It’s been two years since Hollister residents have seen an
amateur boxing match in town.
Hollister – It’s been two years since Hollister residents have seen an amateur boxing match in town.
Some of the top local talent in the area will be showcased in the the South County Performance Cycles Box Off Sunday.
Clubs from 15 cities are expected to attend, and there are about 20 bouts scheduled. Organizer Zeke Lopez hopes that he will have 15 bouts on the ticket after the customary no-shows.
“It will always change because guys come in under weight or over weight,” Lopez said. “Most of the kids scheduled will make a good show. These last two weeks have been long. I think I am going to take a week off after this.”
Once he recovers, he will be back at it again preparing for the Silver Gloves hosted locally in November.
Lopez has been trying frantically to mix and match to get boxers into position to give everyone a bout. But it is tough when clubs like Watsonville drop four of their nine competitors at the last minute, he said.
“A lot of people don’t understand what it takes, but in the end it all pays off if you put on a good show for the crowd,” Lopez said.
One of the highlights is in the senior bout between Gilroy’s Rene Agauristi and Moses Rivera from Delano. Agauristi is planning to turn pro at the end of the year.
Another highlight will be the only female match between Gilroy’s Yvette Lozano Aguaristi and Fresno’s Tereza Merayda.
But not everyone may get to box. Andrew Santiago ,12, of Gilroy, was scheduled to box, but his opponent dropped out.
Jorge Hernandez, of Hollister, is tentatively scheduled to box against Arnufo Aniya from Salinas. But that match hasn’t been confirmed yet, Lopez said.
“It’s hard to get fights for Jorge because of his experience and weight,” Lopez said.
Bill Lee, 31, who owns San Benito Shutters and is sponsoring the tournament, is also looking for an opponent. According to Lopez, Lee may go against a boxer from Gilroy who he defeated in Monterey last week.
The cost is $10. The doors open at 1pm, and the show starts at 2pm.
