The event held on the afternoon of November 4th, 2006 was an amateur boxing exhibition sanctioned by the U.S. Amateur Boxing Association and hosted by the Northern California Boxing Association. There were twelve clubs from all over Northern California represented. I spoke with people from eleven of them. All of the competitors were friendly and respectful. There was no show boating or trash talking. When two fighters enter a ring, hands do the talking.

Folks from Sacramento to Watsonville came to Kezar to test their skills and cheer on their favorites. Boxers from eight to thirty-four years old competed in fourteen bouts. The bouts were three rounds, with one and two minute rounds depending on age. All boxers wore headgear and used ten ounce gloves. The referees and officials were from the U.S.A.B.A. Competition was fierce and the bouts were in my opinion fairly judged.

The Ring of Fire Boxing Club; sponsored by your Union and your FLAME contributions, had two fighters competing. The first was eight year old, Antonio ‘Kid Dynamite’ Munoz. ‘Kid Dynamite’ won his first ever bout in a three round, unanimous decision. The ‘Kid’ was focused and used a style reminiscent of a deranged windmill to dispatch his opponent from Lodi.

The second fighter was current Golden Gloves Light Heavy Weight Champion; twenty-two year old, Joe Gamina. Mr. Gamina dropped his opponent, like a bad habit, mid-way through the second round. Wow.

All throughout the afternoon, the level of competition and sportsmanship was impressive. For ten dollars at the gate and kids for free, there is no better sporting value anywhere. The only disappointment of the day was the lack of attendance by active and retired members. So next time you see one of these cards advertised, get out there and support it. It’s well worth the price of admission, the Kezar Club is right across the street, and the Ring Girls aren’t bad either.

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