San Francisco was at the center of the boxing world from the days of the California gold rush until the late 1950s.
Over 120 champions have competed in the city, including undefeated World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Rocky Marciano, who won his last bout by knockout at Kezar Stadium in 1955.
Starting in the early ‘60s, the city’s love affair with pugilism began to wane as more mainstream sports like baseball and football made inroads with spectators.
But boxing has begun to generate new interest with locals over the past few years, prompting the recent creation of the San Francisco Boxing Union.
Founders of the union had put together boxing events in the past, but on July 26 they held the first San Francisco Amateur Boxing Championship sanctioned by the United States Amateur Boxing association.
The event, held at Roccapulco Supper Club in the Mission District, consisted of nine matches featuring fighters from all over the Bay Area.
The union’s goal is to promote amateur boxing and present it to the general public in a professional way. But it also hopes to motivate urban youth to avoid some of the pitfalls facing them in their neighborhood through involvement in competitive boxing.
Boxing coach Anthony Avilla said that when young kids come to his gym for lessons, he works hard to get them immersed in their training because he knows it will help them stay out of trouble.
“With boxing, young people stay off the streets and out of trouble,” he said. “They have to train constantly to participate in events, but most importantly they have to stay clean: no drugs, no alcohol. This sets an example for other kids in the community.”
Some of the boxers who fought in the championship were examples of the positive impact Avilla believes boxing can provide.
One of the fighters, Michael Davis, said that he has benefited greatly from his involvement with the sport.
“Boxing definitely keeps me out of trouble,” he said. “You’ll either find me at work or at the gym. I don’t have time for anything else, so I don’t drink or smoke.”
The Boxing Union hopes to clear up public misconceptions about boxing caused by illegal activity at private clubs and people who host unsanctioned fights to profit from fighters.
They want people to know that their boxing events are about the sport, supporting local kids and most importantly athlete safety.
Carol Tellez, the event’s promoter, said that with street violence on the rise, boxing serves young men not only as a recreational outlet, but also as a way to help their community.
“We are getting them off the streets and into the gyms,” she said.
Another draw for young people is the chance to be a star. The Boxing Union spreads the word about upcoming events to local gyms and coaches before contacting matchmaker Robert Fernandez about enrolling their boxers in a fight.
“These kids usually don’t have much,” Fernandez said. “Getting their name out there and being in the limelight means a lot to them.”
Although the union’s only been around for a few months, they plan on hosting two championships a year—one in the summer and one in the winter—and hope to eventually build up to hosting several events each year.