The Villegas Park Boxing Club will hold its annual showcase at the Fairmount Park Armory this Saturday, September 7. This venue move is a significant upgrade for spectators and highlights an opportunity for what might become an important venue for boxing and other sporting events in Riverside.
The 65-year-old National Guard Armory at Fairmount Park is getting a makeover. While the Armory and its offices haven't been used by the National Guard for some time, it's now part of a renewal effort backed by $2.5 million in federal funds. The project is part of Riverside's "Put the River Back in Riverside" campaign, led by Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, aiming to turn the Armory into an arts and recreation center within Fairmount Park.
While not officially part of the renewal program, the Showcases are symbolic of something new at the Armory. Riverside has a strong boxing tradition, with programs that have trained generations of boxers. The upcoming event at the Armory will feature about 20 bouts across various weight categories, showcasing boxing clubs from all over Southern California. USA Boxing sanctions the event, and a snack bar and vendors will be available.
The action starts at 1 p.m. on September 7, and tickets are $20 for spectators 11 and older, $10 for kids aged 5-10, and free for kids 4 and under with a paid adult.
