxing rings in Southern California, according to Gordo.

The Villa Parke Boxing program was established in the 1980s, according to De La Torre.

Gordo referenced the traditions behind the program and what the celebration means to Pasadena.

“Pasadena is diverse in every way, including the activity and opportunity that we provide, and in this moment in time when there’s so much going on around us…it’s important to celebrate as a community,” he said.

“You build bonds here that you won’t build outside. Because nowhere else are you going to be able to beat someone up and then chit-chat, have a laugh with each other afterwards.” — Marvin Gomez

In Pasadena spirit, Gordo encouraged folks to come out and support the boxing community at the event.

“It’s important to keep our community traditions, not just in place, but growing and vibrant by showcasing them,” he said. “And giving our competitive athletes an opportunity to compete with the best right here in their own city.”

Pasadena native and boxer, Marvin Gomez, joined the Villa Parke boxing program as a summer camper in 2016.

“Boxing has changed my life, shaped me to the person I am today,” said Gomez, 17. “I have all my coaches to thank for that… they’re like father figures to me.”

This August marks Gomez’s third year competing in the ring.

Over time, boxing transitioned from something he used for self-defense to a passion.

“It’s awesome, because once we’re out there, everyone from my community is there cheering me on,” said Gomez. “I hear my name being chanted, and it’s a cool feeling.”

Like Reyes, Gomez was victorious in matches the past two years, something the boxing program guided and supported.

“You build bonds [here] that you won’t build outside,” said Gomez. “Because nowhere else are you going to be able to beat someone up and then chit-chat, have a laugh with each other afterwards.”

Echoing Gomez, De La Torre added that the endurance boxers have – and their sportsmanship, is something everyone should witness.

“This sport is life-changing,” he said. “It saved my life and I continue to see it here on a daily basis.”

The Centennial Square Boxing Show will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Avenue.

For more information, visit this website.

Isabel Umekubo is a freelance writer in Southern California.