Media Day at the House of Boxing – everyone was there but you

On Monday, April 20, 2015, three of the four principles involved in the upcoming Golden Boy Promotions Mega Fights posed for promotional photos at the House of Boxing in Paradise Hills, San Diego, California. Photo: Jim Wyatt

With three major fights on the horizon, San Diego’s House of Boxing, in conjunction with Golden Boy Promotions, hosted a Media Day for four of the six combatants scheduled to compete in these upcoming Mega Fights. The local and National Press came in mass to the Reo Drive location in Paradise Hills, San Diego, California to first, interview the boxers and take photos, devour the delicious Mexican cuisine, then watch the fighters go through their typical workouts followed by even more one on one time interviews with the fighters.

First up was 27 year-old Mercito Gesta, the former lightweight world title challenger, who on Thursday, April 30, will be battling it out with 29 year-old Carlos Molina in a 10 round super lightweight match at the Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California.

The 5’7” Gesta (28-1-1, 16 KOs), a southpaw from San Diego by way of Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines, last fought July 18, 2014 versus Luis Arceo at the Longshoremen’s Hall in San Francisco, California. Arceo was stopped in the seventh round of their scheduled 10 rounder. That was nine long months ago.

(top) Everyone wanted a photo with Mercito Gesta to include his long time backers. (bottom, l to r) Mercito Gesta, Mercito’s father Anecito Gesta, your’s truly and boxing writer and commentator Felipe Leon of Fight News. Photos: J. Wyatt

The 5’5½” Molina (17-2-1, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles has had a rough time of late, losing his last two fights – a loss to the 5’8½” welterweight Amir “King Khan” Khan from Bolton, Lancashire, U. K. (30-3, 19 KOs) and a loss to super lightweight Adrien Broner of Cincinnati, Ohio (30-1, 22 KOs).

After getting additional time to prepare for this fight, Molina and his supporting cast feel he is in the best shape of his life. Younger brother Oscar added: “Just ask some of his sparring partners.”

(top, left to right) Antonio Orozco is interviewed by a gentleman from Instant Boxing.com. Orozco poses for a photo with Gizelle Espinoza, the wife of Frank Espinoza Jr. (bottom, l to r) Mercito Gesta and Carlos Molina pose for photos.

(top) USA Amateur Boxing champ Genaro Gamez (c), joins the Molina family for a group photo, (l to r) Javier, Carlos, Miguel and Oscar. (below) The Gamez family gather with their friend for a photo: Rey, Genaro and their father, Luis Gamez.

Tickets, priced at $25, $35, and $45, are available at the Fantasy Springs Box Office by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

The Gesta vs. Molina fight is a 10-round super lightweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It! Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

(bottom) Antonio Orozco (r) is joined by (l to r) well respected boxing trainer Luis Gamez and boxing commentator Elle Seckbach of ESNews.

(l) Antonio Orozco’s opponent on Friday, May 15, Emmanuel Taylor.

Great to see one of the finest sports writers in the business, Mark Ziegler (r) of the Union Tribune at Monday’s Press Conference. Ziegler, with some help from the San Diego State Aztec Basketball team has made college basketball #1 in town. Give him free reign to write about local boxing and the sky’s the limit. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Next up was the 27 year-old Antonio “Relentless” Orozco of the host gym, the House of Boxing. Orozco will be headed to Phoenix, Arizona for his May 15th meeting with 24 year-old, 5’7½” Emmanuel “Tranzformer” Taylor (18-3, 12 KOs) of Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. Taylor’s credentials read: 186-26 as an amateur, 3-time National PAL Champion, 2006 Ringside champion and a finalist in the 2008 U. S. A. Nationals.

As a pro, Taylor lost by split decision to Pernice Brewer (15-1-1, 6 KOs) back on November 10, 2011, by an unanimous decision to Chris Algieri (20-1, 8 KOs) on February 14, 2014 and by an unanimous decision to Adrien Broner (30-1-0, 22 KOs) on September 6, 2014.

The fourth combatant is Saul “Canelo”Alvarez, another San Diego adoptee who recently purchased a home in Del Mar, California. This fan-favorite had everyone going gaga and the large crowd of both reporters and fans followed him about wherever he went. Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs) looked amazingly fit and wasted little time showing off his impressive six-pack. If you were thinking of fighting this guy, the loud sound of him hitting the mitts might change your mind.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez makes his entrance into the House of Boxing gym.

(top) Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez wastes little time and gets right into his exercise. When the young lady in the bottom photos (purple jump suit) saw Canelo lying on the canvas, she got worried that he might be hurt.

After the shirt came off, the six-pack went on display.

On Saturday, Carlos Barragan was all over the place making sure the Media Day ran smoothly (top) he confers with pro boxer Miguel Sanchez Cuen and below he compares notes with a young lady from Golden Boy Promotions. Photos: Jim Wyatt

(top, left) Mr. Rodrigo Lliles, his wife and two sons were overjoyed when meeting the present day super star, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and the former star, Oscar De La Hoya. (bottom, right) One of the patrons folded his arms to do his best impression of the Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya.

During the festivities, Hall of Fame referee Pat Russell asked Oscar De La Hoya if he could sign a pair of gloves for a youngster. De La Hoya graciously began signing away. This development led to another grand photo op.

After so many people have asked Oscar De La Hoya to take a photo with them, he’s become the master of the selfie. All photos: Jim Wyatt

(l) The owner of the House of Boxing, David Barragan and his special lady pose for a photo. (top, right, left to right) Carlos Barragan Sr., well known boxing manager Frank Espinoza and trainer Miguel Molina pose for a photo. (below) Frank Espinoza Jr. and his lovely wife Gizelle.

Alvarez is scheduled to face the 31 year-old James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland (32-1, 28 KOs) on May 9 at Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas and the bout will air live on HBO.

The downside or negative thoughts in regards to having everyone excited about this bout? Kirkland hasn’t fought since December 7, 2013, the night he won a sixth round TKO victory over Glen Tapia (20-0). Prior to that bout, Kirkland hadn’t fought in 19 months and 14 days. Boxers have to remain active or just like an old bike, they begin to rust and become less competitive, not as keen, committed or passionate. Despite his good intentions, Kirkland will certainly be rusty at the outset of this contest.

Southpaw James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland of Austin, Texas.

James Kirkland’s thoughts: “I want to fight Canelo because I know his style. You see something, you analyze it, and I feel like I can beat him. I know he’s going to put in the work on fight night. I want to be a step ahead of him, so if he comes to box or comes for a slug fest, I will be ready.”

Like the others who were asked for their comments on this fight, Texas Boxing legend, Jesse James Leija predicted fireworks: “The way these guys fight, I see this fight ending early. I just can’t see a decision happening.”

“History will be made at Minute Maid Park” so says Rick Morones, James Kirkland’s head trainer.

(top) The broadcast team of Carlos Aguilar, Eduardo Lamazon, and Rodolfo Vargas will now be working closely with Golden Boy Promotions especially when they have a Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez show in Mexico.

TV Azteca, known as one of the powerhouses of boxing in Mexico and around the world due to their intensive dedication to spreading the sport to its millions of viewers, has signed an exclusive agreement with Golden Boy Promotions to broadcast Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez’ fights in Mexico. The agreement between Golden Boy and TV Azteca will begin with the broadcast of the 12-round super welterweight mega-fight between Alvarez and James Kirkland on May 9th from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

“TV Azteca broadcast my first televised national fight against Victor “El Negro” Márquez, and I am happy to return to this prestigious home and have it be the platform that displays my professional career,” said Alvarez. “TV Azteca has stood-out for their dedication to bringing boxing to the masses and I am very happy and grateful that all my fans will have the chance to see my fights on TV Azteca.