Paladin

Issue date: 6/9/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jorge Ramos

The D.G. Boxing Gym will organize its first major boxing event Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Cal State Long Beach Pyramid, with an LBCC student in one of the main events.

The gym promotes amateur boxing, specifically Long Beach boxers. Three of gym owner David Gonzalez' personalized Championship D.G. title belts will be won that day.

Around 40 confirmed boxers will travel from different parts of California. They will compete in different weight classes and a wide range of ages, for three-round
fights.

All boxers have experience in rings from many tournaments. Among the contenders, some have become champions in the ranks of Golden and Silver Gloves.

Gonzalez expects to see a sold-out crowd at the 5,000- seat arena with 25 matches in two 20-feet-by-20-feet rings.

Many factors lead to the high expectation of the event; the sold-out crowd, titles in dispute and the last amateur appearance of some boxers.

D.G, as Gonzalez is known by many, said with the individual talent and level of competition in the fights, the fans will witness violence.

The gym owner will place a special emphasis on three boxers who will fight in co-main events.

Anthony Wheaton, 26, is expected to go pro after his fight.

Mighty Mo, 11, is ranked No. 1 nationally at 70 pounds. LBCC student John Crispo, 21, has an 8-3 record. Crispo's first main event may come with a taste of revenge since one of two prospective opponents defeated him in a Golden Gloves final.

Although the boxers still lack confirmed opponents, D.G. assured they are preparing to win the D.G. titles. "My guys fight with heart and that's what I expect to see."

D.G. is confident in his training and with the dose of heart by his boxers he said they will gain an advantage.

Crispo said, "It's going to be a tough fight, regardless of the opponents." Scouts will be present and the best thing Crispo can do is, "keep training hard and continue conditioning."

He dedicates more than 25 hours a week to preparation, while holding down a job as a bouncer in an Anaheim nightclub and a position at the Long Beach port. Although he lacks sleep, he said, "I just have to work it out, get up and do it. When I'm in that ring I don't want to say I got tired."

Starting Monday, June 9, he will begin to lift weights and continue with a routine of shadowboxing, combination punches, rope jumping and light sparring.

Anyone interested in the event could expect chess-like matches and contenders who, D.G. said "all want to take home the D.G. Champion Belt."

Ticket prices and exact times will be available at DGboxinggyms.com. The Pyramid is located at 1250 S. Bellflower Blvd.

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