Armijo Gets His Second Shot at State Title Tonight in Irvine

John Armijo, one of the most colorful and popular fighters to compete at the Irvine Marriott, seeks a state title tonight in the main event of the monthly boxing program at the hotel.

Armijo (13-4) takes on Arnold Williams (12-2) of Oakland in a 12-round bout for the vacant California super welterweight title. The first of six scheduled fights is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. in the grand ballroom at the Marriott.

This will be the second state title bout for Armijo, who also works as a lifeguard at Huntington Beach. He is always introduced as the “Fighting Lifeguard.”

He lost to Rollin Williams in a unanimous decision in March of 1991. Williams spent much of the fight staying away from Armijo, who spent much of the fight chasing and throwing wild punches.

Armijo, 29, said he has taken this title bout much more seriously and has been at his fighting weight of 154 pounds for almost a month. In the past, he said his weight has fluctuated as much as 25 to 30 pounds between bouts.

“I’ve got to win and I will win,” he said. “It’s a must win for me and I’m feeling good. I did it (controlling his weight) right this time.”

Armijo had a slow rise to fame at the Irvine Marriott and eventually became one of the most popular fighters in the area, his bouts always drawing well. There are usually about 100 fellow lifeguards and friends from the Huntington Beach area standing along a back wall cheering.

At times, Armijo has let his emotions get the best of him in the ring. Once, in a fit of rage, he even sat on a fighter he had just knocked down.

During the Gulf War, he came into the ring holding an American flag and, after winning the bout, he told reporters he just thought of his opponent as Saddam Hussein.

But Armijo is hoping to rise above such tactics tonight and bring attention to himself for his boxing skills.

“I’ve got to put (my emotions) away,” he said. “I just have to concentrate on my opponent once the fight starts and put all my energy into that.”