Region's Top Amateur Boxers to Compete in Menifee

The Valley-Wide Parks and Recreation District gym in Menifee will be the site of the Southern California State Amateur Boxing Championships, to be held Friday through Sunday.

"Menifee's Main Event" will be hosted by the Riverside County Boxing Club, based in Canyon Lake. The three-day tournament will feature 360 boxers ages 8 to adult from throughout California, Nevada and Arizona, competing in different weight divisions for championships belts.

The event starts with Friday Night Fights beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday. Competition resumes at noon on Saturday and again at noon on Sunday. This is the fourth year the event has been held in Menifee. Last year, approximately 1,200 people attended.

The number of bouts has nearly doubled this year. The event is sanctioned by the USA Boxing Association, which is governed by the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team.

Opening Ceremonies will include the Perris High School ROTC Color Guard and the national anthem will be sung by Paloma Valley High School graduate Alexis Baca. The Mexican national anthem will be sung by Elli Avila. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $5 for kids. Ringside seats cost $20. Proceeds benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Riverside County Boxing Club. Food vendors will also be on site.

Boxing legends scheduled to attend include former champion Fernando Vargas, who will bring 14 of his boxers from his Las Vegas boxing club. He's also bringing with him fellow former champion Joel Casamayor, former heavyweight champions Michael Weaver and Dee Collier, and former middleweight champion Andy "The Dakota Kid" Heilman.

"We would like to give a huge thanks to the generous support from the American Medical Response Ambulance service and Joanna Robinson and John Campbell from the Menifee/Riverside division," said Dario Rodriguez, event coordinator. "This event would not happen if not for their generous sponsorship. Other sponsors we would like to give thanks to are Vukee.com, Quaid Harley Davidson of Temecula, R. David Bulen Insurance, and of course Menifee 24/7."

The Valley-Wide gym is located at 28545 La Piedra Road, adjacent to Wheatfield Park. Vendors and sponsorship spots are still available. For more information, call Rodriguez at 951-852-6099 or visit the SoCal State boxing website here.