It was a raucous and exhilarating exhibition of focus and intensity Friday night, Aug. 22, when Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department held its 10th-annual Boxing Show at Centennial Square.
There were two dozen young up-and-comers on the card, each hammering out three rounds of strong but sporting fight against a worthy opponent.
Everyone got to enjoy a home crowd, with around 400 people circling the ring set up at the westside feet of City Hall, clamoring for their favorites, calling out a chorus of instructions and cringing at each jab, poke and punch.
Also see: For a decade, Pasadena has put amateur boxing at center stage, building ‘champions of life’“It’s an amazing event because it gives everyone an opportunity to come out here and enjoy a free event and watch some of the top boxers that are up and coming,” explained Fausto De La Torre, who’s been running the city’s boxing program out of Villa Parke Community Center for 32 years.
“I’m a product of that program,” said De La Torre, who trained many of this night’s enthusiastic competitors.
The atmosphere in Centennial Square had a carnival quality, with all ages represented. Along with food trucks and ice cream, a car show on adjacent Holly Street also had people touring the area to see dozens of classic machines on display, making the crowd even bigger than in past years.
A native drum circle opened the show, with members of the Danza Yankuisitl dance group filling the square with music and rhythm before the matches began.
“We have this every year, so we can recognize the rising stars in the community,” said Robert James, the ring announcer and former Pasadena resident.
“They get invited to come here and showcase their talent,” he said. “They’re all amateurs. Some are trying to make the Olympic team and some are trying to make it in professional boxing.”
Among the talent was Jesse Kang, 17, a 132-pound, lightening-quick contender who took his match against Luis Mora of Stockton.
Kang, who grew up in Pasadena and attends CIS Academy, is passionate about the sport of boxing.
“I competed in my first one last year. I didn’t get a win then, so it feels good getting a win tonight,” he said, wearing the silver prize belt.
“I’ve only been competing for a year, so right now my goal is getting as much out of my amateur career as possible. If it happens, it happens, but right now I’m focusing on making the most out of my amateur career.”
Kang said he prefers the solo aspect of boxing compared to team sports.
“You get all the glory, so if you’re bad, it’s on you. If you do good, it’s all on you,” he said.
“Coming from team sports, y’know, soccer and basketball, I wasn’t really a star player, so the good thing about boxing is if you train hard and you show heart, then all the glory goes to you,” said Kang, who has been part of the Villa Parke program under De La Torre.
“He’s king of it all,” he noted of his coach, whose impact is seen and felt throughout the local boxing community.
Nathaniel Burns of Pasadena was one of the more vocal fans at ringside, urging on different friends as they fought their matches before the screaming crowd, including Kang.
“Put your jab, Jesse! … Jesse, go forward! … Stop holding! Work forward! … It’s all you!” Burns yelled during each intense three-minute round.
“These are my guys,” Burns said. “That’s why I’m so excited.”
Asked about the draw of boxing, Burns described it with simple and intense words.
“I like the excitement and violence,” he said. “It’s a beautiful sport. It’s like art.”
Jarret Liotta is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and photographer.
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