Weigh-ins for Friday’s Boxing Show at Gonzalez Sports Academy

After their respective weigh-ins for Friday's mega fight, Adrian Vargas (R) has his arm raised by the show's promoter Bobby DePhilippis and David Gonzalez (L), the Gonzalez Sports Academy's general manager, raises the arm of Emmanuel Robles, Vargas' opponent in the co-main event. Photo: J. Wyatt

When a boxing writer goes face to face with the boxers of an impending boxing card at their weigh-in, they have an opportunity to learn a lot about the fascinating past of the boxers and also clear up some of the misinformation. That’s what happened Thursday evening

when the 10 pugilists appeared for their pre-fight weigh-in for Friday’s boxing show, “Champions of Tomorrow,” to be held at the Gonzalez Sports Academy in East Lake, a neighborhood in Chula Vista.

In the "Champions of Tomorrow" main event, Oscar Godoy (L) is set to face Joshua "Superman" Marks (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt

In the show’s eight round main event, 21-year-old welterweight Oscar Godoy (4-1, 2 KOs) of Watsonville, CA and Joshua “Superman” Marks (8-3, 8 KOs) of Grand Junction, Colorado by way of El Centro, CA, by way of Georgia hit the scales first.

As an amateur, Godoy amassed a record of 76 wins with only 20 losses before turning pro in 2009. In his pro-debut, he won a split decision victory over Eduardo Herrera. In his second bout, he suffered his only defeat. Since then he’s rattled off three quick wins. Godoy, who trains at the Pastel Boxing Club and stands 5’11” tall, has Jose Hernandez for a coach and Jonathan Garcia as his manager.

Godoy’s opponent, Marks, hails from Grand Junction, Colorado, by way of El Centro, CA, by way of Fort Stewart, Georgia (it’s obvious the 24 year-old has a connection with the Army). The name “Superman” was given to him after his buddies discovered he could dunk a basketball. Seven of his ten pro fights were staged in Mexico and not one of those seven boxers had a winning record. To his credit, Marks, who had only two amateur bouts, has KO’d every one of the professional boxers he has beaten.

National City’s Adrian Vargas (5-0, 3 KOs) will be taking on Emmanuel Robles (4-0, 2 KOs) of Imperial Beach in the co-main event. Many moons ago, the two met as amateurs and Vargas won the hotly contested bout.

While Robles, a former National Pal Champion, has the quicker hands, Vargas has more pop. To say this is going to be an exciting match is an understatement.

Vargas of the Undisputed Fitness and Training Center in Downtown is trained by his older brother and Ernie Johnson of Old School Boxing near San Diego State University trains Robles.

In a four round lightweight match-up, Pablo Armenta (R) is set to face Omar Sanchez (L) of Fairfield, CA. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Also featured on the card is lightweight Pablo “Bronco” Armenta (6-1-1, 2 KOs) of South San Diego, who intends to rebound off his first professional loss to Guy Robb on September 16, 2011.

Armenta, who trains seriously six days a week, will be going up against Omar Sanchez (0-2-1) of Fairfield, CA. Early in his career, Jesse Lopez, Sr., Sanchez’s trainer, had a difficult time getting Sanchez, a more than respectable boxer, to train. As a full time roofer, he came and went. About six weeks ago, Sanchez returned to the JL Tepito Boxing Club gym to train and he started training with renewed passion.

Sanchez should be considered an unknown quantity since his losses came against two tough hombres, Guy Robb (7-1) and Maximilliano Becerra (5-0).

Here we have two of the Gonzalez brothers, Edgar (R) and David (L) holding up the arms of the combatants in Bout #4, Pablo Cupul (far right) of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and Raymond Chacon (far left) of Carson, CA. Photo: J. Wyatt

Bantamweight Pablo Cupul of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico (6-2-0, 4 KOs) will be taking on Raymond “Bad Boy” Chacon (3-1-0) who trains at the Maywood Club gym in Carson, CA. Chacon is coming off a split decision loss on September 23, 2011 to David Reyes. In this fight, Chacon made the mistake of going up in weight to fight a bigger man.

As an amateur, Chacon had one loss, a disqualification.

One of his supporters told me, “This kid is the second coming of Gary Russell Jr. Why? Because of his style and hand speed. As long as he stays patient and doesn’t go up in weight to fight the bigger guys, I don’t see anyone beating him.”

Chacon’s uncle, Louie Loy (17-3-1, 13 KOs), was a super-featherweight sensation who battled Hector Macho Camacho. After a more than decent career, he hung up his gloves in 1984.

As a hotshot basketball player with the famous 1 on 1 traveling basketball team, Chacon landed a part in the 2009 movie, 17 Again.

Chacon’s opponent, Copul is hoping to rebound (no pun intended) after his two straight disappointing loses. In his last outing, both he and his opponent Carlos Koh went down in a wild first round which ended in a TKO loss for Copul.

David Gonzalez (C) the Gonzalez Sports Academy general manager, raises the arms of Gabriel Medina (L) of Marrieta, CA and Luis Sanchez (R) of Fairfield, CA, the competitors in Bout #5, a four round welterweight match-up. Photo: Jim Wyatt

In the final match, we have a southpaw, 20 year-old Gabriel Medina of Marrieta, CA. Medina trains daily with top amateur Fernando Fuentes under the tutelage of Fuentes’ dad, Rueben at Real Deal Boxing in Hemet, CA. He had 12 Amateur bouts winning seven and losing five.

Medina’s opponent, Luis Sanchez (1-6-0), is also from Fairfield, CA. and trains with Jesse Lopez, Sr. He too has had problems keeping his focus on the sport. He doesn’t train as hard as his more successful brother, Alan Sanchez (9-2-1, 3 KOs). Luis has lost to both Emmanuel Robles and Adrian Vargas.

Since the promoters are expecting a packed house, it’s recommended you get your tickets early. With the many connections of the Gonzalez family, it’s expected that many celebrities from both the sporting and entertainment world will be present.

Young Xavier Mendez, the son of Donaldo Mendez, the former San Diego Padre shortstop, steps up on the scale to get a little taste of what it's like to be a professional boxer. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Overnight, the huge Sports Center will be transformed for Friday's big boxing show. Photo: Jim Wyatt

After his weigh-in, Emmanuel Robles (C) is joined by his trainer/former boxer, Ernie "Silky" Johnson (R) and boxing trainer/manager Lou Messina (L). Photo: J. Wyatt

Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first bell to sound at 8 p.m. This event is all ages and the venue has plenty of free parking. As mentioned, the Gonzalez Sports Academy is located at 2390 Boswell Road, Chula Vista (619) 600-3965.  www.GonzalezSportsAcademy.com.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.SanDiegoFights.com or by calling (619) 420-8866 or (619)743-0698.