Following two successful action-packed editions of Golden Boy Promotions’ new series LA FIGHT CLUB on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes,the next installment allows fans the chance to get up-close and personal to boxing’s most promising talent in the hip, intimate setting at the beautiful Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles on May 7.
In anticipation of another night featuring the best and brightest in boxing, we caught up with some of the fighters in camp to ask them what it is about the City of Angels that they love, whether it be a favorite hot spot, place to hike, or what surprises them most about Los Angeles.
Here is what they had to say:
MANUEL “TINO” AVILA, Super Bantamweight Prospect:
What is your favorite Los Angeles sports team?
“The Dodgers.”
What is your favorite place to hike or work out outside?
“Rockville Hills Regional Park in Fairfield, and my favorite beach is Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County.”
What was your first impression of Los Angeles?
“The crazy traffic, it’s intense.”
Where would TMZ be most likely to find you?
“At a Starbucks. The funny thing is, I hate coffee but I love their tea.”
DIEGO DE LA HOYA, Featherweight Prospect:
What celebrity would make you feel star-struck if you ran into them?
“I think it would be crazy if I ever ran into Megan Fox or Ronda Rousey. They are my celebrity crushes.”
Where would TMZ be mostly likely to find you?
“Most likely at the gym training or shopping. That is what I am always doing.”
What was your first impression of Los Angeles?
“I remember seeing all the buildings in downtown LA and seeing how big the city actually is.”
Disneyland or Universal?
“I’m team Disney.”
NICK ARCE, Featherweight Prospect:
What is your favorite restaurant in Los Angeles?
“I love LA Sushi Koo by the Beverly Center.”
What is the perfect “LA Day” you would recommend to someone visiting the city for the first time?
“The pier at Santa Monica is a great place to spend the day.”
Who is your favorite Los Angeles athlete?
“Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers.”
What is your favorite place to hike or work out outdoors?
“My favorite place to hike is in Pacific Palisades.”
OSCAR NEGRETE, Super Bantamweight Prospect:
Who is your favorite Los Angeles sports team?
“LA Dodgers, no doubt!”
Who is your favorite Los Angeles athlete?
“California State Boxing Super Featherweight Champion Daniel ‘El Huracan’ Ramirez.”
What is your favorite hidden spot in Los Angeles?
“Paddle boarding in Seal Beach.”
What is your favorite date activity?
“Bowling.”
What celebrity would make you feel star-struck if you ran into them?
“J-Lo.”
JESUS DELGADO, Lightweight Prospect:
What is your favorite beach?
“Venice Beach.”
What is your favorite hidden spot to get away in Los Angeles?
“Elysian Park, the park is beautiful and there are some nice trails.”
Who is your favorite sports team and athlete in Los Angeles?
“The Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant.”
Where would TMZ be most likely to find you?
“The Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens.”
Disneyland vs. Universal?
“Universal.”
ZACHARY COOPER, Super Welterweight Prospect:
What is the perfect “LA Day” you would recommend to someone visiting the city for the first time?
“To get a rental car and drive up to Malibu for a few hours, and then come back to the city to go to the shopping district to buy some kicks, get some food, and relax.”
Who is your favorite Los Angeles sports team and athletes?
“LAKERS. My favorite athletes are Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.”
What celebrity would you be star struck if you ran into them?
“Will Smith, Brad Pitt, The Rock, Denzel Washington as all are monumental icons in their own right and are inspirational.”
What is the craziest thing you have seen in Los Angeles?
“I can’t say that to the public as my mom would be ashamed of me…LOL.”
Tickets are available for purchase online by going to www.goldenboypromotions.com or by visiting the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page. For ticket information, email us at [email protected].
The Knockout Experience VIP package is also available for an additional $25 upgrade and includes VIP entrance, access to an exclusive lounge offering food and beverages for purchase; a meet and greet opportunity with fighters and celebrities attending the event; an automatic entry into the LA FIGHT CLUB grand prize drawing, which can include but is not limited to: autograph gloves, picture in the ring, backstage access, tour of locker rooms, fighter ring walk, tickets to upcoming boxing events and additional merchandise and prizes.
LA FIGHT CLUB: Avila vs. Ruiz is a 10-round super bantamweight bout presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the first bout begins at 5:30 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 broadcast will air live, Thursday, May 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT and the FOX Deportes broadcast airs on Friday, May 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.
The LA FIGHT CLUB is a monthly boxingseries that takes place on the first Thursday of each month with the next installment set to air on June 4. It will showcase the brightest stars in the sport and present these exciting matchups in a nightclub atmosphere with an original setup. The boxing ring will be set on the main floor of the Belasco Theater with on-camera standing room for fans in front of the ring similar to a concert pit, as well as reserved balcony and floor seats. Los Angeles’ own DJ Ray of Big Boy’s Neighborhood will spin music during the fights and fans will be able to dance and mingle with the fighters when the venue converts into a night club, in a VIP experience not matched by any promoter in the industry.
Media interested in attending the May 7 installment of LA FIGHT CLUB must be pre-approved for credentials. Credential applications are available by clicking HERE. Completed credential applications should be sent to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. Media will not be credentialed on-site, no exceptions.
For more information visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.belascous.com, www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1, www.FOXDeportes.com, follow on twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing, @FoxSports, @FoxSports1, @FoxDeportes, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/TheBelascoLA, www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes, visit us on Instagram at @GoldenBoyBoxing and @belascola and follow the conversation using #LAFIGHTCLUB.
