It turns out the National Guard representative at the armory
disallowed three music performances
– and not the police as a local gym owner contended – during the
middle of 12 sanctioned boxing matches scheduled there
Saturday.
It turns out the National Guard representative at the armory disallowed three music performances – and not the police as a local gym owner contended – during the middle of 12 sanctioned boxing matches scheduled there Saturday.
Bulldog Boxing Gym owner Zeke Lopez originally explained to the Free Lance how a city official in a meeting last week notified him of the decision. But that call came down from armory Sgt. Felipe Davila because adding the two rap performers and a rhythm and blues singer required additional approval and security than promoters have contracted, Davila told the Free Lance.
Lopez had started organizing the show about six weeks ago, with a local music promoter handling the marketing end. The promoter had scheduled two rap performances – Lopez’ 16-year-old son was set to open with another solo rapper following – with R&B singer Davina as the featured performer.
Along with those acts, organizers had promoted on fliers around the area that five other rappers would appear as special guests to sign autographs.
Lopez acknowledged the fliers stressed the music performances and did not mention anything about boxing, calling it a “mistake” by the promoter, though he contended the 12 ring matches are the event’s focus.
Even if the music performances do not go on at the armory, Lopez stressed that the boxing matches are still set with doors opening at 1 p.m. for a 2 p.m. start. He said the promoter hopes to move the music to another venue, presumably in another city, and hold it there. The gym owner noted how organizers had sold more than 100 tickets to the event – they are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Davila said the organizers would have to meet those additional requirements to allow such an event.
“The decision wasn’t the police department’s,” Davila said. “It was mine. I’m the one that does the contract for the armory … Somehow they were going to turn around and make it into a concert-type thing, something totally different.”
But Lopez said such performances are commonplace at boxing events around the area and he compared it to a halftime show of a football game. He also noted how the gym had put on boxing events at the armory in the past with no problems.
Lopez had contended the decision came from police Capt. Richard Vasquez, but the law enforcement official also confirmed the department was not involved in the decision.
“We did talk to the Army,” Vasquez said. “They said they were unaware this was going to be happening.”
Lopez said the situation here “just doesn’t make any sense.”
“Without saying prejudice, I’m just saying it doesn’t make sense,” Lopez said. “I don’t know what the big scare is.”
