OXNARD : Fund-Raiser Will Assist Boxing Club

To be a great boxer, you need determination, courage and skill--every fan of the sport knows that.

Few people, however, realize that it also takes money, said Manuel Herrera of La Colonia Youth Boxing Assn.

Herrera and other Oxnard boxing fans are holding a fund-raiser today for La Colonia Youth Boxing Club, where about 25 youngsters from the Oxnard neighborhood train. The club, located inside the Oxnard Boys & Girls Club, has no sponsors.

“When people learn about youth boxing, they think of kids beating on each other,” Herrera said. “What they don’t realize is how many kids it helps stay out of trouble. It’s a rough sport in every sense of the word, but especially when it comes to finding sponsors.”

The association hopes to raise $20,000 to buy gloves, headgear and uniforms, and to cover travel expenses for its star boxers, who are often invited to amateur tournaments around the country.

Present at the fund-raiser will be La Colonia’s two young boxing standouts: Robert Garcia, an undefeated professional fighter, who has a 12-0 record including nine knockouts, and Fernando Vargas, who at 16 is the youngest-ever U.S. lightweight champion.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. at the Oxnard Boys & Girls Club, 126 E. 7th St. Adults will be asked for a minimum donation of $3 and children $1.50. For more information, call 983-6377.