Irvine to Enforce Age Limit for Fans at Boxing Event

Concerned over the number of apparent under-age spectators at Thursday night’s boxing card at the Irvine Marriott, the Irvine Police Department is reminding promoters and fans that it’s illegal for anyone younger than 16 to attend.

“From what I was told there were more under-age spectators at Thursday’s card than ever before, so we felt we should be sure everyone is aware of the law as it’s written,” Sgt. Brian Clifton, a special events officer, said Friday. A section of the state Penal Code prohibits anyone younger than 16 from attending so-called “prize fights” in the state.

“We feel certain there is no malicious intent involved, but we just need to make sure the state law is observed.”

Roy Englebrecht, promoter of the monthly boxing card, said he was informed about the law by the Irvine police about four years ago and has attempted to enforce it.

Englebrecht said he was told there were “about 10 children under 16” at the card Thursday. “Some of them had comp tickets, possibly from the fighters,” he said. “I could have tried to enforce it, but in this case it would have caused a scene, and I appreciate that there was some common sense shown.

“We’ll take whatever steps we can to avoid the problem in the future,” he said.

Englebrecht said he will include a reminder about the law on mailings to fans and signs at the site. “I’ll also remind the fighters about the law at the future weigh-ins,” he said. “The fact is we may be the only boxing show that does make an attempt to enforce the law.”

Englebrecht said he has written the state Athletic Commission to ask if the law could be changed. “From what I know it’s a law that was put on the books in the 1800s, but changing those kinds of things can take time,” he said.