After a nearly three-week suspension amateur boxing is back in
California, but not without some new parameters set forth by the
state’s athletic commission
HOLLISTER
Amateur boxing is back in California, but not without some new parameters set forth by the California State Athletic Commission.
On Monday, the CSAC lifted its suspension of USA Boxing’s ability to hold amateur events in California, conditioned on USA Boxing’s complete cooperation with CSAC inspectors, who will monitor every USA Boxing event for the next two months. The decision ends a three-week suspension imposed by the CSAC, during which time 16 previously sanctioned events were canceled in the state.
The suspension came on the heels of an investigation by the Bay Area’s KGO 7 news, which found USA Boxing’s oversight was nearly non-existent at a private show held at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Children as young as 8 years old fought without parental supervision and gambling was alleged to have taken place on the outcomes of those fights.
“The Commission’s decision to lift the suspension does not mean the California State Athletic Commission has ended its investigation into the circumstances that resulted in the suspension of USA Boxing’s ability to hold amateur boxing events,” CSAC Executive Officer Bill Douglas said. “The Commission’s efforts, as always, are focused on the health and safety of California’s talented amateur athletes. CSAC does not take this responsibility lightly and will investigate and take appropriate action whenever needed.”
New standards for USA Boxing in regards to safety, record keeping and reporting of finances will be implemented over the course of the two-month probation period, with a presentation of progress made to take place at a CSAC meeting in June.
While events were canceled, recently relocated Left2Right Boxing Club in San Martin, formerly of Gilroy, went about business as usual, coach Jerry Rodriguez said. Northern California region qualifiers for the Junior Olympics, the biggest amateur tournament of the year, are scheduled to take place in May, and any time off would have left the three boxers it plans on sending to the event – Cesar Gomez, Jackie Gomez and Jesus Gomez – unprepared.
“We just kept training like we were still going to fight,” Rodriguez said. “We’re actually planning to go to Reno in a show [May 2].”
Zeke Lopez, coach of Bull Dog Boxing Gym in Hollister, which is part of the Central California region, said the decision to shut down all events in the state was too bold of an action and caused some of his fighters to lose interest, putting them behind schedule for future tournaments.
“I think they went about it the wrong way,” Lopez said. “If the problem was in Northern California, then they should have shut down Northern California.”
Even shutting down just those specific clubs in question would have been better, Lopez stated.
“It took a lot of time away from us,” he said. “Everything was just held back. Now we have to make up for (lost) time.”
Lopez added that the new standards resulting from the suspension should improve amateur boxing throughout the state in the long run.
“I think it was needed,” he said. “Now we won’t have the people that will allow kids to box three to four years difference, 10 to 12 pounds difference. There were a couple of places we’ve been invited to go to in Northern California and we just don’t go because I know of the problems. Hopefully, now, amateur boxing will be safer and better.”
Lopez has three fighters – Jorge Hernandez, Phillip Bribiescas and Matt Bribiescas – who will compete at the Central California qualifiers for Junior Olympics on April 25 in Avenal.
Due to the CSAC shutdown, Avenal will also be hosting the senior men’s tournament that same day, with Hollister boxer Tony Corrales competing. The event can result in a boxer being added to Team USA for the Olympics if they reach nationals.
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Sports editor Andrew Matheson contributed to this report.
