LOS ANGELES (July 23) – Fighters featured on the Aug. 6 edition of LA FIGHT CLUB and Aug. 8 Perez vs. Mikhaylenko cards hosted a free youth boxing clinic at the City of Angeles Boxing Gym in downtown Los Angeles, working with the All Peoples Community Center summer youth camp. Main event fighter and undefeated featherweight standout Abraham “Chamaco” Lopez (18-0-1, 13 KOs), and new Golden Boy Promotions fighters set to make their professional debut Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, Jonathan Navarro, and Joshua Franco led children ages 7 to 13 in various boxing techniques, with a focus on building confidence and encouraging fitness among the youth. Joet Gonzalez (11-0, 4 KOs) who is featured on the undercard of Johan Perez vs. Dmitry Mikhaylenko was also in attendance to lead the youth in boxing techniques.
Below are the fighters’ thoughts about their upcoming bouts on Aug. 6 and Aug. 8 as well as the day they spent working with kids from the All Peoples Community Center summer youth camp at the City of Angels Boxing Gym:
ABRAHAM “CHAMACO” LOPEZ, Featherweight Prospect:
“I’ve trained hard and feel very strong for my fight. I’m really confident with my new strength and conditioning program, so I feel excited to get back to it.
“Today, as I work with these kids, it motivates me that I can be in a position to serve as a role model. I remember being a young fighter and it feels great to give back. It would be great to be able to push them towards boxing. With the kids, one thing I wanted to stress was be the importance of defense and one of my favorite punches: the left hook to the body.”
HECTOR “EL FINITO” TANAJARA, Super Featherweight Prospect:
“I’m extremely excited. I’ve been working to fight as a professional boxer my whole life and to finally be in this position feels great.
“My team and I have been preparing for this fight and I feel strong and ready. Today it was great to see these kids and teach them some basics. It keeps me humble and motivates me.”
JONATHAN NAVARRO, Lightweight Prospect:
“I’m excited. I live around the neighborhood, so it’s interesting to be a part of this project. I also have a job with the city to work with kids and teach them boxing. It’s surreal being in this position because I used to be in their shoes.”
JOSHUA FRANCO, Super Flyweight Prospect:
“I just feel excited to be working with the kids and teaching them the basics of fighting. Training as well has made me feel stronger, faster. It’s going good; it’s going real good.
I feel excited about my upcoming fight. I just can’t wait for my professional debut. Granted, I’m just a little bit nervous, but my family and friends aren’t worried. I know I’ll come out a victor.”
JOET GONZALEZ, Featherweight Prospect:
“Right now I’m just trying to give back. Today we’re showing the kids hard work and discipline. I remember the first time I started boxing, I already knew I wanted to do this. I knew I wanted to be a champion.
“I know that the fight’s easy if I train hard, and I’ve trained 2-3 times a day to prepare. That’s why I’m ready. I can’t wait to fight. I’m 150% ready to go.”
LA FIGHT CLUB: Lopez vs. Diaz is a 10-round featherweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Deportes broadcast will air live, Thursday, August 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.
Johan Perez vs. Dmitry Mikhaylenko is a 12-round welterweight title bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico, Live It To Believe It! Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. The HBO Latino telecast airs live at 10:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT).
All Peoples Community Center has become a comprehensive community center based in South Los Angeles, delivering a myriad of social and educational services and activities. Their services and activities are driven by the purpose of: helping children succeed at each stage in their development, strengthening and supporting individuals and families and building community, preventing violence and crime, in the community and in the home, addressing the root causes of gang involvement, providing job training and creating job opportunities, helping seniors stay active and engaged. All Peoples Community Center provides a broad spectrum of social services to all, regardless of faith or race, and to empower the community to meet its needs by promoting equality, unity, respect and self-determination among all who participate in its programs.
City of Angels Boxing Gym is a full service boxing gym featuring group and private classes for all people of all ages and conditions. Home to the LAPD Boxing Team and rated “Best Boxing Gym in Los Angeles” by LA WEEKLY, the gym has helped thousands of people with conditioning for other sports (amateur and professional athletes), weight loss and to find fun in fitness. The gym has been featured by several networks including ESPN, TELEMUNDO, FOX LATINO, UNIVISION and Fox Sports Network. The gym is dedicated to continue to share the love of boxing by enhancing the health and lives of members.
Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB start at $20 are on sale now and are available for purchase online at www.goldenboypromotions.comor by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email us at LAFightClub@goldenboypromotions.com.
Tickets for the August 8 event are on sale now, are priced at $25, $35 and $45 and can be purchased at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.