Today marks the largest Ringside Challenge to date, with about 35 to 40 amateur bouts planned. Normally, Ringside Challenges have half that many bouts. There will be nearly 20 clubs there from San Diego, Las Vegas, Oxnard, Calif., Mexico, the Navajo Nation, and more.
The challenge will highlight two key bouts. One is between Saul Luna (Las Vegas) and Yuma's Victor Arriola. Arriola is Yuma boxing's best hope at the 2004 olympics, though at 16 he cannot contend for a spot until next year.
"The race starts when he's 17," Yuma County Youth Boxing Association president Fred Block said. "This year is critical to lead up to that. He has to meet good boxers this year."
That's why Arriola is matched with Luna, who is 17, has 20 bouts under his belt and has faced older, more physically developed boxers.
"The passage of rites from being a kid to being a man in boxing is 17," Block said. "once you cross that threshold ... You could box anyone under 35."
Heather Donaho (San Diego), the USA Women's Flyweight champion, was scheduled to fight Chelsea Sabrizo (Las Vegas), but Donaho injured her leg while training for the bout. She will still come and sign autographs at the challenge but cannot fight. Fighting in her place against Sabrizo will be Becky Garcia (Phoenix), whose trainer is Ernie Gonzalez Jr., the father of the USA champion at 156 pounds, Jesus Gonzalez Jr.
Sabrizo's trainer is James Pena, who also trains professional fighter Melinda Cooper (7-0 record). Sabrizo spars with Cooper in the gym.