TKO prevents sanctioned amateur boxing

Commission calls suspension temporary

By Derek Wilson/Times-Herald sports writer

Across the bay in Vallejo, a local gym throbs with the same level of excitement. Fighters making their debuts look across the rows of seats to see their parents cheering them on.

There are no tuxedos here, no ring-card girls and none of the money or glamour that flows through the big city.

"Boxing is good for myself, because I get something out of it. I feel good. I get exercise," said Ernesto Serrano, a 120-pounder who's been training with Vallejo PAL the past five months. "But it's good for

One thing these contrasting scenes have in common: Both are amateur boxing shows, sanctioned by USA Boxing, the sport's national governing body.

Another trait the two shows share: Both are being shut down by the California State Athletic Commission.

There is a showdown coming between the two entities and California's amateur fighters are caught in the middle.

"I feel let down for the kids," said Vallejo PAL boxing coach Paul Koon. Vallejo PAL had scheduled a boxing show for April 11 with 14 scheduled bouts, including fighters from other clubs. More than 80 tickets had already been sold, but must now be returned after the blanket ban by the CSAC.

"They had been training hard and looking real good. ... We got the news and it took the steam out of our kids," said Koon, whose own son is a nationally ranked amateur heavyweight.

The CSAC recently issued a temporary statewide ban on all amateur boxing shows hosted by private clubs after concerns were raised about whether USA Boxing was doing a proper job of protecting the boxers.

"The temporary suspension will remain in effect until CSAC has fully investigated numerous allegations concerning regulation of the sport by USA Boxing and its local affiliates," according to a March 23 CSAC press release. As previously reported in the press, young children, many under 16 and some as young as 8, have been fighting in private clubs for entertainment purposes.

"The Commission is concerned that the safety and fairness standards set forth and overseen by the national office of USA Boxing are inadequate to properly protect the health and safety of amateur fighters in California," the release said.

USA Boxing has been the primary sanctioning body for amateur boxing in California, although the CSAC still has the last word. State inspectors, however, have been more focused on professional boxing and mixed martial arts bouts -- until now.

"USA Boxing is now suspended from operating in all of California. We have been served with a cease-and-desist order by the CSAC. We can no longer hold any amateur boxing shows," wrote Oscar Ortiz, USA Boxing's Northern California association president. Ortiz said the national office has until Tuesday to show cause why the privileges should not be permanently revoked.

By state law, there is to be no alcohol served, no gambling and, in effect, none of the trademarks of a professional show surrounding amateur competition.

One amateur coach, Robert Salinas, blew the whistle on a pair of San Francisco clubs, including San Francisco's City Club and the renowned Olympic Club. He reported that parents of boxers were not allowed to attend the shows, where, according to a KGO-TV report, bartenders mixed drinks while men in tuxes exchanged cash as bets were laid down before a pair of teenage fighters emerged from their corners.

The Olympic Club disputes the KGO report, stating none of the fighters in their shows are under 18. The club further denies that it allows any gambling or alcohol on the premises during the shows.

Some coaches, including Koon and Vallejo PAL boxing director Andrew Trujillo, support an investigation into such activities and back penalties against the clubs and individuals involved.

Meanwhile, they have to explain to their fighters, including 13-year-old Jason Cabutos,

that it's not their fault they won't be fighting April 11.

"I was mad, because it was my first fight and they just canceled it without notice," said Cabutos, a featherweight, who hoped he might become a world champion like Manny Pacquiao.

"My dad told me later what happened. I understand, but it made me angry."

The Vallejo PAL boxers will still enter the ring at the Elks Lodge on April 11, but it will be a sparring session, not an official bout. Coaches and parents are also planning to meet with state officials to discuss the ban.

"I was annoyed that they canceled (the match). I trained hard and they canceled it. I'm not sure if that was fair," Serrano said. "It's wrong that (other clubs) were doing that, but it's wrong for everyone to be punished."

Athletes and coaches with questions regarding the ban should call the California State Athletic Commission at (916) 263-2196.